CET Pulls Analog Plug May 1st

I have been writing about the end of analog broadcasting for more then three years. The first deadline for conversion to 100% digital broadcasting came and went last February because Congress felt the country was not ready for the change. They set the final deadline for June, but allowed stations to terminate analog service earlier. On April 15th the KET network, covering all public TV stations in Kentucky, went all digital and on this coming Friday, May 1 at 12:01 AM, all local Public Stations - CET 48, ThinkTV 14 in Cincinnati and ThinkTV16 in Dayton - will go all digital.

So are you ready? As I have written so many times, if you are a cable subscriber or get your TV from a satellite provider, this is a non issue for you. If you have a new digital set and use an antenna (set-top rabbit ears or outdoor roof-top) you already are getting the digital signals. For those who want to keep using their trusty old 1985 Sony, you can use a DTV converter.

Here are a few updates to help you get ready:

You can still obtain up to 2 coupons per household from the Federal Government. Each coupon is worth $40 toward the purchase of a DTV converter. The converters are available in most electronics stores and cost about $60. So with the coupon you can buy one for about $20. To get a coupon call 808-388-2009 or go online to www.dtv2009.gov.

Locally Channel 64 is already broadcasting only in digital and the other commercial stations will cease analog broadcasting in mid June.

Most people will get good over-the-air reception with a set top UHF/VHF antenna. Some who live in valleys might need an outdoor antenna. Don’t automatically go for an amplified antenna since with digital broadcasting, too much signal can be as bad as too little.

All the local TV stations are already broadcasting at full power so what you get now is what you will get after all the analog stations go away. There is no reason to wait.

Don’t forget, when you wake up Friday morning public TV in the Cincinnati / Dayton area will be digital only.

CET Pulls Analog Plug May 1st

I have been writing about the end of analog broadcasting for more then three years. The first deadline for conversion to 100% digital broadcasting came and went last February because Congress felt the country was not ready for the change. They set the final deadline for June, but allowed stations to terminate analog service earlier. On April 15th the KET network, covering all public TV stations in Kentucky, went all digital and on this coming Friday, May 1 at 12:01 AM, all local Public Stations - CET 48, ThinkTV 14 in Cincinnati and ThinkTV16 in Dayton - will go all digital.

So are you ready? As I have written so many times, if you are a cable subscriber or get your TV from a satellite provider, this is a non issue for you. If you have a new digital set and use an antenna (set-top rabbit ears or outdoor roof-top) you already are getting the digital signals. For those who want to keep using their trusty old 1985 Sony, you can use a DTV converter.

Here are a few updates to help you get ready:

You can still obtain up to 2 coupons per household from the Federal Government. Each coupon is worth $40 toward the purchase of a DTV converter. The converters are available in most electronics stores and cost about $60. So with the coupon you can buy one for about $20. To get a coupon call 808-388-2009 or go online to www.dtv2009.gov.

Locally Channel 64 is already broadcasting only in digital and the other commercial stations will cease analog broadcasting in mid June.

Most people will get good over-the-air reception with a set top UHF/VHF antenna. Some who live in valleys might need an outdoor antenna. Don’t automatically go for an amplified antenna since with digital broadcasting, too much signal can be as bad as too little.

All the local TV stations are already broadcasting at full power so what you get now is what you will get after all the analog stations go away. There is no reason to wait.

Don’t forget, when you wake up Friday morning public TV in the Cincinnati / Dayton area will be digital only.

How Did I Do?

It is always dangerous to make predictions. It is even more dangerous and potentially embarrassing to make those predictions in writing. Nevertheless, last year at this time I made some predictions and suggestions in this column regarding electronic products and services during 2008. How did I do? Well, let’s see

In that column I mentioned that you could look for some great deals on digital televisions after the 2008 Super Bowl®. Once that day passed, sales would slow down and you would be able to get some great deals. For sure that did happen and with the slowing of the economy and the added DTV manufacturing capacity now on line, there continues to be great deals on new digital TV sets of all sizes. Since they have been so deeply discounted, I don’t think you will see any significant price cutting as we move toward the February 17th analog cut off.

