Television stations across the nation, by law, must switch from the old method of transmitting TV signals, known as analog, to digital television (DTV) on Feb. 17, 2009.

According to a report published on Reuters last week, Congress ordered the switch to digital television to free up public airwaves for other uses, such as police and fire departments. Digital technology also provides improved television picture and sound quality for viewers.

DTV is a type of broadcasting technology that delivers movie-quality pictures and sound, more channels, and also high definition television (HDTV) to persons with HD television sets.

The benefits of DTV appear to outweigh the negatives, however, questions abound from hosts of households who risk losing television reception if a set of steps are not taken prior to the changeover next February.

According to a National Association of Broadcasters Web site, www.dtvanswers.com, the changeover can be simple if the proper steps are followed.

Television viewers can prepare for the switch to digital television by simply following one of the following three steps:

• Purchase a DTV converter box that will convert the digital signal into analog for an existing television set;

• Purchase a new television set with a built-in digital tuner;

• Subscribe to a cable, satellite or telephone company service provider.

The DTV converter box listed in the first step is an electronic device that makes the digital signal viewable on an older analog TV set. The DTV converter boxes are slated to go on sale early this year and will be priced from $50 to $70. The converter boxes will be available at many retail electronics stores.

In an effort to aid consumers cover the cost of the converter box, the federal government is offering up to two $40 coupons to each household beginning early this year. The $40 discount coupons will be available to anyone who owns an analog television set.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will issue the coupons for the converter boxes. They must be redeemed within three months of receipt. Two coupons cannot be used to buy a single converter box, nor can they be used toward the purchase of any other products.

Requests for converter box coupons can be submitted to NTIA between now and March 31, 2009. For more information about the converter box program, phone 1-888-DTV-2009 or go online to www.dtv2009.gov.

Persons who currently use an existing over-the-air antenna and choose this option will still need their antenna in addition to the converter box to receive a digital signal on analog television sets.

If the third option listed above is chosen, cable, satellite or telephone company service providers will handle the work for you. All of these services will allow persons to receive digital television signals on analog television sets. No additional equipment is required if this route is chosen. It should be noted, however, that consumers may want to check to see if the pay service chosen will carry all of the program services provided by the local broadcast stations.

The other option is to upgrade to a television set with a built-in digital tuner. Before deciding to take that option, however, consumers are advised to be certain their current television set does not already have a built-in digital tuner. Most sets sold in the last few years that are larger than 27 inches will likely have a digital tuner.

To check whether your TV set can receive over-the-air digital broadcast signals, take a look at your owner’s manual or look on the set for an indication that it has a built-in Advanced Televisions Systems Committee (ATSC) tuner.

According to the Reuters report, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved new rules giving broadcasters more flexibility in making the switch to digital television from traditional analog signals.

The rules would, among other things, allow some broadcast stations to make a phased transition to digital broadcasting.

Stations will also be allowed to reduce or terminate their analog service before the Feb. 17, 2009 deadline “if doing so is necessary to achieve their transition,” the FCC was quoted last week.

“The rules we adopt in this item attempt to provide broadcasters the flexibility they need while at the same time ensuring that any disruption to over-the-air viewers is minimized to the fullest extent possible,” FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said in a statement.