Welcome to the WFTV-DT & WRDQ-DT digital television blog. I’m John Demshock and I lead the engineering and operations team here at Channel 9 and 27. This is my first attempt at a blog, so it’s a learning experience for me. Speaking of learning experiences, the transition of our industry to digital has has been one for all of us. But, when we see and hear the quality of high definition, or enjoy the additional programming on digital sub-channels, it’s really cool. And there are more cool things right around the corner, like mobile services that promise to go way beyond ‘TV on your cell phone’.
Right now, all of the Orlando area TV stations are already broadcasting in digital and many stations are featuring HD programming. So, the digital transition has actually already happened. The next step is to turn off the good-ole’ analog transmitters. That will happen at the end of the broadcast day on February 17, 2009.
There are several sub-channels on the air. My favorite is RTN, which can be found on 27.2 over the air and on Bright house 1028. It’s the “Retro Television Network” and it features all of the old programs I grew up with. WFTV also has a sub-channel, which is our weather radar.
I will be checking in over the coming weeks and will do my best to answer questions and concerns about digital TV.
