Digital Televison Transition

February 17 is the transition from analog to digital television. At the time of this writing, that is only 28 days away. Some of us might need to make some changes to make the transition to digital television. If you use an antennae on a television that has an analog tuner, and you do not subscribe to cable, satellite, or other pay television service, you will need to upgrade to digital television by February 17.

To continue getting television reception, you have some options:

• purchase a digital television converter box for your television
• purchase a television set with a built-in digital tuner
• subscribe to cable, satellite or other pay tv service. Make sure you will still get your local stations with the new provider.l
  

The US Department of Commerce's National Communication and Information Administration had $40 coupons to help defray the cost of the converter boxes. They issued up to two per household. Unfortunately, the funds for this program reached its limit. However, coupon requests will be filled as funds from expiring coupons become available. You can sign up for the coupon program until March 31, 2009. To learn more about the converter box program, you may call 1-888-DTV-2009 or on the web, DTV2009.gov. If your coupons expired--the coupon is only good for 90 days--, ask a neighbor who doesn't need a converter box to apply for the coupons.

Here is a good resource for more answers to your digital transition questions: http://www.dtvanswers.com