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Going digital(Herald & Review (Decatur, IL) (KRT) Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) Jan. 15--DECATUR -- It seems odd that the Federal Communications Commission would feel compelled to issue a snow warning. But that's exactly what the agency has in mind as people start to consider the purchase of digital television sets. The FCC has said that by April 2009, exclusively digital signals will be sent to televisions. This means nothing if you have a digital television. But if you have an analog television, it could mean that all you would see is snow on every channel unless you are hooked into either a cable or dish system. Anyone who still has an analog TV set can still use it during the digital switch, but only with a digital TV converter box. Bob Metz, owner of P&M Communications, said, "Consumers will watch a lot better TV than they do now." He said digital television gives a crystal clear picture compared to analog. Metz said that he has had an increase of sales within the last six months of LCD, plasma and digital light processing (DLP) television sets, which make up about 80 percent of the company's sales. He said he currently sells digital converter boxes for analog televisions for about $200, compared to a 27" television set that is not digital for $250. He added that he expects the prices of the converter boxes and digital TV sets to decline next year. Metz said he still carries a few analog television sets but expects them to be sold by the end of 2006. Barb Hodges, co-owner of B&C Television, said she also has a few analog TVs for sale. "Yes, people are buying more HDTV stuff, but they don't really have a choice," Hodges said. The price for a high-definition (digital) television set starts at $1,100 at B&C, Hodges said. Hodges said while most people who come into the store are aware of the transition, she still educates customers by showing side by side the difference between digital and analog TV. Circuit City has been selling both digital and analog televisions to customers. Circuit City Manager Dave Bishop said he saw a 300 percent increase of television sales over the holidays. "It just all depends on the customer's needs," Bishop said. Best Buy, on the other hand, has mainly been selling their digital television sets. Best Buy General Manager Jeff Williams said customers have been coming into the store to buy flat-panel HDTVs. He added that the store has analog television sets, but they have not been selling often. "HD-ready TVs have better pictures than analog," Williams said. He added that store clerks do inform customers of the transition to digital. FCC spokesperson Rebecca Fisher said by switching broadcasters to digital signals, analog signals will be clearer for emergency services, Fisher said. "More things (like these) will be available after clearing up the spectrum," said Fisher, including cell phones. She added that there has been talk with Congress of subsidies for low-income people to help them buy converters for analog TV sets, but it is not set in stone. Alicia Spates can be reached at aspates@;herald-review.com or 421-6986. |