Viewers get ready for digital TV switch

For those who have analog sets or don’t have pay TV, an upgrade may be necessary.

McClatchy Newspapers

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — By now, most consumers are aware that some kind of switch is set for February that has to do with their televisions and digital signals.

But after that, degrees of knowledge vary wildly.

Consider Ann Thompson, who lives with her mother in Blue Springs, Mo. Thompson was caught up in the confusion about the difference between digital TV signals and high-definition TV sets.

But more than anything, Thompson, who works at a law firm, wanted to make sure she and her mom aren’t going to be misled by businesses seeking to sell TV products to people who may not be up to speed on the nuances of the digital age.

Then there’s Kathlene Hawkins, who lives in downtown Kansas City. Hawkins bought a new TV in February that has a digital tuner and now has better reception than ever.

Many consumers are like Jim Jones of Pleasant Hill, Mo., who proudly proclaims that he “graduated from electronics school way back in the ’60s.” Jones said he’s been preparing for the switch for more than four years.

The “switch” is a government-mandated change in the way television programming is transmitted — from analog signals, which have been in use since the beginning of television, to digital technology.

Testing is to begin in September in Wilmington, N.C., with the rollout to the rest of the nation set for Feb. 17.

The government says digital will provide a higher-quality viewing experience and is more efficient. Additionally, the change will free up bandwidth for other uses, including by police and fire departments.

The impending change has already had a ripple effect on households and retailers as consumers snap up discount coupons to purchase converter boxes. But the real effect could be felt later in the year, especially when it comes to decisions about purchasing televisions and other equipment related to the switch to digital.

The Consumer Electronics Association says that in 2006, consumers bought 27.1 million TV sets with digital tuners. It projects that 31.8 million such sets will be sold this year and 35.8 million next year.

“We don’t feel like there is a big spike in sales around the transition,” said CEA spokeswoman Megan Pollock. “Instead, we just think consumers are upgrading as TVs become more technologically advanced and, at the same time, prices continue to come down.”

How do you know if you need to do anything by mid-February?

First, if you have cable or satellite service and all the televisions in your home are hooked up to the service, your household should be good to go.

Still, it probably wouldn’t be a bad idea to check with your provider just to make sure everything’s covered.

You’re probably also in good shape even if you don’t have pay TV service but have a newer TV (many sets manufactured after 1998 have digital tuners, but not all). In this case, you won’t need any additional equipment, since your set is capable of receiving and processing digital signals.

But for the approximately 14 million households that have analog tuner TVs that rely on rabbit ears or rooftop antennas, planning is necessary.

To ease the transition, Congress carved out $1.5 billion to provide $40 coupons for consumers to use toward the purchase of converter boxes. The boxes convert signals from digital to analog for compatibility with older, analog-tuner TVs.

Each household is eligible for two coupons, which are good for 90 days after the issue date. Consumers can apply for the coupons through March 31.

After 22 million of the coupons are doled out, they’ll be provided only to households that don’t have any pay television service. As of April 15, 10 million applications for coupons had been processed. The Consumer Electronics Association projects that 22 million to 28 million converters will be needed for the transition.

The coupons can be redeemed for basic converters, but not fancier boxes. The converters are sold at most retailers that sell home electronics, including Best Buy, Circuit City, Radio Shack and Wal-Mart. They’re also being sold online on eBay and other sites.

Most converters start at around $50. Consumers can use only one coupon per box.