Thousands of Rotorua homes will be without television if people do not act fast, according to an aerial specialist.
About 2000 homes in Rotorua are not prepared for the digital switchover, meaning they will be without television when the analogue signal is switched off on December 1.
Ngongotaha's A1 Aerials owner Kevin Smith said people were leaving it to the last minute to get themselves sorted.
He said he was overloaded with Freeview-related jobs, including aerial installation and setting up televisions.
"I have been too busy, it will be like this right through until Christmas I think."
Mr Smith said there was a big waiting list forming and people needed to act quickly if they wanted a professional to install or set up their television.
"I think most installers will be saying they won't be able to do it until the switchover date or later."
To prepare for the switchover people need to purchase Freeview, Sky or Igloo, which function with a satellite or UHF aerial.
Rotorua's Sarah Cameron said she was simply planning to go without television.
She said paying for Freeview or Sky was not worth it when she considered all the other things she needed to pay for.
"I have so many other priorities and that would not be the top of my list," she said.
"Some people probably live for their televisions and that is their evening's entertainment. But for me I like to be out in the garden or meeting with friends, so it is right down the list."
She said she could still watch Shortland Street online anyway.
Dick Smith Electronics Rotorua salesman Jack Rees said Freeview was in high demand.
He said they were selling about seven Freeview decoders a day and about 40 aerials a week.
"We get a lot of people coming in every day asking about Freeview," he said. "And the aerials are probably our biggest seller."
He said older customers would generally buy top of the range Freeview packages, with recording capabilities, while younger customers tended to go for the cheaper options.
Pearl Pavitt, of the Rotorua Budget Advisory Service, said there had been plenty of time to save for Freeview and it was a good idea to put aside some money if you were not doing so already.
However, in rare cases people might qualify for financial assistance, she said.
"Given that TVs are now considered to be essential items, in some cases Work and Income may consider an advance for hardship if you qualify."
She said it was not an unexpected hardship so it depended largely on an applicant's circumstances.