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"With DTV, technology has finally caught up with KET's mission of serving the educational needs of Kentuckians," said Virginia G. Fox, CEO and executive director of KET. "Although a few more changes must be made before KET will deliver all of the benefits of digital, the finish line is in sight. Ultimately we will deliver simultaneously several channels of the highest quality educational programming, useful data, and crystal clear, high definition images with superior CD-quality sound in primetime [HDTV]. Although it may be difficult to envision all the possibilities now, this revolution has begun." Digital transmitters can be received through the use of a DTV decoder, a PC tuner card or from cable companies that are digital-ready or are converting the signal to be compatible with legacy TV sets (the analog television sets that have been in use for years). During the transitional period, KET is multicasting four channels over its DTV transmitters: KET, KET2, PBS Kids, and a fourth channel carrying a down-converted high definition signal (clearer than standard definition, but not full HD). Currently, KET's digital transmitter in Louisville, WKPC-DT--which has served as a "learning station" for KET engineers to prepare the statewide transition to digital since it was installed in 1999--is the only KET transmitter that can send true high definition programming. When PBS feeds a high definition program, WKPC-DT transmits it instead of the four channels. Installation of additional equipment will enable all of KET's digital transmitters to send high definition programs by September 2002. KET's digital multicasting channel line-up is likely to change in the future as KET ascertains available resources and the needs of Kentuckians. Each of KET's transmitter sites now has both a digital and an analog transmitter, and KET will continue broadcasting both digital and analog signals until 2006, the Federal deadline when analog signals are to be turned off. This means that viewers who are now using legacy TV sets can continue to use them without any changes until 2006 if they wish. At that time, analog licenses will expire, only a digital signal will be broadcast, and viewers will need either a digital television or a decoder for their analog set. All television stations in the U.S. are mandated by the Federal Communications Commission to make the transition to digital technology by 2003. KET's transition has been funded primarily by state appropriations, and more funding will be needed to complete the conversion. Stations that do not convert to digital will go off the air in 2006. "As we have done for 33 years, KET will continue to provide Kentuckians with the finest programming about all aspects of the Commonwealth as well as national programs that educate, inform and inspire them," said Fox. "We were on the cutting edge in providing closed-captioning, satellite delivery and Web services, and now DTV is simply the latest, best way to fulfill our mission." For more infomation
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With
the activation of the Ashland transmitter, KET's statewide digital installation
is complete, marking a giant step into the digital television age for
Kentucky.