FREQUENTLY ASKED DTV QUESTIONS
Q: Will my current TV become obsolete?
The FCC has set the date of June 12, 2009, as the date for all TV stations in the U.S. to cease their analog broadcasts. Some stations will cease their analog broadcasts sooner. Once a station ceases its analog transmission, you will be able to receive their digital broadcasts in one of three ways:
1. Over the air on a television with a built-in digital tuner. The FCC has mandated that all new TVs, VCRs, and DVRs include a digital tuner by March 1, 2007
2. Over the air utilizing a stand-alone digital tuner or converter box attached to an older television. This option will not allow you to receive the full benefit of HDTV, but you will be able to continue to use your existing television.
3. Via a cable or satellite service that is re-broadcasting our signal. Check with your provider for availability. Your provider may charge an additional fee for HDTV signals.
Your analog television can always be used with your existing video equipment, like VCRs, DVD players and video games.
Q: How can I see WBNG-CBS and WBXI-CW?
Like traditional (analog) TV, our digital signal is a free over-the-air broadcast that you can receive via a VHF antenna. In addition you will need a digital tuner, which can be purchased as a stand-alone converter box for use with an analog television or it can built into a digital television. If your receiver does not automatically find our signal, WBNG-CBS can be found on digital channel 12.1 and WBXI-CW can be found on digital channel 12.2
This is best accomplished using the scan feature of your television or converter box as it should scan and locate all available digital channels.
You should also note that for some older digital television sets and converter boxes, WBNG-CBS and WBXI-CW can be found on digital channels 7.1 and 7.2 respectively. Depending on your location, you may need a VHF antenna outside or in your attic.
WBNG-CBS and WBXI-CW are on most cable television providers. IF YOU ARE A CABLE SUBSCRIBER, YOU SHOULD RECEIVE WBNG WITH THE USE AN ANALOG TELEVISION AND WITHOUT THE NEED FOR A DIGITAL CONVERTER BOX. You should check with your cable provider to find out the specific channel positions for our stations.
Q: I have a satellite subscription, but I’m not getting local channels. Why?
Currently local channels, like WBNG-CBS, are not available on any satellite provider in the Binghamton market. Therefore it you have a satellite subscription and want local channels, you must have a digital television or digital converter box along with an antenna.
Q: I have a converter box, but I’m not getting any television reception or have lost some channels I was receiving before. What happened?
Try re-scanning your converter box. Some television stations switched channels since you first scanned, and you should re-scan your converter box to make sure you’re getting all the digital TV signals out there. You may also need to adjust your antenna or even get a new antenna (see below).
Q: I have a digital TV set, but I’m not getting any television reception or have lost some channels I was receiving before. What happened?
First, check your owner’s manual to make sure your TV set really is a digital TV set by seeing if it has an “ATSC” digital tuner in it. If your set does have an ATSC tuner, when you scroll through you should see channels with a number plus a dash or a period. For example, channel 4 would become channel 4.1 or 4-1. If you see periods or dashes, your TV set has an ATSC tuner and is digital, in which case you should try re-scanning for channels.
You may also need to adjust your antenna or even get a new antenna (see below). However, if your TV only has an NTSC tuner, that means your TV set is not a digital TV set and you will need a converter box.
Remember, not all flat screen television sets are digital – some of the older flat screen sets only have NTSC tuners.
Q: I have a converter box or digital TV set and have tried rescanning for channels, but I can’t receive one or more channels, including yours, or the picture breaks up or is pixilated on some or all stations. What do I do?
You should first try adjusting the position of your antenna and the direction it is pointing, and re-scan each time you adjust. Also make sure your antenna is a VHF/UHF antenna, as some “rabbit ears” indoor antennas, or older rooftop antennas can only pick up VHF channels (channels 2-13). If you use an indoor antenna and live far away from our station or in an area where reception is difficult, you may need to purchase an outdoor antenna and mount it as high as possible, preferably on the rooftop. The general rule with antennas is that the higher it is positioned, the greater the chance of receiving good signals. If you have an existing outdoor antenna installed some time ago and it is not receiving the DTV stations satisfactorily, you may need to reposition it or upgrade to a newer model of the right type for your location. You will need advice from an antenna installer on these items. Get advice on the right type of outdoor antenna by visiting www.antennaweb.org or by contacting a local antenna installer.
