 | Don Checots
(CHEE-CAUGHTS) is a native of Pennsylvania. He left there in 1965 to join the United States Air Force. While in the Air Force Mr. Checots became involved with Armed Forces Radio and Television, and helped install AFTN radio and television services in Thailand. From there, he assumed more responsible management positions in public broadcasting stations and eventually moved to Bemidji, Minnesota where he built a full-service public TV station. While there, he received a Bush Foundation Summer Fellows Award and attended the Harvard Business School's Public Broadcasting Executive Management Program. After Bemidji, he moved to South Bend, Indiana as President/General Manager of public television station WNIT. In January 1997, he moved to Wichita as President/General Manager of KPTS and works with the Board and community to reinvent public broadcasting in South-Central Kansas. Don may be contacted by phone at (316) 838-3090, or by e-mail at dchecots@kpts.org. |
Media
2002-06-01 14:59:00
Digital TV
Question: What are the latest plans for Digital TV on KPTS?
Answer: KPTS is eager to begin offering digital services to our viewing communities. With a May 1, 2002 deadline for commercial broadcasters now behind us, public broadcasters will have until May first of next year to be compliant. Currently, the target date to begin digital broadcasting for KPTS is the first quarter of 2003. Equipment is being selected at this time and installation should begin early this fall. The initial step for KPTS is to establish a digital broadcasting service, which will provide an identical program lineup as our analog service; however, persons with high definition capability will receive HDTV programming when available from PBS. The next stages of this conversion occur in subsequent years as we purchase the necessary equipment to allow KPTS additional flexibility in programming, this will make both standard and high definition digital programs more readily available. KPTS remains committed to providing high definition programs to our viewers, as they become available. KPTS is also committed to projects that involve datacasting to support our educational mission. As a member of the Midwest Digital Development Partnership, KPTS will have the ability to provide datacasting to school networks as a supplement to teaching materials for educators in our viewing area. This project is expected to begin in the third quarter of 2003.Question: Will I need any new equipment to receive it?If you want to receive a digital television signal over the air with an antenna, you will need a different receiver than you are currently using. The television currently in your home is an analog system and cannot make use of the information that is transmitted digitally. If you are a cable subscriber, you may not need additional equipment depending on what your cable company elects to do when it carries the new digital channels. Check with your cable company for specific information.Having said that, there are a couple of options for receiving DTV over the air. First, you can purchase a new DTV receiver. Do not be confused by a digital ready television monitor and a receiver. Most DTV systems that have been sold to date are not receivers and cannot receive a digital television signal over the air. Some can receive satellite digital signals. Satellite, cable, and terrestrial (over the air) systems are different so you will want to be sure you are buying the system with capability that you want. When considering the purchase of a high definition capable monitor, choose an appropriate receiver unit or plug in module. Prices on these units vary widely based upon screen size, type of display, and features. It can be said that prices have dropped considerably in recent months and will likely continue to do so.The second option is to purchase a separate converter unit that will receive the new DTV channel and convert it to analog so it can be displayed on your current analog television. This will be the least expensive option but also the least flexible in terms of utilizing the many features of digital television. The most obvious limitation is that high definition pictures cannot be displayed in high definition unless you have a monitor that can display the higher resolution digital images. You will see a good picture, but it will not be in high definition. The sound quality will not be as good nor will all the channels supported by digital technology be available to you without additional equipment. As of 3/15/02 the price of a converter unit varies in price from $400 to $1,600. The higher priced units generally include satellite high definition reception as well.The advancements in DTV technology and the options to support it are varied, so the best recommendation is to assess your television needs and educate yourself as a television consumer before you purchase equipment. If any individuals, groups or organizations are interested in learning more about DTV, your local public television station will be happy to provide a demonstration and answer questions.
