Last minute push to DTV

The big switch is here. On Friday television stations across the country including News13, turn off their analog transmitters and switch to digital transmission.

The switch was originally set for February but was pushed back to June12th. Among other things, the switch should provide better picture and audio quality.

If you have cable or satellite, you are already set up. If you went out and bought a converter box your TV will work with the switch.

Better yet if you went one step further and bought a TV that comes with a built in digital tuner there is no need for the box.

News 13 caught up with a few people who say they’ve been well aware of the changes and are prepared for Friday night’s big switch.

“We are way beyond analog age and in today’s society you can get so much more out of digital than you can out of analog,” said Joe Valasquez who was shopping for his 82-year-old dad and bought him and flat panel High-Def TV.

“Because it is the last day I’ve recommend this type of technology to friends and colleagues who’ve also had to do the upgrades but fortunately we’re all ready to go,“ said Kevin Hickey who already has a TV with a built in digital converter.

One expert tells News 13 that even if you aren’t tech savvy and don’t feel like spending a lot of money on a brand new TV set, it’s never too late to get the one that you already have digital ready.

“If you’re using an over the air antenna and you’re receiving signals that way coming into your television, you just want to make sure that if you don’t have a digital television already that you want to pick one up. I think it’s really important because of networks, it makes it a lot easier for the broadcast, and digital can run into smaller bandwidth with a better picture so with analog it’s kind of an older way of doing things so it’s not going to be as good of a signal when you end up getting it,” said home theater specialist, Frank Schmidt.

Moving into the digital age is affordable but it’s not free, as a converter kit will set cost anywhere from $50 to $60.

“Me and my dad we’re ready to go, we are digital ready,” said Valasquesz.

The government is still offering a coupon to help off set the cost of purchasing a converter box. To register for that, visit http://www.dtv.org.

The FCC has contracted with the following companies to provide free, in-home DTV installation service:

Primex Technology 1-888-481-2772. 
Hernandez Consulting 1-866-474-7286.  .
R&D Training & Technical Service 1-866-202-4596.