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Jed Boal reportingAs we enter 2008, we're fewer than 14 months away from the television industry completely switching over to digital signals.
The government anticipates that not everyone will be happy about the change, so it's created a program designed to soften the financial strain that change might cause.
The holiday season is over, but the U.S. Department of Commerce will give out gifts to help Americans upgrade to digital television. Each U.S. household is eligible for two $40 coupons for digital-to-analog converter boxes.
All U.S. broadcast TV stations are scheduled to convert to digital signals by February 17, 2009. When that happens, people who use analog televisions to get over-the-air broadcasts will not be able to see those digital signals unless they use a converter box.
You can call 1-888-388-2009 to get coupons. Or you can apply at the government Web site www.ntia.doc.gov.
If you have a digital TV and you get your broadcasts over the air, you're all set for the change already.
Whether you have an analog or a digital TV, if you get your programming from cable or satellite, you need to contact your provider to find out what adjustments, if any, you need to make.
Thee government is mandating the change because it will auction off the analog airspace currently filled with broadcast signals to wireless broadband companies. Also, emergency services like firefighters and police will use the open airwaves.
That date, again, is February 17, 2009.
