As Feb. 17 fast approaches, consumers must decide their best option for the digital television transition.

While digital TV will better your television viewing experience, it's getting through the transition process that has some consumers throwing the remote at the TV.

According to the Federal Communications Commission, there are two main options for consumers. They must either purchase a digital converter box or be connected to a cable or satellite service.

New Television Sets

The government has mandated that by March 1 all televisions must include digital tuners so any newly purchased television will be digital-ready. Buying a new TV may be the most expensive option, but it is not a necessary one.

Digital Converter Box

Consumers who use antennas or "rabbit ears," including outside antennas, on an analog TV will have to purchase a digital converter box. The box converts the analog signal to a digital signal.

The box will display the digital broadcast but not in its original digital quality. So it will be good viewing quality but not the best it could be. This is, however, the most inexpensive DTV transition option.

Manufactures estimate that the price of the converter boxes is between $40 and $70 each. It is a one-time cost and coupons are available until March 31. The National Telecommunications Information Administration is issuing the coupons worth $40 each. Each U.S. household is eligible for two coupons. The coupons do expire 90 days after they have been mailed. Click Here to request a coupon.

Once the converter box arrives, it is the consumer's responsibility to install it. It is a simple process that includes plugging in several wires and cords. The FCC has provided instructions for the installation here. Please remember to unplug the television before setting up the converter box.

Cable, Satellite Ready

Consumers who subscribe to cable services should not be affected by the transition. As long as the consumer has the cable set-up box, which is different from a digital converter box, the cable service should not be affected by the transition, according to the FCC.

Cable companies are not required by the government to switch to digital service.

However, some cable companies have decided to make the switch on their own. This may require cable subscribers to have to purchase or rent new DTV equipment to view digital broadcasts.

Some DTV equipment options are purchasing an "integrated" DTV television set which is an all-in-one component. It includes the digital tuner to receive the broadcast as well as the monitor.

A "component" option is receiving the monitor without the digital tuner but the monitor must be paired with a cable or satellite box. This consumer, who already has cable or satellite service, is looking for a high definition quality picture.

Digital cable ready or "plug and play" televisions are also available and a cable box is not necessary. But a CableCARD must be obtained from the cable company and plugged into the set for certain cable programming.

Satellite service subscribers will not be affected by the transition. Satellite subscribers may only need to purchase new DTV equipment to view high definition broadcasts. Otherwise, there should be no change in service, according to the FCC.

Consumers should contact their cable or satellite companies and ask if new equipment is necessary and inquire about pricing.

For more information of the digital television transition check out www.dtv.gov.