Digital TV: Convert Now, for Analog Is at an End

In addition, the federal government is offering $40 rebate coupons (actually they look like little credit cards) to offset the cost of purchasing one of the new digital-to-analog converters. And they should. The Feds are about to get a windfall from selling all those old broadcast frequencies. For more information on converter-box coupons, check out the Web site.

Also note that Consumer Reports magazine has already begun testing converter boxes and has found differences in picture quality among the new devices.

New York's digital broadcasting system has been operating for a while now. If you have an over-the-air, digital-ready receiver (many of the new 16:9 screen TVs have built-in, ATSC, digital broadcast tuners) then you're able to watch them now. Or, if you've "converted" an old TV you can start checking out what's going on.

You might be very surprised at what you see. Digital broadcast TV can produce very high quality signals, and the channels can actually look better than its cable or satellite counterparts. My early tests have been promising. When you get the antenna just right, the digital signal locks-in and you don't have to worry about ghosts or snow.

Plus, digital broadcast signals can provide one, two or up to four TV channels on their frequencies. For instance, that means WNBC-TV can send out a digital Channel 4, a digital weather channel and a digital feature channel. Other channels offer similar "extra" programming with their new digital broadcasts.

That means a huge increase in quality and number of viewing choices for people who choose to stick with the new over-the-air digital broadcasts. Plus, the government pays you $40 to switch.