WFAA-TV

A converter box like this is your gateway to DTV.

DTV. Three letters that are changing everything about television as we've known it since Channel 8 first signed on back in 1949.

DTV stands for "digital television," something that one or more TV sets in your household are likely not.

I found a 13-inch set in our newsroom which is being retired because it is incapable of receiving the digital signals that WFAA and all the other TV stations in North Texas are now transmitting.

That's important, because on February 17, 2009—little more than 13 months from now—all the channels that older analog TVs can currently receive off the air will be switched off—permanently.

Brace yourself for a blitz of TV ads in the coming months, explaining the changes and urging you to take action.

"Some TVs need an upgrade to get digital. You could even lose your signal," warns one spot sponsored by the National Association of Broadcasters.

So we want you to know that even if you don't already have a digital TV set—and even if you don't plan to buy a new one before February 17, 2009—you'll still be able to watch TV from your favorite stations.

You just need to have a plan.

It's quite possible you won't have to do anything to continue enjoying free TV. If you now watch Channel 8 using a cable or satellite hookup, you're already good to go for DTV. Your cable or satellite box will do the conversion for you.

Of course, if you already have an HDTV with an off-air tuner, you're also covered.

But what if you have an older TV and you get your signal using rabbit ears or an outdoor antenna?

In that case, you'll need a digital TV converter box. Similar to a cable or satellite box, it plugs into your existing antenna and converts the new digital signals into something an analog set can display.

It's estimated that a converter box will cost between $50 and $70 when they become widely available early in 2008.

However, you are eligible to receive two $40 coupons that can be used to offset the cost of up to two digital converter boxes.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration Web site has all the facts you need about the coupon program, which begins Jan. 1. On that date (but not sooner), you'll be able to sign up for your coupons online, by phone (888-DTV-2009) or by mail.

Everyone qualifies; there are no income limitations; no proof of purchase is required. The coupons can be used to purchase basic converter boxes from several manufacturers, and they will be widely available at popular retail stores.

You might wonder: Does a digital converter box turn your analog set into a high definition receiver?

There's a lot of confusion about HDTV and digital television. Think of it this way: If you have a black-and-white TV, you can still watch a program being broadcast in color; you just don't see the colors.

So once you go digital with an older TV, you can view all the HD programs, and your box may even let you view them in a widescreen format (with black bars at the top and bottom of the picture). But you won't see a high definition picture unless you have a set with an HD display.

I'm sure that many viewers will consider replacing their existing analog TV, but may not want to face the expense of an HD set. A quick check online finds 13-inch sets capable of receiving digital broadcasts priced under $100; I see a 19-inch set for less than $120.

Another option might be a VCR or DVD recorder that has a digital tuner built-in. These can be used like a converter box but have added functionality. I found a Magnavox brand DVD recorder with digital tuner for under $130.

It's an exciting time for all broadcasters, and we think viewers should be excited, too. But if you have any questions, be sure to check our DTV Countdown page at WFAA.com for most of the answers.

The time is now. Plan to make sure your TV viewing is not interrupted when the analog signals go away on February 17, 2009. The sooner you switch, the sooner you'll be seeing a sharp, digital, ghost-free picture with extra free digital channels

And feel free to drop me an e-mail if you're still puzzled about the big switch to DTV.

Watch Computer Corner every week on News 8 Midday at noon (usually seen on Wednesdays), or online any time.

E-mail askwalt@wfaa.com