Are you ready for the digital conversion?

Here is what you need to know about DTV

The biggest switch since color is coming to television on Feb. 17, 2009.
On that day, television stations will upgrade from analog to digital.
This transition will affect anyone who watches free over-the-air television (through a rooftop antenna or "rabbit ears"). To continue watching TV, people must take action, and they should it soon, according to Katrina Kleinwachter of the Federal Communications Commission.
"A lot of people will be affected by the transition," Kleinwachter told the Isanti County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 3, 2008.
Isanti County is the area in the Twin Cities that will be affected most.
"Isanti County has the highest percentage of broadcast-only in the Minneapolis/St. Paul market," said Kleinwachter. The rate of those without cable or satellite is 38%.
Low income areas, seniors, the disabled, and rural residents tend to get their television signals through rooftop antennas or "rabbit ears" more than others.
She encouraged people to take a three-step approach. Apply, buy and try.
First, to assist people in making the transition, the U.S. Government is offering $40 coupons that will offset the cost of purchasing a digital-to-analog conversion box. Each household is eligible for two coupons. Boxes typically cost between $40 to 70. Get them by visiting www.DTV2009.com or call 888-388-2009.
These coupons should be used right away because they expire within 90 days, Kleinwachter pointed out.
Next, buy a digital-to-analog box and try setting it up before the switch on Feb. 17, Kleinwachter urged. To work, some systems may require a little tweaking that includes adjusting the rooftop antenna.
Kleinwachter stressed that this switch from analog to digital does not mean that people need a new High Definition television (HDTV). Rather, HDTV is only one type of digital television.
If a TV is older than five years, it will certainly require a digital-to-analog conversion box. TVs newer than that may or may not need one.
Anyone who uses an antenna or "rabbit ears" does need a digital-to-analog, Kleinwachter stressed.
What is the Digital TV transition?
Currently, many over-the-air stations are broadcasting in both analog and digital TV formats. After Feb. 17, 2009, full-power TV stations will broadcast only in digital.
Why are stations switching?
The switch is required by law.
At the consumer level, the switch will mean better sound and better picture, according to Kleinwachter.
Broadcasters will also be able to offer additional programming. For example, KARE 11 offers regular programming on 11.1, and a 24-hour weather channel on 11.2.
Because digital is more efficient technology, the switch will free up more of the spectrum. The analog stations that are no longer set aside for TV stations will be used for police, fire, and emergency rescue communications. It will also allow for a new generation of wireless devices, said Kleinwachter.

What should you do to be ready?

3 choices:

1) Connect your analog TV to a digital-to-analog conversion box. Boxes have a one-time cost that ranges from $40 to 70. The U.S. Government is offering two $40 coupons per household to pay for these boxes. Get yours by visiting www.DTV2009.gov or call 1-888-388-2009.
Note: You should not need a new antenna if you get good quality reception on analog channels 2-51 with your existing antenna.

2) Buy a digital TV (a TV without a built-in digital tuner). You do not need a High Definition TV (HDTV) to watch digital broadcast television. You only need a digital TV (or an analog TV connected to a digital-to-analog converter box).
Note: You should not need a new antenna if you get good quality reception on analog channels 2-51 with your existing antenna.

3) Subscribe to a paid TV service. If your TV set receives local broadcast stations through a paid provider such as cable or satellite TV, it is already prepared for the DTV transition. Cable companies are not required to transition or switch any of their channels to digital.
Note: If you have an analog TV that does not receive local broadcast stations through your paid provider, you will need a digital-to-analog converter box to watch digital broadcasts on that TV.

For more information:
CALL: 1-888-CALL-FCC (voice) or 1-888-TELL-FCC (TTY)
BROWSE: DTV.gov