Consumer Alert: DTV Transition begins at 12:01 tonight

June 11, 2009 --Attorney General Steve Six reminds consumers that beginning at 12:01 a.m. broadcast stations will be transitioning from analog to digital signals. Those who subscribe to cable or satellite services will be unaffected, however, antenna users may be without a picture.

The Kansas Attorney General's Office reminds consumers that to continue receiving signals on Friday, televisions must be hooked up to a converter box that turns digital signals into a signal their television can understand.  If consumers have this digital converter, a digital television is not necessary.   It is also not necessary to purchase a "HDTV" or High-Definition television to receive a digital signal.

The government is offering $40 vouchers - two per household - to offset the cost of the change. Consumers must rescan their converter box in order to receive the new signals. Vouchers for digital converter boxes are still available through July 31 while supplies last from the Federal Communications Commission http://www.dtv2009.gov/ or 1-888-DTV-2009. 

Consumers can call 1-888-CALL-FCC or obtain more information about the digital transition at http://www.dtv.gov/ or http://www.fcc.gov/.  Consumers with a hearing impairment may call 1-877-388-4968, 1-877-889-4279 (TTY).  The FCC's toll free call center will be open 24-hours for the next few days with 4,000 agents on duty to assist with questions.

          http://www.dtv.gov/factsheets/DTVOne-Pager.html

          http://www.dtv.gov/affected.html       

          http://www.dtv.gov/dtv_resources.htm

          http://www.dtv.gov/whatisdtv.html

          http://www.dtv2009.gov/

          http://www.dtv.gov/converterbox.htm?l=EN