Also in that column and in several others during the year I warned that if you didn’t decide to subscribe to cable or satellite you needed to either purchase a new digital TV or get a set top adapter. Well, after a less than orderly start, the adapters did find their way into stores in early 2008. However, even today, some retailers have had supply issues. Also, the federal government began to issue coupons. Each household is eligible to get 2 coupons each worth $40 toward the purchase of a DTV adapter. That program from our good friends in DC has been less than smooth. Since they decided that the coupons would have a 90 day expiration period, many people found themselves with worthless coupons. If you have not ordered coupons, you can still do so. For more information you can call 888 DTV-2009 (800-388-2009) or go to www.dtv2009.gov.

I opined that the cell phone providers would begin to expand capabilities beyond one-to-one communication. Many will find it surprising that the United States and Canada are among the most backward countries in the world with our cell phone networks and hand set capabilities. In many countries today you can now do your banking via cell phone, pay for gas, buy a subway fare and watch sporting events. Well, I was a bit optimistic about this prediction. The flagging economy has slowed the introduction of several enhancements. I don’t see much change in 2009.

I predicted that more devices, especially in automobiles would be controlled by voice commands. This technology has been available on higher end products. Again I was wrong as the big car companies had other issues to address and slowed down implementation of this technology.

I predicted that the process of “data mining” would increase with the promotion of store affinity cards that identify you as you check out with your purchases. More and more stores have such cards and are using them to target the distribution of advertisements and coupons via direct mail using this information.

Finally, I predicted that the green energy efficiency movement will get into full swing with added emphasis on doing little things in your home that will add up to substantial community savings. For sure that happened, spurred on by the price of oil and electricity.

Next week I will have some predictions for 2009.

How Did I Do?

It is always dangerous to make predictions. It is even more dangerous and potentially embarrassing to make those predictions in writing. Nevertheless, last year at this time I made some predictions and suggestions in this column regarding electronic products and services during 2008. How did I do? Well, let’s see

In that column I mentioned that you could look for some great deals on digital televisions after the 2008 Super Bowl®. Once that day passed, sales would slow down and you would be able to get some great deals. For sure that did happen and with the slowing of the economy and the added DTV manufacturing capacity now on line, there continues to be great deals on new digital TV sets of all sizes. Since they have been so deeply discounted, I don’t think you will see any significant price cutting as we move toward the February 17th analog cut off.

Also in that column and in several others during the year I warned that if you didn’t decide to subscribe to cable or satellite you needed to either purchase a new digital TV or get a set top adapter. Well, after a less than orderly start, the adapters did find their way into stores in early 2008. However, even today, some retailers have had supply issues. Also, the federal government began to issue coupons. Each household is eligible to get 2 coupons each worth $40 toward the purchase of a DTV adapter. That program from our good friends in DC has been less than smooth. Since they decided that the coupons would have a 90 day expiration period, many people found themselves with worthless coupons. If you have not ordered coupons, you can still do so. For more information you can call 888 DTV-2009 (800-388-2009) or go to www.dtv2009.gov.

I opined that the cell phone providers would begin to expand capabilities beyond one-to-one communication. Many will find it surprising that the United States and Canada are among the most backward countries in the world with our cell phone networks and hand set capabilities. In many countries today you can now do your banking via cell phone, pay for gas, buy a subway fare and watch sporting events. Well, I was a bit optimistic about this prediction. The flagging economy has slowed the introduction of several enhancements. I don’t see much change in 2009.

I predicted that more devices, especially in automobiles would be controlled by voice commands. This technology has been available on higher end products. Again I was wrong as the big car companies had other issues to address and slowed down implementation of this technology.

I predicted that the process of “data mining” would increase with the promotion of store affinity cards that identify you as you check out with your purchases. More and more stores have such cards and are using them to target the distribution of advertisements and coupons via direct mail using this information.

Finally, I predicted that the green energy efficiency movement will get into full swing with added emphasis on doing little things in your home that will add up to substantial community savings. For sure that happened, spurred on by the price of oil and electricity.

Next week I will have some predictions for 2009.

Converter Box Coupons by US MAIL or FAX

You can now order DTV Converter Coupons by US Mail or Fax. Just Click Here to download an application.

You can still order via phone at 1-888-388-2009 or Click Here to order on line.

