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Question: Why should we have to pay hundreds or even thousands just to watch tv its bad enough that we have to pay so much for cable or other providers just to watch some shows. Question: Can you hook the boxes up now or do you have to wait till Fe.17th 2009? Answer: Yes. You can hook the convert boxes up right now. When you do, you'll enjoy a much clearer picture, better audio and more channels. We advise you to hook them up now, because there will be a huge demand in February of 2009. Question: What do you do if you have a Sony anolog TV? Answer: Thanks for your question Judy. I guess the question shouldn't be about your TV though, it's more about your antenna or the way you receive your TV signal. If you read the articlwes on this page you'll see that if you currently subscribe to cable TV or a satellite service your TV will work in the new digital age. If you receive your signal over the air, and you have an analog TV such as your's, you will need a Digital Converter Box. Question: Do all tv's on antenna need the converter box? We have a TV system that is primarily satellite, but it also has a very sophisticated antenna (installed before we got here). With our new TV's we get the local network feeds for free in HD on the antenna. Will we still be able to do that after Feb '09 without getting a converter box? Answer: Only TVs that do not have a digital tuner will need a converter box. If you have a newer TV and you are able to watch HDTV on it now, you will be be able to enjoy digital television after February 17th. Question: Why dosn't WIFR High Definition look like ESPN High Definition when watching a football game? Answer: The Bear games we show are broadcast live in high definition in Chicago. We similcast those games in standard definition in Rockford. At this time our station can only broadcast CBS shows in high definition. Question: My cable company has told me the free cupons for converter boxes will not work i have to rent a box from them? Answer: Donna, Your questions are a little confusing. First, the coupons do work. If you apply for a coupon they will get you $40 off the purchase of a DTV converter box. I think your big question is, do I need a coupon if I'm on cable? I don't know what cable company you subscribe to but if you do subscribe to cable you won't have to purchase a converter, providing you still choose to subscribe to them after the DTV changeover date of 2/17/09. Question: With my converter box, I get all the Rockford channels except for 23. What is the reason for this, and how do I correct it? Answer: In your comment you didn't tell us where you live, but if you get the other channels you should get us as well. This is a common question that all stations get. The first thing to try when troubleshooting this problem is to rescan your TV channels. We've taken calls from viewers that accidentally deleted a station with their remote control. A simple rescan should clear it up. Question: I thought since I have cable I didn't have to worry. Now I am not so sure. I have Charter. I used to have a TV Guide channel and Soap Net. They took both away and moved them to a higher tier that requires digital service (i.e.box). When I called them, they said that the TV GUIDE channel had converted to digital. Then how come my relatives in Loves Park still get a lower number TV Guide channel. Answer: This sounds like a matter you better take up with Charter. I have the TV Guide Channel at home and it's on my basic service. Question: Currently I have 4 televisions in my home. Only one is hooked up to the cable box. The rest are split off of that box. Will those other 3 t.v.'s continue working or do I need to get converters for each. Answer: The other 3 will work. Question: Does or will WIFR broadcast in HDTV now or when the transition takes place, or do you only broadcast in dtv now and after the February date? Answer: 23WIFR has the ability to pass the CBS HD on to our viewers. Everything but CBS HD is broadacast in DTV. This is the way we broadcast now and the way we will after February 17th. Question: Is there a provision in the new law covering the conversion to digital broadcast that broadcasters, such as WIFR, strengthen their digital signals when analog signals are discontinued?
Answer: The FCC has lifted their ban on TV stations increasing their digital power.
WIFR has applied to increase their power on Februay 17th, 2009 and we're awaiting that approval. Question: What stations will I receive with the digital tv switch? Answer: Locally in the Rockford viewing aream you'll receive WIFR-DT, WTVO-DT, WREX-DT, 23 WeatherNow, The CW and My Stateline. Depending on where you live and how good of an antenna you have, you could get stations from other markets as well.
Question: When I hooked up my converter box I must turn up the volumn on my TV to max. At this setting it is this hard to hear. What's wrong? Answer: You really didn't give us enough information to troubleshoot your problem. Check the instructions to see if you hooked it up correctly. If it is, call the manufacturer and they should be able to help you.
Answer: You didn't say where you live but if you get everyone but us try this. Switch your converter box so you can watch analog. Set your antenna to the position where you get our station in the clearest. Then switch to DTV and perform a scan again. Usually this will work. If not call our station at 815-987-5300 and ask to speak with an engineer.
