The Digital Television Transition SPRINGFIELD, OH (WYSO) - The digital television transition is now occurring in June throughout the Miami Valley so that more viewers can get digital converter boxes for their sets. Last week the Wittenberg University Communications Club hosted an event to both celebrate analog television and raise awareness of the digital switch to students. WYSO's Juliet Fromholt has more.

Dr. Matthew Smith, a communications professor at Wittenberg University, acknowledges importance of analog television but sees the potential of digital.

"I think you'd have to go back to the introduction of color television to really find something as grand as this transition promises to be in terms of the regular delivery of television content."

Dr. Smith gathered with fellow professors and students to examine significance of ending analog broadcasts. Senior Kathleen Graham says that a lot of students don't think the digital transition is a big deal.

"But for people who grew up with analog and don't really understand why they need this box to watch TV, I think it's a big deal. And it's the end of an era."

Both Dr. Smith and Kathleen Graham look forward to the advantages of digital television.

"The one thing that digital television holds the promise of doing is providing a type of content that will try to keep eyeballs glued to traditional television sets rather than migrating to the internet and other delivery devices."

"Everything's going to become a lot better picture but also in our class we talk a lot about reality and television so I think that with more technology it's going to make it so that there are more shows that are realistic, live and if it's live in HD, then it feels like you're actually there."

The original date for digital television transition was last week. TV stations throughout the nation and the Miami Valley must now complete the transition by June 12.
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