TTY users can use 1-877-530-2634.

Converter Box Coupons by US MAIL or FAX

You can now order DTV Converter Coupons by US Mail or Fax. Just Click Here to download an application.

You can still order via phone at 1-888-388-2009 or Click Here to order on line.

TTY users can use 1-877-530-2634.

Help Others With DTV Issues

Over the past few months I have written extensively in this blog about the upcoming analog TV shutdown next February. We have discussed your options for continuing to receive your favorite channels and how you can apply to the Federal Government for coupons to help pay for set top DTV converters if you need them.

If you are regular reader of my column you will remember that that I have been stressing that if you are a cable or satellite service subscriber, you need to do nothing, as both the satellite and cable companies are going to continue to offer you an “analog friendly” signal. You will be able to watch programs on your current analog set. That is great news for the vast majority of TV viewers in the Cincinnati area because they are in this category. Nevertheless, a 2006 study showed that more than 100,000 homes in the area still used over-the-air broadcasting as their sole method of watching TV.

That’s a lot of people who continue to receive TV using none of this new technology. For those individuals to continue to watch TV post February of next year, they must either replace their set with a digital TV or buy a DTV converter for their old TV. Unfortunately many of these persons are elderly or shut ins and don’t understand what they need to do. Many don’t realize that they are eligible for the coupons.

I suggest that even if you don’t need a coupon for yourself, you go ahead and apply for them. When they arrive you can give them to someone who needs a converter. This is perfectly legal as long as you don’t sell the coupons.

Who my need one? Good examples are persons living in nursing homes or extended care facilities. Many living there have had trouble getting coupons since there is usually a single street address for the facility and the government did not take that into consideration when it set up the program. It provides only two coupons per mailing address. Many individuals living in these facilities are the very people who need the DTV converters the most and many not only can’t get out to buy one, but don’t have a coupon to help defray the cost.

If you have a friend or relative in this situation, ask them if they know about the February cut off and if they need help making sure that they will be able to watch TV post digital transition. It may be the guy down the street or your wife’s favorite aunt.

Even if you have cable, there is another reason to get a DTV converter. If the cable goes out you will not be able to switch to receiving over-the-air if you don’t have a converter. Also, many of us have second or third sets in the bedroom or garage not connected to cable. Each of these will be useless without a converter.

It may seem like I am devoting an inordinate amount in this column to this issue. Getting ready now, sending for the coupons now, and purchasing and installing the converters now, will save a ton of hassle later. Finding a converter box or someone to help you install it on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 will not be easy. Let’s hope that the only snow you see on that morning will be on the ground and not on your TV screen.

Help Others With DTV Issues

Over the past few months I have written extensively in this blog about the upcoming analog TV shutdown next February. We have discussed your options for continuing to receive your favorite channels and how you can apply to the Federal Government for coupons to help pay for set top DTV converters if you need them.

If you are regular reader of my column you will remember that that I have been stressing that if you are a cable or satellite service subscriber, you need to do nothing, as both the satellite and cable companies are going to continue to offer you an “analog friendly” signal. You will be able to watch programs on your current analog set. That is great news for the vast majority of TV viewers in the Cincinnati area because they are in this category. Nevertheless, a 2006 study showed that more than 100,000 homes in the area still used over-the-air broadcasting as their sole method of watching TV.

That’s a lot of people who continue to receive TV using none of this new technology. For those individuals to continue to watch TV post February of next year, they must either replace their set with a digital TV or buy a DTV converter for their old TV. Unfortunately many of these persons are elderly or shut ins and don’t understand what they need to do. Many don’t realize that they are eligible for the coupons.

I suggest that even if you don’t need a coupon for yourself, you go ahead and apply for them. When they arrive you can give them to someone who needs a converter. This is perfectly legal as long as you don’t sell the coupons.

Who my need one? Good examples are persons living in nursing homes or extended care facilities. Many living there have had trouble getting coupons since there is usually a single street address for the facility and the government did not take that into consideration when it set up the program. It provides only two coupons per mailing address. Many individuals living in these facilities are the very people who need the DTV converters the most and many not only can’t get out to buy one, but don’t have a coupon to help defray the cost.

