Rob: We live in a digital world.
From the phones we talk on to the computers we work on, the digital revolution
is changing the way we work and play, but the biggest change is yet to come.
It's the nationwide switch in a little over a year to digital television.
As our Brian Bendele explains, it's a transition that could well
change how you watch TV.
Brian: When TVs were first introduced, that was futuristic.
To think you could watch your favorite show all at the turn of a knob was
amazing.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the Beatles.
Brian: And as times changed, so did the quality.
But what if I told you the TV you are viewing me on right now is already a
thing of the past?
Brian: And as of February 17th of 2009, America is going digital.
Bill Thrash: I have never seen or experienced anything as complex and as
exciting as the transformation to digital television.
Brian: With over 50 years of experience, Bill Thrash, station manager
for the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority says the digital
revolution is in full swing, and nowhere is it more evident than right
here in Oklahoma.
Thrash: There will be no older station, the one you have been watching all
these years, it will be all digital.
And that will affect the viewer in various ways.
Brian: And one of the ways it will affect the viewer is quality, because
digital produces a sharper image than analog, which is encouraging for those
of you who enjoy the classics.
It's the Lawrence Welk Show, celebrating more than 50 years on
television.
Thrash: The Welk show is a good example, because that show was produced between
1955 and 1982, and all of those shows that we are putting on the air now,
look better than they looked when they were brand new.
Brian: Also the change will allow broadcasters more options and more
channels.
Brian: This is like additional services.
We can give the viewers in Oklahoma, so many more choices, not just in the
standpoint of different options, where they can watch Oklahoma HORIZON.
Brian: Already OETA is offering 4 additional choices to its flagship
channel, one that is all Oklahoma, one that is for kids, one for instruction
and one in high definition.
But the question remains how will this affect the consumer?
Thrash: If you are on cable or satellite you are going to be okay.
Brian: That's because they will be setup to receive digital signals, but if
you are one of the 20% of Americans who rely on service from an antenna,
then you will have to purchase a converter box.
Thrash: Think of it like a cable box, and those
are going to be 60 or 70 dollars.
The government is going to supply coupons to those who are qualified to help
with that expense for those sets.
Brian: Or if you have the money, you can upgrade and invest in a new digital
television that will run HDTV, and contrary to popular belief, all
digital televisions can run HD programming.
Rob Clason: Most all the TV's that are out today are a high definition
digital television set, so they are capable of receiving a digital
transmission and will present to you a high definition image.
Brian: Rob Clason, with Audio Midwest, says high definition provides the
viewer with fantastic picture quality, because the image produced has up
to twice as many lines of video as compared to analog.
Now many new digital TV's can be purchased under $1,000, but be prepared to
dig deep into your pockets to truly enjoy the ultimate in HD quality.
Clason: We have TV's varying in price, and depending on how thin and
how big, you know, a big plasma television can cost you $6,000, if you want to
hang it on the wall.
Brian: Leaving you with the decision to go big or buy a converter, but the
option to stay the same will no longer be available.