Myth: You have to wait until June 12, 2009 to install your converter box.  Reality: Every station broadcasting in the Mid-South is already on the air with a digital signal.  WKNO is now simulcasting the entire Channel 10 schedule on our lead digital channel 10-1 (WKNO-HD) so there's no reason to wait.  You should hook up your digital converter box as soon as possible.  Some viewers may have reception problems and you will want to know about them and address them before the analog signal goes away for good. And some stations, including WKNO, have planned to shut off their analog signal before June 12.

Myth: The converter box replaces your old rabbit ears, and you don't need an antenna anymore. Reality: A converter box is not a substitute for an antenna! You still need an antenna to watch DTV over the air, whether you have a converter box or a new digital television.

Myth: You have to buy a new High Definition Television (HDTV) set to get digital TV. Reality: HDTV and DTV (Digital Television) are NOT the same thing. If you already have an HDTV (with a built-in digital tuner), then you should be able to receive digital broadcasts, but you do not have to purchase an HDTV set unless you are the market for high definition. In fact, you don't have to buy a new television at all. You can get a digital converter box for your existing television set.

Myth:  All you need to do is connect your converter box and you should be ready. Reality: Almost all converter boxes require that you do some simple set-up procedures (often called Auto Scan or Channel Scan) to locate the available digital channels. This will involve an onscreen menu that you operate with your converter box's remote control. Your owner's manual should make the steps clear.  Remember these steps -- this is a procedure you will need to repeat from time to time to make sure you are receiving all available channels!  You should rescan after the February 17 shutoff as some signals will be moving to new frequencies and you will miss them if you don’t rescan. View the FCC information sheet about connecting and setting up your converter box.

Myth: Don't worry about reception, it will be better after the analog shutoff.  Reality: WKNO, and most other Mid-South TV stations are currently broadcasting their digital signal at full power.  If you cannot receive WKNO's digital channels, or if you experience pixilation and audio drop out frequently, these problems will not suddenly go away when the analog signal does. You will need to take steps now to address these problems so you are not left in the lurch! View the FCC information sheet about troubleshooting converter box problems.

Myth: If your picture is bad, the converter box is not working right. Reality: There are a number of things that can result in poor picture quality. Check the procedure in your owner's handbook for setting up your converter box and make sure you have properly scanned for channels. Many people skip this step! You will also need to make sure that your antenna has both VHF and UHF components. If you are using old wiring, old adaptors or multiple adaptors to hook up your antenna, you may be losing signal quality. If you are using only rabbit ears, you may need to consider an exterior antenna. See antennaweb.org for more information about selecting and orienting antennas.

Myth: The digital picture isn't better -- it's still snowy! Reality: The digital signal is not perfect, and can show weakness or interference, but it will never be snowy! A weak digital signal will break up in blocks, or pixilate, and then drop out entirely. If you are seeing snow, you are either watching an analog signal or the wiring from your antenna is loose. Many new TVs with digital tuners do also have an analog tuner. If you have a digital TV, go to your owner's manual and make sure you have properly scanned for your digital channels.

Myth: You need a special antenna to get the digital signal on your TV. Reality: There has been no special technological leap forward with antennas, no matter what the packaging on some new expensive "smart" antennas might lead you to believe. All you need to get the digital signal is a good antenna with VHF and UHF functionality. Some people may find they get a weak signal with only a set-top antenna, and may want to consider a new antenna – an outdoor antenna will be more effective – and if your current outdoor antenna is very old, you may need to get a new cable for it to improve the signal to your TV. Some new, effective indoor/outdoor antennas are very small, and have their advantages, but there is no new type of antenna you must have to watch digital TV. View the FCC information sheet about antennas & DTV.

Myth: All your old TV accessories, like VCRs and DVD players, are no good with the converter box. Reality: Installing a converter box for use with your analog TV will impact the functionality of your VCR and other accessories, but you should be able to continue to watch your cherished video tapes. You will even be able to record programs but you will no longer be able to watch one channel while recording a different channel! View the FCC information sheet about using an older VCR with a converter box. If you buy a new TV with a built-in digital tuner, your older VCR will be useful for playback only. If you love to record programs to watch later, you may want to consider upgrading to a DVR or digital video recorder.  Some models of DVR or video recorders s have digital tuners built in and you should be able to watch digital TV using your DVR’s tuner. This may be a good alternative to a converter box for some viewers.

Myth: If you subscribe to a satellite service, the transition won’t affect you at all. Reality: The digital transition will have a broad impact on how everyone watches television, and that includes people who pay for a subscription service.  If your satellite package only gives you national channels and you get your local channels from over the air, you will need to install a DTV converter box to continue to get these local channels.  Not all satellite services will be carrying all of your local channel’s new multicasts.  And don’t forget about the TV in your kitchen, sewing room, or workshop.  If you have any TV that gets its signal through an antenna, it will require a digital tuner after June 12.

Myth: I have cable, so I don’t have to pay attention to any of this! Reality:  As a cable or satellite TV subscriber, you should experience no disruption to your service with the analog shutoff, but you do need to educate yourself about what your service provider plans to do.  The FCC requires cable companies to continue to provide local stations in analog until 2012, with certain exemptions.  Cable companies may choose not to carry local stations’ secondary digital channels. Cable companies may choose to move certain premium channels to an all-digital package.  They also have the option of moving entirely to digital and requiring customers with analog TVs to rent or purchase equipment.  This proprietary equipment will not be the same as the current digital converter box designed for use with an antenna.  You should check with your cable company for more information, or read more FAQs from the FCC help page

These DTV tips have been appearing in WKNO-TV's weekly e-newsletter. Go here to sign up for the e-newsletter and see program highlights and other news.