New York - The vast majority of the nation's estimated 7 million battery-powered portable TV sets, used by many to follow the news in times of emergency, will become useless next February when analog signals are switched off during the digital TV transition, USA Today reports. The devices could continue to function with a digital converter -- but most of these plug into the wall -- meaning the TV loses its portability. "Unfortunately, a lot of well-intentioned policymakers found out after the ink was dry that there were more (portable) devices and households affected" than they imagined, Richard Doherty, of research firm Envisioneering Group, told USA Today.

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http://snipurl.com/4825w (USA Today)