Digital Transition

PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ― The countdown is on, we're just two weeks away from the transition to digital television. Many viewers won't have to do anything, but some may need to get a converter box.

And if the thought of setting one up concerns you, 3 On Your Side's Jim Donovan says more help is here.

That's right. Don't panic, additional companies are stepping up to the plate to make this switch to digital TV, as easy as possible for everyone.

Ready or not, the switch to digital television is June 12. And if you watch over-the-air TV, meaning you don't have cable, satellite or some other pay service and your set isn't new, you'll need a converter box to continue watching your favorite TV shows.

And the Federal Communications Commission wants this transition to be easy. So it has contracted with several companies to provide free, in-home converter box installations. One of the companies is Apollo Industries.

"We're trying to show them exactly what the converter boxes look like, how they connect. To be honest, it's very, very easy," said Jordache Marston with Apollo Industries.

Apollo also has several local help centers in our area, like one at the Gallery in Philadelphia. You can see a live demonstration on how to install the box or sign up for converter box coupons.

Tanya Scott stopped by the kiosk for information on making the switch.

"I can get the information on where to get the coupon from and then I can just go and purchase one," said Scott.

WHYY Television has also partnered with the FCC and is providing a DTV walk-in center through June 19 for anyone with questions.

The Apollo walk in centers and installations will run through July 31.

Residents in and around the Philadelphia area may be able to set up installation with Apollo Industries directly by calling 1-800-504-5677.

Apollo DTV Centers will be operating June 1 - July 31, centers will be open 7 days, from 12pm until 8pm or based on mall hours.

Locations:

The Gallery
901 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107

Gospel Lighthouse Church of Christ
1400 S. Hanson Street
Philadelphia, PA 19143

The Cheltenham Mall
2385 W. Cheltenham
Philadelphia, PA 19150

Franklin Mills Mall
1455 Franklin Mills Circle
Philadelphia, PA 19154
Plymouth Meeting Mall
500 W. Germantown Pike
Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462

Ambassador Seed of Love Church, Inc.
1718-22 W. Susquehanna Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19121

Houston Community Center
2029 S 8th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19148

Ford Memorial Temple Inc.
4031-37 Germantown Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19140

Other companies providing free, in-home converter box installations:

Deployment Essentials, LLC 866-550-4388
Installs Inc., LLC800-582-4250
The Idea Guy, LLC888-898-8729R&D
Training & Tech Service 866-202-4596

FCC DTV upcoming events:
http://www.dtv.gov/map.htm

DTV Exhibit - Kmart
Date: 6/1/2009
Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Location: 3045 Fifth Street, Reading PA, 19605

DTV Exhibit - Phoenixville Kmart
Date: 6/2/2009
Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Location: 1000 Nutt Road, Phoenixville PA, 19640

DTV Exhibit - Sears, Coventry Mall, Pottstown, PA
Date: 6/2/2009
Time: 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Location: Coventry Mall, 351 W. Schuylkill, Pottstown PA, 19512

DTV Exhibit - Boyertown Area Senior Center
Date: 6/2/2009
Time: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM ET
Location: 301 West Spring Street, Boyertown PA, 19512

DTV Clinic, Juniata Park Older Adult Center
Date: 6/3/2009
Time: 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: 1251 East Sedgely Avenue, Philadelphia PA, 19134

DTV Exhibit - Willow Grove Park Mall Sears
Date: 6/3/2009
Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Location: 2500 W. Moreland Road, Willow Grove PA, 19090

DTV Exhibit - Radio Shack, Easton - Palmer Park Mall
Date: 6/4/09
Time: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Location: 101 Palmer Park Mall, Easton, PA 18045

DTV Exhibit - Spanish Community Center
Date: 6/4/09
Time: 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: 303 Sumner Street, Landisville, NJ 08326

DTV Exhibit - Redner's Market, Boyertown, PA
Date: 6/5/2009
Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Location: 116 County Line Rd., Boyertown PA, 19512

DTV Exhibit - Sears, Quakertown, PA
Date: 6/5/2009
Time: 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Location: 240-4 S. West End Blvd., Quakertown PA, 18951

DTV Exhibit, Wildwood, NJ Boardwalk
Date: 6/6/09
Time: 2 PM - 6 PM
Location: 3600 Boardwalk, Wildwood NJ, 08260

El Dia del Nino Health Fair
Date: 6/6/2009
Time: 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Location: 12th and Wharton Streets, Philadelphia PA, 19147

DTV Presentation and Exhibit, Mercer County Hispanic Association
Date: 6/8/09
Time: 6 PM - 8 PM
Location: 18 East 6th Avenue, Hamilton NJ, 08619

DTV Exhibit, Northampton County Government Center
Date: 6/8/09
Time: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Location: 669 Washington Street, Easton, PA 18042

DTV Exhibit - Boyertown Community Library
Date: 6/9/09
Time: 6 PM - 8 PM
Location: 29 E. Philadelphia Avenue, Boyertown PA 19512

DTV Presentation - St. Charles Senior Community Center
Date: 6/9/09
Time: 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: 1941 Christian Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146

DTV Clinic, Haverford Library
Date: 6/9/09
Time: 10:00 AM. - 2:00 PM
Location: 1601 Darby Road, Haverford PA 19083

DTV Exhibit, Lehigh Valley Mall
Date: 6/11/09
Time: 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: 1491 Macarthur Road, Whitehall, PA 18052

DTV Exhibit - Morrisville Shopping Center
Date: 6/11/09
Time: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Location: 1 East Trenton Avenue, Morrisville, PA 19067

DTV Clinic, Spanish Community Center
Date: 6/11/09
Time: 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: 3900 Ventnor Avenue, Atlantic City, NJ 08401

(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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