Articles, links and info on the digital TV shift

Links:
Consumer Reports rating converter boxes
The federal government's converter box coupon program
The FCC's DTV information site, with countdown clock
The National Assn. of Broadcasters' DTV information site, which is a little more user friendly
A site to help people figure out what signals they can get at their address with an antenna, by the Consumer Electronics Assn. and National Assn. of Broadcasters
Consumers Union offers links and a couple of videos about the transition
The FCC has swarmed Wilmington to prepare it for next week's roll-out, but February's nationwide changeover looms as a much larger task.
Getting ready for the digital TV switch
All full-power television stations in the U.S. will cease transmitting analog signals by the end of the day Feb. 17, 2009, and begin broadcasting only in digital. Here's what you need to do to prepare.DIGITAL TV CHAT
Times staff writer Jim Puzzanghera answered readers' questions in a live chat June 2.
In less than nine months, old-fashioned broadcast television will go the way of typewriters, vinyl records and 35-millimeter film. Like just about everything else, it's getting upgraded to digital.
Demand for the government's discount coupons is outpacing supply. Officials worry that many people are still unaware of next year's switch.
TELEVISION
Agency will start taking requests for discounts on converter boxes Tuesday. In 2009, analog will be history.
MEDIA
The digital conversion will provide better pictures, more channels and hazardous waste as older sets are tossed.
The shift from analog to the new format in 2009 might leave many viewers in the dark.


