Don't Forget to Scan Channels on Your DTV

By now, most over-the-air TV viewers have probably bought a digital TV or a DTV converter box. There is one feature that is very different from an analog TV. Before you can use it, you have to "scan" for channels. The reason is related to DTV technology. The "channels" you watch are virtual channels. Although they function like analog TV channels, in fact they may be transmitted on entirely different frequencies, and DTV streams can carry many embedded channels.

For instance, KESQ-DT carries multiple program sources: KESQ (ABC) KDFX (Fox) KCWQ (CW) KUNA (Telemundo) and the First Alert Weather Channel. When you scan for channels, the DTV tuner finds these program streams and assigns then channel numbers according to information we broadcast with the programming.

More and more stations are turning off their analog channels and using strictly digital channels. In some case, stations have to change frequencies. KESQ-DT is in that group, as the government has auctioned off the frequency we currently use. We will switch to KESQ-TV's current analog channel when we turn the analog signal off on June 12. On and after that date, you'll need to scan at least once to find the new location of our digital programming.

Since stations are switching at different times, you'll need to channel scan your DTV several times. I'd make a habit of doing it at least once a week.

If you are a cable or satellite subscriber scanning won't be necessary because you get all your programming through a cable box. It is possible to do a DTV channel scan if you have a DTV hooked up to cable, but the results will be unpredictable and very difficult to use.

I know it's very confusion. If you need help, please contact us at 760-773-0342 and our staff will help you with your DTV questions.