By Steve Lathrop
Albany Democrat-Herald | Posted: Monday, January 5, 2009 12:00 am
If you have not yet prepared for the conversion to digital TV, there are still about six weeks left to do so. But on Feb. 17, if you're watching TV using a rooftop antenna or rabbit ears, odds are the only thing on will be TV snow.
Almost all stations are required to begin broadcasting exclusively in digital format on that date, making reception without an upgrade virtually impossible.
Digital conversion was mandated by Congress to free up frequencies for public safety communications.
If you are paying for service via satellite or cable, the conversion should not affect viewing at all. (In an unrelated move, Comcast Cable, which serves much of the mid-valley, is converting all but its basic service to digital on Feb. 11 and offering customers free cable boxes.)
Viewers getting over-the-air programming need to make adjustments depending on the type of TV they have and how the signal is received.
Over-the-air TV sets with built-in digital tuners or digital-ready monitors with digital tuner boxes - both called DTV - will be able to receive the digital signal with a rooftop antenna or rabbit ears.
Analog television owners will be able to watch over-the-air programming only if they buy a digital-to-analog converter box or a new TV set. Their antenna or rabbit ears alone will no longer work.
A third kind of box is needed for viewers getting over-the-air programming through low-power or translator stations, such as Channel 20 in Albany. These stations rebroadcast full-power signals to rural areas and are not required to convert to digital.
Linda Yun of the National Association of Broadcasters says people receiving these signals need a converter box with an analog pass-through feature or a TV set that has a digital and analog tuner.
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration offers up to two coupons per household worth $40 each to help cover the cost of converter boxes.
The NTIA, however, has said that funding for coupons is running out and those hoping to pick them up should apply as soon as possible.
The coupons expire 90 days after mailing. So far about 22,000 have been delivered to Linn and Benton counties.
Locally, 18 retail outlets offer converter boxes, priced between $50 and $90.
"We redeemed a lot of coupons," said Pam Zieman, store manager at Walmart in Lebanon.
She said several models are available and are easy to install. The basic $50 model is the most popular.
Erina Nichols of Badger Satellite in Albany sells an analog pass-through box and a power booster she says will help in remote areas.
"I think I'll get slammed by people wanting them this month," she said.
Visit the NTIA website at www.ntia.doc.gov/dtvcoupon for more information. The TV Converter Box Coupon Program can be reached at 1-888-388-2009 or online at www.dtv2009.gov.
Where to get converters
The following retailers in Linn and Benton counties participate in the converter box coupon program, according to the federal program. Call ahead for availability.
Albany
Albertsons
Badger Satellite
Bi-Mart
Fred Meyer
Kmart
Radio Shack
Rite Aid Pharmacy
Sears
Target
Lebanon
Bi-Mart
Radio Shack
Rite Aid Pharmacy
Walmart
Corvallis
Albertsons
Bi-Mart
Fred Meyer
Kmart
Radio Shack
Rite Aid Pharmacy