Answer: It all depends on where you live, what kind of antenna you use and what the surroundings are like at your location. You might have to get a better antenna. If you live around a lot of trees or tall buildings your signal could be patially blocked. Try tuning in your channels the best you can on the analog setting. Then switch to digital and perform a channel scan. If you still have problems you might look at a new antenna.
----------- If any of this doesn't help, call the station and ask for one of our engineers. They'll help you troubleshoot the problem.
The good news is, the government will give you up to two coupons that you can use towards digital converter boxes. You can order these online at www.dtv2009 or by phone at 1-888-DVT-2009.
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Posted by: Twila Location: Sacramento, CA
I have Direct TV but can't get my Local channels? They just went off! Posted by: roger Location: kingston Typed in channel 41 trying to get your signal but, TV says channel not available. Any other suggestions as to why I get 23 Chicago and not 23 Rockford? Posted by: Jeff Location: WIFR John, I'm not sure who you're talking to at Comcast or Dish but we are sending out a clear, colorful picture. We send Comcast a special feed through a fiber optic cable. Dish Network receives us over the air and then sends our picture to you. Either way, our signal goes through a lot of extra equipment before you receive it compared to receiving us off the air. It's no more than other stations go through though. The signal we send to Comcast is cropped so they aren't squeezing our signal. DishNet should be able to crop with their equipment as well. When you see poor quality on 23 call WIFR and ask for Jeff. I'll make some calls to their engineers to see what' going on. Posted by: Jeff Location: WIFR Roger, There is a channel 23 in Chicago that's probably bleeding in to your signal. You can try to rescan and see if it clears up. If that doesn't work try to type in channel 41 on your remote. We actullay broadcast on channel 41 however we have equipment that will brand 23 on your TV set. Posted by: John Scott Location: Mount Morris,IL I have noticed WIFR channel is poor on Dish Network. Also someone with Comcast cable commented about similar fuzzy and washed out color. I have talked to technical help from Dish Network and they say its WIFR that is causing this. I hope something can be done to improve the quality. I cannot imagine what has happened but it could be because WIFR is the only HD digital channel in Rockford and the others are standard Digital. This may cause the picture to be compressed to the 4:3 format. Posted by: roger Location: kingston After the switch I was getting 23 digital then for some reason I no longer get 23 Rockford but, get 23 out of Chicago. Do get 23.2 Rockford. I am on a roof top antenna. What happened? Posted by: Jeff Location: WIFR Deb from Pecatonica, to record programs on your VCR you will have to have the converter boxes hooked into the VCR and then the VCR to the TV. You will then tune in the channel you want to record on the converter box. On the VCR you need turn to channel 3 (or 4 if you set the output of your converter box to 4) and press record. If you're recording with the VCR's timer you will program it to start recording channel 3 at the time your program will start. The downside to recording this way is that you will not be able to record multiple events unless they are all on the same channel. Someday when you replace your VCR with one that has a digital tuner, you won't need the converter box and you'll be able to watch one channel while recording another. Posted by: robert l ramirez tonight its windy and the digital service is worst than usual,plus the audio sound like its trying to diguise the voice, my antenna is in the house! Posted by: Deb Location: Pecatonica I have analog tvs. I have successfully connected them to converter boxes. I have a converter box to hook up a VCR. How can I connect the VCR so I can record programs? At this time I can no longer record programs to watch later. Posted by: Cyndy Location: Freeport Since the switch made to DTV my picture is not as clear as before and I have digital television thru Comcast. Is this a WIFR problem or Comcast problem? The cast look anemia and the colors look faded. Also people are a little fuzzy looking, no clarity. Why is this? Posted by: Helen Location: Rockford We have installed the converter boxes, but there is still no ability to see the stations. Do we have to do something with the remote control now? What? Do we use the remote that came with the converter or do we still use the remote that came with out TV? Posted by: LaVonne Location: Lake Summerset, IL I cannot turn the TV on or off with the remote control that came with the converter box. I still need to use the old remote control that came with the television. Is this the way it should be or am I doing something wrong? I am changing channels with the remote that came with the converter box. Posted by: Jim Location: Winnebago The final date for digital conversion was set a couple years ago when the economy was not yet in the state it is in now. The federal government realizing this has delayed the final conversion deadline. The local TV stations are choosing not to delay their switch. I think this is very irresponsible of them. There are still many viewers that only view them over the air and can not afford new TV sets. The