Re: DTV 'soft test' prompts Chicago concern about preparedness for transition

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: I can't get CBS 2 on my converter box, it starts with NBC 5 - why? : : : DTV 'soft test' prompts Chicago concern about preparedness for June 12 transition : : Those annoying reminders about television's big switch from broadcasting an analog signal to only digital? : : They're apparently not annoying enough because, with the official June 12 transition less than three weeks away, many in the Chicago market seem to remain unprepared. : : A so-called soft test of the DTV transition in more than 125 of the nation's broadcast markets last week designed to alert viewers still relying on the analog over-the-air broadcast signal prompted 55,374 calls from consumers to a toll-free help line on Thursday, the Federal Communications Commission said. : : The Chicago market accounted for 1,310 of those calls to 1-800-CALL-FCC, more than any other market, and 4,849 came from the state of Illinois. : : According to the FCC, Chicago callers mostly wanted information about the government's program providing $40 coupons for the purchase of DTV converter boxes, were concerned about reception issues in their area and needed instructions to install their digital converter boxes. : : "This soft test did exactly what it was supposed to do," acting FCC Chairman Michael Copps said in a statement. "It was a wake-up call for consumers who are unprepared, alerting them to the fact that they need to take the necessary steps before the June 12 DTV transition." : : A "soft test" does not cut off the analog signal entirely, as will happen with the DTV transition. Rather, broadcasters interrupt regular programming to tell viewers relying on analog broadcast signals that they are not prepared for the switch while digital transmissions remain unaffected. : : When TV goes fully digital next month, viewers not using a digital converter, not using a newer set with a digital tuner or not connected to a subscription TV service such as cable or satellite will be unable to receive television signals. : : The FCC, citing Nielsen Media Research, said about 3.3 million households -- or 2.9 percent of the nation's homes with TVs -- were still unprepared for the DTV transition as of May 10. : : Area public TV station WYCC-Ch. 20 switched to digital-only transmission on April 16, 58 days ahead of the federal deadline, catching some viewers unaware. : : The Congress-sanctioned national DTV transition originally was planned for Feb. 17, but it was delayed over concern that people were unprepared and because the government temporarily ran out of coupons subsidizing the purchase of digital converters despite years of lead time to get everyone ready. : : A wide range of services are available through the FCC's help line. Help is also available through the FCC's Web site, www.dtv.gov. : : : : (Phil Rosenthal, Chicago Tribune)

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