TELEVISION viewers west of Hatton Vale were forced to make the switch to digital TV this week after the analogue signal was turned off.

The analogue signal from the Toowoomba-based transmission tower was shut down, leaving only the digital signal.

To view TV now residents must have a digital TV or set-top box.

An extensive ad campaign to raise awareness of the change appears to have worked, with Gatton Betta Electrical's Michael Holland saying there had been no last-minute rush for digital equipment.

"There wasn't a rush at all actually," Mr Holland said.

"We were expecting a massive rush when the signal changed but it really didn't happen.

"There was a bit of an increase in the last month or so, leading up to the change, but even then it wasn't a big one. People were getting things for their second TVs instead of their main one."

With many televisions now unable to pick up the signal, the State Government has discouraged people from simply throwing them out.

Environment Minister Vicky Darling said later-model analogue televisions were still useful.

"People with late-model analogue televisions can fit a set-top box to give them access to the new digital signals," she said.

"If the old set just has to go, owners can offer it to charity, donate to a resource recovery program or leave it with your local council's transfer station for recycling.

"Householders buying a new TV can recycle their old device under a Commonwealth Government scheme that also includes computers, printers, keyboards, mice and hard drives."

Television viewers in Ipswich, the Scenic Rim and Brisbane Valley still have more than a year to make the change with their digital TV signals not being turned off until June 2013.