There's already high demand from customers making the switch to digital television. That's because by February, people using an antenna won't be able to pick up a TV signal.
RALEIGH -- There's already high demand from customers making the switch to digital television, according to retailers. By February, people using rabbit ears or an antenna for their TV signal will have to either subscribe to a cable or satellite service or purchase a digital converter box for their analog sets.
"[Digital converter boxes] are pretty popular right now. We have to restock them continuously throughout the day,” Best Buy official Nick Dunlop said.
Most boxes cost around $60, but government-issued vouchers are good for most of that expense.
"We take $40 off of the price of the box, up to two per household," Dunlop added.
Television sets connected to cable or satellite are already good to go, but if you watch TV with the help of rabbit ears or a rooftop antenna, starting Feb. 17 you won’t receive a signal on most stations, Dunlop explained.
"I haven't heard a whole lot and frankly that worries me a little bit because I think people aren't fully aware of what's about to happen," Rep. David Price, D-4th District, said. He addressed a standing room only audience Monday at a town hall meeting in Durham.
He said the government needs to get the word out better to those groups who are affected.
"Elderly folks, people who change their habits with difficulty, there going to still need to have over-the-air TV, and they're not going to have a signal unless they have one of these converter boxes,” Price explained.
Best Buy has had tremendous demand for the boxes already, but so far their supply has been able to meet the public’s demand. Officials said if you don’t want to take any chances of losing your signal though, you should come early.
Other retailers tell us some of their stores already have short supply, and demand will likely only go up as the big day gets closer.
The Wilmington area is serving as the national test market for the transition. Digital broadcasting will take effect there in September.
If you are not a cable or satellite customer and want to learn more about the switch or find out how to order coupons for a digital converter box, visit DTV2009.org.