CENTRAL OHIO -- NBC 4 and TV stations nationwide were set to turn off their analog signals next month and go completely digital.
Are you ready for the digital switch?
Check your readiness with DTV tests on NBC 4 Thursday.
NBC 4 also had helpful tips for those who are using a converter box and antenna.
Analog signals were a lot more forgiving because there are a lot of scattered frequencies.
With digital signals, it’s line-of-sight.
There are various digital over-the-air antennas -- both portable and external.
NBC 4 Director of Engineering and Operations Debra Grivois said all antennas may need to be redirected toward the antenna of the channel you want.
At home, I have an indoor antenna. If I want to watch us, which I normally do, I have the antenna behind the TV. But to watch OSU football, I have to put the antenna on top of the TV. It's just the difference in transmitting points and reception parameters, and you have to be able and willing to move your antenna, Grivois said.
The digital age means you'll have two free NBC 4 over-the-air channels.
4.1 is our traditional programming, and 4.2 is RTN or Retro Television Network.
Digital signals sometimes can be disrupted and lost by heavy thunder, wind or winter storms.
You can fix the issue with a quick recalibration, using your digital-conversion box remote.
“Your handy dandy remote has a menu. They're all a little different. Use your user’s manual,” Grivois said.
Set up with AUTOSCAN and click OK. The converter box will tell the antenna to identify the available channels in the area and restore them.
She said it will take the box a few minutes to go through its cycle. Once finished, though, all of the available signals will be there.
NBC 4 was set to participate in the nationwide DTV test Thursday.
NBC 4 was scheduled to run three separate tests on its analog signal at 7:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
If you still have questions, the FCC can help. Visit http://www.dtv.gov/ or call its DTV helpline at 888-CALL-FCC.
For additional information, stay with NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com -- Where Accuracy Matters.
To submit a story idea or news tip, e-mail stories@nbc4i.com.
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