TV's Switch to Digital

According to the Associated Press, in just one year, on Feb. 17, 2009, TVs will make the big switch from analog to digital broadcasts.

Most U.S. TV stations already broadcast digital signals in combination with analog signals; however, in one year, all analog signals will be shut off.

Households that already have cable or satellite services will not be affected by this change. People who get stations over the air but have a newer television with a digital tuner will also not be affected.

However, the approximately 13 million households in the U.S. who receive their stations exclusively over the air and have older television sets will be affected by the change, according to the Associated Press.

Solutions for affected households include: getting a converter box, buying a new TV, or subscribing to a cable or satellite service.

A government program announced Friday that it will offer coupons to households worth $40 that can be used to buy a converter box, with a maximum of two per household. Converter boxes are beginning to come into stores now, with a cost of between $40 and $50, which makes the coupon cover just about the entire cost of the box.

Beginning March 1, all new TVs being made or shipped will require a digital tuner.