Need Help Receiving WSIU-TV Over-The-Air?

WSIU TV Carbondale ceased broadcasting analog over-the-air television on January 29, 2009 and is now broadcasting digital only. If you are having problems receiving WSIU over-the-air since February 3, 2009, the following guide will help you troubleshoot your WSIU DT digital 8 reception problems. These instructions are for WSIU DT Carbondale only. There have been no changes made to the WUSI DT Olney channel and WUSI DT remains as a UHF channel. Your ability to receive WUSI DT is the same now as it was before the analog shutoff. You must have a digital TV set or an analog TV connected to a digital converter box.

Step #1 - Antennas

You must now have a VHF antenna for WSIU DT. Prior to February 3, WSIU DT broadcast on UHF channel 40. Channel 40 was loaned to us by the government during the DTV transition over the past two years while we still broadcast on analog 8 (which ended on 1/29/09) On February 3, 2009, WSIU DT changed digital channels from UHF channel 40 to the original vacated VHF channel 8. Check the antenna information section below for more information.

Step #2 - Channel Scan

Rescanning of converter boxes or digital TVs is required after WSIU DT changed from digital UHF channel 40 to VHF channel 8. Check you TV or converter box manual for instructions. If rescanning does not work, then try step #3.

Step #3 - Reset

Some converter boxes or digital TVs will need to be reset (by button, menu, or powering down for a few minutes) to erase all previous WSIU information and allow the rescan to work properly. Unplug the digital TV or converter box for a few minutes, plug it back in and then do a channel scan again (Step #1). You may have to do this several times before it works.

Antenna Information

If using an Indoor Antenna:

• Be sure to extend the "rabbit ears"
• Rotate the antenna a quarter turn and rescan again if you are unsuccessful finding WSIU DT the first time. Repeat the process again if needed.
• Try placing the antenna closer to a window for better results.
• Be aware that aluminum siding may affect indoor VHF reception

If using an Outdoor Antenna:

• For best results, your antenna should be pointed at our transmitter, loated near DuQuoin, IL

You may find some indoor antennas work better than others. Also, beware of antennas which are advertised as "HDTV Ready" It is important that the antenna is designed to receive VHF television channels. The antenna that you previously used to receive analog channel 8 is ideal.

WSIU DT Completes Channel Change

Work has been completed to modify our WSIU Digital television transmitter to broadcast on digital channel 8 - which is in the VHF band. Viewers who watch WSIU DT via an antenna will need to rescan or retune (see your instruction manual for further details) their digital television and/or digital set-top converter boxes to receive WSIU DT due to our original channel assignment on RF channel 8 digital.

Some viewers have reported complications when rescanning their televisions and set-top boxes. You may need to repeat the rescanning process multiple times for the new WSIU channel designation to appear.

For digital set-top boxes, some have reported that a power-cycle (turning the box off and then back on) followed by a rescan has been successful. For digital televisions, a longer power-cycle (about 2 minutes) is needed to remove the old WSIU DT information.

Our WUSI Digital television trasmitter at Olney will remain at digital channel 19. Our analog transmitter, WUSI TV 16 Olney will cease broadcasting February 17th.

WSIU Digital Television FAQ

Do you transmit HD programming on satellite? With my Dish Network subscription I only receive your SD signal. If you do not broadcast in HD, when do you plan to?

The satellite providers are carrying what we have designated as our "main channel"- which is now 8.2 (SD). This will change to our 8.1 HD channel sometime in May- as soon as we complete our Master Control digital renovation project that will allow us to control the HD channel and use local content on it.

Why are we cutting off writing and faces on our channel (8.2 as carried by DirecTV and cable)?

WSIU is not doing the cutting. Currently, WSIU is simply "passing through" all HD programming from the satellite as originated from PBS. The programs have begun originating that way from PBS since they made the transition this month to HD 16X9. PBS is working on a solution to resolve the problem

The picture seems to overfill the screen and faces are enlarged. Sometimes I can't see the information the screen. Why is that?

Unfortunately, this is a PBS network problem. PBS is converting distribution of programming from a 4X3 aspect ratio to 16X9. Most PBS stations must compromise by filling the screen with the logos and writing cut off so that other programming will not have a big black frame surrounding a reduced size image.

PBS is working on a solution and we will endeavor to pass through the corrected feeds as soon as PBS provides them.

What is happening with your channels?

WUSI-TV

February 15 at 11pm
WUSI TV analog 16 ceases regular program lineup and starts running the "This Old House DTV Special" along with helpful information from the FCC as well as a slate notification about the impending analog shutoff.

February 17 at 9pm
WUSI TV analog 16 ceases broadcasting permanently.

WSIU-TV

Jan. 27 -11pm
WSIU-TV analog 8 ceases regular program lineup and starts running the "This Old House DTV Special" alternating with a slate notification about the impending analog shutoff.

Jan 29-10am
WSIU-TV analog 8 shutoff

Feb 2 -11pm
WSIU digital 40 (14.1kw) shutoff to modify transmitter for digital channel change from UHF to VHF.

Feb 3 - 8am
WSIU digital 8 commences-with power increase to 30kw

Feb 18 - delayed
WSIU digital 8 increases to full authorized power to 53kw
This has been delayed due to the extension of analog shutoff. Currently, we cannot increase power until June 12.

