Digital Dilemma: Will Your TV Go Dark?

Feb. 15, 2008— -- With an estimated 20 million households set to see the impact when analog televisions go dark next year, the federal government will begin mailing out $40 coupons next week to families, to upgrade their sets.

With the Feb. 19, 2009, digital conversion on the horizon, most Americans are ready for the switch, because they get their television access through cable or satellite service.

But those who have an old analog TV that relies on rabbit ears or roof top antennas for television programming, need to take action.

The industry is spreading the word, by airing public service announcements, but some consumers say they are confused about the switchover.

"About a quarter of people think that they have to throw all their sets in the trash — that's absolutely not the case," Consumers Union's Chris Murray told ABC News.

What affected consumers do need to do is buy a converter box, which will allow analog TVs to display the digital signal.

The government will actually pick up part of the tab, with gift cards that will cover the purchase.

"This is a coupon, good for $40, and we'll send two for each household that requests a coupon," Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez explained.

To apply for the coupons or find out more about the program, click HERE or call 1-888-DTV-2009.

But how can you tell if your television set is ready for the digital age?

If you bought your TV before the fall of 1998, it's definitely analog. But if you purchased it after that date, there are other ways to find out.

If you don't have the set's owner's manual, you can sometimes tell by the TV's shape. If it's rectangular, not square, it's most likely digital. Or, go through the TV's set up menu with the remote, selecting "search for channels." If you see an option for digital channels, you have a digital set.

If you do have a manual, check out the page that lists the set's specs. It will say if it has an ATSC (Advanced TV Systems Committee) tuner or an NTSC (National TV Standards Committee) one. ATSC tuners are digital; NTSC tuners are analog.