Hawaii to make DTV conversion one month early

Hawaii will make its DTV conversion about a month before the Feb. 17, 2009, nationwide deadline, the “Honolulu Star Bulletin” reported on Oct. 13.

According to the report, all over-the-air viewers on the island state will need digital converter boxes to continue using their existing TVs by Jan. 15, 2009, when the DTV conversion will occur in Hawaii, with the exception of viewers on the island of Kauai, who receive their off-air signals from LPTV stations. Low-power stations are not required to comply with the federal DTV conversion deadline.

Hawaii Association of Broadcasters president Chris Leonard said the early transition will provide the country with a model from which to learn as it makes final preparations for the DTV transition in February.

For more information, visit www.starbulletin.com/news/breaking/30980884.html.