Ready for the DTV switch?

(WTNH) - Tomorrow is the day that the highly anticipated switch to DTV will happen whether you are ready or not.

The federally-mandated switch to digital television doesn't mean the end of free tv, but it does mean the end of old analog sets with rabbit ear antennas. Without a converter box those will be useless by the weekend.

Comcast is the state's largest cable provider. The company's been preparing to take on new subscribers as a result of the transition and says it's ready to deal with those who've waited until the last minute.

"We have a rapid response team that is doing quick installation - same-day installations or next-day installations," said Douglas Guthrie, Comcast Regional VP.

Comcast is also offering a deal; $10 a month for basic cable for new subscribers.

For years, cable's competition has come from satellite services. But now there's some new competition from AT&T's U-Verse television service.

"The tv is communicating back with our network to send the channel that you want to watch, as opposed to cable, where they send all of their channels to you, and then the set-top box descrambles the channel that you want to watch," said Adam Cormier, AT&T.

Because of that technology, U-Verse offers a lot of on-screen information and interactivity. But it's only available in about 50-percent of the state right now.

One other side note: If you're a cable customer who has been losing channels, it has nothing to do with DTV. The cable company has been tinkering with its line-up in the name of technology.

"It's all for the better.. we're bringing new HD channels on, new on-demand channels and higher internet speeds as a result of some of the changes we may have made in the past," Guthrie said.

The switch from analog to digital will happen July 12, 2009 at Noon.