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Chelmsford Telemedia Introduces Streaming Online Videos

Back in May, Chelmsford Telemedia added a new feature to their website - online streaming versions of many of the programs you can see on the local cable station.

These can be accessed by visiting http://chelmsfordtv.org/streaming.php in your web browser. On the right, videos are grouped into categories:

• Selectmen Meetings
• School Committee Meetings
• Planning Board Meetings
• Government-Miscellaneous
• Chelmsford Public Schools
• Public Access Programming
• Chelmsford Public Library

To view a video, click one of the categories and then scroll down the list of available videos and click on the one you'd like to see. There is also a search box at the top of the viewer to find videos by keyword.

In addition to recording various the governmental functions of the Town of Chelmsford, most of the programs held at the Library will be available here online (these are naturally our favorites). So if you missed a program at the library, a Selectmen meeting, one of the many Public Access shows, or just about anything else that happened in Chelmsford, you can watch (or rewatch!) it at your leisure here - for free, any time day or night. DVDs of each program at also available for $10 - contact Chelmsford Telemedia for details.

DTV Is Coming - Are You Ready?

On Feb. 17, 2009, television as we know will change. On that date, by law, analog broadcasts will cease and digital broadcasting will begin.

The advantages of digital television are many, as digital broadcasting provides a clearer picture, more programming options, and will free up airwaves for use by emergency responders.

In order for you to continue to watch television, you'll need to have either a DTV-ready television set, or buy a digital converter box for your television. In preparation for this switch, the federal government is sponsoring a coupon program for citizens who need to buy a converter box. For more information on the coupon program, please visit http://www.dtv2009.gov.

More information on DTV:

• The Federal Communications Commission's DTV website: http://www.dtv.gov
• The FCC's DTV Consumer Facts webpage: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/digitaltv.html
• The National Association of Broadcaster's DTV website: http://www.dtvanswers.com
• Digital Television Transition Coalition: http://www.dtvtransition.org
• Wikipedia article on DTV: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_television
• Earth-Friendly Ways to Dispose of Your Old TV: http://www.thestreet.com/story/10411170/1/earth-friendly-ways-to-chuck-your-analog-tv.html
• Watch "DTV 101: A Consumer's Guide to Digital Television"
  

But be warned - because this is such a widespread program and affects so many people, there are already reports of scams and misleading advertising:

• FCC fines retailers for breaking DTV transition rules
• Scammers Exploit DTV Coupon Program

Make sure you get enough information before you purchase a converter box or new television. For product reviews, check out our Consumer Information Resources webpage, or contact the Reference Desk for help.

2/17/09, analog, box, chelmsford, converter, digital, dtv, hdtv, library, television, tv