Do the Double Scan- Fixing DTV Reception Problems
Following is a helpful technique when you are having challenges with obtaining channels on your TV.
Consumers having difficulty receiving certain television channels following the June 12 transition to digital TV should try these tips for better reception: “double rescanning,” and double checking and relocating their antennas. Meanwhile, local broadcasters are working to resolve those issues that originate with their signal.
Double Check & Relocate Your Antenna
You must have a VHF/UHF antenna. “Rabbit ears,” rods, or other elements are needed to pick up channels 2-13 (VHF), and a circle, bow-tie, or other element is needed to pick up channels 14-51 (UHF). Some antennas marketed as HDTV antennas don’t perform well on VHF channels; some antennas are VHF or UHF-only.
For the best reception of channels 2-6, extend the rods all the way out. For the best reception of channels 7-13, reduce the length of the rods to 12-18 inches.
Location, Location, Location
The location of an indoor antenna is key. And one of the most popular spots for indoor antennas – on top of the TV – may not be the best. Consumers having trouble with digital TV reception should try moving their antennas to one of these locations:
* Near a window
* As high as possible
* Away from other electronic equipment, including computers, VCRs, DVD players, converter boxes, and the television itself
* Change the direction the antenna is facing
* Rooftop antennas may be needed in some instances
Consumers may need to run the “scan” function again on their converter boxes after moving the antenna.
While adjusting your antenna, it may be helpful to access the “signal strength meter” on your digital-to-analog converter box or digital television to determine whether your adjustments are improving the signals’ strength. The signal strength meter is usually accessed through the menu feature on your remote control. Refer to the owner’s manual of your device for detailed instructions on how to access its signal strength meter. Remember to do another channel scan after you have adjusted your antenna.
OK – The DTV switch has finally happened – however millions of Americans are still finding the transition puzzling. First if you have any questions call: 1-888-Call-FCC
click the Red Coupon Icon
You will have reception (viewing problems) Its Not You! – that’s Digital
You will have Pixelation on your screen, Its Not You! – that’s Digital
You will Lose Channels in the aftermath, Its Not You! – That’s Digital
It’s not the TV, Its not the Antenna, Its Not YOU! – It’ Digital
Impacting 35 million American nationally, most are Elderly, Minorities, Disable and Rural.
REMARKS OF ACTING FCC CHAIRMAN MICHAEL J. COPPS
IN THE WAKE OF THE DIGITAL TELEVISION TRANSITION
JUNE 13, 2009
Good afternoon. I want to welcome everyone to this press conference, the day after the end of full-power analog television broadcasting in the United States.
Yesterday was a truly historic day. For TV broadcasting, it was a final farewell to the Dinosaur Age and the dawn of the Digital Age. We said goodbye to the analog transmission technology that has served us well for the past 60 years and replaced it with something that can serve us even better. Digital will do for television what it has done for every other communications technology it touches—make it better, more efficient, more interactive, more competitive, and more exciting than ever before. The world is going digital, and I have no doubt that over-the-air television had to go digital as well. It’s a win-win for consumers and for the long-term health of the broadcast industry.
We should not minimize the scope and scale of what we just went through. Twenty years ago, there was no such thing as digital television. Ten years ago, only a handful of stations were on the air with a digital signal and only a handful of early adopters had purchased digital sets—and most had to take out second mortgages in order to do it. Five years ago, no one knew when the DTV transition would end. And yet yesterday broadcasters, cable and satellite providers, consumer electronics manufacturers and retailers—and, most importantly, consumers—were by-and-large ready to turn off full-power analog signals for good.
I say “by and large” because, as we all know, a transition of this size inevitably entails a measure of disruption. We did our best to anticipate it and to minimize it in the time we had. In the less-than-five months we had since a new team took over, we cut the number of unprepared households in half. We put systems in place like in-home assistance and our National Call Center to help those who were still caught unprepared yesterday when analog transmissions stopped. Job One in the coming days and weeks is to help restore service to those consumers who may still be experiencing difficulties.
But in a broader sense, the transition is not over, even for those of us who dutifully connected our converter boxes by yesterday’s deadline. Because despite the understandable focus on June 12, the DTV transition is not a one-day affair. There will be a period of adjustment as we all figure out how to make this new technology work in the real world. Some consumers still need to get converter boxes. Others will have to move or adjust their antennas or perhaps even buy more powerful ones in order to receive the channels they should be receiving. All of us using converter boxes must remember to re-scan our boxes.
At the same time, there may be changes from the transmission side of the equation that will make consumers’ lives easier. Some stations are still ramping up to full power and making other necessary adjustments in the days ahead. Also, in certain
cases the FCC can assist stations pursuing technical solutions for offering better coverage.
The point is we all need a bit of patience and perseverance in the days ahead. This is a momentous change and it will take time to get it right. Be assured that here at the FCC, we are working around the clock to make that happen.
Speaking of working around the clock, let me turn the podium over to my colleagues Jonathan Adelstein and Rob McDowell. I can’t thank them and our incredible FCC staff enough for their tireless efforts on behalf of the American people. Commissioner McDowell will give you an update on the Call Center activity yesterday, and Commissioner Adelstein will give you an update on what’s happening in the field.
Thank you very much.
STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONER JONATHAN S. ADELSTEIN
ON THE DIGITAL TELEVISION TRANSITION
JUNE 13, 2009al
We are ushering in the end of analog broadcasting and the beginning of the digital age. Things went about as smoothly as we could have hoped. It’s looking more like Y2K than the Bay of Pigs. Certainly, if we had not delayed and prepared, it might have been a disaster. But with the additional time, resources and actual planning, we put things in order just in time.
We cannot become complacent or rest on our laurels. Over the next few days, weeks and perhaps months, we need to keep our efforts in overdrive, continuing to conduct a national field, phone and Internet operation. We need to “search and rescue” viewers who are still unprepared. And we need to remind viewers to rescan their TVs and boxes, and adjust their antennas.
The Commission has truly conducted an unprecedented effort to prepare millions of viewers for the transition of 974 TV stations throughout the country. To be sure, some viewers are still unprepared, unaware, or – in some instances – frustrated. But the Commission’s outreach effort has been vast, comprehensive and effective, reaching from every public housing unit in urban areas and to every farm in rural parts of America. We have also focused on the groups that are particularly affected by the transition. As a result, we have cut the number of completely unprepared households in half since February 17th.
The Commission’s activities have included deploying legions of trained and dedicated FCC employees to nearly every television market in the country, operating hundreds community-based walk-in centers, responding – yesterday alone – to a record number of more than 300,000 consumer calls in a host of different languages, and installing thousands of converter boxes in unprepared homes. Our website, www.dtv.gov, has also been very successful in providing consumers with the information they need to prepare for the transition, allowing them to apply for converter box coupons and getting antenna and reception information. During the month of May, there were more than 2.5 million pages viewed on the website. Yesterday, we exceeded that number, topping 3.1 million pages viewed.
So with the continued hard work of FCC staff in the field and at the Commission, along with our governmental and private partners, especially broadcasters, cable and satellite television providers, consumer electronic retailers and all of our vendors and volunteers, we will continue to respond to every single concern that is brought our attention. We will also continue to reach out to those viewers who have not yet made the transition to digital television.
Our work is far from done, but we are off to an impressive start.
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