Report: Mixed signals on digital conversion
A new report from the advocacy group MassPirg contends that many retailers are misleading consumers about next year's scheduled transition to digital television.
A year from now, all TV stations will broadcast exclusively in digital signals, and consumers with older analog TVs that receive over-the-air signals will see their TVs go dark unless their set is retrofitted with a digital converter box, MassPirg said.
To determine preparedness for the transition, MassPirg conducted a “secret shopper” survey at 132 locations of five leading national electronics retailers in ten states, and the results were released today in a new report titled, "Mixed Signals."
“Americans are largely unaware of the digital conversion,” MassPirg consumer advocate Eric Bourassa said in a statement. “And that includes retail sales clerks at electronics stores who are providing inaccurate or misleading information that may cost consumers time and money.”
MassPirg said its survey found that many sales clerks tried to persuade surveyors to buy new, expensive digital televisions or high-definition televisions rather than explaining the availability of the less expensive options such as buying converter boxes, discounted by government coupons available to anyone who needs one.
Those interested can read the full report at http://www.masspirg.org/report, MassPirg said.
(By Chris Reidy, Globe staff)
