Today's the day the National Television Systems Committee broadcast TV standard is replaced by the Advanced Television Systems Committee HDTV standard. 

 

By the end of the day, 1,787 U.S. television stations will have completed the switch to the new digital TV format. Most U.S. TV watchers won't notice, as about 91 percent of U.S. TV watchers get their video from a cable, satellite or telco provider, and in those cases the service providers will do the necessary translations.

 

The National Association of Broadcasters says 12.6 million households using broadcast signals, but that 88 percent are ready for the digital switch because they have bought new TV sets, antennas or set-top DTV converter boxes.

 

About 1.75 million households seem to have not yet taken any action, and are most exposed to having their TV signals vaporize by the end of the day.