Three, two, one ... and liftoff for digital TV

0 Comments | USA TODAY, June, 2009 | by Leslie Cauley and David Lieberman

The USA has spent the better part of a decade preparing for the big switch to digital TV, which concludes tonight.

Now what?

Acting Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael Copps says consumers won't have to wait long to see the magic of digital technology, which holds promise for TV, wireless and emergency communications.

The upshot: "We're going from the Dinosaur Age to the Digital Age," the FCC chief says.

The most immediate impact will be in the area of free TV. For over-the-air TV viewers, there will be "lots more channels and better pictures," Copps says. Sound quality also improves.

What this means: If you're among the 20 million homes that receive TV signals exclusively over the air, you could see a dramatic bump in the...