In less than nine months, old-fashioned broadcast television will go the way of typewriters, vinyl records and 35-millimeter film. Like just about everything else, it's getting upgraded to digital.
If you haven't been paying attention -- and who could blame you, it's not even football season and the government-mandated change won't take place until after next year's Super Bowl -- broadcasters, federal officials and consumer advocates say it's time to start tuning in to the digital TV transition.
You might need an upgrade too. And while there's still plenty of time before the analog signals are turned off forever Feb. 18, you may not want to wait until the last minute.
That old adage could apply to you come February: No TV until you do your homework.
About 20% of U.S. households -- 1 million or so in the Los Angeles area -- rely on antennas to receive TV signals, and if they don't have sets with digital tuners, they won't be able to pick up the digital signal. Viewers with new digital TVs or special converter boxes for older sets also may need to upgrade their antennas because of a unique aspect of digital television: The signals that produce crystal clear pictures can be tougher to pick up than the old analog waves, particularly around L.A.
Even if you don't use an antenna, you might need to make some changes. Some cable and phone company TV customers who plug the wire directly into their sets might need to get a set-top box or adapter from their provider.
"The picture is becoming clear that there is more cost to consumers because of this transition than originally anticipated," said Joel Kelsey, a policy analyst with Consumers Union, the nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports.
The government is trying to help, offering two $40 coupons per household to help buy converter boxes for older analog TVs. Those coupons are going fast now that converter boxes have hit the shelves of major retailers. Nearly 15 million coupons have been requested since the program began Jan. 1 -- and the government is going to hand out only 33.5 million.
There's another reason not to wait. It can be confusing to figure out exactly what you need to do to keep your TV from going dark.
Even just figuring out if you have a digital TV can be tricky. There are five different acronyms and several other labeling terms.
