Digital TV transition test Dec. 17

Mercer Island residents will have an opportunity this month to see if their televisions are prepared for the transition to digital broadcasting. On Dec. 17, major television stations will turn off their analog transmitters for 60 seconds, starting at 5:28 p.m., across Western Washington. Any interruption in programming, such as a blank screen, “snow” and white noise, color bars or warning text, will indicate that a viewer’s television is not yet compatible for the transition, which will take place on Feb. 17, 2009. The same test, called “Marketwide Analog Shut-Off,” will also occur on Jan. 13 and Feb. 10, at 5:28 p.m. Television stations participating in the test include KOMO 4, KING 5, KIRO 7, KCTS 9, KONG, KSTW 11, KMYQ22 and Q13 FOX.

By Reporter Staff • December 9, 2008 5:08 pm

Mercer Island residents will have an opportunity this month to see if their televisions are prepared for the transition to digital broadcasting. On Dec. 17, major television stations will turn off their analog transmitters for 60 seconds, starting at 5:28 p.m., across Western Washington. Any interruption in programming, such as a blank screen, “snow” and white noise, color bars or warning text, will indicate that a viewer’s television is not yet compatible for the transition, which will take place on Feb. 17, 2009. The same test, called “Marketwide Analog Shut-Off,” will also occur on Jan. 13 and Feb. 10, at 5:28 p.m. Television stations participating in the test include KOMO 4, KING 5, KIRO 7, KCTS 9, KONG, KSTW 11, KMYQ22 and Q13 FOX.

Viewers whose TV programming is interrupted during the test should go to www.dtvanswers.com or call 1-888-DTV-2009.