On February 17^th of 2009 television stations will stop transmitting their analog signal and will transmit only their digital signal.

A digital signal brings a dramatically clearer picture and better sound quality to the home television viewer.

Television viewers who subscribe to cable, satellite or telephone company television service providers will be unaffected by the changeover, at this time. Subscribers with analog televisions (televisions without a built-in digital tuner) will need a converter box to translate the digital signal to analog so the television can display the programming.

The federal government is offering 2 coupons per household to help fray the cost towards a digital converter box. A digital converter box converts digital signals to analog for older televisions. WARNING NOTE: Consumers who request coupons from the government will have only 3 months to use those coupons before they expire.

If you simply watch “rabbit ears” or free, over-the-air broadcast television, you will lose your television programming after February 17^th, 2009.

To prepare for the changeover you can:

Keep your analog TV and purchase a digital television (DTV) conversion box to convert the broadcast signal for your analog television. You may still need an antenna.

Purchase a digital television with a built-in tuner. If you currently have an antenna for your analog television, you may still need one for your digital, over-the-air television.

For more information about the changeover go to www.dtvanswers.com or www.dtv.gov
For more information about digital antennas click HERE.
     Click for coupon information