Digital Cable TV Upgrade Information
October 9, 2014
by Brigham Griffin

Get ready for digital quality
We are excited to announce that the Direct Communications Cable TV signal was upgraded at the end of 2014 from analog to full digital. This project was completed on November 4th.
What does this mean for you? If you have a digital TV, this transition should be seamless and you can immediately begin enjoying your higher quality digital content. If you have an older analog TV, you will need a set top box to convert the digital signal or upgrade to a digital TV. This article will give information to help you determine whether your TV is ready for digital.
With a digital signal, you will experience a clearer, higher quality image with less interference, so get ready to say goodbye to “snow” or “static.”We are committed to providing quality services to our rural areas and truly appreciate you choosing Direct Communications for your services. Please read carefully through this information, and call us if you have any more questions about whether your TV is ready for digital.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
1 |
OUR TIMELINE:
To provide improved picture quality, increase bandwidth capacity and comply with federal mandates, Direct Communication is converting our cable TV signal from analog to digital in two Phases beginning at midnight, October 21.
Phase I: October 21 at Midnight
- Channels 26-84 will be broadcast digitally.
- Analog transmissions of Channels 56-84 will cease.
- Analog Channels 26-55 will continue to broadcast even though being transmitted digitally as well. Customers will see duplicate channels until Phase II.
Phase II:
- Analog transmissions of Channels 26-55 will cease.
- Head end (tranmitting equipment) will be moved to a new building.
|
2 |
NATIONAL DIGITAL TRANSMISSION TIMELINE
- 2005: The Digital Transition Act of 2005 mandated analog transmissions cease by 2/17/09.
- 2/11/09: Obama signed legislation extending the conversion from analog to digital for major broadcaster to 6/12/09.
- 6/12/09: Major broadcasters (defined as “full-power stations”) converted to digital signals.
- 9/1/2015: Smaller broadcasters (defined as “low-power stations”) and rural transporters like Direct Communications have had several deadlines to move to digital transmissions that have been pushed back repeatedly since 2010. However, the FCC and US government have set a hard deadline of 9/1/2015 to cease analog transmissions.
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3 |
ANALOG TO DIGITAL TV TIMELINE
- Pre-2004 TVs will be analog.
- TVs shipped from the manufacturer after March 1, 2007 had to be digital
- TVs sold after 5/25/07 were required to be digital or have a warning label indicating if they were analog.
|
Frequently Asked Questions
Question |
Answer |
Why are we changing to digital? |
To provide improved picture quality, increase bandwidth capacity and comply with federal mandates, Direct Communication is converting our cable TV signal from analog to digital in two Phases beginning at midnight, October 21.
Phase I: October 21 at Midnight
- Channels 26-84 will be broadcast digitally.
- Analog transmissions of Channels 56-84 will cease.
- Analog Channels 26-55 will continue to broadcast even though also being transmitted digitally as well. Customers will see duplicate channels until Phase II for these channels.
Phase II:
- Analog transmissions of Channels 26-55 will cease.
- Head end (tranmitting equipment) will be moved to a new building.
|
How will the customer be affected in Phase I? |
- Digital TV customers will only have to auto-program their TVs through the TV’s menu to pick up the new digital channels.
- Analog TV customers will lose channels 56-84. These customers will need to upgrade to a digital TV or get a set-top box (converter) which will convert the digital signal to analog.
|
How will EXISITNG analog TV customers get the new digital content if they don’t want to buy a digital TV? |
- Direct Communications will provide up to two set top boxes per account at no charge.
- Bulk accounts will be handled on an individual basis by our business sales representative, Daniel Parrish.
|
How will NEW analog TV customers get the new digital content if they don’t want to buy a digital TV? |
- The customer can purchase a set-top box on their own.
- The customer can include a TIVO with their services for a monthly charge that will act as a converter.
- Direct Communications will provide a set-top box (converter) for $6.95/month.
|
How can a customer determine if their TV is analog or digital? |
- Pre-2004 TVs will be analog.
- TVs purchased after 5/25/07 will most likely be digital but the customer should verify this.
- The customer can check the owners manual.
- The ID tag or serial number plate located on the back or side of the TV may indicate analog or digital.
- Any of the following means the TV is digital:
- DTV
- HDTV
- ATSC
- Digital Tuner
- Integrated Digital Tuner
- Digital Tuner Built In
- HDMI (digital interface)
- Visit the manufacturer’s website for the TV make and model listed on the serial number plate.
|
What advantages does digital have over analog? |
- Clearer, higher quality image.
- Less interference such as “snow” or static”.
- The signal takes up less bandwidth making the signal more reliable.
|
Can the customer elect to keep the analog signal? |
No. The analog transmission will cease and be replaced by the digital signal. We are excited about this conversion which will improve the customer experience with our service. |
How does a customer get a set-top box? |
At the request of the customer, the Customer Experience Rep will put their name on a project spreadsheet by city. The technician assigned to their area will contact them to install the set-top box. Installations will be in made in the order the requests are received.
