Photo by Zachary Siebert / St. Joseph News-Press / Purchase this photo

The Tivax STB-T9 at St. Joseph Electronics is one of the many types of digital converters available on the market. In early 2009 broadcastors will begin transmitting digital signals and be done with analog. This means viewers who get their television via "rabbit ears" and don't have a digital TV will need a converter to continue getting a signal.

In 177 days, digital television becomes the law of the land.

Broadcasters say they’re prepared and viewers are urged to get ready, as well.

Hundreds of people have bought digital converter boxes from St. Joseph Electronics. You don’t even need to wait to February to use it, said Aaron Swett, a sales representative at the store.

“If the customer goes ahead and buys the box, they can use it now,” he said. “When the picture comes in, it is really good.”

Congress has ordered all television stations to switch from broadcasting an analog signal to a digital signal. The change will create a better quality picture and also free up channels to be used for public service, such as police and fire departments.

It also causes millions of Americans to adjust.

“I’m afraid when February comes, we may have a lot of angry individuals,” Mr. Swett said.

KQ2 has been informing viewers about digital TV and General Manager Heather Shearin doesn’t expect any problems with the transition.

“We’re trying to start the educational process early so people can be prepared,” she said.

If you pick up your TV signal from an antenna or rabbit ears, it won’t work after Feb. 17, 2009. About 13.5 million households fall into this category, according to the Federal Communications Commission.

However, customers who have cable or satellite TV service can sit back and take it easy.

“That 20-year-old set in the back bedroom will continue to work, just like always,” said Bill Severn, general manager of St. Joseph Cablevision. “Anything that’s connected to cable will work just fine.”

Cablevision is upgrading its equipment to accommodate the digital signal.

“We’ve made all the plans to do all the conversion so the consumer doesn’t have to do anything on their end,” he said.

The conversion is not expected to add to cable costs, but Mr. Severn said Cablevision typically makes rate adjustments in February to account for higher costs to acquire programming. So higher rates may coincide with the DTV transition.

Customers without cable or satellite have two options:

1. Buy a new TV with a built-in digital tuner.

2. Buy a converter box to use with an analog TV.

Similar to a VCR, the box is connected to the antenna on one end and the television set on the other.

The boxes had been selling for about $40 each, but Mr. Swett said supply problems from China have caused prices to increase to $60.

The government is helping with the cost. Each household is eligible for two coupons worth $40 each. Every television set will need its own box.

Apply online at www.dtv2009.gov and the government will send a gift card which can be used at the store of your choice. Area retailers include Kmart, Radio Shack, Sears, Target, Best Buy, Wal-Mart and numerous local dealers. Boxes can also be purchased online.

The digital conversion does cause some concern for Northwest Missouri, said Darren Farnan, subsidiary services manager for United Services Electric Cooperative in Maryville. United offers DirecTV satellite service in the region. Because satellite doesn’t carry local stations, such as KQ2, residents must use an antenna to get those stations.

The digital signal is expected to be weaker than the analog signal, so some households may have trouble getting reception.

“The people that will have problems are people in in-between areas, like we are between Kansas City and Omaha,” Mr. Farnan said.

Customers may find they’ll have to upgrade their antenna system after the switch, said Mr. Swett at St. Joseph Electronics.

“Rabbit ears are not going to be a very good source,” he said, although they will work to pick up the signal in St. Joseph. “If you’re looking for Kansas City stations in digital, you’re probably going to have get an outdoor antenna.”

Digital TV could enhance viewing for other customers.

“In a lot of areas, you’ll get better reception,” Ms. Shearin said.

Business editor Susan Mires can be reached at susanm@npgco.com.