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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

1. Digital TV customers will only have to auto-program their TVs through the TV’s menu to pick up the new digital channels.
2. 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.

1. Direct Communications will provide up to two set top boxes per account at no charge.
2. Bulk accounts will be handled on an individual basis by our business sales representative, Daniel Parrish.

1. The customer can purchase a set-top box on their own.
2. The customer can include a TIVO with their services for a monthly charge that will act as a converter.
3. Direct Communications will provide a set-top box (converter) for $6.95/month.

1. Pre-2004 TVs will be analog.
2. TVs purchased after 5/25/07 will most likely be digital but the customer should verify this.
3. The customer can check the owners manual.
4. 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)
5. Visit the manufacturer’s website for the TV make and model listed on the serial number plate.

1. Clearer, higher quality image.
2. Less interference such as “snow” or static”.
3. The signal takes up less bandwidth making the signal more reliable.

Customers who need an M-card have been identified and will be contacted by Direct Communications to schedule this installation.