Ready for digital TV switch

Tasha Kates / Charlottesville Daily Progress
Published: January 6, 2008

Before the new millennium, buying a television was practically a no-brainer.

"A lot of times people didn't have to go and think when buying a TV," said Dave Stipe, a sales associate at the Crutchfield's retail store in the Rio Hill Shopping Center. "'I like the picture, let's buy it.'"

But for the last few years, customers have had to do more research before buying a new set. On Feb. 17, 2009, television signals across the United States will switch from analog signals to digital, rendering televisions with analog signals unable to pick up TV stations without making some modifications.

The Charlottesville region's digital education rolled in Sunday. The National Association of Broadcasters' DTV Trekker stopped by Rio Hill during its 1,600-stop, 95,000-mile road trip to inform people of the signal change and what they can do to make sure their television still works.

The DTV Transition Coalition, a group made up of businesses and trade organizations, is paying for the road trip, said tour spokeswoman Angie Malone.

The switch to digital television technology will fulfill the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, legislation passed by Congress that will require analog channels to be shut down. According to the National Association of Broadcasters, digital television can provide a clearer picture, more channels and data services such as a better system of closed captioning.

People who own televisions with analog tuners have three options that will allow them to tune in after analog ends - buy a digital converter box for their existing set, subscribe to cable or a satellite TV service or buy a television with a digital tuner.

Malone spent six hours at Crutchfield's on Sunday handing out flyers and explaining to more than 400 customers the transition from analog to digital broadcasts. About half of the people she spoke with had heard of the impending switch.

Several customers, she said, were unaware that purchasing a digital converter box would solve the problem.

"Some people have come in a little frantic and panicked, and had a lot of speculation that they would have to throw out their old televisions," she said

At Crutchfield, converter boxes haven't sold so well. Stipe said people in the Charlottesville area are more likely to buy a television with digital capabilities, especially if they're sports fans.

"It's not just a nicer television," Stipe said. "You're getting a really nice picture and it's really fun to watch."

Tuner boxes aren't available at every electronics store yet. Circuit City spokeswoman Jackie Foreman said the company plans to stock the boxes by the spring.

Those television owners who want to buy a box instead can get up to two $40 coupons to defray the cost of the boxes through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. The agency said it expects converters will cost between $50 and $70.

Malone said consumers should ask specific questions about any new television they purchase. While analog televisions are no longer being produced, some made in 2007 are still on the shelves. Retailers are required to display signs near these sets to educate people about the pending digital switch.

For more information about the nation's transition to digital television, visit the National Association of Broadcasters' digital television transition campaign Web site, www.dtvanswers.com.

- Staff writer Seth Rosen contributed to this article