If you're still struggling with the bunny ears on your decades-old television, or have gotten used to the cable you've been using for years, chances are you have a few questions to ask about the current state of TV technology.

You, like many American viewers, are probably wondering about the upcoming transfer from analog to digital broadcast for television.

It's true to say that being a couch potato isn't as easy as it used to be; nowadays, you have to be responsible about where you point your antenna.

The digital transfer that the FCC authorized over a decade ago was originally scheduled to take place after Feb. 17. However, that date is now set for June 12.

The digital transfer, however, will be relatively effortless to those who are prepared for it.

Just what is the digital switch?

The digital switch is what the FCC refers to as: "the digital TV (DTV) transition."

It is happening because in 1996, the U.S. Congress allowed for the distribution of a digital channel to each broadcast TV station. They did this so broadcasters could simultaneously run a digital broadcast channel alongside their analog channel. The analog channel will not be available and all broadcasts will be digital.

Digital broadcasts open the window to a myriad of technological options. Not only do they transmit enhanced picture and sound (despite coding and compression flaws), they also allow for various data services such as data streaming.

Do I need to subscribe to cable? Should I buy a brand new HDTV?

Just because the broadcast is digital does not mean that you'll need to commit yourself to new expenses.

All you'll need is a digital tuner of some sort. If you have an HDTV, you may already have one. If you do not have a tuner, the federal government is providing coupons for them. The coupon will not cover the entirety of the cost and there currently is a waiting list for the coupons.

A digital tuner will work with any antenna. For high definition you may also need an amplified antenna. Antennaweb.org is an excellent source for information regarding that potential purchase. For HDTV, you will also need high end video cable cords such as (RGB) component or HDMI to connect to the output of your digital tuner.

And what exactly is a digital tuner?

The typical digital tuner is considered a "set-top box," or an external box that typically sits on top of your TV box. You may have one near your television now, if you have digital cable service. Otherwise, it is any device that receives digital signals via airwaves (antenna), cables (cable service), or satellite (satellite dish).

Do I need a satellite dish?

No, you do not need a satellite dish. If you choose to subscribe to a satellite service, however, you must install one.

This will include some external wiring (satellites do not operate wirelessly) so, if you are renting your home/apartment, you will need to contact the owner(s). You may also need to print out a copy of Section 207 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, which prohibits any entity (governmental or nongovernmental) from blocking you, the viewer, from access to various television signals.

Should I subscribe to a satellite dish?

Satellite services are the cable companies' competitors. In terms of the digital switch, however, the cable companies tend to receive better reviews because their transmission is not as easily affected by rain and snowstorms.

If you are concerned about which service carries more HD programming in the ongoing cable vs. satellite war, the answer varies by location. But as the old saying goes, "buyer beware." More HD won't always equal better TV. The FCC has no regulations on HD compression so cable providers are attempting to cram more channels into their bandwidth, resulting in a sometimes "blocky" picture.

I have a VCR. Should I subscribe to a DV-R service?

To be clear, a DV-R (digital video recorder) is not necessary for the digital switch. But if you regularly use your VCR for recording your shows and subduing unruly advertisements, it could be a huge improvement.

It also depends on how much television you watch and how much you are willing to pay. These high-definition and DV-R packages aren't automatically available when TV watchers sign up for cable. It means buying a convenience that will have hidden costs: renting the digital equipment and upgrading to HD programming.

That can be a small price to pay, however, as a digital video recorder has many benefits. Just like a VCR, it allows you to fast-forward through commercials. You can record your favorite shows with a simple selection on a TV grid that appears on your television. Some of the devices will even find shows you tell it you like and automatically record them.

The recording is stored on your DV-R's hard drive. There's no "tape," and once you've programmed your weekly line-up to be recorded, spending hours in front of the television will begin to pay off when you're watching your favorite shows uninterrupted.

What can I expect from this new digital television?

It delivers a crisper, albeit pixilated, picture on your television. It also digitizes the sound.

Does that mean my computer can deliver TV programming?

You're right, it can! And with the help of your DV-R, it can help you create your own multimedia library. A number of affordable TV tuner boxes and tuner cards work with computers to deliver TV programming to a computer.

Just remember that an HDTV can act well as a computer monitor, but a computer monitor cannot act as well as an HDTV unless its native resolution can handle 1080i. Some channels are available in 720p, which is technically a lower resolution despite its similarity to 1080i. More importantly, most contemporary computer monitors can handle the 720p resolution. Considering the high price of high resolution LCD's and Plasmas, don't expect the FCC to make 720p a standard.

A question for you: where will you be when live television blends with a real-time multimedia browsing experience? Will you be left in the dark or will you be auditioning for American Idol live from your living room couch?