Frequently Asked Questions About Conversion to Digital Broadcasting
Who are Michigan's Public Broadcasters?
What is the biggest challenge facing Michigan Public TV Broadcasters?
What is Digital TV (DTV)?
What is HDTV?
What is Multicasting?
How does DTV transmit data?
What does DTV mean for Michigan Public TV Viewers?
How will DTV benefit Michigan and its People?
What is Digital Radio?
What will conversion to digital broadcasting cost?
How will Public Broadcasters pay for conversion to digital broadcasting?
What about federal funding for digital broadcasting conversion?
Who are Michigan's Public Broadcasters?
7 television licensees with 12 proposed digital transmitters and 10 radio licensees with 29
proposed digital transmitters.
Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant
DeltaCollege, University Center
Detroit Public Television, Detroit
Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti
Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids
Interlochen Public Radio, Interlochen
Michigan State University, East Lansing
Northern Michigan University, Marquette
University of Michigan-Flint, Flint
University of Michigan Radio, Ann Arbor
Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo
Wayne State University, Detroit
BlueLake Fine Arts Camp, Twin Lake
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What is the biggest challenge facing Michigan Public TV Broadcasters?
The Federal Communications Commission is requiring that all television stations
broadcast a digital signal by 2003 and complete digital conversion by 2006. Commercial
broadcasters in Metro Detroit have already begun digital broadcasts.
Michigan's public TV broadcasters must submit conversion plans by May 1,
2000. Stations that do not convert to digital by 2006 will cease to exist.
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What is Digital TV (DTV)?
DTV is "digital television" a revolutionary new form of broadcasting that
improves picture and audio quality and increases public television services. Using DTV,
Michigan's public TV broadcasters can bring improved programming and educational services
to Michigan. The three (3) key features of DTV are:
High Definition Television (HDTV) Multicasting Data transmission
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What is HDTV?
HDTV is a wide-screen picture format that offers many times more picture
resolution than current televisions, without "ghosting". HDTV provides sharper life-like images, movie theater-like screen, compact-disc quality sound and enhanced reception.
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What is Multicasting?
When stations are not broadcasting HDTV programming, DTV allows stations to transmit
up to four programs simultaneously in the same broadcast spectrum. Multicasting is the term for the digital broadcast of one or more
programs in standard definition (SDTV).
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How does DTV transmit data?
While broadcasting in HDTV or multicasting in SDTV, broadcasters can use
leftover broadcast spectrum to transmit video, audio, text, or other data
directly to computers or interactive television devices.
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What does DTV mean for Michigan Public TV Viewers?
With HDTV, arts, drama, theater, science, nature, travel, and exploration programs
can be viewed in unsurpassed clarity and sound. Multicasting will allow Michigan's Public
broadcasters to provide enhanced services. Public
broadcasters currently have more hours of educational programming than airtime.
Multicasting allows multiple programs at the same time, for example, children's
programming, workforce development, a theater event, and a college course. Data transmission provides the ability to expand educational missions by
delivering course-related materials to teachers and students at the same time as
programming.
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How will DTV benefit Michigan and its People?
Picture quality will be vastly improved. Viewers will have greatly expanded choices in programming. Diverse educational opportunities will be available through program choice,
broadcast links to the internet, and other data transmissions bringing
lifelong learning opportunities to Michigan homes. Access to the benefits of Public DTV will be available to all of Michigan's
citizens.
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What is Digital Radio?
Digital radio will result in improved reception and CD-sound quality.
The digital standard for radio is expected to be mandated by the FCC in
the next few months, requiring all radio stations to convert to digital
transmission
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What will conversion to digital broadcasting cost?
With 12 transmitters throughout Michigan and additional equipment to
convert master control rooms, independent engineering studies for Michigan's
public TV broadcasters estimate a one-time capital conversion cost of $38.8
million to comply with the mandate to convert to digital broadcasts. Radio transmitters
will require an estimated $5 million to convert to
digital, and statewide microwave interconnection of stations will cost $12.7
million, for a total of $56.5 million.
In addition, stations will also have to pay for studio conversion,
conversion of production equipment, and increased operating costs.
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How will Public Broadcasters pay for conversion to digital broadcasting?
As a first step, MAPB supports a $21.9 million supplemental appropriation from the
state of Michigan (Senate Bill 968). The
supplemental appropriation will fund one-half of the $43.8 million cost of
converting TV and radio broadcast equipment to a digital broadcast format.
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What about federal funding for digital broadcasting conversion?
Congress has appropriated no funds for DTV or digital radio conversion.
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