Signals crossed

Change looming for over-the-air television

Ryan Quigley

Journal Pioneer

On Aug. 31 major television stations in the country will cease transmitting analog signals and begin the new digital era.

For those using antennas, such as dipole (rabbit ears) and outdoor antennas, to receive over-the-air TV without a digital tuner, you will need a digital set top box. Two stores in Summerside priced the boxes at $79 at Enman’s Audio Video Unlimited and $89 at the Source.

The transition however won’t affect everyone. The digital signal is only being set up in cities mandated by the Canadian Radio and Television Commission, such as Charlottetown, and though the Charlottetown signal will transmit to most parts of the Island, some parts of the Eastern and Western tips will be left unchanged. The Department of Canadian Heritage is urging people to contact them or check the website to see if they will be effected.

The change will not affect cable and satellite users who will have no obligation to make any changes to their service.

The difference in sound quality and picture was a major factor in the decision by the CRTC and Canadian Heritage, said Valarie Plaskacz Manager of Distribution and Access policy at Canadian Heritage.

“The other benefit to the switch is it will free up the air-waves that were being used by these analog channels and they will be repurposed. It will be used by public safety users, firemen and police departments, to improve their communications capabilities.”

Though it is higher quality television, Plaskacz said not all the feedback has been positive about the mandatory change.

“We’re getting mixed reactions,” she said. “A lot of people are just anxious and this just can’t come fast enough. They’re really looking forward to the improved quality and sound that comes with digital TV. Other people are not happy to have to be buying new equipment.”

The date was set by the CRTC in 2007 to have mandatory markets such as Charlottetown, to change their broadcasts. The over-the-air change has been happening in different countries around the world, including the United States in 2009.

However, unlike the U.S., the government will not be offering credits or coupons to those having to purchase the set top boxes.

“Looking at it all the CRTC… they did not deem a program was necessary for Canada,” she said. “Typically the Canadian government has never paid for people’s television equipment.”