If you have a friend or relative in this situation, ask them if they know about the February cut off and if they need help making sure that they will be able to watch TV post digital transition. It may be the guy down the street or your wife’s favorite aunt.

Even if you have cable, there is another reason to get a DTV converter. If the cable goes out you will not be able to switch to receiving over-the-air if you don’t have a converter. Also, many of us have second or third sets in the bedroom or garage not connected to cable. Each of these will be useless without a converter.

It may seem like I am devoting an inordinate amount in this column to this issue. Getting ready now, sending for the coupons now, and purchasing and installing the converters now, will save a ton of hassle later. Finding a converter box or someone to help you install it on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 will not be easy. Let’s hope that the only snow you see on that morning will be on the ground and not on your TV screen.

Watch DTV Programs On Line

Wednesday evening at 8 PM I was involved in the broadcast our first live DTV call in show on CET. We got more than 160 questions and they are still coming in this morning. The program was ½ hour but could have gone for an hour or more and still not addressed all the concerns and questions.

To watch the program on CETconnect.org just point your browser to http://www.cetconnect.org/cetconnect_video.asp?ID=2997 It is about 30 minutes in length.

We plan to take the most “asked” questions and produce 30 sec. spots that will run on CET TV. Keep your questions coming. Send them to techinfo@cetconnect.org or just place a comment here on the blog.

We are considering of two or three more before Feb 2009. CET wants to make sure that the only “snow” you see on February 18, 2009 is on the ground, not on your TV.

Watch DTV Programs On Line

Wednesday evening at 8 PM I was involved in the broadcast our first live DTV call in show on CET. We got more than 160 questions and they are still coming in this morning. The program was ½ hour but could have gone for an hour or more and still not addressed all the concerns and questions.

To watch the program on CETconnect.org just point your browser to http://www.cetconnect.org/cetconnect_video.asp?ID=2997 It is about 30 minutes in length.

We plan to take the most “asked” questions and produce 30 sec. spots that will run on CET TV. Keep your questions coming. Send them to techinfo@cetconnect.org or just place a comment here on the blog.

We are considering of two or three more before Feb 2009. CET wants to make sure that the only “snow” you see on February 18, 2009 is on the ground, not on your TV.

Pass Through DTV Converter Impressive

I had a chance to test the Digital Stream (Model DTX9950) DTV converter available from Radio Shack® stores. John Kiesewetter, Radio and TV Writer at the Enquirer brought one by the station yesterday morning. This is one of the first converters I have seen available locally that has the “pass through” feature. Many of the standard DTV converters, once connected to your analog TV set, will effectively block out any analog reception. If you want to continue to watch the area’s low power stations like Channel 25 and 38, (neither will be converting to digital in February 2009) you will need a “pass through” DTV converter.

I have to say that I was impressed with the unit. We were able to pull in all the major analog stations with the unit attached and set in the “pass through” mode, i.e. effectively “turned off.” In this mode you use the tuner in your TV to tune in the analog stations. On the digital side we received perfect pictures from all the local DTV stations plus three stations from Dayton. Since we were using a small inexpensive set top antenna and the TV was located in CET’s Central Parkway lobby -not an ideal TV reception location - one could presume that the unit will function well in a more ideal setting.

One warning however…the digital signals can be somewhat erratic so there is no assurance that your reception will be perfect. Sometimes a difference in the location of your TV of only a few feet can make the difference between a perfect picture and no picture at all.

I can say that is one of the most sensitive DTV receivers I have tested and well worth the $60 price tag. Use one of the DTV coupons and the price drops to $20.

I am always interested in your experiences. Let me know about your DTV reception using your DTV converters and TV sets. I will share them here on the blog.

Pass Through DTV Converter Impressive

I had a chance to test the Digital Stream (Model DTX9950) DTV converter available from Radio Shack® stores. John Kiesewetter, Radio and TV Writer at the Enquirer brought one by the station yesterday morning. This is one of the first converters I have seen available locally that has the “pass through” feature. Many of the standard DTV converters, once connected to your analog TV set, will effectively block out any analog reception. If you want to continue to watch the area’s low power stations like Channel 25 and 38, (neither will be converting to digital in February 2009) you will need a “pass through” DTV converter.

