The Switch to Digital Television is Complete

By: Sara Ross Email

Updated: Tue 9:00 AM, Feb 17, 2009

February 17, 2009

Today marks a big change in the way you watch television. WCAV CBS 19 and its sister stations WVAW ABC 16 and WAHU FOX 27 all turned off their analog systems and switched over to a digital signal.

The switch means if you used rabbit ears or an antenna to watch television before today you now have to use a digital converter box. Engineers worked overnight at our tower on Carter Mountain to disconnect our old analog transmitter and replace it with our new digital transmitter.

The switch to digital television boils down to freeing up space on the airwaves. By freeing up all that space you get more choices of things to watch. The other reason behind the switch is some of that space can now be given to local fire and rescue departments to use for their communications systems.

If you have cable or satellite service the switch doesn't really affect you. If you still need to buy a digital convertor box it's not too late. You can pick one up at most local electronics stores. They range in price from 40 to 70 dollars.

The Virginia DTV Help Center
toll free # 1-877-388-0413

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