• Allison Miles •
• Originally published January 6, 2009 at 10:31 p.m., updated January 6, 2009 at 10:31 p.m.

Be prepared.

That's the message Yvette Barrett, assistant bureau chief for management with the Federal Communications Commission, has for Victoria.

Barrett is in town through Friday, discussing the Feb. 17 transition to digital TV.

After the changeover, TVs equipped with digital tuners will carry on as normal, according to the FCC Web site. However, analog TVs not hooked up to cable or satellite will need converter boxes to continue broadcasting free "over-the-air" programming.

The FCC has worked to educate the public about the change but questions still loom, Barrett said. Some people, she explained, even question whether the switchover will actually take place.

"It's going to happen," she said with a chuckle. "We're just trying to make sure everybody's ready."

Barrett spoke to about 50 people at the Senior Citizens Center on Murray Street on Tuesday, teaching them how to hook up their boxes and educating them on the process. She signed up about 25 people for a waiting list for $40 coupons good toward the converter boxes.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration, the group dispensing those coupons, recently ran out of money for the program. As funding frees up, however, more coupons will go out.

One of the benefits that comes with the information sessions, she explained, is that people can share ideas.

During Tuesday's Senior Citizens Center session, for instance, a man said he was having trouble adjusting the screws on his converter box. Another audience member chimed in with the name of someone who could stop by and help.

Armed with stacks of information about the change, Barrett will stop at churches, schools and various city departments, answering questions where she can.

The FCC wants to hit key areas in each city, FCC spokeswoman Mary Diamond said.

"It can be churches, senior centers, any place that's relevant to that local community," she said.

With the deadline nearing, she said, it becomes increasingly important to make sure people understand what's coming.

"We're just continuing along, getting the word out, making it a priority," Diamond said.

• Still have questions regarding the digital switchover?

  Yvette Barrett, assistant bureau chief for management with the Federal Trade Commission, is in town and might be able to help.

  When: 11 a.m. Wednesday

  Where: Senior Citizens Center at 4009 Halsey ...

• SHOW ALL »

Still have questions regarding the digital switchover?

Yvette Barrett, assistant bureau chief for management with the Federal Trade Commission, is in town and might be able to help.

When: 11 a.m. Wednesday

Where: Senior Citizens Center at 4009 Halsey St.

Can't make it there? There are other options, too. For more information regarding the Feb. 17 switch, visit www.dtv.gov or call 1-888-CALL-FCC.

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