FCC issues reminder about DTV conversion

WASHINGTON Wednesday, The Federal Communications Commission and the Consumer Electronics Retailers Coalition issued a reminder to retailers regarding the transition from analog to digital television. The FCC and CERC reiterated that as of May 25, all retailers must clearly label any broadcast television equipment they are selling that has only an analog tuner. FCC rules require that labels or signage clearly indicate if any “television receiver” (including any product with an analog but not a digital broadcast tuner) is “analog-only.”

 The reminder comes as the United States approaches Feb. 17, 2009, the date when analog products will no longer be able to receive over-the-air television signals. After this date,  all major U.S. television stations will stop broadcasting in the familiar analog format and will continue their transmissions only in digital.

The FCC and CERC also announced that starting in 2008, a government program will make available $40 subsidy coupons, two per household, to help defray the cost of converter boxes to consumers.Analog-only TVs should continue to work as before with cable and satellite TV services.