Tips & Tutorials

Are you ready for digital television?

As you know, we are less than one year away from the transition to digital television. The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and television broadcasters nationwide are spearheading a billion dollar educational campaign to ensure all television viewers are aware of the switch. You can also assist in this effort with one simple action: Please forward the following email to all friends, family members and colleagues in your inbox address book. By participating in this viral email campaign, you can ensure none of your friends or associates lose access to television when full-power TV goes all digital on February 17, 2009.

Are you aware and informed about the transition from analog to digital television? More importantly, are you prepared? The digital television (DTV) transition is happening on February 17, 2009. At that time all full-power TV stations will be broadcasting in digital. Make sure your TV is ready.

In order to give all viewers the best quality television available and more efficiently allocate spectrum, the federal government mandated that television broadcasting switch to an all digital format by February 17, 2009. Older television sets that do not have digital tuners, and that are not connected to cable, satellite or another pay TV service, will need a simple converter box in order to continue to receive free antenna television.

The good news is that people who watch antenna TV have three simple options to upgrade their sets in time for the transition to digital: purchase a new television set with a digital tuner (and some new sets are selling for under $100); purchase a converter box, which may cost between $40 and $70; or subscribe to a pay television service like cable or satellite.

To keep things as simple and affordable as possible, the government is providing two coupons per household worth $40 each to be used toward the purchase of converter boxes. For more information on this program, call 1-888-DTV-2009 or visit www.dtv2009.gov to apply online for your coupons today.

The switch to digital is a revolution in television - providing clearer pictures and amazing sound, as well as additional channels and information. And the best part is, all of this is available for free, just by ensuring your television is ready. Make sure you are ready for the switch to digital and be sure to inform your family and friends by forwarding them this email. For more information on the amazing transition to digital, visit www.dtvanswers.com.