Several hundred Ruidoso cable television subscribers have just one month left to get new digital set-top boxes for all their TV’s before the old analog signal shuts down and their screens go dark.

TDS says it serves more than 3,000 customers in the Ruidoso area, and the company has already converted 85 percent of them to equipment that can receive the new digital signal.

But company spokesperson DeAnne R. Boegli said that approximately 460 have still not ordered or picked up a new box for each television set that receives TDS service.

TDS has been converting all of its 1.2 million subscribers nationwide to digital service, which the company says will allow it to offer higher Internet download speeds and more high definition video channels.

Boegli said the projected analog shutdown date in Ruidoso will be on Sept. 7.

“Once we convert they will lose all channels if they don’t get set-top boxes,” she said. “Many times it is that extra TV in the back room, garage or kitchen that doesn’t have a box when the main TV does. So those TV’s will stop getting a signal from us. No channels will appear after the cut date.”

To catch the attention of those who may not know they need the new equipment, TDS will soon start removing a few channels from the analog lineup at a time.

“Most customers are choosing to come in to our office, pick up the devices and install them on their own,” Boegli said. “We can also mail the boxes to them to avoid a trip to the office.”

But if that sounds like too much trouble, customers can call 855-696-8375 or visit HelloTDS.com/digital/Ruidoso to order the installation.

“We find the majority of customers are easy to install,” Boegli said. “Less than 15 minutes per device.”

The first six months of digital service are free for up to two boxes, TDS said. The charge for extra boxes and for all boxes after six months is $3.50 per month per unit.

“We want to provide all of our customers with the most innovative products and services we have to offer,” said company vice president Shane West in a news release. “We appreciate everyone’s help in completing this process quickly.”