The DTV Transition & Disasters...

Yesterday was the deadline date set out for the Digital TV Transition but that date has now been pushed to June 12, 2009. The transition will effect those using analog televisions to receive free, over-the-air programming. Cable or satellite subscribers aren't likely to be affected. Users using the analog televisions will need to buy convertor boxes to change digital broadcasts back into old analog format and the government is providing coupons that can be applied towards the purchase of these digital-to-analog converter boxes.

If you have a Disaster Kit that contains one of these small battery operated, usually black & white TVs, you'll need to throw in a converter box to your Disaster Kit as well. You will have to make sure the TV has the proper inputs to connect to the converter box and you would need a power source to the converter box, either a generator, battery pack, or plug-in from your car. You can buy portable TV sets with digital tuners, but they are hard to find and can cost a couple hundred dollars.