Video: Will you be ready when all TV stations go digital?

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SEATTLE - In Thursday night's 5 p.m. newscast, KING 5 ran a test to see if viewers are ready for the switch to all-digital (DTV) next year.

We simulated turning off our analog signal for 20 to 30 seconds during the 5 p.m. newscast.

The DTV test scheduled for 10 p.m. on KONG-TV has been postponed to a later date. The decision was made after large numbers of cable and satellite customers had their television reception interrupted by this afternoon’s test on KING-TV. The cable and satellite providers say their customers do not need to do anything to prepare for the DTV transition. Those companies will continue to provide analog TV service to customers with older TV's after February 17, 2009.

Viewers with a television ready for DTV did not see any interruptions during the 5 p.m. newscasts.

Viewers with TV sets not yet converted for DTV saw "snow" during this test. They risk losing their television signals if they don't take action before February, when all television broadcasters, including KING 5, begin transmitting only in digital.

If you saw "snow" during KING 5's test, click here to find out what to do.

If you saw "snow" during our test in the 5 p.m. newscast on KING and you are a cable or satellite subscriber, you won't have to do anything.

The digital conversion frees up frequencies for public safety communications and enables stations to provide improved picture and sound quality.

In general terms, if you get your picture through cable or satellite you'll be OK. In addition, most TVs sold in the past year are equipped for the transition.  

But there's still a lot of concern that many Seattle-area TVs connected to off-air antennas could go to snow.

"We figure there are about 125,000 people who get free broadcast TV, so that's a lot of people that will be affected will the digital transition occurs next February," said Jill Novik, of the city of Seattle.

The federal government estimates there are 208,000 people in Western Washington who use what's called rabbit ears or have antennas outside their homes.

If you're one of them, be ready to spend some money to continue to watching TV. You won't have to buy a brand new television.  However, you will need some upgrades, like a converter box.

KING

On Feb. 18, 2009, all TV signals will become digital. While it won't affect newer HDTV's, it will cause some older TV's to become useless without a converter.

A converter box allows a customer who's using an over-the-air antenna to change the digital signal back to analog. You can get them at most electronics stores, and you'll need one for every TV attached to an off-air antenna.

The cost for converter boxes varies, usually around $50-60. The federal government is offering $40 coupons for a little relief. Click here to learn more about the coupon program.

Even when you finally get that converter box, don't wait until the last minute to set it up. The box might need a little fine tuning.

You may need to move your antenna or even get a new one.