Digital TV Transition -> Will my TV picture look different?

What broadcast stations in my area are switching?

Am I ready for the DTV Transition?

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my TV picture look different?

A major change has come to a television near YOU! As of June 12, 2009 TV broadcast stations are required to deliver their signals in a digital format. So what does it all mean anyway?

• Most TV broadcast stations have previously delivered their signals in an analog format. With the Digital TV (DTV) Transition, all TV broadcast stations must now deliver their signals in a digital format instead.
• The DTV Transition only impacts certain local broadcast channels (i.e. ABC, CBS, FOX, etc). Cable networks, such as ESPN, CNN and USA will not be impacted.
• Your service will not be disrupted so long as your television sets are connected to WOW! Cable.

Broadcasters deliver different programs in different formats, and as a result you already experience variations in picture sizing. This variation occurs when a program’s format is in a different shape than your television. As a result, you see various picture sizing effects including letterbox, pillarbox and postage stamp (also known as window pane). Those effects will vary from program to program and channel to channel.

You likely already experience this variation in picture sizing today, as some programs are delivered in different formats from others, even on the same channel. However, you may start to see more of this after the transition, as more and more programmers make changes to their formats over time.

Letterbox Image	Pillar Box Image	Postage Stamp Image