Q: I’m having trouble installing my converter box. What can I do?
First, check the owner’s manual to make sure you’re doing everything right. Make sure you have re-scanned for new channels, as many stations have moved around. Then try adjusting your antenna (see above). If you still have trouble with your converter box, we have a list of phone numbers for the top manufacturers, as well as local retailers, which may be able to help.
Q: I’m still waiting for my coupons to arrive. What should I do?
You should call 1-888-CALL-FCC to receive more information. In some cases, coupons can take several weeks to arrive. If you don’t want to wait, you can check to see if any friends or family members have extra coupons that you can use. Or you can buy a new TV set or a converter box without the coupon.
Q: How can I get in touch with converter box manufacturers?
Most manufacturers have toll-free support lines, which can be found in the owner’s manual that came with your converter box or TV set. Below is a list of toll-free technical support phone numbers for converter boxes that are sold at national retailers.
Best Buy
Model – Insignia NS-DXA1-APJ
Technical Support: 1-877-467-4289
Model – APEX DT-250
Technical Support: 1-866-427-3946
Circuit City
Model – Zenith DTT901
Technical Support: 1-877-9-ZENITH (936484)
Kmart
Model – Zenith DTT901
Technical Support: 1-877-9-ZENITH (936484)
RadioShack
Model – Digital Stream DTX9950
Technical Support: 1-866-706-4367
Model – Zenith DTT901
Technical Support: 1-877-9-ZENITH (936484)
Sears
Model – DTV Pal
Technical Support: 1-888-667-0633
Model – Magnavox E175216
Technical Support: 1-800-605-8610
Target
Model – GE Smart Digital Converter Box
Technical Support: 1-800-654-8483
Model – Sansonic FT-300A
Technical Support: 1-626-433-1333
Wal-Mart
Model – Magnavox TB100MW9
If you have general questions about coupons, converter boxes and/or antennas you can call the FCC DTV hotline at 1-888-225-5322.
If you have questions specific to the Binghamton market or either of our stations, WBNG-CBS or WBXI-CW, you can call our DTV Hotline at 1-607-584-7231 or visit us online at www.wbng.com/inside/dtv
ACCESS NUMBERS
For general questions including coupons, converter boxes, antennas and other questions:
FCC: 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322)
For specific questions pertaining to the Binghamton Market:
WBNG: 607-584-7321
Web: www.wbng.com/inside/dtv
Email: digital@wbngtv.com
For Antenna questions:
Web: www.antennaweb.org
WBNG-DTV coverage map is available here
Local Retailers:
Olum's Campus Plaza
3701 Vestal Pkwy. East
Vestal, NY 13850
607-729-5775
Radio Shack
BINGHAMTON-W STATE
33 WEST STATE ST
BINGHAMTON, NY 13901
Phone: (607) 724-5178
BINGHAMTON-NORTHGATE
BINGHAMTON SHOPPING PLAZA
NORTHGATE PLAZA
1250 UPPER FRONT ST
BINGHAMTON, NY 13901
Phone: (607) 722-3124
JOHNSON CITY-OAKDALE MALl
109 OAKDALE MALL
JOHNSON CITY, NY 13790
Phone: (607) 798-0301
ENDICOTT-PRICE CHOPPER
PROCE CHOPPER-ENDICOTT
1001 NORTH ST STE 1
ENDICOTT, NY 13760
Phone: (607) 785-7695
VESTAL-VESTAL PKWY
3712 VESTAL PKWY E
VESTAL, NY 13850
Phone: (607) 729-1525
WALMART
Vestal, NY - Phone: (607) 798-1011
Sayre, PA - Phone:(570) 888-9791
Norwich, NY - Phone: (607) 334-5553
Cortland, NY - Phone (607) 756-1776
TARGET
Vestal, NY – Phone: (607) 729-6611
