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What is the digital switch?

Lottie Onks of Newport News isn't waiting for her TV to black out next year. She's already requested two government coupons for the converter boxes she'll need to switch from analog to digital TV.

The federally mandated switch to digital on Feb. 17, 2009 will affect all households that use TV antennas, and for many, the whats, hows and whys are confusing. Here's a guide to answer your questions and take you step-by-step through the process.

What the heck is a digital switch?

For the past 50 years, basic television channels have been broadcast by analog signals, which take up much of the available space on the public broadcast spectrum. To keep up with the technology of TVs and high-definition options, most television stations now broadcast both analog and digital signals. Digital signals can be split into parts and offer more than one channel, called multicasting.

By ordering the discontinuation of analog signals, the federal government hopes to free up space on the broadcast spectrum that can be used for public services such as fire department, police and rescue squad communication and advanced wireless services.

For consumers, this also means the elimination of TV "snow" that sometimes occurs over analog signals. Sometimes confused, digital TV and high-definition TV are different, and the digital switch does not create a high-definition picture.

Does my TV need a converter box?

If you receive free TV channels through an antenna, including a rooftop antenna or TV-top "rabbit ears," you'll need to buy a converter box. This box, which is about the size of a paperback book, will transform the digital signals into analog signals that your TV can understand.

If you pay for Cox Communications cable service, including basic nondigital service, FiOS or DirectTV satellite television, you don't need to buy the box.

Analog-only TVs with Verizon cable service will need to get a digital adapter from Verizon, who says they'll have more information for their customers at a later date. If you subscribe to another paid television service, you'll need to call your provider, but most cable and satellite companies won't require anything from you.

Coupons, converter boxes and deadlines.

To help with this mandated switch, the government is offering $40 coupons for the converter boxes, which are projected to cost between $50 and $70 once they hit store shelves, which should happen in the middle of next month.

The government is not sending out any of the requested coupons until the boxes are in stores.

If you wait until March to request a coupon, expect to wait two to four weeks for it to arrive.

Each household can request two coupons, but they must be used within 90 days of receipt. The coupons will be available until March 2009 and can not be replaced if they are lost or stolen.

To request a coupon, visit, call 888-388-2009, fax a coupon application to 877-388-4632, or mail an application to P.O. Box 2000, Portland, OR 97208.

It's important to remember that if you use an antenna to receive free TV channels and do not buy a converter, your TV will not receive any channels after the switch.

Making the change.

Each converter box will plug into your TV, either in the front or the back, and you'll still need to use your antenna. Each box should come with manufacturer instructions, but you can also find a basic installation guide and video at

As soon as you install the converter box, you'll be viewing your favorite television shows in digital. Your DVD, VCR and other TV accessories should continue to work once the converter box is installed.

Will the digital switch affect anything other than my TV?

If you have a portable battery-powered TV that receives free channels from an antenna, you'll need to purchase plugs to connect it to a digital-to-analog converter box. Since special boxes probably won't be made for this type of TV, you'll also need an external power source for the box.

Most people who purchased a car with the OnStar service before 2002 will no longer be able to use that service. As of Dec. 31, OnStar switched to digital signals to comply with the federal guidelines and most pre-2002 cars do not have upgrade options. Those customer subscriptions were automatically canceled on Dec. 31. If you're not sure whether your car has analog-only service, you can call 888-466-7827.

News to Use  Converter boxes: Consumer pays $10-$30 New digital TV: $140-$250 High-definition TV: $300 Provider fees: Packages vary greatly and range from $43-$99 per month.

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