In less than two years, analog television signals will be shut down and replaced with digital signals, forcing all analog TV users to purchase a converter box or consider other methods of TV viewing, according to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).

The change has been implemented amid a high demand for "spectrum" or airwaves, said Todd Sedmak, communications director at NTIA.

However, Penn State is not in any danger of losing its TV feed, said Joel Weidner, Information and Technology manager .

"[The university] won't be forced into digital signals just yet," he said.

Weidner said the university has technology that will redistribute the new digital signal back to analog for all Penn State viewers. Full conversion to digital is not an immediate problem, but the university is exploring its options, he said.

Sedmak said one advantage to digital airwaves is a more efficient use of spectrum, allowing more room for public safety and emergency services and more space for wireless communications, such as cell phones and Wi-Fi.

"The switch from analog to digital is going to allow more airwaves for new products and services," Sedmak said.

Matt Jackson, Penn State associate professor of communications, said emergency service is not the only area that will be affected by the digital conversion.

There will also be the "potential for much better quality and sound," he said.

Jackson also said the digital switch will provide a lot of free spectrum to be auctioned off to companies.

This will help provide a more interactive TV experience and will let individuals use their computer as an interactive tool as they watch their favorite programs, he added.

Though beneficial, the switch will come at the cost of some.

Those who still use analog signals to watch television will be forced to buy a digital-to-analog conversion box, subscribe to cable or satellite, or buy a new TV, according to www.fcc.gov.

The most commonly explored method is the purchase of the converter box, according to www.ntia.doc.gov.

To help pay for conversion, the government and the NTIA have planned a system that will provide households with $30 to $40 coupons, according to the site.

Some Penn State students said that they do not have a problem with the conversion and look forward to the extra airwaves and better quality television.

"Anything that makes [TV] more efficient," said Ryan Stenberg (junior-information sciences and technology), who also said he would not mind the change as long there is not a rise in price.

Keith Pollock (senior-agroecology) said he still uses analog TV and would not mind switching to digital and paying for a converter box, "as long as it isn't too hard."

Difficulty seemed to be the biggest concern among students, like Josh Kerr (junior-psychology), who said he is "really kind of indifferent," and is all for better quality "as long as it isn't difficult" to switch.

The last full day that full power broadcasting stations will be able to broadcast analog is February 17, 2009.

After that date, only digital feed will be available to TV watchers across the country.