Youngstown TV stations will conduct digital test Wednesday

YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown’s television stations will join others in a statewide digital television test at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. At that time, WFMJ-TV 21, WKBN-TV 27 and WYTV-TV 33 will shut off their analog signal — and broadcast in digital — for five minutes, so that viewers can see if they are ready for the Feb. 17 nationwide transition to digital television.

During the test, televisions sets that are not ready for digital will get a message on their screen stating that the set needs to be upgraded. This will give viewers a chance to see which television sets in their homes are ready for the digital transition and which ones need an upgrade.

The message will include a phone number to call for more information.

Televisions can be made digital-ready by subscribing to a cable or satellite service; adding a digital converter box; or buying a digital television.

Wednesday’s test will be viewers’ first opportunity to see if they are ready for the digital transition. Additional tests will be conducted at later dates.

The WFMJ engineering department will be at Eastwood Mall from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday to answer questions and give converter box demonstrations.

The Federal government is offering two $40 coupons to every American household to cover most of the cost of purchasing a converter box. Go to www.dtv.gov for more information.