What's up with the fact that TVO is the only channel in the GTA that has not fully switched to digital. I honestly hope they don't wait until 2011. 2010 sounds reasonable, but I see no update on their website. They said awhile back they were hard at work revamping their facilities to go digital.

Anyone know what's going on? And how would I lock on to it once it does go on air? Seeing as CICA-DT is slated to be on 51-1, yet my tuner will still lock onto ION.

I strongly doubt that TVO is ever going to use temporary channel 51, and will instead do a "flash switchover" to digital using channel 19, which is their final assignment.

Also, ION is actually on 23, not 51. So if TVO *did* make use of 51, you would access it at 19.

Rather than ask here, why not ask them directly and report back to us :-) . Their general email is [email protected]

I asked them back in the summer and the answer then was that nothing was certain, but since it's just 21 months to analog shutdown, I'd have to agree with Daniel's assessment.

Since TVO is a true publicly funded station, the budget for an HD transmitter will be put off till the last possible moment. Don't expect anything till 2011.

Is there really a difference between an analog and digital transmitter?  Both use an amplitude modulated 6MHz wide signal.  I guess the question is, what needs to be changed to go from NTSC to 8VSB.  It could be as simple as replacing a  circuit board in the transmitter itself, then adding a computer to convert from analog video to MPEG-2.

What is probably an issue is that all of the stations other equipment, if older is probably analog and designed for NTSC.  So a lot of equipment like VTR's, and cameras, chyrons, video generators, mixers and other stuff needs to be replaced.  One thing is, this kind of equipment gets replaced on an ongoing basis.  I doubt anyone has made analog only broadcast equipment for a number of years now....

I don't think TVO has the budget to run two channels at the same time. And they probably can't afford to lose viewers using OTA whom don't have ATSC sets. Although these have to be in the minority now.

I don't believe its expensive to re-equip a TV broadcast transmitter for ATSC.

Most people when they think of OTA, they think of visiting weird old Aunt Mona who had a big honking antenna on a long mast, and got one channel in snowy wonder, back in the 1950's.   They don't think of a setup like mine that gets 18 channels with 16 of those being 5 out of 5 and 8 of those being in HD.

I would expect that among those with OTA a much higher percentage have ATSC capabilities, in major centres like Toronto.  In the back of the beyond, I doubt that many have it and it's probably not a good thing for them anyway, since digital is all or nothing. 

I would expect that if the transmitter is going to stay at the same power on the same frequency it would just be adding the encoder to the process before the transmitter. If it's changing to less power it's probably just replacing a board or two in the transmitter, most expensive part would be the engineering to decide how much power is needed for the same coverage.  With the limited coverage TVO has, this would be a good opportunity to greatly increase their range for little money.    I would assume they will remain largely SD.  In schools and other educational facilities, there is no real need to be HD, I expect the number of circa 1990 style VCR's being used in schools, and big old tube style TV's is still quite high, and it will be 2029 before that is all replaced. 

Perhaps TVO should carry the Ontario Legislature on a sub-channel? Or perhaps have TVOKids programming running all day on another? Neat idea IMO.

I also read on TVO's website that they already upgraded alot of their equipment/studios to a "digital platform" meaning I guess they're preparing?

[Link: tvo.org]

[Link: tvo.org]

By the way, seeing as TVO's analog signal is prettyrock-solid, they should broadcast at the same ERP for digital, and they might reach alot more people. Perhaps TVO should be looking for a higher ERP for it's flagship station off the CN tower, and kill off a few nearby repeaters?

There are very few VHS-VCRs left in the Board I work for...
We do not fix them any more - they are now scrapped.
Tube TVs were gone in the early 1980s... just the viewing tubes remain...
Schools only purchase flat screen TVs - wonder how many will be stolen before getting to the classrooms???

Some Boards are moving their libraries to DVDs, but most Boards in the GTA are moving to having films and videos coming from a server, so that borrowing is not needed; just go on-line and use the TV or SMART BOARD in the room to show content to the 'kiddies'. No antennas, just the LAN. No cable in the classroom.

If your school wants Cable TV, it must pay for installation; but once in the building, there is no charge.

I just installed and antenna last week where they guy asked if he'd get TVO. What a pain in the ass to get his TV to pick up all the digital channels and ONE lone analoge channel.

It's one of the most often asked questions: "Will I get channel 19? (TVO)"

I fired off an email to TVO...now we'll wait and see what they say.

Here's the response to my question...

When will TVO (CICA-19) go digital?

Straight from TVO:

Thank you for writing to TVO. We are pleased to address your question regarding TVO’s plans for digital broadcasting.



TVO is currently broadcasting in analog only and we are planning for our transition to over-the-air digital broadcasting by the Canadian conversion deadline of August 2011. We will be converting our transmission equipment in the mandatory markets outlined by the CRTC (those with populations greater than 300,000, the National Capital Region and communities with multiple originating stations) by the required date of August 31, 2011; the mandatory markets in Ontario include TVO sites located in Toronto, Kitchener, London, Windsor, Ottawa and Thunder Bay. TVO’s plans for converting medium/full-power transmitters in the rest of the province are not yet solidified - as a relatively small player, we are also waiting to gain an understanding of how the rest of the industry will handle Ontario markets beyond the mandatory ones.



Working collaboratively with the industry and the CRTC, we will be providing viewers with comprehensive public education on how to access TVO’s off-air high definition signal once plans are finalized. You may be interested in knowing that the CRTC is currently discussing and seeking consultation on plans for a possible subsidy to help defray the costs for over-the-air viewers to purchase digital receiving equipment. In addition, the CRTC is looking into a possible free cable channel and satellite package that would consist of all local and regional conventional over-the-air television signals - we, along with other OTA broadcasters, are following these developments closely.



We hope you find this information helpful and would like to assure you that when our digital conversion plan is completed, you will be able to enjoy our programs with continuing improvements in signal clarity, picture sharpness, and sound quality.



Regards,

Laura
Customer Relations

Basically, flash cut in August 2010. 14 Months from now or sooner CICA-DT will be live...

keaster 2000, thank you for the leg work and posting the information.

Interesting that ThunderBay (ap. pop. 116,00) made the cut, but not Sudbury Ontario (ap. pop. 158,000) - which has a larger population; but under the 300,000 mark.

The CBC turned their former affliate (CKNC) into a rebroadcaster of CBLT.
CICI - 5 - is the only originating station - run from Toronto.
CHGC - 11 - Global from Toronto, barely covers the town.
CHCH - 41 - from Hamilton, as above.
CICO-19 - TVO rebroadcast from Toronto.
Radio-Canada 13 - CBFST - from Toronto.
TFO - French - Educational TV - from Toronto.

In other words Canadian broadcasters are cheap SOBs - but we already knew that...

SunnyJim:

Yeah, it's sad that the broadcast "universe" here in Canada is so reluctant to what seems like a redundant way to watch TV. It's also sad to see stations (CKX) and affilliates (CBC in Prince George BC) dissappear.

I subscribe to Bell AND Dish Network, and I find I watch the locals more than anything else...off the antenna!

That ChannelMaster DVR is looking better all the time.

FYI for those of you anticipating a digital OTA feed for TVO.....

TVO HD has made its debut on Rogers cable (at channel 580 in scarborough) this week.