SEATTLE – During Thursday evening’s 5 p.m. newscast, we shut off our analog signal on KING 5 so that viewers could see if they are ready for DTV.

If you are using an antenna for TV reception and your signal went to snow during this test, you may not be ready for the digital conversion, which happens in February of next year.

Cable and satellite providers say their customers do not need to do anything to prepare for the DTV transition.

But other TV viewers may need to make adjustments. Look below to learn what you need to do to ensure you still receive a TV signal after February 17, 2009.

Cable and satellite viewers

If you watch TV on a cable system or satellite dish and your TV went to "snow" during KING 5's test, you do not need to worry. All cable and satellite operators will continue to provide analog service after February 17, 2009.

Apartment complexes, mobile home parks, and other multi-family sites

If you view TV through a shared system at an apartment complex or mobile home park, you may not be on cable. Your reception may be coming from an analog antenna. You should contact the facility owner to make sure they are making plans to convert to Digital TV.

If you watch TV using an antenna

Viewers watching the over-the-air signal using a TV antenna need a combination VHF/ UHF antenna, preferably an outdoor unit – and possibly a rotary unit. In addition, you need either a TV that is equipped with a digital tuner or a converter box.

Most newer televisions - those sold in the past year - are equipped with a digital tuner, making them ready for DTV. If your TV is digital-ready, you should be able to scan for the digital channels. KING should show up as 5.1 and 5.2 for KING 5 Weather Plus. KONG would appear as 16.1

If you have a digital-ready TV and your TV went to "snow" or the image locked up during KING 5's test, your digital-ready TV is probably still being viewed in "analog" mode. The digital-ready TV manual should have instructions on how to set up your TV to receive digital.

The problem may also be with your antenna. It may not be the right type.  It may be corroded or aimed in the wrong direction. Talk to someone at an electronics store to find out more.

If you have an older TV

If you have an older television or a television purchased without a built-in digital tuner, you will need to obtain a converter box by February 17, 2009, in order to receive the over-the-air broadcasts.

A converter box changes the over-the-air digital television signal into an analog format, making it viewable on your analog TV set. One is needed for each TV in your home. Consumer Reports rates some available converter boxes online by clicking here.

The federal government is offering $40 coupons to help relieve the cost for converter boxes. Learn about the Federal DTV coupon program online by clicking here . The telephone number for those without internet access is 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009).

By mail at:

TV Converter Box Coupon Program

PO Box 2000

Portland, OR 97208-2000

Once you have a converter box, test your antenna. Plug it into your converter box and plug the converter box into your TV to see if it can pick up the digital version of KING 5 programming.