Talk of Alaska: Digital TV on the Last Frontier

Wireless communications usage is growing rapidly and that means a big change for broadcast television is in the works. Traditional over-the-air TV broadcasting is set for a major change in February 2009 as TV goes digital across the country. However, Alaska -- as with so many things -- is a special case, as the urban parts of Alaska go digital on schedule and the rural parts go digital some undetermined time in the future.This week we chat with digital television (DTV) experts and share their knowledge of converter boxes, digital signals, channel changes and more. Are you prepared for the digital transition?RELATED SITES:

• DTVanswers.com (National Association of Broadcasters)
• dtv2009.gov (converter box coupon program)
• dtvtransition.org and dtv.gov (FCC)
• consumerreports.org/dtv (Consumers Union / Consumer Reports)
• National Telecommunications and Information Administration
• DTV at PBS

HOST: Steve Heimel, APRNGUESTS:

• Tony Wilhelm, Director of Consumer Education, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)
• Bob Williams, Consumers Union (Consumer Reports)
• Live callers statewide

PARTICIPATE:

• Post your comment before, during or after the live broadcast (comments may be read on air)
• Send e-mail to talk@aprn.org (comments may be read on air)
• Call 550-8422 in Anchorage or 1-800-478-8255 during the live broadcast

LIVE Broadcast: Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. on APRN stations statewideSUBSCRIBE: Get Talk of Alaska updatesautomaticallyby e-mail, RSS or podcast