Digital TV Conversion

Starting in February 2009, high powered commercial television stations will stop broadcasting the traditional analog signal that can be picked up using a standard antenna or rabbit ears.  If you receive your TV signal through cable, satellite or other paid service, this conversion will not affect you. (Though, please check with your local service provider to confirm they will handle the conversion.) If you have an analog television which has no digital tuner inside and you rely on an antenna to get a signal, you will need to acquire a digital-to-analog converter box to continue to watch broadcast television on that set.

If you take advantage of federal government offered coupons, the expected price of a converter box should be around $20.00 ($60.00 box, minus $40.00 in coupons).  But there is something gained for the cost of a converter box.  You will now be able to view "subchannels" sent out by local channels. Subchannels are different streams of television programming that the digital format allows one local station to broadcast simultaneously.

Need to buy a digital converter?  Go to Digital TV 2009 to locate a local store where you can purchase a digital converter box and to get a coupon for up to $40.00 courtesy of the U.S. Department of Commerce.  (Click here to download a printable copy of the coupon application form.)

If you would like more information about the conversion to digital television broadcasting, please go to this useful link provided by the Federal Communication Commission (FCC). www.dtv.gov/consumercorner.html