Sep 10, 2008 11:10 pm US/Pacific
FCC Launches DTV Awareness Tour In The Bay Area
It's Not As Simple As Plugging in A Converter Box
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS 5) ―
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A shopper looks at new digital televisions.
CBS
FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein kicked off a 50-city DTV Awareness Tour in the San Francisco Bay Area. It's five months before broadcasters will switch from analog to digital tv signals, but he says it's important to start now or be left with little help come February 17th.
"I'm very concerned we will have a big issue in February if we don't get ready in advance," said Adelstein. "We will have a new administration and one of the big problems on their hands is a million people or more won't have access to tv and all the emergency alerts and critical weather information. People need to not wait until the last minute."
Chinatown Community leader Anni Chung asked a woman walking on the sidewalk if she has a digital converter box so she can receive a digital tv signal. The woman responded in Cantonese.
"She bought the box but she hasn't installed it yet," Chung said.
That seems to be the case for most of her low-income clients at Chinatown's Self Help for the Elderly. Chung says 50-percent of their households receive over-the-air analog tv signals and will be cut off when broadcasters switch to digital tv.
"The awareness is there but the steps from applying for it in English, going to to a store, getting the converter box and coming home to install it is four steps away," she Said.
Adelstein is aware of the problem. "I'm here like Paul Revere in the Bay Area to send out the alarm to say DTV is coming! Digital tv is coming! You need to be ready and it's not hard if you plan ahead"
So far only 9-million consumers nationwide have redeemed coupons for digital converter boxes. There are 8 times that number of over-the-air sets. Adelstein said procrastinating will be a problem because the devices need to be tested.
"Some people will have antenna problems even if they do everything right with the converter box." he said, before adding this advice. "Before they rush out and buy the most expensive antenna they might look at
antennaweb.org and find resources."
You can type in your zip code and find out what kind of antenna might enhance the digital picture where you live. Adelstein said, once you're set, help someone else who needs it.
"We need to have people in communties step up and help those in need like people with disabilities, people who are eldery, and people who may not speak English as a primary language."
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