Portland is behind when it comes to being prepared for the digital TV conversion.

According to the Nielson Company, the folks who bring us the TV ratings, the Rose City is the least-prepared market of the nation's top 56 TV markets.

Nearly 23 percent of households rely on analog sets and over-the-air TV.

Just a year from now, the way you get your TV signal will change forever. By law TV stations across the nation must turn off their analog signal. This is the signal broadcasters have been using since TV began 60 years ago. As of February 17, 2009 all TV signals in the United States must be digital.

But there is a lot of confusion about whether the TV you have will work or not. Simply put, if your TV, new or old, is connected to a cable or satellite service your fine. Don't worry. You will have no disruption of service. However, if you have an analog set and rely on an over-the-air signal to watch tv, you will have to add a simple black box, called a converter, in order to receive the digital signal.

The box is a simple fix. Just connect your antenna to the "in" on the converter box and the "out" back to your TV. It's really just that simple.

And the great thing is, you'll actually get more local channels then you did before. The digital signal can be divided up into several signals. For instance you'll get KGW on channel 8 and on channel 8.1 you'll be able to receive Weather Plus.

Eric Dausman, KGW's Director of Engineering tried Best Buy's Insignia brand box out.

"And they give us a couple of cables,depending what type of TV set we have to hook it up with," said Dausman. He was impressed with what the unit can do. Once you scan for the local channels you'll also have access to an on-screen TV Guide menu to tell you what you're watching and what program is coming up next.

"This is great option for the one in the bedroom that you don't necessarily have connected to cable. They get converted to your TV set in the absolute best quality that they can be presented in."

In order to help make the analog to digital transition, the NTIA, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration is offering each family two coupons. They're worth $40 each. The converter box cost from $50 to $70 dollars. Best Buy, Circuit City, Wal-Mart and Radio Shack are selling the units now. Once you receive the coupons they must be used within 90 days.