I have to say that I was impressed with the unit. We were able to pull in all the major analog stations with the unit attached and set in the “pass through” mode, i.e. effectively “turned off.” In this mode you use the tuner in your TV to tune in the analog stations. On the digital side we received perfect pictures from all the local DTV stations plus three stations from Dayton. Since we were using a small inexpensive set top antenna and the TV was located in CET’s Central Parkway lobby -not an ideal TV reception location - one could presume that the unit will function well in a more ideal setting.

One warning however…the digital signals can be somewhat erratic so there is no assurance that your reception will be perfect. Sometimes a difference in the location of your TV of only a few feet can make the difference between a perfect picture and no picture at all.

I can say that is one of the most sensitive DTV receivers I have tested and well worth the $60 price tag. Use one of the DTV coupons and the price drops to $20.

I am always interested in your experiences. Let me know about your DTV reception using your DTV converters and TV sets. I will share them here on the blog.

Don't Throw Away That VCR!

Several people have asked me about how they might be able to use their VCRs and DVD players and recorders once we transition to the all digital TV system early in 2009. Many people have built up large libraries of tapes and DVDs and want to make sure that they will still be able to enjoy them for years to come. Well, like so many other questions relating to the digital conversion, there is no simple answer. I will try to address some of the issues one at a time.

The good news is that you will be able to play back any tape or DVD that you have in your collection. If you have the VCR or DVD player connected to your analog TV, you will continue using it as you do now. If you purchase a new digital TV, standard definition or high definition, you will be able watch your tapes and DVDs. In many cases the DVDs will look better than ever. Unfortunately, some of your VHS tapes may look a bit worse, since the new digital TV may emphasize flaws in the tapes. The tapes and DVDs will continue to play back as long as they remain in good shape.

You should remember that tapes of all sizes and formats do degrade over time. As the tapes dry out, the iron oxide begins to separate from the plastic tape. Once that happens your priceless video of little Johnny’s T-Ball championship will fade into oblivion. While there is nothing you can do to prevent this from happening, keeping the tapes in a cool, dry environment will slow the degradation process. No matter how careful you are storing them, they will however cease to play back someday.

If you really want to keep some videos for a very long time, i.e. decades or more, copy the tape to a DVD or other digital medium. We don’t know how long DVDs will hold up, but for sure it will be longer than magnetic video tape. This holds true for any professionally copied VHS tapes such as movies or TV documentaries that you may have purchased.

Recording a TV program may be somewhat of a hassle for some as we convert to digital broadcasting. If you have cable or satellite service, you will not need to do anything different from what you are doing now. If, on the other hand, you are among the 20% of the US homes that gets TV over-the-air using an antenna, you will be in for some changes.

An analog VCR can record digital programs off the air if you connect it to a DTV converter box. The good news is that the picture, while not being recorded in digital form, will look great and result in a clean clear tape. The bad news is that if you connect the VCR to the DTV converter box, you will no longer be able to use many of the programming features on your VCR. For example, many set their VCR to record different programs from different channels at different times. You will no longer be able to program your VCR to change from one channel to another since you are no longer using the TV tuner in your VCR once you connect it to the DTV converter. So if you want to record Nova from CET on Tuesdays at 8 PM, you will need to set your VCR to record at 8 PM on Tuesday. That will work fine. You will not be able to program the VCR to change channels. For your Nova program, the VCR will need to be connected to the DTV converter and the converter set to CET. If you also want to record a program off another channel later on, you will need to manually change the channel on the DTV converter to the proper channel. If this sounds a bit confusing just remember that the tuner in your VCR, DVD recorder or analog TV set will no longer function after February 2009. The DTV converter will serve as the “tuner” and since it is not part of the VCR the VCR can’t control it.

Don't Throw Away That VCR!

Several people have asked me about how they might be able to use their VCRs and DVD players and recorders once we transition to the all digital TV system early in 2009. Many people have built up large libraries of tapes and DVDs and want to make sure that they will still be able to enjoy them for years to come. Well, like so many other questions relating to the digital conversion, there is no simple answer. I will try to address some of the issues one at a time.

