ABOUT 55,000 Perth households are still to convert to digital TV despite the switch from analog signals being just days away.

Perth's analog TV signal will be replaced by a digital broadcast on Tuesday as part of the national changeover.

But electronics retailers can expect a last-minute rush this weekend, with latest estimates showing up to 9 per cent of Perth homes are unprepared.

According to the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, latest figures show 91 per cent of households have converted to digital TV.

"Using these results this would mean that approximately 65,000 households in the Perth region have not yet converted," a spokeswoman said.

"(But) 10,522 households have been converted under the Household Assistance Scheme since January, which are unlikely to be included in the latest tracker results."

She said experiences in other cities that had already converted had shown 2 to 3 per cent of households waited until the last minute to buy digital-appropriate equipment.

"Residents in the Perth switch-over region need to be digital ready by April 16 or they will lose access to free-to-air TV when their analog TV signals are permanently switched off," she said.

"You can convert your existing analog TV by connecting a digital set-top box or a digital TV recorder, or you can upgrade to a television with an integrated digital tuner.

"And remember, if you have pay-television you may already be digital ready."

Edith Cowan University's head of journalism, Trevor Cullen, said the changeover was the biggest thing to happen to TV in Australia since the introduction of colour broadcasts in the 1970s.

"For the viewers, their experience is going to be much better in the sense of clearer pictures and sounds," he said.

Digital TV will be introduced in regional WA on June 25.