A primer on the digital conversion

On Feb. 17, the U.S. government will flip a figurative switch, transforming television transmission from analog — in use since the beginning days of TV — to digital.</p><p>What does this monumental change mean for consumers? Don't procrastinate, or you may be left with nothing but a blank picture tube come next February.</p><p>Damon Porter of Time Warner Cable in Kansas City — which is teaming with KCPT-TV, Channel 19, on a public service campaign to help educate viewers in the area — warns that time is of the essence.</p><p>“We encourage people to plan ahead, to make sure they're ready,” Porter said. “What we've found from being out in the public, talking to people, is that there are varying degrees of knowledge and varying degrees of readiness.”</p><p>To help in the transition, here is a general primer:</p><p><strong>What do I need to get ready?</strong></p><p>It all depends on what types of televisions you have and whether you have pay TV service (cable or satellite).</p><p>-If you have cable or satellite, you should be good to go, but only for the televisions in your home that are hooked up to a pay service.</p><p>-If you have a newer television, generally one made in the past three years, almost all have a digital tuner, in which case it will be able to receive the digital signal.</p><p>-If you have one or more older TV sets and rely on an external antenna — generally rooftop or rabbit ears — you'll need a converter box.


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