The digital transformation has hit mid-Michigan and local stations are prepared to deal with problems.

Scott Trager, co-anchor and co-executive producer of Michigan This Morning at the 9&10 News, offers help on the station’s Web site. He said he expects a high volume of calls and asks that consumers with problems be patient. He anticipates that issues will be resolved quickly.

Bill Kring, general manager of 9&10 News, said although there have been a few problems, the company remains optimistic.

“We are excited to finally bring the digital system to all of northern Michigan,” he said. “More viewers than ever before will be able to receive their favorite programs with an improved quality of sound and pictures.”

The station offers several ways to help consumers with problems.

Don Lors Electronics, a Livonia-based company, sponsored a help line that can be reached at (888)-MI-DTV-09, and the Federal Communications Commission offers a national hot line, which can be reached at (888)-CALLFCC.

The transition from analog to digital television was rescheduled from February 17, after President Barack Obama and Congress declared that not enough people were ready for the switch. Many stations were hesitant to switch because of several different reasons.

Companies are switching to digital to save money and to free up the broadcast spectrum for public safety communications.

Another advantage is that it allows some of the spectrum to be auctioned to companies that can provide customers with more progressive wireless services, such as wireless broadband.

Rick Schudiske, director of television of CMU Public Broadcasting, said his company made their shut-off date early. Like many other driving forces in the country at the time, his motivation was money.

“We were prepared to shut off the analog stations at that time since we had been broadcasting in both digital and analog,” Schudiske said. “The reason we decided to go with the March 31 shut-off was financial. We did not have in the budget the extra dollars, about $20,000, to pay for the extra power and maintenance to keep the analog.”

There were a number of calls coming in with complaints from the first day of the transition for around two weeks, he said, but since it has steadily declined to a handful a day.

Anyone with problems can also visit michmab.com, dtvanswers.com, dtv.gov or digitaltvtrainer.com for answers.

news@cm-life.com

E-mail the author: Josh Berenter