The good news is that you will be able to play back any tape or DVD that you have in your collection. If you have the VCR or DVD player connected to your analog TV, you will continue using it as you do now. If you purchase a new digital TV, standard definition or high definition, you will be able watch your tapes and DVDs. In many cases the DVDs will look better than ever. Unfortunately, some of your VHS tapes may look a bit worse, since the new digital TV may emphasize flaws in the tapes. The tapes and DVDs will continue to play back as long as they remain in good shape.

You should remember that tapes of all sizes and formats do degrade over time. As the tapes dry out, the iron oxide begins to separate from the plastic tape. Once that happens your priceless video of little Johnny’s T-Ball championship will fade into oblivion. While there is nothing you can do to prevent this from happening, keeping the tapes in a cool, dry environment will slow the degradation process. No matter how careful you are storing them, they will however cease to play back someday.

If you really want to keep some videos for a very long time, i.e. decades or more, copy the tape to a DVD or other digital medium. We don’t know how long DVDs will hold up, but for sure it will be longer than magnetic video tape. This holds true for any professionally copied VHS tapes such as movies or TV documentaries that you may have purchased.

Recording a TV program may be somewhat of a hassle for some as we convert to digital broadcasting. If you have cable or satellite service, you will not need to do anything different from what you are doing now. If, on the other hand, you are among the 20% of the US homes that gets TV over-the-air using an antenna, you will be in for some changes.

An analog VCR can record digital programs off the air if you connect it to a DTV converter box. The good news is that the picture, while not being recorded in digital form, will look great and result in a clean clear tape. The bad news is that if you connect the VCR to the DTV converter box, you will no longer be able to use many of the programming features on your VCR. For example, many set their VCR to record different programs from different channels at different times. You will no longer be able to program your VCR to change from one channel to another since you are no longer using the TV tuner in your VCR once you connect it to the DTV converter. So if you want to record Nova from CET on Tuesdays at 8 PM, you will need to set your VCR to record at 8 PM on Tuesday. That will work fine. You will not be able to program the VCR to change channels. For your Nova program, the VCR will need to be connected to the DTV converter and the converter set to CET. If you also want to record a program off another channel later on, you will need to manually change the channel on the DTV converter to the proper channel. If this sounds a bit confusing just remember that the tuner in your VCR, DVD recorder or analog TV set will no longer function after February 2009. The DTV converter will serve as the “tuner” and since it is not part of the VCR the VCR can’t control it.

Don't Broadcast Your Personal Information

You can’t miss all the hype from companies like Cincinnati Bell and others bragging that that they have installed hundreds of WiFi “hot spots” throughout the area. A “hot spot” is a location from which you can access the Internet wirelessly with your laptop computer or other WiFi-enabled device like a Palm Pilot®, cell phone or even a wireless gaming device. In the Harrison area you can find public WiFi spots at the Speedway gas station and The Public Library. These are Cincinnati Bell sponsored locations. There are many others. Time Warner Road Runner in cooperation with "Project Lilypad" is installing free WiFi at CVG making it one of the few airports in the nation with free WiFi service.

While there is great convenience to being able to sit in a coffee shop, or even under a tree in a park, and conduct personal or work-related business using your computer, there are a few things to keep in mind. For example, many of us do much or all of our banking on line. This requires the use of passwords, user names, Social Security numbers and other very personal information. Now I am sure that if you were in a crowded restaurant you would not shout out, for all to hear, your Social Security number or ATM password. Well, if you are logged on line at a public WiFi location that is potentially what you are doing.

Remember that WiFi systems "broadcast" the information though the air and any computer close by, with the right software, can intercept that information. Because these public WiFi locations are used by many people they can’t be secured with encryption systems like we use in many of our offices and businesses. For sure the guy with dark glasses and a trench coat in the next booth at Market Street Grill is most likely not spying on you. But, he could be.

So the rule of thumb is to keep your private communication via computer private. Do it at home or only on systems that you know are private. Speaking of home, many of us have WiFi systems in our homes. If you live out in the country most likely you don’t need to worry about your neighbor signing on to your system. In the city, where houses are closer together, or in condo units separated by only thin walls, your WiFi can easily be used by the guy next store. If you don’t care if he is “freeloading” on your Internet connection and can eavesdrop on your communication, you need do nothing. If you might have a problem with that, you can encrypt your system. This will allow only you and those you authorize to use the connection. You will find instructions on how to do that in the manual that came with the WiFi router. It should be in that junk drawer someplace.

