FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
NJN stands on the threshold of an exciting future that promises unprecedented service to the state and the region -- a future made possible by digital technology. NJN has launched a multi-year planning process to prepare for our conversion to a new digital television broadcast system that will allow us to expand upon our public service mission. The following FAQs are offered to our viewers to help them understand the conversion process.
Why does NJN have to convert to digital television broadcasting?
What is digital television (DTV)?
What can DTV do?
What is High Definition Television
What is multicasting in Standard Definition Television (SDTV)?
How can data be transmitted?
Will I still be able to watch television on my set?
Will these new sets be expensive?
When will new TV sets be available?
How will DTV enhance NJN's services to the community?
Why does NJN have to convert to digital television broadcasting?
Digital broadcasting is mandated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The FCC established digital television (DTV) transmission standards for commercial and noncommercial stations. NJN, like all other television stations, must begin DTV broadcast by February 17, 2009.
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What is digital television (DTV)?
The picture that we currently receive on our television sets is based on an analog transmission system that is 50 years old. Vinyl recordings, motion picture films and most cellular phones are examples of analog technology.
Television is about to change from analog to digital broadcasting. In a digital system, images and sound are captured and transmitted using the digital code found in computers as zeroes and ones. Many communications already are being transmitted digitally, such as computers, audio, movies, photographs, print and telephones.
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What can DTV do?
DTV will dramatically improve both the quality of our television service and make possible the over-the-air delivery of several simultaneous services to our viewers. The three key features of digital television are High Definition Television (HDTV), multicasting in Standard Definition Television (SDTV) and data transmission.
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What is High Definition Television?
Digital television will allow us to broadcast programs in much higher resolution or clarity than today's television. This is called high definition, or HDTV. Viewers at home will be able to receive high quality, crystal clear pictures and enjoy a true home theater experience. These visually stunning pictures will be displayed in a wide-screen format (16 by 9 aspect ratio) as opposed to today's basically square box format (4 by 3 aspect ratio.) And because it is digital, audiences will have the benefit of CD-quality, "surround sound."
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What is multicasting in Standard Definition Television (SDTV)?
When programs are not being broadcast in high definition, digital television will allow each station to transmit four or more programs simultaneously. Standard Definition Television (SDTV) multicasting is made possible by compression techniques not available with today's analog system. SDTV offers a higher quality picture than we have today, along with stereo sound.
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How can data be transmitted?
Whether we are broadcasting in HDTV or multicasting SDTV programs, digital technology will give us the capability to use leftover bandwidth to transmit over-the-air video, audio, text or data directly to computers, fax machines or the television set itself.
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Will I still be able to watch television on my set?
Yes, but only until February 17, 2009.
Manufacturers are creating a converter box that will allow viewers to receive programs broadcast on DTV channels on their analog TV sets. In order to experience HDTV and interactive TV, however, viewers will need the new digital television sets. A new generation of computers will also work as DTV receivers.
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Will these new sets be expensive?
The first new TV sets are priced at a $2,500 premium over current, comparably featured sets. However, prices are expected to fall rapidly. Consumer electronics manufactures have a track record of quickly adapting complex technology so that it becomes affordable and accessible to the general public.
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When will new TV sets be available?
Manufacturers have begun marketing the first sets. At the same time, converter boxes are being developed to enable viewers to receive the digital signal and display the programming content onto their existing sets. However, viewers who use the converter box will not have the benefit of HDTV or wide-screen display
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How will DTV enhance NJN's services to the community?
Digital technology will:
- free us from the limitation imposed by a single analog signal. Now we have to choose among preschool programs, college telecourses, local productions, cultural and public affairs programming or other programming from PBS. With DTV, we will be able to transmit four or more programs simultaneously that could air on, for example,
- a dedicated children's instructional channel
- a New Jersey C-SPAN
- an adult lifelong learning channel
- a public affairs service
- a workforce education/training channel
- a tourism channel
- enhance the educational value of NJN's K-12 services by offering interactive capabilities with online and broadcast data that make learning more fun.
- enable transmission in a high-definition format, offering wide-screen, high resolution images of near photographic quality and CD quality sound. HDTV will significantly increase the beauty and details of PBS's signature programming and NJN specials, from nature and performing arts to science and drama and travel.
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