Existing customers may receive two (2) set-top boxes at no cost. Additional set-top boxes may be purchased at their local electronic stores. |
If I have a TiVo, will I automatically be digital-ready? |
Recently installed TiVos are digitally compatible. However, older TiVos may need to have an M-card installed in order to receive the digital signal.
Customers who need an M-card have been identified and will be contacted by Direct Communications to schedule this installation. |
What will happen with the free digital (bonus) channels 100-195? |
These channels are digital versions of the current analog channels. When the analog channels are turned off, these digital versions will be moved up in the channel line up to replace them. They will be broadcast in all areas without interuptions. |
How will this digital conversion affect the Digital Plus package? |
The Digital Plus package line-up (Channels 309-491) will not change. These channels will not become available through the conversion in the basic or expanded packages unless they are already part of those packages. These channels are available only through subscribing to the Digital Plus package. |
APPENDICES / ATTACHMENTS


Here is the new channel line-up. Although you will continue to see duplicates of analog channels 2-23, rather watch the digital versions of these channels, which will be in HD Digital quality. (For example, instead of watching channel 5 (KSL NBC), tune to channel 5.1 (KSL NBC HD) for a better viewing experience. |
Basic Analog Cable Line Up |
Channel |
Station |
Call Letters |
Type |
2 |
RFD-TV |
RFDTV |
Public Interest |
3 |
KIDK CBS |
KIDK |
Local |
4 |
KTVX ABC |
KTVX |
Local |
5 |
KSL NBC |
KSL |
Local |
6 |
KPVI NBC |
KPVI |
Local |
7 |
Quality Value Convenience |
QVC |
Shopping |
8 |
KIFI ABC |
KIFI |
Local |
9 |
KXPI FOX |
KXPI |
Local |
10 |
KISU PBS |
KISU |
Local |
11 |
KBYU PBS |
KBYU |
Local |
12 |
KUCW CW |
KUCW |
Local |
13 |
FOX 13 |
FOX13 |
Local |
14 |
KJZZ IND |
KJZZ |
Local |
15 |
BYUTV |
BYUTV |
Family |
16 |
WGN Superstation (Chicago) |
WGN |
Local Super |
17 |
The Weather Channel |
TWC |
Weather |
18 |
Fox News |
Fox News |
News info |
19 |
CNN |
CNN |
News info |
20 |
Discovery Channel |
Discovery |
Educational & Learning |
21 |
Learning Channel |
TLC |
Educational & Learning |
22 |
Lifetime |
Lifetime |
Family |
23 |
Travel Channel |
Travel |
Travel |
Digital Expanded Cable Line Up |
2.2 |
RFD TV |
|
24.1 |
ESPN U HD |
|
64.1 |
NBC Sports HD |
3.11 |
KIDK-CBS HD |
|
25.1 |
ESPN News HD |
|
65.1 |
NFL Network HD |
4.1 |
KTVX-ABC HD |
|
26.1 |
ESPN HD |
|
66.1 |
CBS Sprots HD |
4.2 |
MeTv |
|
27.1 |
ESPN 2 HD |
|
67.1 |
Golf HD |
4.3 |
Weather |
|
28.2 |
ESPN Classic |
|
68.1 |
FX HD |
5.1 |
KSL-NBC HD |
|
29.1 |
ROOT Sports HD |
|
69.2 |
Spike |
5.2 |
Cozi TV |
|
30.1 |
TNT HD |
|
70.1 |
Tru TV HD |
5.3 |
Ksl Wx |
|
31.1 |
TBS HD |
|
71.2 |
BBC America |
6.11 |
KPVI-NBC HD |
|
32.1 |
A&E HD |
|
72.1 |
Disney JR HD |
6.12 |
Cozi TV |
|
33.1 |
History HD |
|
73.1 |
UP HD |
7.1 |
QVC HD |
|
34.2 |
Cartoon |
|
74.2 |
OWN |
7.11 |
KUED HD |
|
35.2 |
Boomerrang |
|
75.2 |
C-Span |
7.12 |
KUED World |
|
36.2 |
Family |
|
76.2 |
HEADLINE |
7.13 |
KUED V-me |
|
37.2 |
Disney |
|
77.1 |
ION HD |
8.11 |
