Avid television viewers may have seen the commercial featuring the old man from Oklahoma standing in the middle of a dry plain assuring that digital conversion is not the end of television as we know it.

Now Congressman John Shimkus is spreading the word and educating his constituents of the change and what steps need to be taken. The conversion to digital does not mean everyone has to buy a high definition television, nor does it mean regular sets will magically be converted to HD. It just means the method for getting shows like "Lost" and "Two and a Half Men" to TV sets will be a bit different.

The actual change will take place on Feb. 17, 2009. According to the Federal Communications Commission Web site, switching to digital will free up parts of the broadcast spectrum for services such as police and fire departments and advanced wireless services.

"The transition from analog to digital television broadcasts began as a way to improve picture quality for American consumers, and television stations were to act on their own to switch over from analog to digital," Shimkus, a Republican from Collinsville, said in a press release. "Then Sept. 11 and Hurricane Katrina hit. Both showed the necessity for first responders to be able to communicate with one another across departments and jurisdictions."

But the conversion does not just have safety benefits. Digital broadcasts will eliminate snowy analog transmissions.

Many cable companies, including Mediacom, have already taken care of the conversion with no fuss to the customer. According to its Web site, Mediacom has spent the past five years on building out its fiber optic infrastructure, making most local cable providers digital ready.

For those still using rabbit ears or antennas, digital converters are available that can convert the signal to analog. The FCC also offers up to two $40 coupons to purchase converters through March 31, 2009. The coupons are available by visiting the FCC Web site on digital conversion, calling (888) 388-2009 or mailing in an application.

codell.rodriguez@thesouthern.com

351-5804