On the other hand, reprocessing delays are feasible with 8-VSB, but need coordination with receiver design. If, instead of rebroadcasting on the same frequency, we employ translators to different channels, we avoid the above problems entirely. The one awkward aspect of translators for analog service has been the need for the viewer to find the program on the translator frequency. For digital service, this is not a problem because the digital receiver finds the program source automatically, without viewer intervention. Translator location is not constrained by lack of topographical shielding -coverage can be tailored even in flatlands.
Translators minimize technical requirements and cost.
The site antennas and their shielding are simple. Even a consumer-grade receiver is sufficient to correct incoming ghosts and errors and prepare a clean signal for retransmission. The reprocessed signal provides a maximum reception margin and coverage for a given power output. The opportunity exists now for planning, not only for translators and coverage extension, but for other uses, for example studio-transmitter links. A low power directional 8-VSB transmitter can be operated in the UHF band for this purpose without affecting broadcast reception in the region.