DTV TRANSITION IS JUNE 12, 2009: The termination time is between 12:01am and 6:00am on June 12, 2009 for KRQE, KBIM, KREZ and KASA.

Television stations around the country are switching to a digital television signal to provide you with the highest quality picture and sound, and keep up with the latest technology. The switch is also allowing the Federal Communications Commission to free up radio frequencies some broadcasters are currently using to improve public safety programs.

Right now, stations are broadcasting in both digital and old-fashioned analog television, allowing people time to make the switch to digital TV. But on or before June 12, full-power television stations are required by law to shut down their analog signals.

KRQE News 13, KASA Fox 2, KBIM News 10 and KREZ News 6 all plan to make the change on June 12.

What do you mean by analog television?
Will my TV still work after the switch happens?
So do I need to get a new TV?
How much does a digital receiver cost, and where do I get one?
What if I get my signal through a translator?
Where does the digital receiver go?
Once I get the digital receiver, will I still need my antenna?
I have cable. Do I need to get digital cable service to keep watching my local channels?
What about satellite television?
I'm buying a new TV. How can I tell if it can receive a digital signal?
What's the difference between HDTV and DTV?
My television mentions something about ATSC or NTSC. What does that mean?
Do I need an HDTV set to get the most out of the new signal?
I have an HDTV, and I've noticed many of the programs have black bars. Why is that, and what can I do about it?
My cable provider doesn't offer KRQE 13 in high-definition. How can I watch my favorite CBS programming in HD?
But what about the digital receiver my cable provider gave me?
What programs are offered in HDTV?
How can I see KRQE News 13 and KASA FOX 2 in HD?

What do you mean by analog television?

Analog television is the way stations have been broadcasting their signals from the beginning of television's history. The broadcasting system was revised to add color about 50 years ago, but since then, has stayed pretty much the same.

Digital television was developed to replace the analog system.

Will my TV still work after the switch happens?

Yes, although you may need some extra equipment.

If you get your local channels like KRQE News 13 and KASA Fox 2 through cable or satellite TV, you don't need to worry about the change.

But if you get your local channels over an antenna, you'll need a digital receiver.

Many newer televisions have digital receivers built in. Look for something called "ATSC." Or, if your television tunes to channels with decimal points, like 13.1, you have a digital receiver. Check with your TV's manufacturer if you're not sure. (You may need to have your television auto-program your channels before this will work.)

Keep in mind that not all HDTVs have digital receivers.

So do I need to get a new TV?

Your existing TV should connect to a new digital receiver just fine.

How much does a digital receiver cost, and where do I get one?

The cost varies, depending on what kind of receiver you get, but they should be around $50 to $70 each. You can also get $40 coupons from the federal government to help pay for it. (Don't order a coupon until you're ready to use it - they expire 90 days after they're mailed and you can't reapply.)

When you're ready to buy, digital receivers should be available in most electronics stores near the televisions. If you can't find one, ask a store clerk or manager for help.

After you buy the equipment, there are no more fees - you can watch your favorite over-the-air programming for free just like you can now.

PDF: List of NTIA approved New Mexico vendors

Link: Apply for a federal government coupon

What if I get my signal through a translator?

Viewers in some outlying parts of the state use translators to receive their signals. (Rule of thumb: If you see KRQE News 13, KBIM News 10, KREZ News 6 or KASA Fox 2 on the channel number in the station's name, you don't use a translator, and this section doesn't apply to you.)

If your area of the state uses a translator, you may not need a digital receiver yet.

The reason is that translators are not required to switch to a digital signal quite yet, and some translators for KRQE News 13 and KASA Fox 2 will keep broadcasting in analog for a little while afterwards.

To quickly find out what kind of converter you'll need, scroll up and use the "Do You Need a Converter" tool.

Where does the digital receiver go?

You'll hook the digital receiver between your antenna and your television, much like a VCR.

Once I get the digital receiver, will I still need my antenna?

