Digital TV testing tonight

    AUGUSTA – The television stations of Maine will conduct their second statewide test of digital TV readiness in an ongoing effort to prepare viewers for the end of analog television transmissions Feb. 17, 2009.
    The local television stations listed below are conducting these tests to inform viewers about the digital TV transition and help viewers determine if they are ready for the changes that are coming in February. The upcoming test will begin tonight at 6:28 p.m. and will last for one minute.
    During their 6 p.m. programming, WABI-TV, Bangor; WAGM- TV, Presque Isle; WCSH, Portland; WGME, Portland; WLBZ, Bangor; WMTW- TV, Poland Spring/Portland; WPFO-TV, Waterville/Portland; WVII-TV, Bangor; and the five stations of Maine Public Television, WCBB-Augusta, WMEA-Biddeford, WMEB-Orono, WMED-Calais, and WMEM-Presque Isle, will alert viewers and explain how the test will work.
    WPME-TV, Lewiston/Portland, and WPXT-TV, Portland, will also promote the analog turnoff tests, although both stations have already ceased broadcasting analog signals.
    At 6:28 p.m., the TV stations will simulate the termination of analog broadcasting by displaying a full-screen graphic on their analog signals, with a phone number viewers can call to get more information about how they can receive a digital television signal in the future. Mainers who are already viewing digital television will not have any interruption of their signals, since they are “Digital TV Ready.”
    A special toll-free DTV Answers Hotline will be staffed to help viewers with questions about the tests and the digital TV transition. The hotline number is 866-418-7678.
    The DTV Answers Hotline is being sponsored by the Maine Association of Broadcasters and the television stations listed above.