How does DTV affect emergency broadcasting?

Television remains the primary source for breaking news, weather, traffic and other public safety information in most communities. During power outages and emergency situations, such as blizzards and hurricanes, many households rely on battery-powered analog TV sets to stay abreast of new developments and instructions. These portable sets can only receive digital TV programming after the transition if they have an external antenna or audio/video input.

If your portable analog TV set has an available RF or Line input jack, it can be connected to a DTV converter box to continue receiving television signals after the transition. Currently, there is at least one battery-powered converter box available now. The manufacturer, Winegard, offers a battery pack for use with its converter box model.

If your portable, battery-powered TV set is a new model with a built-in digital tuner, it will be able to pick up television signals after the transition without a converter box. There are at least two portable digital TV sets selling in stores now, and more are expected to enter the marketplace in the near future.

If your cable or satellite goes out in an emergency situation, but you still have power, it is important to note that your TV set will not be able to receive any television broadcasts. In that case, you may want to consider purchasing a DTV converter box (and a suitable antenna, if you don't already have one), so you can receive free over-the-air television programming until your pay TV service is restored. Another advantage to using a converter box is that you may be able to receive some over-the-air local digital channels not carried on cable or satellite.