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What You Need to Know About Digital TV
TV13 Updates

DTV Conversion

WNMU-TV completed our conversion to all digital broadcasting on Saturday, June 6, 2009. Many of our viewers can now enjoy the benefits of digital broadcasts, more program choices and our new 24-hour broadcast day.

DTV Troubleshooting Guide

If you’re having problems receiving digital Channel 13, we are always happy to help out. You can call us at 800-227-9668, or email dtv13@nmu.edu.

Before calling, here are a few things that you should check:

  • make sure you have a TV set with a digital (ATSC) tuner, or a set-top digital converter box (some older digital sets came without tuners);
  • make sure your antenna is capable of receiving both VHF and UHF signals. Channel 13 is on VHF, just like it always was;
  • if your antenna is old it may work just fine, but you might want to check the wiring and connections and make sure they are secure;
  • if you have a converter box, make sure your antenna is plugged into your converter box, rather than the TV;
  • if you have a VCR or DVD player/recorder with an analog tuner, make sure your converter box is attached to that device;
  • make sure you are using the correct remote control -- after installing a converter box, you will need to use the remote control that came with the box to change channels;
  • make sure you have re-scanned the channels on your TV or converter box – sometimes this is referred to as “adding new channels;”
  • while scanning for channels, you should see a screen where you can see a gauge of signal strength. If you can find any kind of a signal on channel 13, then you know that your antenna is picking up our signal, but it may be too weak to be tuned in. Most digital tuners need about 30-60% strength for a viewable picture;
  • if you have determined that you’re receiving a weak signal, then you’ll need to think about upgrading your antenna, raising the height or adding a signal amplifier;
  • you may also want to check with your neighbors to find out what kind of results they are getting.

Digital TV F.A.Q.

What is digital television?
Digital Television is a new digital broadcast standard where images and sound are captured using the same digital code found in computers. Dramatically improving the picture and sound quality in comparison to the current analog television technology, DTV will eventually replace analog television, as it provides broadcasters the ability to send more varied information over the airwaves, cable and satellite.

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What is high definition television (HDTV)?
Digital television will allow stations to broadcast programs in much higher resolution or clarity than standard analog television. This is called high definition television or HDTV. Viewers at home will be able to receive high-quality, crystal-clear pictures. These visually stunning pictures, with more than twice the resolution and clarity of standard television, will be displayed in a wide-screen format with a 16 by 9 width-to-height ratio compared to today's 4 by 3 format. And because HDTV is digital, audiences will have the benefit of six-channel CD-quality "surround sound." In other words, viewers will be able to enjoy a true home theater experience.

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Will I be able to watch digital television on my existing set?
Not without a set-top convertor box. Because DTV information is encoded in a different way than the analog signal, it requires a different kind of receiver; thus, digital programs can only be seen on a digital television set or by "down-converting" to your current analog set with a set-top converter box or digital cable box. Down-converting will not give you the full benefit of HD programming, but the video will still look better than analog broadcasts.

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What programs are available on Public TV 13’s digital channels?
WNMU-DT offers three different program streams or channels: Channel 13.1 is a standard definition (SD) simlucast of our local Public TV 13 schedule; Channel 13.2 (TV13/HD) features the PBS/HD Channel broadcast in high definition throughout the day; Channel 13.3 (TV13/Plus) is a delayed version of the PBS schedule in SD. The programming on TV13/HD and TV13/Plus includes some familiar PBS series' like Nature, NOVA, Frontline and Austin City Limits, plus a variety of how-to, kids and documentary programs that you will not have seen on Public TV 13. Complete program listings for TV13/HD and TV13/Plus are available on our Schedule page.

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Will digital programs be listed in FanFare?
We are working on integrating program listings for all three of our channels into our guide. You can see our complete DTV schedule on our Schedule page.

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Is Public TV13’s digital channel available on cable?
Many cable viewers with digital TVs now have the option of tuning in more than one Channel 13. On the Charter Cable basic tier, all three of our digital channels (and six other locals) are available for subscribers with digital TVs equipped with QAM tuners. You will need to re-scan the cable channels to find the new digital channels. This scanning can take 10 minutes or more, so be patient. You do not need to subscribe to the digital tier to receive these channels, but viewers with older cable installations may need to call Charter and request that they replace a filter that blocks digital channels. Charter digital tier subscribers can find SD versions of channels 13.2 and 13.3 on 313 and 314. Charter HD tier subscribers will also find TV13/HD on Charter channel 783. Other area cable companies also have the option of picking up Public TV 13’s additional channels, and some plan to upgrade their service to include them. Call your local cable provider for more information.

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Can I receive Public TV 13 via satellite?
Dish Network is now carrying our main channel, 13.1, in standard definition. DirecTV has plans to add local channels, including Channel 13, some time in the fall of 2009. Contact your satellite provider for more information on receiving the local channels.

TV13's General List of Frequently Asked Questions

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Links to DTV Resources:

Consumer Reports Converter Box Ratings

PBS Digital TV "Frequently Asked Questions"

FCC's DTV Site

DTV Transition Coalition

Consumer Electronics Association AntennaWeb Site

Consumers Union DTV Site

EZ Digital TV

Information on Analog Pass-through Options

Michigan DTV -- F.A.Q., Consumer Information, etc.

Digital TV -- A Cringely Crash Course

Digital TV & Public Television

WNMU-TV's DTV Consumer Education Activity

WNMU-TV/DT is required to log all DTV Transition-related public service announcements and other DTV education activities, and to report our efforts to the FCC quarterly. As part of that requirement, our quarterly reports are available online. To view those reports, please click the links below. If you have any questions or suggestions regarding WNMU-TV's DTV Education efforts, please email us at dtv13@nmu.edu.

WNMU-TV13 Second-quarter 2009 Report (FCC Form 388) (76k PDF file)

WNMU-DT33 Second-quarter 2009 Report (FCC Form 388) (76k PDF file)

WNMU-TV13 First-quarter 2009 Report (FCC Form 388) (72k PDF file)

WNMU-DT33 First-quarter 2009 Report (FCC Form 388) (72k PDF file)

WNMU-TV13 Fourth-quarter 2008 Report (FCC Form 388) (70k PDF file)

WNMU-DT33 Fourth-quarter 2008 Report (FCC Form 388) (70k PDF file)

WNMU-TV13 Third-quarter 2008 Report (FCC Form 388) (70k PDF file)

WNMU-DT33 Third-quarter 2008 Report (FCC Form 388) (70k PDF file)

WNMU-TV13 Second-quarter 2008 Report (FCC Form 388) (70k PDF file)

WNMU-DT33 Second-quarter 2008 Report (FCC Form 388) (70k PDF file)

WNMU-TV13 First-quarter 2008 Report (FCC Form 388) (172k PDF file)

WNMU-DT33 First-quarter 2008 Report (FCC Form 388) (172k PDF file)

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