kwch.com

Why is my picture blocky, pixilated or frozen?

This is the new "Snow"!  When an analog signal became weak, your picture showed snow and ghosting and other interference.  With Digital Television, a weak signal results in blocky, pixilated pictures that can freeze up.  Make sure you are getting a strong enough signal. 

Suggestions:

• Make sure you point your antenna toward our broadcast tower
• Make sure your antenna and all of the connections/cables are in good repair. Digital signals are very picky...they require a strong, steady signal in order to display a picture.
• Upgrade to an outdoor antenna...the higher up it is, the better luck you'll have getting the signal.

How do I "scan" or "rescan" my converter box?

Scanning for channels varies from box to box, but most follow this pattern.  

First: Make sure the box is set up correctly!

• Antenna to the input of the Converter Box; Converter Box Out to TV Input
• Turn TV to Channel 3 or 4 (whichever the box is set to...probably 3)
• Turn on the Converter Box.

Now, on your converter box remote - press "menu" or "Settings" - then find the "Auto Scan" function...and follow the prompts.  Sometimes Auto Scan is called Auto-Tune, Channel Scan, Channel Search, Auto-Search...

Once this is complete...you should be able to get the new channels. If not, follow the "antenna" suggestions below. 

What if "Scanning" Doesn't Work? (Double Rescan)

Converter boxes and digital tuners have a memory chip that stores information on programmed channels.  In some cases, this memory chip has to be cleared to tune in new channels...don't worry - this isn't as tricky as it sounds. 

All you have to do is unplug your antenna and perform a channel scan (without the antenna) - then hook up the antenna and scan for channels again.  This usually does the trick.  If it doesn't - you can unplug the converter box (not just turn it off) for 15-30 minutes (or even overnight), then plug it back in and rescan for channels.

Where did your signal go?

We have moved KWCH Channel 12 "back" to Channel 12 (it was on Channel 19) and KSCW Channel 33 over to Channel 19.  Digital television does not work like analog television...channels can't simply be "tuned in" - they have to be programmed.  You can program channels by scanning for channels.

I lost a channel I once had...what can I do?

Your best bet here is to do a channel scan.  In the coming months, many stations - including KWCH - will move around the dial as upgrades and equipment tweaks take place.  Digital signals must be programmed into your DTV or converter box...so, if you turn on your TV and realize that a station you once got is no longer there...rescan (details in your manual...and below)

Almost all VCRs have analog tuners in them, so they are no longer able to tune in programs to record (for the same reason older televisions can't tune in anymore).  That doesn't mean you won't be able to record your shows at all...but the way you do it is different.

If you have a Digital Television already - you'll need a converter box for your VCR. 

You'll want to connect your DTV converter box to your VCR:

Setting Up Your Digital-to-Analog Converter Box With a VCR 
[PDF Version] [En EspaA?ol]

Now, instead of recording your program...you're actually going to record the converter box.  Tune your VCR to the station your DTV converter box is set to output to (Channel 3 or Channel 4)...then tune your DTV converter box to the station you want to record then start recording on your VCR. 

If you are programming your VCR to record a station when you aren't going to be home - you'll need to make sure your converter box is tuned to the proper station, then set your VCR to record the converter box (on Channel 3 or Channel 4).

For example - you want to record The Young and the Restless at from 11 am to Noon on KWCH.

Set your VCR to record Channel 3 or Channel 4 (whichever you have your converter box set to) to record from 11 - Noon...just as you always would.  The only difference is, instead of recording Channel 12, you'll record Channel 3 or 4.

Tune your converter box to Channel 12.1 and make sure it stays on.

• Some converter boxes have an Energy Star setting that will automatically turn the system off after a few hours...you'll want to disable this in your menu settings to make sure the unit doesn't turn off before or during the recording.

Unfortunately, in most cases - there is no way to record two different programs on two different stations. 

There are a few boxes on the market which have timers in them...these boxes can be used to change the channel at a predetermined time. 

There is also no way to record one show and watch another without a second converter box. 

Doesn't seem to work:  Those in Western Kansas do not have digital signals from us yet (Digital for KBSH is already here - Digital for KBSD/KBSL will come on June 12^th).  Make sure it is hooked up properly and you've done a channel scan.  Other things to check - make sure your antenna is in good repair and pointed toward our broadcast tower in Hutchinson.  Make sure all of your connectors and cables are in good condition.  Some people may need to upgrade their antenna or get a signal booster (these are available wherever antennas are sold).  

How to hook it up:  Instructions for setting up your DTV converter box came with your box.  Hooking up the box is not difficult, but you'll need to follow the instructions. 

Detailed instructions on hooking up your converter box are in your manual.  Here are some downloadable how-to guides provided by the FCC:

Setting Up Your Digital-to-Analog Converter Box (Basic)
[PDF Version] [En EspaA?ol]

This guide will walk you through setting up your system if you just have an antenna, converter box and TV. 

Setting Up Your Digital-to-Analog Converter Box (Basic with twin-lead antenna wire)
[PDF Version]  [En EspaA?ol]

Use this guide if you have an older TV that has "Twin-Lead" antenna wires (not a coaxial or "cable" input). 

Setting Up Your Digital-to-Analog Converter Box With a VCR 
[PDF Version] [En EspaA?ol]

Use this guide if you want to hook up your converter box with a VCR or DVR.

Setting Up Your Digital-to-Analog Converter Box (For Viewing Analog and Digital Broadcasts) 
[PDF Version] [En EspaA?ol]

This guide will help you set up your converter box if you still want to receive analog broadcasts from Low Power TV (LPTV) stations once the digital transition happens.  Note: Some converter boxes have an "analog passthrough" function.  If your box has this feature, don't use this guide.  Select one of the above guides based on which one suits your situation best.

I've lost my sound:

This is usually caused by one of two things.  First, if your signal is not strong enough - the audio may drop out before problems arise with the video.  Mose likely, though - it's because the SAP (Secondary Audio Program) has been activated on your DTV or DTV Converter Box.  This is easy to fix.  Simply turn this function off...most new remotes have a button for this. 

Another problem with sound is when you get background audio and music, but not voices.  This is because all sound is sent out as "Dolby Digital" audio, which is separated into several "channels" of audio.  There is a center channel which carries all of the voices of the program.  If you have Surround Sound enabled on your TV, and only have two speakers hooked up (or are only using the speakers on your TV), you may lose your voices without losing the rest of the audio.  Disable surround sound in your audio menu to fix this problem.

What kind of antenna do I need to buy?

You may not need to buy a new antenna at all.  If you receive a good picture (no snow, etc.) now, you should be able to receive a good digital signal.   If your picture is snowy or cuts in and out, you will likely need to upgrade your antenna or get a signal booster.  You can find more information on picking out the right antenna at www.antennaweb.org (this site has a good mapping function that plots your address along with broadcast towers and recommends antennas based upon this layout...it's not perfect, but it does work).

Phone Numbers of Note:

Antenna Installation Company Wirestorm 316-409-8368

Federal Government DTV Information Line:  1-888-225-5322 (CALLFCC)