Digital TV Conversion FAQs - Muscatine Power & Water

What is the Broadcast Digital Transition?
Why is this being done?
How do I know if I own a digital TV?
Is a High Definition (HD) TV and a Digital TV (DTV) the same?
Will I have to buy new TVs?
What if I have a digital TV?
Do I need a converter box?
What is the benefit of the Broadcast Digital Transition to me?
Will my current antenna still work?
How do I take advantage of the $40 government coupons?
What does the Broadcast Digital Transition mean for me as an MPW Digital TV customer?
How do I find out more information about the Broadcast Digital Transition?
What is the Digital Simulcast Project?
What does the Digital Simulcast Project mean to MPW Digital TV customers?
Will I have to buy new TVs for my home?
What is the benefit of the Digital Simulcast Project to MPW Digital TV customers?
Will I need a digital converter box on all of my TVs?
If I have a digital TV, what will I have to do in order to receive programming?
What is a CableCARD™?
What will a digital converter box or CableCARD cost?

What is the Broadcast Digital Transition?
All traditional broadcast stations, which locally include WHBF(4), KWQC(6), KLJB(7), WQAD(8), WBQD(11), KIIN(12), and WQPT(14), have been mandated by Congress to convert their television signal from analog to digital by June 12, 2009.

Why is this being done?
To free up frequencies for public safety communications such as police, fire, and emergency rescue as well as advanced wireless communication services.

How do I know if I own a digital TV?
All TVs purchased after 5-25-07 are digital unless indicated differently on the back of the TV. If you are not sure, refer to the owner’s manual that came with your TV. It should indicate whether the TV has a digital tuner.

Further Information: As of March 1, 2007, all televisions shipped in interstate commerce or imported into the United States must contain a digital tuner. In addition, effective May 25, 2007, the FCC required sellers of the televisions that do not include a digital tuner to disclose at the point-of-sale that such devices include only an analog tuner. Therefore, they will require a digital-to-analog converter box to receive over-the-air broadcast television. The TV will have to meet Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) standards.

Is a High Definition (HD) TV and a Digital TV (DTV) the same?
No, there are many quality levels of DTV of which HD is one format. The most common are:

Standard Definition TV (SDTV) – SDTV is the basic level of quality display and resolution for both analog and digital. Transmission of SDTV may be in either the traditional (4:3) or widescreen (16:9) format.
Enhanced Definition TV (EDTV) – EDTV is a step up from SDTV. EDTV comes in 480p widescreen (16:9) or traditional (4:3) format and provides better picture quality than SDTV, but not as high as HDTV.
High Definition TV (HDTV) – HDTV is in widescreen format (16:9) and includes 720p, 1080i and 1080p resolutions. It is the highest resolution and picture quality of all digital broadcast formats. Combined with digitally enhanced sound technology, HDTV sets new standards for sound and picture quality in television. (Note: HDTV and digital TV are not the same – HDTV is one format of digital TV.) Advanced HD/DVR box is required to receive HD programming. (link to cost question)

Over-The-Air Viewers (Antenna Users)

Will I have to buy new TVs?
You will not have to buy a new TV. Consumers, who receive free, over-the-air broadcasting via an antenna on analog sets, will have three options for continuing their television service after June 12, 2009:
1. Purchase a converter box that will convert the digital signal into analog for an existing television set;
2. Purchase a new television set with a built-in digital tuner; and/or
3. Subscribe to MPW Digital TV by choosing one of our affordable solutions.

What if I have a digital TV?
If you have a digital TV, you will not need a converter box.

Do I need a converter box?
As stated above, if you have a digital TV, you will not need a converter box. If you have an analog TV, refer to your options outlined above in previous question.

What is the benefit of the Broadcast Digital Transition to me?
You can expect improved picture and sound quality and be able to receive more channels. The digital transmission of the broadcast signals allow for multiple channels of programming information to be sent, so in the future each station could provide additional programming sources in their digital transmission. A couple local broadcasters are using this capability to provide a local weather channel. These are already available to subscribers of MPW Digital TV.

Will my current antenna still work?
With a good indoor or outdoor antenna, you will maximize your DTV reception. In general, dependable reception of DTV will require the same type of antenna that currently works to provide good quality reception of analog TV signals. For more information about antenna requirements click here.

How do I take advantage of the $40 government coupons?
The government is providing up to two coupons for each home to purchase two converter boxes for over-the-air reception to help offset the cost of the boxes. The coupons are valued at $40 each.

