Reported by:
John MatareseThe last time a big storm rolled through town, did you turn on a battery powered TV ...or perhaps a radio that picks up TV channels during a power failure?
That way you can still watch a storm's progress if the weather knocks your lights out.
Some veiwers have asked me what happens after the changeover to digital TV. You may know by now you'll need a Digital Converter Box to watch TV on an older analog set.
Unfortunately, the same applies to portable sets.
Analog Battery Powered portable TV's will no longer work after June 12, 2009. This means most battery operated TVs we own will be worthless. You would need a battery powered Digital Converter Box. You can find one or two online, but they may not be worth the cost and hassle. Additionally, most portable TV's have built in antennas, and there is no way to hook up a converter box to them if they have no antenna "plug" on the side.
Solution: Stores are now starting to sell new Digital Battery Powered Portable TV's. Radio Shack, Best Buy, and Target all have models for around $100 to $150, and prices should be coming down soon.
Radios with a TV band will no longer pick up TV stations either, though the radio part will still pick up AM and FM radio broadcasts. So you will still get some use of those.
Weather Radios will still work. Again, only TV is affected.
Want a Battery Powered TV for Emergencies? You will need to buy a new Digital portable TV. Radio Shack, Best Buy, Target, Amazon and a few other vendors now sell them.
Please don't blame us: this was all mandated by the FCC and Congress, which is requiring TV stations to turn off their analog towers June 12.
