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<table border="0" width="575" height="25"><tr><td colspan=2><H2>MAKING LIFE EASIER </H2><br><h2><P> Dealing With The Digital TV Deadline<P> <P> <P> </h2></td></tr><tr><td>(NAPSI)-Anyone who gets television over the air with an antenna should take steps now to prepare for the conversion to digital TV before the February 17, 2009 deadline. <P> On that date, all full-power television stations in the U.S. will stop broadcasting using traditional analog technology and move exclusively to broadcasting digital TV or DTV. <P> "We encourage viewers to take care of this now so they aren't left behind," said John Boland, chief content officer of PBS. "Given the government's first-come, first-served converter box coupon program and the possibility of reception problems, it's best to prepare now. And digital channels are already available, so viewers who make the switch will have instant access to more free programming." <P> If you use an antenna to receive over-the-air television, you can switch to DTV either by connecting your television to a converter box that allows DTV signal reception; replacing your analog TV with a new digital TV; or subscribing to a pay service, such as cable or satellite. Consumers who own a digital TV set should already be receiving over-the-air DTV signals. <P> Every household in America is eligible for two government-sponsored coupons worth $40 toward an approved converter box. Converter boxes cost $40 to $70. For coupons or to learn more about the coupon program, call (888) DTV-2009 or visit www.dtv2009.gov. The coupons expire 90 days after issue. <P> Consumers who currently have good analog television reception should continue to receive good digital reception. However, some households may experience problems. Adjusting the home's outdoor antenna or purchasing a small indoor antenna could resolve such difficulties. Information about antennas can be found at www.antennaweb.org. <P> PBS has created numerous resources to help viewers make the switch. "Get Ready for Digital TV," a 30-minute special from the home-improvement gurus at "This Old House," will debut on PBS stations in October. PBS also offers a DTV Web site, www.pbs.org/dtv, with helpful information, including downloadable fact sheets such as DTV Basics and DTV Myths and Facts in English, Spanish and large-print formats. The site also includes video DTV Tips and links to other DTV-related sites. <P> Viewers with questions can call the PBS station to learn how to get ready for digital TV and to find out what kind of programming is available on the current digital channels. <P> <P> <P> The home-improvement gurus at "This Old House" offer advice on how to switch from analog to digital television. <P> <P> <P> </td><td width="100" valign="top"><a href="http://www.napsnet.com/articles/59244.gif"><img src="http://www.napsnet.com/articles/59244.gif"></a><br><a href="http://www.napsnet.com/pub/59244.zip">Download high-resolution, print_quality graphic and MS Word document</a><HR><BR><b>Word Count: 406</td></tr></table>