Cox Communications clarifies which Topeka customers need converter boxes

Cox Communications clarified Tuesday that customers who have televisions able to receive digital broadcast signals may still need a converter box for its digital transition.

Dennis Clary, spokesman for Cox, said the easiest way to tell whether you need a converter box is if your TV directly plugs into the wall via a coaxial cable. If it does, the customer will need a converter box, a cable card if their TV has a slot for one, or a similar product, he said.

All channels available to Kansas customers will switch to digital by Jan. 12, but some areas will have earlier deadlines, Clary said. The process began in Topeka on Tuesday, when customers receiving an analog signal lost access to A&E, Animal Planet, E!, Food Network and TV Land, which switched to digital.

On Nov. 3, the signal will go digital in Topeka for six more channels: ABC Family, AMC, History, FX, TBS, HSN and QVC. All other channels except broadcast ones will switch to digital on Nov. 17, and the last few will convert by Jan. 12, Clary said.

Full-power broadcast stations switched from an analog signal to digital for their over-the-air transmissions in 2009. At the time, Cox “down-converted” the signal for broadcast stations so customers could keep receiving them after the conversion, because cable companies legally have to provide access to local broadcast stations, Clary said. Down-conversion will end in January, he said.

“Down-converting was the solution to ensure continuity of service of broadcasts stations for analog customers in ’09 and since then,” he said.

People who need a box can order one at www.cox.com/all-digital/cox-all-digital.cox, by calling (860) 757-3075 or by visiting the Cox store at 1109 S.W. Wanamaker. Every customer can get one box free for a year, though some may be eligible for two free boxes for two years, depending on their service plans. After the free period, customers can rent the boxes for $2 per month, though people receiving Medicaid can get a cheaper plan. People who need more than one box because they have multiple televisions can order additional ones, but will have to pay the full rate from the beginning.