Say goodbye to the days of TV as we knew it as children.

By February 17, 2009 all analog televisions will become unusable unless an analog-to-digital converter box is purchased for each television in the household.

So, in a nutshell, gone are the days of putting up an antenna and hooking it to your 10-year-old television set. All you’re going to get will be static, unless you foot the bill for the converter box.

But consumers also need to realize that if they currently have cable or satellite television, they’re not going to experience any difference or have to buy any new equipment.

The change is coming around due to a law passed in 1996 by the U.S. Congress, mandating that full-power television stations in 2009 will broadcast in digital only.

The 2009 deadline will not affect the vast majority of Americans who already subscribe to cable or satellite TV. But households relying on an antenna to receive "over-the-air" analog broadcasts must acquire a digital tuner to continue receiving TV shows.

Rosemary Kimball, director of media relations for the Consumer Bureau, explained the reason for the change from analog to digital television.

“The digital spectrum is much more efficient for television,” said Kimball. “Analog will be used for emergency first responders, public safety usage, and advanced wireless services. Digital is clearer and better for television.”

Converter boxes will cost between $40 and $70, but the government is giving two coupons per household for $40 each to help Americans offset that cost.

Kimball said in order to receive the coupons individuals must apply for them first at www.gtv2009.gov.

The changes in television broadcasting don’t mean a whole lot so far to some area residents.

Caneyville resident, Ruby McCrady who is 86-years-old, said she would not invest in the new digital-to-analog converter box.

“I don’t know much about it,” says McCrady. “I don’t use it (television) that much anyway. I will probably just stick with what I’ve got. I will probably just listen to my records.”

Leitchfield resident Mary Mercer, who uses just an antenna for television reception, explained it would be worth it for her and her husband to purchase the box.

“We will probably go ahead and get the box,” said Mercer, “because we get a lot of local stations, but we will not purchase another television.”

Clarkson resident, Sandy Miller says she will probably go online and apply for the coupons.

“I think the reception will be a lot better,” said Miller. “I watch television quite a bit. So I will probably go online and apply for the coupons, and purchase the converter box.”

People who do not want to wait for the transition in February can also go ahead and purchase digital televisions now with a DTV receiver.

According to congressional estimates, less than 15 percent of households rely exclusively on over-the-air broadcasts. According to estimates by the Federal Communications Commission, that number will drop to 7 percent by 2009.

By law, all television reception devices like televisions, VCR’s, DVR’s, etc., imported into the U.S. must contain a digital tuner.

Digital televisions can be notified by labels, markings, or statements in the informational materials that are sold with them.

Digital television sets are “backward compatible,” meaning existing analog television equipment like VCRs, DVD players, camcorders, etc. will work on them.

Kimball says for people who have additional questions concerning digital television can visit their website at www.dtv.gov.