Oregon Public Broadcasting officially began transmitting digital signals in Central Oregon this week, a move that could significantly improve the local emergency communication system and picture quality for digital TV owners.

Company officials said that engineers installed the digital transmitter on Awbrey Butte last week, but ran into a few technical problems that were resolved this week.

A digital transmitter can transmit multiple signals at once, compared to the normal analog device that could only send one stream of signals at a time.

This means that OPB can now transmit emergency notices in one Central Oregon town while maintaining regular programming in another.

”With this, you can do a lot more than just provide a better picture to television viewers,” OPB President Steve Bass said. ”It could be used for tsunami warnings on the coast or for emergency communications for towns like Sisters in case of forest fire. This could have far-reaching implications for making communities safer.”

The addition of a digital transmitter also means that Central Oregon communities are now receiving OPB’s high-definition channel, which presents programs in better picture quality. Bass said the company is contemplating adding another digital channel as well.

In order to receive digital signals, viewers must have either a high-definition television or a converter box that detects the signals and converts them for an analog TV set. Those viewing OPB from cable or who use an analog antenna won’t be affected.

Bend City Councilor John Hummel, an avid OPB viewer, said the digital signals in Central Oregon do more than fill a gap in emergency communication. They provide the audience a ”significant difference” in the viewing enjoyment of the channel’s programs, he said.

”I watch a lot of the outdoor shows that focus on scenery and better picture quality definitely adds value to those shows,” Hummel said, adding that he will likely purchase a high-definition television soon to take full advantage of the digital signals.

With the installation, all five of OPB’s transmitters in Oregon are now capable of sending digital signals. Installing the five digital devices cost around $22 million.

The next step, Bass said, is to digitize the 41 translators, which are small transmission points that relay signals from transmitters to smaller communities.

The federal government has mandated that all television signals be switched to digital formats by February 2009.