Tuning in digitally when the power goes out

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Tuning in digitally when the power goes out

Here are some options for replacing an analog battery-powered TV, which won't pick up broadcast signals after the nationwide digital conversion Feb. 18.

Buy a battery-powered digital TV

There are only a few models on the market, and they're not cheap. Radio Shack sells a digital TV with a 7-inch screen for $199.99. LCDDigital of Newport Beach offers a 7-inch model for $249.99, and an 8.4-inch version for $349.99.

Advantages: The picture is clearer. You can replace the batteries when they run out.

Disadvantages: They're expensive. You also may need an external antenna to pick up all the stations you get now.

Turn your laptop into a digital TV

Small devices with a digital tuner, such as the OnAirGT from AutumnWave, plug into the USB port of a laptop and turn the computer into a TV. They sell for $50 to $180.

Advantages: Assuming you already own a laptop, it's less expensive than a portable digital TV.

Disadvantages: A laptop battery lasts only a couple of hours and requires electricity to recharge.

Use alternative power to run a digital-to-analog converter box

A power inverter, which enables you to run household electronics off your car battery or a rechargeable power pack, can fire up an electric converter box attached to your battery-powered analog TV. Inverters cost $30 to $150, while power packs run about $70 to $190.

Advantages: You don't need to buy a new TV and can take advantage of the government converter box coupon program.

Disadvantages: This isn't an option with some TVs, which don't have the separate antenna input required for a converter box.

Get a TV package for your cellphone

Verizon, AT&T and Sprint Nextel offer packages on certain smart phones that let you watch TV, including on-demand local TV news clips from many cities. Packages start at $10 to $15 a month if you already have phone service from the provider.

Advantages: You may not need to buy any new equipment.

Disadvantages: Of the major carriers, only Sprint offers live local TV (and so far only in Raleigh, N.C.), meaning most people must depend on local video clips or national network news and cable stations such as CNN for emergency information.

Source: Times research