converter box coupon program is depleted and for many, even purchasing a box is a hardship. Many of these viewers are in the rural areas and many are elderly. Posted by: Dave Location: Machesney During the December power outage in my neighborhood I could still track weather conditions using my battery operated portable analog TV. Converter boxes use 110v electricity. The government still has not answered my question as to how I'm supposed to do the same thing after the switch without burning even more cash on additional equipment. As one committed to living green, I refuse to discard a perfectly functional TV. By the way, the new govt which represents the will of the people instead of the will of big business says I still have months before the new switch date. I refuse to spend anything until then. If after 50 plus years of watching Rockford TV rockford TV chooses to become pointless in my life then so be it. I am making a list of advertisers to contact and inform them that their message will no longer reach me by TV. Posted by: Ben Location: Rockford So you say congress is leaving it up to stations as to whether they cut analog on Feb.17 or the new delayed date that congress passed of June? What a crock! The whole point of the delay is because congress didnt get the coupons out and people are not ready! What would even be the point of delaying the change when you refuse to abide by it? So people have no money, no coupons for boxes and your shutting off the signal? Even your own online poll shows more people with plain analog and no boxes, then people with analog and boxes! Write or call your congressmen people! All stations that don't abide with the new date should be fined! Posted by: Joyce Location: Pearl City We are ready for the Digital Switch!! Posted by: Robin Location: Poplar Grove I feel that it wrong for all of Rockford TV stations to make a complete switch when there are still so many of us that are waiting on the coupons for the converter box. We will be left out in the dar for a long time. Posted by: Frank L. Whalen Location: Freeport IL. 61032 What will be the effective signal range from the WIFR location... Posted by: STEPHANIE Location: FLORIDA IF I HAVE DIRECT T.V. DO I STILL NEED TO PURCHASE A CONVERTER BOX Posted by: John Location: Mount Morris,IL I am tired of people complaining about this switchover to digital. If you cannot afford a $50 converter you have more serious problems then digital TV. Some people do not like change I understand that. But if change never happened we would still be listening to radio. The TV stations have absorbed most of the cost of going to digital. They want it, it will give people a better quality picture to more people with less costs. No more double images and snow. Cable and Satellite customers are not even affected by this switch. Thier is no doubt some radio's and smaller TV's (portables) that only receive analog TV will become outdated. But that's hardly a reason for everyone to stay with a technology that has not changed since the 50's. I still wonder why it has taken 10 years already to switch!! Stop complaining go to Wal Mart buy a converter box and get over it!! Posted by: MIC Location: ALABAMA I think its stupid too have to switch. I have a small tv that runs on battries that I use when there is a storm or if power goes out in the middle of a storm now it will not work without the converter box, if I have no power then more than likly the box wont wrok either. Posted by: Jeff Location: 23WIFR Hello TV Viewers - I thought I'd share something I learned from a couple viewers this week. There were two viewers from Rockford that were using an amplified indoor antenna. The kind that you plug into an electric socket. I think if you're too close to the stations, too much amplification can actually cancel out channels. I tried an experiment at my house with Primetime Audio Video. I had a couple channels that came in weak so we added an amplifier. It was too powerfull and I lost half my channels. When these viewers called I told them to unplug their indoor antenna or even try receiving us without an antenna at all. Both viewers tried this and they called back to tell me they get all the Rockford stations with no problem. If you live in Rockford and you're having problems getting one of the stations, give this a try. Posted by: Jeff Location: 23WIFR To Sharon from Garden Prairie - It's hard to tell why this happens. I'm not sure what kind of antenna you're using but poor reception is usually from an antenna that isn't strong enough or isn't aimed right. It's possible that the cabling could be old and needs to be replaced. Posted by: Jeff Location: 23WIFR We will stay on digital channel 41 after February 17th. We will still brand ourselves as 23WIFR and channel 23 will be displayed on the screen when you switch to us. Posted by: Jeff Location: WIFR To Larry From Cedarville - Eventually we will take the WIFR Logo off the screen. It is there to help viewers detect whether they are watching analog or digital. We broadcast in a full picture when CBS is broadcastng in HD. Also we are the only Rockford televisuion station that can broadcast our newscasts in a widescreen digital format. Posted by: James Location: Miami, FL The switch to digital TV is going to be a nightmare for the American consumer and will clog our landfills with perfectly good television sets that have been discarded. Posted by: Cheri I don't feel a need to have to switch to a new TV/converter