Come Feb. 18 when broadcasters switch to digital-only signals, it will be useless.

And right now, there aren't many options for replacing it.

The federal government is offering each household two $40 coupons to buy converter boxes so those sets can pick up the new digital signals. But there isn't a converter for battery-powered analog TVs. With that in mind, here are some options:

* Battery-powered digital TVs

Advantages: The picture is clearer. You can replace the batteries when they run out.

Disadvantages: They're expensive. Radio Shack sells one with a 7-inch screen for $199.99. LCDDigital, of Newport Beach, Calif., has a 7-inch model for $249.99. You also might need an external antenna to pick up all the stations you get now.

* Laptops

Small devices with a digital tuner plug into the USB port of a laptop and turn the computer into a TV.

Advantages: They sell for between $50 and $180, so if you own a laptop, they are less expensive than a portable digital TV.

Disadvantages: A laptop battery lasts only a couple of hours.

* Power inverters

A power inverter, which allows you to run household electronics off your car battery or a rechargeable power pack, can fire up an electric converter box attached to your battery-powered analog TV. Inverters cost from $30 to $150, while power packs run about $70 to $190.

Advantages: You don't need to buy a new TV and can take advantage of the government converter box coupon program.

Disadvantages: This isn't an option with TVs that don't have the separate antenna input required for a converter box.

* Cell phones

Verizon, AT&T and Sprint Nextel all offer packages on certain smart phones that let you watch TV, including local on-demand news clips. Packages start at $10 to $15 a month.

Advantages: You might not need to buy any new equipment.

Disadvantages: Only Sprint offers live local TV (and so far only in Raleigh), meaning most people must depend on local video clips or national network news and cable stations for emergency information.

* Wait

Converter box maker Winegard Co. plans to offer a $20 to $25 battery pack for its two models sometime in August.

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