The switch to digital television (DTV) is here. The U.S. government required all full-power television stations to broadcast exclusively with a digital signal.
June 12 was the final deadline for terminating analog broadcasts.
Quick Info:- For help with the DTV transition, call 1-888-CALL-FCC or 1-888-225-5322
Having Trouble Installing a DTV Converter Box?
IMPORTANT NOTE: Television sets connected to cable or satellite will not be affected and will continue to receive programming after June 12.
If you watch TV with an over-the-air antenna, you'll need a DTV tuner to see these digital channels. TV sets manufactured as of March 2007 have a built-in tuner. Older TV sets will need a converter box in order for it to display the digital signal.
But...We live along the Texas-Mexico border. And we can watch channels from Mexico. Those channels aren't required by their government to broadcast digital signals.
There are also some low-power television stations which the federal law doesn't cover. They're not required to broadcast in digital either.
What does this mean?In order to see the digital signals from KRGV and other full-power US television stations AND watch stations from Mexico broadcasting in analog, you'll need an "analog-pass-through" converter box.
Want to watch all over-the-air local channels from the US and Mexico?1. Buy a new TV set which has an analog and digital tuner built-in. Attach a suitable antenna.
You'll just be flipping channels as always. Cost depends on what type of TV you want to buy.
Or...
2. Buy a digital converter box with "analog-pass-through" capability. Attach it and a suitable antenna to your TV. This one-time purchase of a digital converter should add years of life to your existing analog TV set.
Basically, if you want to see digital channels, turn the converter box on, and change channels on the converter box. To see analog channels, turn the converter box off and use the TV set to switch channels.
What is a DTV converter box?A DTV converter box is an easy-to-install electronic device that hooks up to your analog television set and over-the-air antenna and converts the digital television signal into analog, making it viewable on your analog TV.
They generally range in price from $40-$80.
Where can I get a coupon for a DTV converter box?The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will issue coupons for DTV converter boxes in early 2008. Households will be able to apply for up to two coupons, valued at $40 each.
The coupons must be redeemed within three months of getting them.
Click here to apply for a government voucher to help with the cost of a converter box. You can also call 1-888-DTV-2009 to apply.Click here for list of coupon-eligible converter boxes eligible.
Having Trouble Installing a DTV Converter Box? If that doesn't work, 211 can arrange for a fire department volunteer to visit
you at home and help you in person.
The communities that offer this service are below:
- Brownsville
- Cameron County Emergency Management
- Edinburg
- Harlingen
- Hidalgo County Emergency Management
- McAllen
- Mission
- Pharr
- Raymondville
- Weslaco
Full Service Walk-in Centers Best Buy 3400 E Expressway 83
McAllen, TX 78501
877-207-9406
Hours of Operation: Mon-Sun: 12 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Dates of Operation: 05-22-09 through 07-14-09
Walk-In Center 1305 E Washington Ave.
Harlingen, TX 78550
877-207-9406
Hours of Operation: Mon-Sun: 12 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Dates of Operation: 06-03-09 through 07-20-09
Best Buy 2701 Pablo Kisel Blvd.
Brownsville, TX 78526
Contact: 877-207-9406
Hours of Operation: Mon-Sun: 12 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Dates of Operation: 05-22-09 through 07-14-09
Companies Offering Free Basic Installation Services In The ValleyHouseholds
must already
have an antenna installed and must already
have the digital converter boxes that they need.
Basic Installation: If you need help connecting your DTV converter box to your analog TV, call:
-
- R&D Training & Technical Service: 1-866-202-4596
- South Texas Resource & Assistance Center: 1-866-999-3435
- Installs, Inc.: 1-800-582-4250 or 1-866-202-4596
Expert Installation: If you are also having antenna problems or difficulty with reception, call:
- Hernandez Consulting: 1-866-474-7286
- Installs, Inc.: 1-800-582-4250 or 1-866-202-4596
- KMAD Business Services: 1-866-932-2758
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Analog Shut Down Schedule For Friday, June 12The following stations will shut down their analog signal at 1 p.m.:
The following stations will shut down their analog signal at 11:59 p.m.:
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DTV Assistance CentersThe following locations will be available to help Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.Alamo Public Library
416 N. Tower Rod
787-6160
Boys & Girls Club of Alamo-San Juan
501 North 13th Street
782-5437
Alton Recreation Center
349 W. Dawes Avenue
519-2123
Boys & Girls Club of Donna
307 Miller
464-6674
Donna Public Library
301 S. Main Street
464-2221
Llano Grande in Edcouch
PO Box 340
262-4474
Elsa Public Library
PO Box 1477
262-3061
Hidalgo Youth Center
122 North 2nd Street
843-9762
La Joya Public Library
925 S. Leo Ave.
581-4533
Las Milpas Community Center
211 W. Audry Street
702-3081
Boys & Girls Club of Pharr - Las Milpas Unit
413 E. Clark
787-6869
Boys & Girls Club of Mission
PO Box 2257
585-3606
Boys & Girls Club of Palmview
406 W. Veterans Blvd.
432-0336
Boys & Girls Club of Pharr
413 E. Clark
787-6869
Pharr Housing Authority
211 W. Audry Street
783-1474
Pharr Literacy Center
1005 W. Gore Ave.
783-7746
San Juan Public Library
1010 South Standard
Weslaco Public Library
525 S. Kansas Ave.
The following locations will be available to help Monday through Friday from 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.Catholic Social Services in
Brownsville955 W. Price Road
956-541-0220
Catholic Social Services in
San Juan700 N. Virgen de San Juan Blvd.
702-4088 ext. 311
The following locations will be available to help Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.De Colores Adult Day Care in
Edinburg205 McIntyre
981-1155
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