To be sure the wireless revolution is tremendously convenient. Cell phones, Blackberries® and cordless home phones are great tools. Just remember that anything you send or say on these devices is broadcast for all to read and/or hear.

Well, I promised to keep you up to speed on the availability of the DTV set top converter boxes. At this writing (Feb. 9) I have yet to see one in a store but I do have one. I got one from my contacts in Washington and am told that within a month or so they will be in most major electronics retailers. So it is a safe bet that you can send for your coupons from Uncle Sam. You can do it on line or by phone. The web address is www.ntia.doc.gov/dtvcoupon ; the phone number is 888-388-2009.

I have the Zenith/LG model and it is a very nice unit with lots of easy to use functions. I plan to review the various brands and models as they become available in local stores. Look for the reviews in future columns.

Don't Broadcast Your Personal Information

You can’t miss all the hype from companies like Cincinnati Bell and others bragging that that they have installed hundreds of WiFi “hot spots” throughout the area. A “hot spot” is a location from which you can access the Internet wirelessly with your laptop computer or other WiFi-enabled device like a Palm Pilot®, cell phone or even a wireless gaming device. In the Harrison area you can find public WiFi spots at the Speedway gas station and The Public Library. These are Cincinnati Bell sponsored locations. There are many others. Time Warner Road Runner in cooperation with "Project Lilypad" is installing free WiFi at CVG making it one of the few airports in the nation with free WiFi service.

While there is great convenience to being able to sit in a coffee shop, or even under a tree in a park, and conduct personal or work-related business using your computer, there are a few things to keep in mind. For example, many of us do much or all of our banking on line. This requires the use of passwords, user names, Social Security numbers and other very personal information. Now I am sure that if you were in a crowded restaurant you would not shout out, for all to hear, your Social Security number or ATM password. Well, if you are logged on line at a public WiFi location that is potentially what you are doing.

Remember that WiFi systems "broadcast" the information though the air and any computer close by, with the right software, can intercept that information. Because these public WiFi locations are used by many people they can’t be secured with encryption systems like we use in many of our offices and businesses. For sure the guy with dark glasses and a trench coat in the next booth at Market Street Grill is most likely not spying on you. But, he could be.

So the rule of thumb is to keep your private communication via computer private. Do it at home or only on systems that you know are private. Speaking of home, many of us have WiFi systems in our homes. If you live out in the country most likely you don’t need to worry about your neighbor signing on to your system. In the city, where houses are closer together, or in condo units separated by only thin walls, your WiFi can easily be used by the guy next store. If you don’t care if he is “freeloading” on your Internet connection and can eavesdrop on your communication, you need do nothing. If you might have a problem with that, you can encrypt your system. This will allow only you and those you authorize to use the connection. You will find instructions on how to do that in the manual that came with the WiFi router. It should be in that junk drawer someplace.

To be sure the wireless revolution is tremendously convenient. Cell phones, Blackberries® and cordless home phones are great tools. Just remember that anything you send or say on these devices is broadcast for all to read and/or hear.

Well, I promised to keep you up to speed on the availability of the DTV set top converter boxes. At this writing (Feb. 9) I have yet to see one in a store but I do have one. I got one from my contacts in Washington and am told that within a month or so they will be in most major electronics retailers. So it is a safe bet that you can send for your coupons from Uncle Sam. You can do it on line or by phone. The web address is www.ntia.doc.gov/dtvcoupon ; the phone number is 888-388-2009.

I have the Zenith/LG model and it is a very nice unit with lots of easy to use functions. I plan to review the various brands and models as they become available in local stores. Look for the reviews in future columns.

Better wait to send for those DTV Converter coupons

Now that the new year is well underway we find ourselves just about thirteen months from the end of analog TV broadcasting. I have written several times about this transition and will certainly continue to do so in future columns all year. You may have seen some spots on TV discussing the various options you have in order to make sure that you continue to receive your favorite TV programs after February 17, 2009. Look for cable companies and satellite services to run advertisements that lead you to believe that you will need to subscribe to one of their services to continue to use you old TV. You don’t need to use them. In fact, you don’t even need a new TV set. You can purchase a converter that will receive the new digital channels and convert them to channels that your old TV can display.

