I want residents to be aware that at midnight on Feb. 17, all full-power television stations in the United States will stop broadcasting in analog and switch to 100 percent digital broadcasting.
Does your television rely solely on TV signals from rabbit ears or a rooftop antenna? If so, you will need a converter box to continue receiving service.
If you pay for cable or a satellite dish, this transition will likely not affect you because you are not currently relying on analog television. Also, if you have a newer TV, you should check to see if you already have an internal digital receiver. The best way to do this is by consulting with the owner's manual, but you also can examine your TV for ports labeled "digital input" or "ATSC" (for Advanced Television Systems Committee, which is the DTV format).
You may enroll in the "TV Converter Box Coupon Program" to apply for a coupon worth $40 toward a digital converter box. To apply for a coupon, you can go online at www.DTV2009.gov or call 1-888-DTV-2009. Recent information indicates the program has reached its funding ceiling. However, individuals are encouraged to apply because more funds will become available when previously issued coupons expire.
Additionally, for residents of nursing homes and intermediate or assisted care facilities, there is a different form to fill out.
Digital broadcasting pledges to provide a clearer picture and more programming options and will free up airwaves for use by emergency responders.
Converter boxes are available at local and national retailers. Most large retailers, including Best Buy, Circuit City, Kmart, RadioShack, Sears, Target and Wal-Mart, have the converters in stock. There also are numerous retailers who offer sales by phone or online. These numbers can be found at www.DTV2009.gov.
If you have limited access to the internet, would like any additional information or have questions, feel free to contact me at (888) 534-0051 or e-mail me at Rep.Hilgenberg@legis.wi.gov.
- Rep. Steve Hilgenberg, D-Dodgeville, represents almost all of Iowa and Lafayette counties, the southern portion of Sauk County and the southeast corner of Richland County in the Wisconsin Assembly.
Does your television rely solely on TV signals from rabbit ears or a rooftop antenna? If so, you will need a converter box to continue receiving service.
If you pay for cable or a satellite dish, this transition will likely not affect you because you are not currently relying on analog television. Also, if you have a newer TV, you should check to see if you already have an internal digital receiver. The best way to do this is by consulting with the owner's manual, but you also can examine your TV for ports labeled "digital input" or "ATSC" (for Advanced Television Systems Committee, which is the DTV format).
You may enroll in the "TV Converter Box Coupon Program" to apply for a coupon worth $40 toward a digital converter box. To apply for a coupon, you can go online at www.DTV2009.gov or call 1-888-DTV-2009. Recent information indicates the program has reached its funding ceiling. However, individuals are encouraged to apply because more funds will become available when previously issued coupons expire.
Additionally, for residents of nursing homes and intermediate or assisted care facilities, there is a different form to fill out.
Digital broadcasting pledges to provide a clearer picture and more programming options and will free up airwaves for use by emergency responders.
Converter boxes are available at local and national retailers. Most large retailers, including Best Buy, Circuit City, Kmart, RadioShack, Sears, Target and Wal-Mart, have the converters in stock. There also are numerous retailers who offer sales by phone or online. These numbers can be found at www.DTV2009.gov.
If you have limited access to the internet, would like any additional information or have questions, feel free to contact me at (888) 534-0051 or e-mail me at Rep.Hilgenberg@legis.wi.gov.
- Rep. Steve Hilgenberg, D-Dodgeville, represents almost all of Iowa and Lafayette counties, the southern portion of Sauk County and the southeast corner of Richland County in the Wisconsin Assembly.