The converter boxes must be purchased within 90 days of the receipt of the coupons. Coupons are not transferable. The converter boxes are estimated to cost between $40 and $75. You may not combine two coupons and buy one converter box.

Over-the-air converter boxes purchased with the $40 coupon will not work with any cable or satellite system.

Request a Coupon:

Online
www.dtv2009.gov

Mail
PO Box 2000
Portland, OR 97208

Telephone
1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009) By Fax TTY: 1-877-530-2634 (English)
1-877-DTV-4ME2
1-888-495-1161 (Spanish)
(1-877-388-4632)

MPW Digital TV Customers Broadcast Digital Transition

What does the Broadcast Digital Transition mean for me as an MPW Digital TV customer?
As an MPW Digital TV customer, you will see no change in your broadcast channels (WHBF, KWQC, KLJB, WQAD, WBQD, KIIN, and WQPT) immediately following June 12, 2009. MPW Digital TV is converting the signal at our facilities so you won’t have any change in service.

During 2009, as we move forward through the Digital Simulcast Project, we will keep customers informed of any and all changes.

How do I find out more information about the Broadcast Digital Transition?
These sites contain more information.
www.dtv.gov
www.dtvanswers.com
www.dtv2009.gov
www.dtvtransition.org

MPW Digital TV Customers Digital Simulcast Project

What is the Digital Simulcast Project?
The Digital Simulcast Project is the first step in moving to a fully digital service. During this time MPW Digital TV will be broadcasting our current analog channels (2-80) in a digital format as well.

What does the Digital Simulcast Project mean to MPW Digital TV customers?
The Digital Simulcast Project will allow MPW Digital TV customers greater program selection and picture quality via an all-digital platform. Upon completion of the project at the end of 2009, MPW Digital TV customers will need an MPW Digital TV digital converter box.

However, customers who purchase a CableCARD™ – compatible digital TV or other TV-related device (such as a DVR, TiVo^®, or digital converter box, etc.) will require a CableCARD™ from MPW Digital TV in order to continue to receive MPW Digital TV services Over-the-air converter boxes purchased with the $40 coupon will not work with any cable or satellite system.

At the end of the Digital Simulcast Project, MPW Digital TV can provide additional Digital and HD Channels, and expand Video OnDemand (VOD) to include HD movies. The picture quality and clarity will be unmistakably the best you have seen. Other additional services and channels will be available to those who have not yet experienced digital. These will include VOD, interactive on-screen TV Guide, Music Choice (24/7 music), parental controls and much more.

Will I have to buy new TVs for my home?
No. Non-digital TVs will work if they have a digital converter box connected to them. A digital TV will have to have either a digital converter box or be able to utilize a CableCARD™

What is the benefit of the Digital Simulcast Project to MPW Digital TV customers?
Converting to digital will give customers access to better picture and sound quality and more programming features, including Video OnDemand (VOD), Free On Demand (FOD) programming, commercial-free digital music channels, and an interactive on-screen TV Guide. The Digital Simulcast also allows MPW Digital TV to offer additional digital and High Definition (HD) channels, as well as HD VOD.

Will I need a digital converter box on all of my TVs?
Upon completion of the Digital Simulcast project at the end of 2009, you will need a MPW Digital TV digital converter box or Cable Card in order to receive our standard Digital Programming Packages. However, we will be continuing to provide our customers with our Basic (2-32) service in analog which will be available on any TV without a converter box.

If I have a digital TV, what will I have to do in order to receive programming?
A DTV with a CableCARD™ slot will need a CableCARD™. One without a CableCARD™ slot will require a digital converter box.

What is a CableCARD™?
A CableCARD™ fits into a special slot on your TV and allows you to receive many of the same services as a digital converter box. There are two-way CableCARD™-compatible and one-way CableCARD™-compatible TVs. A two-way CableCARD™ supports both sending and receiving of a signal from your TV to MPW Digital TV, for example: you receive information about Video OnDemand (VOD) movies and you send your movie selection to MPW Digital TV to order movies. This will also eliminate the need for a digital converter box.

A one-way CableCARD™-compatible TV will allow only a signal to be received by your TV. You cannot send a signal or communicate back to MPW Digital TV. In order to have all of the features of digital such as the interactive on-screen TV Guide, you would still need a digital converter box.

What will a digital converter box or CableCARD cost?
The current rental cost is $4 per month per digital converter box, $11.99 per month per advanced HD/DVR digital box, (includes CableCARD or $1 per month per CableCARD.)