Test on Monday warns TV viewers that the digital age is coming

At 12:15 p.m. Monday, six local TV stations will send viewers a message: Time is running out on your old TV.

On Feb. 17, the federal government will require TV stations to shut down their analog signals and broadcast only in digital.

If you have cable or satellite TV, you'll be fine: The cable and satellite companies already receive those digital signals and decode them for your TV. If you have a newer TV with a digital receiver, again, you'll be fine. But if your TV is connected to an antenna, and if it's an older set without a digital receiver, you need to either upgrade the TV, buy a digital converter box to decode the digital signal, connect it to cable or a satellite dish or prepare to use it as a paperweight.

"We just hit the 100-day mark (last week)," said Ethan Beute, creative services director for KOAA/Channels 5&30. "That signal is going away in February by federal mandate."

Only about 20 percent of TV viewers get their signal with an antenna, although many cable and satellite households have a spare TV somewhere in the house that's not connected.

Because of a multiyear push by the Federal Communications Commission and TV broadcasters, most viewers know something is going on. The question is, does everyone know what they need to do?
"I still think there will be some people that won't be prepared," said Tim Larson, general manager for KRDO/Channel 13.

Monday's test will be another wake-up call for anyone who has procrastinated on going digital. All six stations will announce that they're about to conduct the test. Viewers with cable, satellite or digital receivers will continue to see the station's normal programming.

However, viewers getting the signal via an analog connection will either see static, or a test pattern telling them they are not prepared for the digital age.

This all goes back to 1996, when Congress laid out a plan to gradually transition the nation to digital TV. All local broadcasters (saving a handful of low-power UHF stations) already broadcast in digital, alongside their analog broadcasts. Come Feb. 17, the government will take those analog frequencies back and use them for emergency responders or auction them off for other uses.

The government is spending $1.5 billion to provide two $40 coupons to help consumers buy converter boxes, which typically cost $50 to $60 and are available at most electronics stores and department stores.

It takes up to six weeks to process requests and mail the coupons, however, and they are only good for three months. So, in order to get a coupon by February, viewers will have to act quickly.

If you miss Monday's test, the local TV stations plan to conduct several more before Feb. 17.