BLOOMINGTON - Central Illinois consumers have begun to make decisions about how they'll watch television next year.

For some, that means buying a digital-to-analog TV converter box.

Local retailers have begun to see shoppers pick up the new digital converter boxes in preparation for the day next year when TV switches from analog to digital broadcasts. After Feb. 17, 2009, viewers who get their TV broadcasts just over the airwaves on an older television set without a digital turner will not be able to watch their favorite programs without the converter box.

Of course, consumers also can buy a new digital television or pay for cable service next year. As people learn about the switch to digital, they have to make a decision about what they want, said Steve Lawson, store manager of Pontiac's Wal-Mart Supercenter.

"They just have several options," Lawson said.

Some early planners have chosen to get the converter boxes at Wal-Mart. Since the store rolled out the devices early last month, they've been selling well, though sales haven't compared to "a big run on (Nintendo) Wiis or anything," Lawson said.

"Initially, it's an educational process on who needs them," Lawson said.

The same thing is happening at Bloomington's Best Buy.

"People are learning and catching on," said Chris Lane, an employee in the home theater department. "It is so new."

But people have bought Best Buy's version of the converter box in the last couple of weeks, Lane said. Even though viewers don't need the box for another year, they can use them at home now, he said.

And that means they can see more programs on more channels than if they just kept their analog signals and rabbit ears, he said.

"There's a lot more available with the digital and HD signal," Lane said.

Best Buy's Insignia digital converter box is available for $59.99. Wal-Mart advertises a Magnavox digital-to-analog TV converter box for $49.87. If customers request government coupons to subsidize the cost of the boxes, they can save $40.