Are You Ready?

WSIU Public Television Will Complete the Transition to Digital On Thursday, January 29, 2009

At 11pm on Tuesday, January 27th, WSIU TV 8 Carbondale will cease regular programming.
Viewers will see information pertaining to converting their old television sets to receive digital signals and other helpful information.

At 10am on Thursday, January 29, WSIU TV 8 Carbondale will cease broadcasting analog television broadcasting.
For the past few years, WSIU and WUSI, like all television broadcasters across the United States, have run analog and a digital transmitters simultaneously. Now that the government-mandated transition is complete, it is time to say goodbye to analog!

Our newer digital television broadcast transmitters are more efficient and can carry multiple channels. If you already have a digital TV or set-top converter box, you’re probably enjoying our multiple channels. Our HD channel 8.1 provides the best high-definition programs that PBS has to offer. Channel 8.3 provides “Create,” a service from American Public Television offering “how-to” programs around-the-clock. Finally, our main WSIU and WUSI channel, 8.2, is delivered to you with improved digital clarity.

Attention, WSIU Over-the-Air (OTA) Analog Viewers

If you are not a cable or satellite subscriber and watch WSIU on an analog television set using an antenna, you must take the following actions now in order to continue watching WSIU Television after January 29.

1. Purchase a digital converter set-top box for your analog television or buy a new digital television. Converter boxes are available at most retail outlets for between $40-70. To offset the cost, the federal government is providing two $40 coupons per household. In order to receive your coupons before the transition, you must apply now at www.dtv2009.gov or 1-888-DTV-2009.

2. Check your antenna status. If you currently receive a good WSIU or WUSI analog signal with your set-top or rooftop antenna, your DTV reception should be OK. Contact us at (618) 453-6156 if you are not receiving WSIU after installing your converter box or after installing a new digital TV.

The FCC has some helpful consumer facts related to antennas, digital television and solving reception problems.

Important information about your antenna! To improve our signal coverage, WSIU TV digital is moving broadcasts from the UHF to the VHF frequency band. After February 3, 2009, you will need a VHF antenna to view WSIU TV 8 digital channels. WUSI TV digital channels 16.1, 16.2, and 16.3 are currently and will remain on the UHF band. If you currently receive
WUSI digital television, you do not need to do anything after February 3.

Not sure if your antenna is adequate? Visit AntennaWeb online at www.antennaweb.org to determine the antenna you will require. Or, call WSIU for assistance at (618) 453-6156.

Why is WSIU Going Digital Only?

In the mid-1990s, Congress and the Federal Communications Commision determined that all full-power broadcast stations must transition to digital-only television (DTV) broadcasting. In 2006, Congress set February 17, 2009 as the official date when analog broadcasting will cease.

This transition was mandated for two reasons: DTV is a more efficient transmission technology, offering crystal-clear pictures and sound, as well as the option to offer high-definition broadcasts and multiple channel streams; It will release valuable analog radio frequency spectrum for vital emergency wireless and mobile telephone services.

Analog television has been serving us well since July 1, 1941, but unfortunately, it is now time to say good bye!

What is the Cliff Effect?

Digital television, like all newer wireless digital communications systems, can suffer from a malady known as the “Digital Cliff.” If you have a digital TV, you’ve probably experienced this effect! You may switch on your television one day and see a perfect picture. A few hours later and without warning, the picture may be very badly distorted or disappear altogether.

The Cliff Effect may be best explained this way: analog television’s gradual degradation (that is, the farther from the analog transmitter you go, the worse the picture gets) is a result of the weaker analog signal being overcome by atmospheric noise or even electronic noise in the television’s circuitry. A noisy or “snowy” picture may be annoying, but it still can be watched.

Digital television, by its nature of conveying a picture by a series of numbers or “digits,” can send extra information or numbers along with the broadcast to ensure the picture’s clarity. This means that even if the signal is weak or noise interferes with reception, the extra information can correct the errors to ensure a perfect picture. However, the corrections can only work up to a certain point. When there are too many errors, the error correction system will break down and the picture will disappear. It is hard to tell how close you are to the digital cliff without falling off!

Most new digital TV sets and set-top converter boxes feature a built-in signal quality meter display, which let you know if you are sufficiently far enough away from falling over the digital cliff. Be sure to read the instructions provided with your digital TV receiver or set-top converter box, which will explain how to use the meter to maximize your received signal and identify the best position for your antenna.

How to Install a Digital-to-Analog Converter Box

Step 1: Unplug the existing coaxial antenna wire from your TV “Antenna In (RF)” port.

Step 2: Plug the existing coaxial wire into the “Antenna In (RF)” port on your Converter Box.

Step 3: Using the coaxial wire that comes with your Converter Box, plug one end into the “Out To TV (RF)” port on the Converter Box. Plug the other end into the “Antenna In (RF)” port on your TV.

Step 4: Plug the power cords on your Converter Box and TV into a power outlet, and turn on your TV and Converter Box. Using the instructions that come with your Converter Box, tune your TV to channel 3 or 4. Using the remote that comes with your Converter Box, follow the on-screen set-up guide to scan for available DTV channels, and begin enjoying the benefits of digital television!

If you experience any problems in setting up your DTV converter box, contact us at (618) 453-6156.