The Digital Switch You can make your analog TV feel at home in the digital world

The revolution will be televised.

At least that's the plan.

For months, the Federal Communications Commission has been harping about our beloved televisions and radical change.

With excellent reason, too.

On Feb. 17, nearly all television stations will begin transmitting solely in digital format. That's DTV. Which means, unprepared viewers — those with older, analog sets — won't be able to watch "How I Met Your Mother," "Cops," "Wipeout" or "Chuck."

Or anything else, actually.

Like David Copperfield, the old channels will — poof — up and disappear.

And if you have an analog set, you'll be arrested.

That last — kidding, totally kidding.

But you might want to do consider a switch.

Will I be affected?

If you subscribe to cable, you're fine.

If you own a satellite dish, bully for you.

And if you have another pay TV service, then quit reading.

But if you use an antenna to watch free television on a set that has an analog tuner, you'll need an upgrade, friend.

Last February, Nielsen estimated that more than 13 million households in the U.S. have television sets that can receive only analog broadcasts.

Come this February — if you're one of these households — best break out the Scrabble board.

But why the change?

Simple, really.

TV has been broadcast in analog since the 1940s. But plainly put, it's not as efficient and not as clear.

Analog TV lets stations transmit only one channel at a time. In contrast, digital signals allow stations to broadcast up to four or more programs at once using roughly the same amount of bandwidth. That means more variety and more money in stations' pockets.

Stations began preparing for the shift during the late 1990s, building digital facilities and airing digital channels alongside analog.

Now, almost every full-powered TV station — 1,624 out of 1,762 nationwide — provides digital programming.

And all Charleston stations — WCBD, WCIV, WCSC, WITV, WMMP and WTAT — broadcast digitally.

What should I do?

You've got three choices:

1. Bust out your wallet and buy a TV set with a digital tuner.

2. Subscribe to cable, satellite or another pay service. They'll be happy to take your order.

3. Purchase a DTV converter box, which switches the digital signal into analog. It'll make your old TV feel young again. Of course, your set won't magically be able to broadcast in high-definition. But it will be compatible with VCRs, DVD players, camcorders, video game consoles and other devices.

How do I get a box?

Call Uncle Sam. Seriously.

The government is offering two $40 coupons per household to help reduce the fee. Go here — https://www.dtv2009.gov — to request vouchers.

Typically, the cost is about $60 for a box. You can buy one from local retailers Best Buy, Circuit City, Kmart, RadioShack, Sears, Target and Wal-Mart.

And if you want more information on DTV and converter boxes, hit up these nifty Web sites: www.nab.org and www.dtvanswers.com.

Reach Rob Young at 937-5518 or ryoung@postandcourier.com.