Broadcasters will stop transmitting their analog transmission on June 12, 2009 and you will need a battery operated digital TV converter box.

The largest concern is how people will watch TV when the power goes out. Currently there are no battery operated digital TV converter boxes available.

One available option is to use a battery operated digital TV converter kit.

We found such an option at www.batterysavers.com. They offer a full battery operated digital TV conversion kit that quickly upgrades any analog TV. David Stoyka, president of Batterysavers.com and number one internet supplier of battery powered TV's says "It is a shame that the government doesn't let one analog station remain broadcasting in each major market." He continues, "That is why we are supporting all our customers, and other battery operated TV owners, and offering a kit that will quickly upgrade any battery operated TV to receive the digital broadcast signal. I can't tell you how important a battery TV is during a hurricane."

Battery Operated Digital TV Converter Kit From Batterysavers.com (click here)
 

The House of Representatives voted 264-158 Wednesday to push back the Feb. 17 deadline to June 12, a move that President Obama had supported. The vote, largely along party lines, gives approximately 6.5 million unprepared households more time to get ready for the day when all analog TV broadcasts are turned off.
 

"The passage of this legislation means that millions and millions of Americans not will have the time they need to prepare for the conversion," the White House said in a statement. "We will continue to work to improve the information and assistance available to American consumers in advance of June 12 2009, especially those in the most vulnerable communities."
 

The US Senate first passed the bill unanimously l and then resubmitted it after a corresponding House vote fell short of the votes needed. Wednesday's US House vote required a simple majority vote.
 

"We are not ready for this digital TV transition," Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Palo Alto, said during the House debate. "We can fix these problems and minimize this catastrophe if we pass this digital legislation."
 

No Longer Available - The bill passed by the House does not include new money for a federal program aimed at providing viewers $40 coupons toward a converter box, which runs $40 to $80. The program has dispensed its allotment of $1.4 billion of coupons and is waiting for unused coupons - good for 90 days - to expire before issuing new vouchers.

Battery Operated Digital TV Converter Kit

Consumers who rely on traditional over-the-air broadcasts will need to upgrade to a pay TV service such as cable or satellite, buy a TV with a digital TV converter box, or install a battery operated TV converter box on their older analog set.
 

President Obama's stimulus package includes $650 million for the converter box coupons, but Republicans argued that the money will not be available for weeks if not months.
 

Opponents of the delay said the new transition date only adds more confusion, delays the handover of old spectrum to emergency first responders and doesn't come with money of its own for the coupon program. Some Republicans took issue with the Democrats' streamlined approval process for the bill, which prevented representatives from amending the legislation and adding funding for the coupons.
 

"We're delaying a hard transition without any money or any way to send out additional coupons," said Barton of Texas, "How silly is that?"
 

The delay doesn't mean every station will broadcast in analog. Broadcasters will be permitted to shut off their analog transmission before June 12 2009. That creates a potential uneven transition for analog viewers, who might still lose some channels, depending on what local stations decide to do.
 

Despite that scenario, proponents said the delay was necessary to not only disburse more coupons but also help educate people about issues that arise from the transition.
 

"We knew there was going to be some problems moving forward even if the date is moved, but this allows us so get more information to people," said Mark Lloyd.
 

For more information about the transition to digital TV conversion - go to www.dtv.gov, or call (888) 388-2009.