system since my TV doesn't get cable or local channels to begin with. I can still watch my VHS tapes and DVDs fine. Posted by: Sharon Location: Garden Prairie I have the same problem as another reader, with the converter box I do not receive channel 23. However, this happens inconsistently. On some nights 23 comes in and some nights it does not, and no we have not changed the direction of the antenna and it is not the night of a bad storm. What is causing this problem? Posted by: Jerry Location: Rochelle, IL are u moving back to channel 23 on/after Feb 17 2009? Posted by: larry Location: Cedarville When are you going to get rid of the CBS logo that appears on the screen? Also will you ever broadcast a full picture or do you save money buy cutting the signal down? Posted by: rhonda Location: Durand The coupons are just coupons. I searched and found none for $40 they were at least $50 or $60. Then you must pay cash or check so the government gets your additional monies. so don't say they are free, because that is false their is a discount and the extra money you pay is given to the government. To my understanding the citizens of the US sis not recieve a vote or choice in regards to DTV. We have essentially been forced to get cable or buy additional equipment to view or television sets. It has come down to everyone paying money to be alse to view our local channels. we are being robbed daily and we are supposed to sit back smile and agree with the majority. This is very disappointing. Posted by: Don Location: S.E Rockford My owners manual, under reception format says 1080i DTV digital broadcast ready. Will I need a convertor box? Thanks Posted by: Julie Location: davis junction We have a converter box but the reception goes in and out all the time. Is this how it will workfor ever. If so its not very good. Posted by: theresa Location: columbia,ky i have a digital television 6 months old and i understand i don't need the converter box .i also live 80 miles from bowling green . bowling green channel ran a test and if you were able to receive the program you were set ,but we did not receive the channel 13 . they said that this channel was not going to be a cable channel and my husband enjoyed this channel ,so what is the problem ? thanks theresa Posted by: Lori Location: Machesney Park I hope all the stations increase their digital power because right now the signal strength isn't that great. Watching Football games on CBS and Fox the signal breaks up a lot. It would have been nice if the makers of the digital boxes would have made the remotes universal where you could control the volume of the TV as well. Posted by: Ron Location: Pecatonica I asked a question last night about the weak digital signal.With no response IF you dont respond this time I will assume that viewers are not very important to this station Im sure your advistisers would like to know about this;because this question applys to all your viewers. Posted by: Rusty Location: Rockford Laura, you also must be a poor person if you let your Mother go without a TV & now a $10.00 converter (after the coupon). Posted by: Thomas Location: Rockford I am really excited about the potential to get even more free channels without cable. Posted by: Liz Venezia Location: West Islip N.Y. I recently installed a digital converter but on my screen all i get is no program-weak signal. i have a roof top antenna that is six years old. No one seems to have an answer for me. Can you help? Posted by: B A Noble Location: Freeport Converters, like tvs, are not made in the U S. Remember: BUY AMERICAN - USA. It's the difference between between having a job and not having a job - you and your neighbors. Posted by: Gwynne Location: Dakota With your test yesterday, Mediacom did not work on either of 2 TVs I tested. I only tested TVs that do NOT have the HD cable box that is on our home theatre tv in the basement. One is on a regular cable box and the other is direct coaxial. Is this a Mediacom issue? Also, since all our reception is through cable, will we still need these awful boxes after the conversion? Posted by: Lea Location: Studio City, CA I just hooked up my converter box and I am not getting some of the analog channels. What do I need to do? Posted by: bill Location: dixon To Laura from rockford can u think of a better place to live? Posted by: wil Location: oregon America is hooked on tv, (most of it) people will do anything they have to be able to watch TV. Posted by: joseph Location: rockford i don't watch tv to often.but i do love foot ball,and a movie every once in a while.thanks for giving me something i didn't want or need. Posted by: beverly Location: machesney park there is no need for this. a lot of people can't afford to pay for this. the government is just making a way for people to buy there freedom. what happened to the land of the free? free speech? people shouldn't have to be forced to find the money to pay for this just to watch the news or any other show. there may be coupons but sometimes that isn't enough to some people. Posted by: Laura Location: Rockford My mother does not get cable or any other program. She is what is considered a poor woman, and a hard worker. I see this converter as yet another way to be in control of human beings who are just trying to get by in the U.S., and not trying to be rich. Little by little, I see this country being not a free country, but another USSR. This is a sad place to be in and yet many are not seeing it. |
