• http://www.fcc.gov/mb/engineering/maps/
• http://www.dtv.gov/index.html
• www.dtvanswers.com
• www.dtv2009.gov
• www.antennaweb.org

KVAL-TV in Eugene, Oregon intends to terminate analog operations on June 12, 2009. At that time the station will be broadcasting only in the digital format. If you are receiving the station's signal through a cable or satellite provider, you should continue to receive the station without taking any further action. If you are receiving the station over-the-air, may need a converter box if your television set is not DTV ready. Converter boxes may be obtained at local electronic stores. Should you wish to register comments or request information, please contact the station at: 4575 Blanton Road,. Eugene, OR 97405, through KVAL.com, or phone (541) 342-4961.

Digital TV Survival Guide

• How to find out if your TV is DTV ready

More DTV links

• Converter Box Coupon
   
• NITA TV Converter Box Coupon Program
   
• CBS HDTV Primetime Schedule
   
• FCC Digital TV Web site
   
• DTVAnswers.com

The transmission and reception of Digital TV significantly enhances visual resolution, color, noise reduction and supports high fidelity multi-channel audio reproduction. There are several digital formats, ranging from converted analog material having a 4:3 aspect ratio (width / height of the picture), to a wide screen 16:9 aspect ratio. The 4:3 digital signal utilizes some 300,000 individual pixels to construct an image. The 16:9 digital signal has two formats. The first, constructs the image with 720 horizontal lines and 920,000 pixels. The second constructs the image with 1080 horizontal lines and 2,073,000 pixels. The higher number of pixels yields higher visual resolution.

CBS and KVAL have chosen the 1080 / 2,073,000 standard for digital transmissions. During those periods of the broadcast day where there is no source of a high definition signal, KVAL converts its channel 13 analog signals to the digital standard, yielding the enhancements mentioned above. KVAL is currently working towards providing additional digital information to the viewer, combined with the TV data.

To view KVAL-DT, reception of UHF channel 25 is required, which in some instances will require the use of an outdoor antenna. The latter may be any commercially available type. A critical aspect of the installation is that the antenna is aimed at our transmitter on Blanton Heights. At this time, KVAL is transmitting a moderate level of RF power, which will be increased substantially by early summer. KVAL is currently compiling an area map of coverage, which when completed, will enable us to assist viewers with recommendations for the type of antenna to use in a specific area. Digital transmission is very different from analog. If a viewer has a consistent picture, it should be digitally correct. There is no visible ghosting or noise, such as may have been seen with a marginal analog signal. However, if the received digital signal is of inadequate strength, reception may vary from perfect to none. This is called the digital "cliff effect" and may be helped with careful attention to the receiving antenna and cable connected to the TV. It is not recommended that splitters be installed unless they are of professional quality, and there is adequate signal received in order to accommodate the 50% loss incurred in splitting then signal.