Story Created:
Mar 27, 2008 at 3:33 PM CST
Story Updated:
Mar 16, 2009 at 3:25 PM CST
Thursday, March 27, 2008; Posted: 4:35 p.m. (CDT)
Oklahoma City -- It's estimated 17 percent of Oklahomans will be affected once the television industry switches from analog to digital. An effort put forth by the National Association of Broadcasters aims to educate the public on their options. KSBI-TV's Kealey McIntire has more.
You could see only static come February 17, 2009, if you're not prepared for the switch to digital television. By law, television stations nationwide must broadcast in a digital format starting on that date.
KSBI-TV hit the streets to see if people are aware of the change.
"I think it's July 2009 we'll be transitioning," says one Oklahoma City man.
"February next year everything needs to be digital compliant," says Jason Bruce.
Bruce got it right because he considers himself a "TV person."
"Anything in high def," says Bruce.
For those who don't know about the switch, a 10-foot television traveling the country has answers.
"Our goal here is consumer information just to let everybody know what's going on with the transition that's happening in TV," says Latrice Griffin, DTVanswers.com spokesperson.
The DTV Trekker will have traveled 95,000 miles by February 17, 2008, informing consumers in several cities of the switch and their options.
You will be affected if you use rabbit ears or a rooftop antenna. Griffin explains you can either buy a new TV, subscribe to a cable or satellite provider, or you can buy a converter box.
"Your television set can be 20 years old and it will pick up digital television if you hook the converter box up to it," explains Griffin.
The boxes range in price from $40 to $70. In addition, the government is giving away $40 coupons for the boxes.
"You do need to get prepared right now. February will be here before you know it," says Griffin.
The switch is almost 11 months away, but you could tune into static on February 17th if you don't prepare.
You'll need to check with your provider if you subscribe to cable and have an older television. Some companies will require you to use a converter box, others may make the transition on their end.
You can call 1-888-DTV-2009 to get your $40 coupon.
