|
|
Troubleshooing FAQs
Why am I not receiving a picture from PBS Hawaii?
PBS Hawaii’s transmission network is very complex and often subject to
unknown or unforeseeable circumstances that may negatively affect the signal
delivered to your home. If you experience a problem receiving any of our programs
please call 808-973-1187.
To better help us “troubleshoot” the problem, please be sure to have
the following information on hand:
- How you receive our signal (via cable or antenna);
- Your location;
- What channel you receive PBS Hawaii on, and:
- What are the symptoms you are experiencing.
If you have cable, you may need to contact your cable provider and/or check the
cable connection to your television.
If you would like to report a problem after hours please call 808-945-1075.
> back to top of page
An extra voice is describing everything that happens on the programs. What is it
and how do I make it stop?
The voice providing the descriptions of the action on TV programs is called DVS
(Descriptive Video Service). This service enables viewers who are visually impaired
to enjoy PBS programming and is embedded into many of our children’s and
prime time programming.
If you are experiencing this service and would like to have it stopped, you need
to go to the Secondary Audio Program or SAP function that is on your television
set, VHS and/or DVR. Go to the menu screen of any or all of the above devices
and switch the option to Off or Stereo. This feature may also be accessible from
the remote control button marked with a musical note, or the word “audio”.
> back to top of page
Why is the background music so loud in some of your programs? It's often louder
than the actors speaking.
The majority of PBS programs are produced in stereo. When programs that are produced
in stereo are put through an audio processor such as those found on most newer
television sets and on many home theatre sound systems, the audio may sound hollow
or the background music and noise will be louder than the dialog. To correct
this problem, go to your television’s audio menu screen and turn off the "surround
sound" (sometimes known as "enhanced") feature off. This feature
may also be accessible from the remote control button marked with a musical note,
or the word “audio”.
> back to top of page
What is happening with PBS Hawaii and Digital TV?
Congressional legislation has mandated that all broadcasters transition from
traditional analog TV to a new type of broadcasting technology known as Digital
Television or DTV.
By February 17, 2009, all broadcast stations will be required to convert to digital
broadcasting and will no longer be allowed to broadcast an analog signal. To
take full advantage of this mandated transition, PBS Hawaii will be replacing
analog technology that has been in use for more than half a century with digital
technology. Analog broadcasting will continue until the end of the transition
period, which currently is set for February 19, 2009. PBS Hawaii will continue
to broadcast both analog and digital signals until then.
As a result of this mandated conversion, all viewers will need to make changes
in some or all of the television equipment they currently use to receive TV programming.
In 2005, PBS Hawaii began operating a state-of-the-art, all digital, “high
definition capable” master control system. This conversion to digital will
allow PBS Hawaii to broadcast free programming streams on not just one, but multiple
channels. Broadcasting multiple channels gives viewers access to our high definition
channel and the ability to broadcast another channel with our popular how-to
shows, simultaneously...
> back to top of page
Will I need a new TV?
It depends, but if you own an analog TV and rely on an antenna to receive PBS
Hawaii, you will need to either purchase a television with a digital tuner or
a set-top converter box to view our station after February 19, 2009. A converter
box will receive DTV signals and change them into an analog format that your
current analog TV can display. Until then, your current TV will still receive
PBS Hawaii’s analog signal.
If you purchased a TV before 1998, it will certainly require the addition of
a converter box to receive and display DTV signals. If you need to purchase a
television now, it would be wise to invest in a set that can display both analog
and digital signals (i.e. the TV contains both an analog tuner and a digital
tuner).
> back to top of page
I subscribe to cable or satellite. Do I need to be concerned
about the transition from analog to digital broadcasts?
You probably will not notice much of a change for those TVs hooked up to your
cable or satellite services. We are currently working with Time Warner Oceanic
Cable to have all of our digital signals carried by their state-wide system,
but if you wish to view programs in high-definition, you will need to purchase
a high-definition monitor to hook-up to the component outputs of the cable/satellite
box.
> back to top of page
Where can I find more information about DTV transition?
For more information visit:
PBS Digital Television
www.pbs.org/digitaltv/faq.htm
Digital Television (DTV) Tomorrow’s TV Today on the FCC website
www.fcc.gov
National Association of Broadcasters website
www.DTVanswers.com
> back to top of page
|
|