KIFI-ABC HD |
|
38.2 |
Nickeloden |
|
95.2 |
CNBC |
8.12 |
Telemondo |
|
39.2 |
TV Land |
|
96.2 |
MSNBC |
8.13 |
CW |
|
40.1 |
Gameshow HD |
|
97.2 |
LOCAL |
8.14 |
ABC News Now |
|
41.1 |
DIY HD |
|
98.2 |
CHAT TV |
9.1 |
KPIX-Fox HD |
|
42.1 |
HGTV HD |
|
99.1 |
TV Guide HD |
10.11 |
KISU-PBS HD |
|
43.2 |
MTV |
|
99.2 |
TV Guide |
10.12 |
KISU Plus |
|
44.2 |
GAC |
|
|
|
10.13 |
KISU Create |
|
45.2 |
VH-1 |
|
|
|
10.14 |
KISU World |
|
46.2 |
CMT |
|
|
|
11.1 |
KBYU-PBS HD |
|
47.1 |
USA HD |
|
|
|
11.3 |
KBYU Inter. |
|
48.1 |
Syfy HD |
|
|
|
12.1 |
KUWB-CW HD |
|
49.2 |
E! |
|
|
|
12.3 |
Retro TV |
|
50.2 |
Comedy |
|
|
|
13.1 |
KSTU-FOX HD |
|
51.1 |
Food HD |
|
|
|
13.2 |
Antenna TV |
|
52.1 |
Bravo HD |
|
|
|
14.1 |
KJZZ-IND HD |
|
53.2 |
Animal |
|
|
|
15.1 |
BYU TV HD |
|
54.1 |
Nat Geo HD |
|
|
|
16.1 |
WGN HD |
|
55.2 |
Hallmark |
|
|
|
17.2 |
Weather |
|
56.2 |
WE |
|
|
|
18.1 |
FOX NEWS HD |
|
57.2 |
AMC |
|
|
|
19.1 |
CNN HD |
|
58.2 |
TCM |
|
|
|
20.2 |
DISCOVERY |
|
59.2 |
Movie Plex |
|
|
|
21.2 |
TLC |
|
60.1 |
Fox Movies HD |
|
|
|
22.1 |
LIFETIME HD |
|
61.1 |
FS1 HD |
|
|
|
23.1 |
TRAVEL HD |
|
62.2 |
Sportsman |
|
|
|
|
|
|
63.1 |
Outdoor HD |
|
|
|
|
Digital Expanded Cable Line Up (if Using Tivo/DVR/Digital Box) |
102 |
RFD TV |
|
140 |
Gameshow HD |
|
177 |
ION HD |
103 |
KIDK-CBS HD |
|
141 |
DIY HD |
|
178 |
KUED-PBS HD |
104 |
KTVX-ABC HD |
|
142 |
HGTV HD |
|
179 |
5.3 Wx |
105 |
KSL-NBC HD |
|
143 |
MTV |
|
180 |
4.3 Wx |
106 |
KPVI-NBC HD |
|
144 |
GAC |
|
181 |
4.2 MeTV |
107 |
QVC HD |
|
145 |
VH-1 |
|
182 |
13.2 Antenna TV |
108 |
KIFI-ABC HD |
|
146 |
CMT |
|
183 |
5.2 Cozi TV |
109 |
KFXP-FOX HD |
|
147 |
USA HD |
|
184 |
6.3 Cozi TV |
110 |
KISU-PBS HD |
|
148 |
Syfy HD |
|
185 |
8.3 CW |
111 |
KBYU-PBS HD |
|
149 |
E! |
|
186 |
Retro Tv |
112 |
KUWB-CW HD |
|
150 |
Comedy |
|
187 |
8.2 Telemondo |
113 |
KSTU-FOX HD |
|
151 |
Food HD |
|
188 |
7.3 KUED V-me |
114 |
KJZZ-IND HD |
|
152 |
Bravo HD |
|
189 |
11.3 KYBU Inter. |
115 |
BYU TV HD |
|
153 |
Animal |
|
190 |
10.2 KISU Plus |
116 |
WGN HD |
|
154 |
Nat Geo HD |
|
191 |
10.3 KISU Create |
117 |
Weather |
|
155 |
Hallmark |
|
192 |
10.4 KISU World |
118 |
FOX NEWS HD |
|
156 |
WE |
|
193 |
7.2 KUED World |
119 |
CNN HD |
|
157 |
AMC |
|
194 |
ABC News Now |
120 |
DISCOVERY |
|
158 |
TCM |
|
195 |
CNBC |
121 |
TLC |
|
159 |
Movie Plex |
|
196 |
MSNBC |
122 |
LIFETIME HD |
|
160 |
Fox Movies HD |
|
197 |
LOCAL |
123 |
TRAVEL HD |
|
161 |
FS1 HD |
|
198 |
CHAT TV |
124 |
ESPN U HD |
|
162 |
Sportsman |
|
199 |
TV Guide HD |
125 |
ESPN News HD |
|
163 |
Outdoor HD |
|
|
|
126 |
ESPN HD |
|
164 |
NBC Sports HD |
|
|
|
127 |
ESPN 2 HD |
|
165 |
NFL Network HD |
|
|
|
128 |
ESPN Cassic |
|
166 |
CBS Sprots HD |
|
|
|
129 |
ROOT Sports HD |
|
167 |
Golf HD |
|
|
|
130 |
TNT HD |
|
168 |
FX HD |
|
|
|
131 |
TBS HD |
|
169 |
Spike |
|
|
|
132 |
A&E HD |
|
170 |
Tru TV HD |
|
|
|
133 |
History HD |
|
171 |
BBC America |
|
|
|
134 |
Cartoon |
|
172 |
Disney JR HD |
|
|
|
135 |
Boomerrang |
|
173 |
UP HD |
|
|
|
136 |
Family |
|
174 |
OWN |
|
|
|
137 |
Disney |
|
175 |
C-Span |
|
|
|
138 |
Nickeloden |
|
176 |
HEADLINE |
|
|
|
139 |
TV Land |
|
|
|
|
|
|
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