Yes. But, because of the way digital works, you may need a better antenna. In digital television, if you don't have a clear enough signal, you won't get the station at all, instead of getting static or interference.

Set aside some time once you get a receiver to see if you can adjust your current antenna to receive your local channels.

I have cable. Do I need to get digital cable service to keep watching my local channels?

No. The digital transition does not affect cable systems, which can continue offering their analog-only cable service. Some cable systems may be switching all customers to a digital service, but that is unrelated to this change.

What about satellite television?

If you receive your local channels through your satellite dish, you should be fine, but if you have to connect a separate antenna to watch local stations, check with your provider to see what you can do.

I'm buying a new TV. How can I tell if it can receive a digital signal?

U.S. retailers are required by law to post a warning label on or near televisions that cannot receive a digital signal, so check the box and the display.

What's the difference between HDTV and DTV?

DTV stands for "digital television." It's the new way broadcasters are sending out television signals, allowing them to send higher-quality signals.

HDTV stands for "high-definition television." It uses a DTV signal to broadcast a sharper, clearer picture of your favorite television programs.

Not all digital TV is high-definition: many programs are still broadcast in standard definition, but more and more programs are in HD.

My television mentions something about ATSC or NTSC. What does that mean?

Put simply, ATSC is referring to digital television, while NTSC is referring to analog television.

Do I need an HDTV set to get the most out of the new signal?

While you don't have to buy a new television set, HDTV sets will allow you to experience the sharpest picture broadcasters offer.

I have an HDTV, and I've noticed many of the programs have black bars. Why is that, and what can I do about it?

High-definition programs are designed to fill HDTV screens, which have a 16:9 aspect ratio - meaning that if the screen is 16 something wide, it's 9 something tall. Other programs are shot in standard definition, which has a 4:3 aspect ratio - 4 something wide and 3 something tall.

Some standard-definition programs are shot in wide screen, designed to have black bars at the top and bottom of a standard television screen. On an HDTV, those are added to the black bars at the left and right, so the picture seems to shrink.

To get rid of the bars, you can adjust your television for each program. Look for a "Zoom," "Aspect" or "Picture Size" function on your remote control and press it several times to see what your TV does. (Exactly what happens depends on the TV.)

My cable provider doesn't offer KRQE News 13 in high-definition. How can I watch my favorite CBS programming in HD?

You can use a high-definition digital TV receiver or HDTV with a built-in digital receiver to watch KRQE's high-definition signal using a good-quality antenna. After you buy the equipment, the programming will cost you nothing.

KRQE News 13 is also available in HD on DISH Network, DirecTV and Comcast.

But what about the digital receiver my cable provider gave me?

That receiver is designed to work with cable systems, not with antennas, so you'll need a separate receiver to be able to watch KRQE's high-definition programming using your antenna.

What programs are offered in HDTV?

Nearly all prime time and sports programs on CBS and FOX are available in high-definition, including every NFL football game on both networks.

Also, a growing number of syndicated programs are available in high-definition on both KRQE News 13 and KASA FOX 2.

How can I see KRQE News 13 and KASA FOX 2 in HD?

There are several options:

• You can subscribe to HD service through Comcast, CableOne (Rio Rancho only), DISH Network or DirecTV. (If your local cable provider isn't listed, check with them for details.)

- Comcast HD: KRQE is on channel 212. KASA is on channel 213.

- CableOne: KRQE is on channel 460. KASA is on channel 475.

- DISH Network: KRQE is on channel 6325. KASA is on channel 6327.

- DirecTV: KRQE is on HD channel 13. KASA is on HD channel 2.

• You can use an HDTV with a built-in digital tuner and an antenna. Tune to channel 13.1 or 2.1.

• If your HDTV is a bit older and does not have a built-in digital tuner, you need to get an external HDTV tuner. (Note that the government's $40 coupons can't be used for HDTV tuners.) Check with a local electronics store for details.