Digital Frustrations

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By WEEK Producer

The culmination of years of preparation took place Tuesday night when News 25 made the switch to digital television.

But even though we made the switch, all of our viewers weren't as lucky.

The early of stages of digital television aren't crystal clear for Tim Gosnell of Chillicothe, a dedicated News 25 viewer, who can't seem to get a handle on our DTV signal.

"Since we converted to digital TV the picture freezes and or it says no signal. It's intermittent, sometimes it comes in and sometimes it doesn't," said Gosnell on Wednesday.

Gosnell says he watches 25 because he enjoys the programming that it offers.
And he hopes to fix the problem soon but in the meantime is still very positive about the transition.

"I enjoy the digital transition in the fact that I get much better picture. If it comes in clear and steady I've got no problem but it is very frustrating when it doesn't come in," said Gosnell.

He's had his converter box for about three months now.
And although Gosnell has tried lots of things,
Nothing seems to be working...
So he called the DTV hotline and they made a few suggestions.

Because of trees, hills, and weather conditions those living in rural areas may still have trouble getting a digital signal even with the converter box.

"I'll get the problem solved but I just in the process of trying to figure out what do I need to do."

Gosnell is staying optimistic even though he's currently not able to watch his main channel.
We can only hope he's watching us now...

Friday, Apr 24 at 12:00 PM Arla wrote ...

First you take away the option of watching your station then you take away our choice of which news team to watch. What are you taking away next? I miss the CH 19 news team!

Saturday, Feb 21 at 10:09 AM Bill wrote ...

We live a short distance north of Carlock where we used to have totally clear reception on Ch 25 with our rabbit ears antenna but we could get a total of 10 area stations fairly clear. We now have the converter box installed and the one and only station we get digitally is Fox 43. We can't get WEEK at all. Anything we can try? Any suggestions?

Friday, Feb 20 at 9:51 PM Penny wrote ...

ditto... middle of Peoria and all channels come in clear EXCEPT 25.1 and 25.2 with the converter box. WEEK is losing viewers.

Friday, Feb 20 at 10:38 AM Allison wrote ...

I have equally as many frustrations with the digital transition. I bought a new antenna, which did help some, but if it is the slightest bit windy or rainy I don't get a good signal. I don't have the money to buy cable or to get a rooftop antenna. I think this was a big plot between the federal government and the cable companies to get people to sign up for cable. The only positive thing I will say is that out of the 3 main stations, I get a stronger signal from WEEK than from WMBD or WHOI.

Thursday, Feb 19 at 4:53 PM Tom wrote ...

I live in Elmwood and have the same dificulties. i personally have given up watching week and now watch 19 or 31 which i have no difficuties with

Thursday, Feb 19 at 4:46 PM Brian wrote ...

I have two stations, neither of which are 25. Both of the stations I get are glitched. I bought a new set of rabbit ears today and got the same two both glitching. I even bought 100 ft of line and ran it out to the porch and then upstairs and got nothing. I don't have money to buy a new tv or outdoor antenna. I got 7 stations that all came in good before the change. Was this a way to get people to spend money?

Thursday, Feb 19 at 4:46 PM Krista wrote ...

We live in the middle of a wide open field and cannot receive the WEEK 25 digital signal. It is very frustrating as we have installed the converter boxes on all of our TVs, and have a newer antenna. We don't like the idea of having to switch to other channels to get our news, but it appears that we will have to if we want to see and hear the local forecasts and news.

Thursday, Feb 19 at 4:28 PM Joe wrote ...

My question is what is everyone going to do if there is mass power outage and you cant use your portable TV because the are analog? I think it was a hasty move to convert to just digital without a analog backup.

Thursday, Feb 19 at 3:51 PM Beth wrote ...

We've had our converter box for a few months now and the only local channel we have problems with is 25. Right now we can not get it at all. We typically watch 25 most of the time but I guess we'll get used to watching other stations...then I'm not sure if we'll go back...we'll be used to their news, etc. I guess channel 25 doesn't care if it looses its loyal watchers.

Thursday, Feb 19 at 2:13 PM Phyllis wrote ...

I live in E. Galesburg and I can't get a signal and were up on a hill and our antenna is way above the roof. We have the converter box. The other stations come in just fine.

Thursday, Feb 19 at 12:45 PM Andy wrote ...

It is not that digital is a weaker signal - it is that it is less forgiving of any weakness. Whereas in the analog world, any weakness in the strength of the signal received just resulted in snow, or a little distortion, the digital has to be a certain strength. The good news is that if the strength is good enough the picture is perfect - no more snow. This is the classic difference between all digital and analog technology, nothing specific with the TV systems.

Thursday, Feb 19 at 12:39 PM Greg wrote ...

What a joke!!! there still people out there that can't afford the converter box or a new antenna Week 25 says they care about thier customers what a joke is Week 25 going to help buy the poor new converter boxes or new antennas?

Thursday, Feb 19 at 10:54 AM Cindy Arnett wrote ...

I cannot receive channel 25 AT ALL Digitally. In order to receive it I would use the analog settings.

Thursday, Feb 19 at 10:44 AM Nick wrote ...

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO... what was his problem? It would be nice if you guys told us what the suggestions were. Does he need a rooftop antenna? Does he need to cut down some trees? Has the wind blowing trees been a factor lately? Does he just need to wait for WEEK to boost to full power? You guys need a transition to better reporting.

Thursday, Feb 19 at 10:42 AM chris wrote ...

Even though I live only about 5 miles away from the station, I still can't regularly get their signal. This has been going on for about 6 months.

Thursday, Feb 19 at 9:33 AM Reba wrote ...

I have the same problem, and I live in the middle of town.

Thursday, Feb 19 at 8:56 AM Randall wrote ...

good luck with that. Digital is a far weaker signal than the old anolog. This was a mistake, watch and see. Oh you can't watch oops

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