In my column last week I briefly mentioned the beginning of the Federal program that will provide up to two $40 coupons for use in purchasing DTV converters. Over the past few weeks there have been several articles in the newspaper and some news reports on TV and radio urging people to request the coupons as soon as possible. While the program officially began January 1, 2008, and more than 800,000 households have already requested coupons, I would suggest that you wait to send for your coupon.

There is a one detail about the coupon program that has not received much discussion in most of the reports in the news. The coupons have an expiration date. They expire 90 days from date of issue. If you request the coupons now, they will expire in April. I have been watching the stores and have yet to see any converters for sale. Since there have been only a few manufacturers that have been approved to make the devices and those approvals have been issued by the FCC in the last few months, it may well be spring or even summer before the devices can be purchased in local stores. I don’t know about you, but I am not too excited about re-applying to the Federal Government for two additional coupons when the ones I first received expire.

Waiting till summer or even fall should not be a problem. Congress has indicated that if the first appropriation to fund the coupon program is not sufficient to handle the demand, they will increase the funding. No congressperson wants his constituents calling and complaining that they can no longer watch TV.

I will continue to monitor the various local electronic stores and report when the converters are available. A spokesperson for Best Buy® was quoted in a recent Associated Press article that his stores would be getting the converters soon after the first of the coupons were mailed to consumers. Once that happens I will see what models are available. Since there will be several “flavors” of these converters, each with special features and options. I’ll try to cut through the “technobabble.” In the meantime you can get more information by going to my blog or by calling 888 DTV-2009 (888-388-2009) or go to the DTV information website http://www.ntia.doc.gov/dtvcoupon/PreparingForTheDTVTransition.pdf

Better wait to send for those DTV Converter coupons

Now that the new year is well underway we find ourselves just about thirteen months from the end of analog TV broadcasting. I have written several times about this transition and will certainly continue to do so in future columns all year. You may have seen some spots on TV discussing the various options you have in order to make sure that you continue to receive your favorite TV programs after February 17, 2009. Look for cable companies and satellite services to run advertisements that lead you to believe that you will need to subscribe to one of their services to continue to use you old TV. You don’t need to use them. In fact, you don’t even need a new TV set. You can purchase a converter that will receive the new digital channels and convert them to channels that your old TV can display.

In my column last week I briefly mentioned the beginning of the Federal program that will provide up to two $40 coupons for use in purchasing DTV converters. Over the past few weeks there have been several articles in the newspaper and some news reports on TV and radio urging people to request the coupons as soon as possible. While the program officially began January 1, 2008, and more than 800,000 households have already requested coupons, I would suggest that you wait to send for your coupon.

There is a one detail about the coupon program that has not received much discussion in most of the reports in the news. The coupons have an expiration date. They expire 90 days from date of issue. If you request the coupons now, they will expire in April. I have been watching the stores and have yet to see any converters for sale. Since there have been only a few manufacturers that have been approved to make the devices and those approvals have been issued by the FCC in the last few months, it may well be spring or even summer before the devices can be purchased in local stores. I don’t know about you, but I am not too excited about re-applying to the Federal Government for two additional coupons when the ones I first received expire.

Waiting till summer or even fall should not be a problem. Congress has indicated that if the first appropriation to fund the coupon program is not sufficient to handle the demand, they will increase the funding. No congressperson wants his constituents calling and complaining that they can no longer watch TV.

I will continue to monitor the various local electronic stores and report when the converters are available. A spokesperson for Best Buy® was quoted in a recent Associated Press article that his stores would be getting the converters soon after the first of the coupons were mailed to consumers. Once that happens I will see what models are available. Since there will be several “flavors” of these converters, each with special features and options. I’ll try to cut through the “technobabble.” In the meantime you can get more information by going to my blog or by calling 888 DTV-2009 (888-388-2009) or go to the DTV information website http://www.ntia.doc.gov/dtvcoupon/PreparingForTheDTVTransition.pdf