BOSTON -- The digital conversion could be the biggest thing to hit television since color. There is still some consumer confusion, but our undercover shopper found big retailers are trying to help.

NewsCenter 5 took our hidden camera into five of the big chain stores -- Best Buy, Target, Radio Shack, Wal-Mart and Sears -- to see what their salespeople tell consumers about the conversion. We found staff people everywhere to be helpful and informed.

We wondered if salespeople would try to sell us new digital-ready sets. They didn't.

Instead, they explained the converter box.

"You plug that into the TV and that's supposed to pick up, change your signal into digital," said a saleswoman from Best Buy.

Salespeople also were happy to point out $40 government coupons to help defray the expense.

If you subscribe to cable or satellite, you should be all set. Your provider will convert the signal, but remember that each set in your home may be different.

Of course, if you want a new TV, you won't have to worry about anything. They already have digital tuners. And if for some reason they don't, the salesperson must disclose that, but the price will also be a tip off. Older analog sets are much cheaper these days.

The switchover is Feb. 17. After that, viewers won't be able to see anything on an old set that isn't connected to a cable or satellite, or hooked up to a converter box. No exceptions.