Madison Daily Leader - Digital transition is smooth, but not perfect

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Madison Daily Leader	home : news : news : local news

Digital transition is smooth, but not perfect

By DANNY ANDREWS, Staff Reporter

02/19/2009

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	Radioshack's Mark Smith stands next to a large stack of HDTVs. HDTVs are also capable of converting analog signal to digital and serve as another option for customers preparing for the full conversion by June 12.

While the deadline for the transition from analog television signals to digital has been extended until June 12, many Lake County residents have already made the switch.

"Some people were on-the-ball," said Mark Smith of Radioshack in Madison. Customers have been bringing their digital converter box coupons since last June.

Smith said that he and his staff have been busy with customers and installations, and the transition goes smoothly "ninety percent of the time."

The other ten percent, like Lynn Williams of Winfred, have problems with reception or installation. Williams was irritated that he received less channels with the digital conversion than with the regular analog signal.

Josh Carpenter, an employee of Smith's, said this was because of the digital "cliff effect." While an analog signal strength decreases gradually until the channel shows static, a digital box cuts off the signal once so many errors are detected. The channels received through a digital box will be clearer, but any half-strength signals won't even register.

"There's no way of knowing how many channels you'll receive until you set up the system," said Smith, adding that installation takes only a few minutes.

The $60 converter boxes can be purchased at most electronics stores, but only Pamida and Radioshack can process the $40-off coupons in Madison.

The coupons are part of the TV Converter Box Coupon Program, which was set up to give families and individuals with older television sets the option of keeping them. A list of businesses that accept coupons can be found at www.dtv2009.com.

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