Reader Mail: DTV Converter Box Coupons?
Tue Dec 18, 2007 1:26PM EST
See Comments (6)
Reader fran284 writers: I heard that the government will be handing out coupons for anyone who needs a digital TV converter box; when can we get them? And how do I apply? And where can I buy a box? I know time's running out before analog TV signals go off for good.
Fran: Good timing on your question; some new details about the DTV converter box coupons have just emerged, including a list of retailers where the boxes will go on sale. But first, a little background.
You've got until Feb. 17, 2009, until U.S. TV stations turn off their analog TV broadcasts for good. (Check out Robin Raskin's DTV transition primer for all the details.) By that date, unless you have a digital TV (like a new HDTV set), you'll need a digital-to-analog converter box (which will cost between $50 and $70 each) to keep watching over-the-air broadcasts on your old analog TV. If you're watching TV over satellite or cable, your current set-top box should tide you over come the DTV transition (and the FCC just mandated that cable carriers must support analog TVs until at least 2012).
Anyway, you can start applying for $40 coupons (up to two per applicant, with each coupon good for a single converter) on January 1 at this web site, and Broadcast & Cable is reporting that the coupons themselves will be handed out starting Feb. 17, a year to the day before the DTV changeover goes into effect. By then, DTV converter boxes should start appearing at big-name retailers such as Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Circuit City, Kmart, Sears, and Target, according to Engadget HD (and yes, they'll honor the coupons).
Still have questions? Check out the official DTV transition web site for more details.
Related:
NTIA to Begin Distributing DTV-to-Analog Converter-Box Coupons Feb. 17 [Broadcast & Cable]
Slew of retailers to carry TV converter boxes; coupon requests open in 2008 [Engadget HD]
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2 Posted by pstruex on Fri Dec 21, 2007 12:29PM EST Report Abuse
Fran, check out DTVAnswers.com!!!!
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3 Posted by ungotz2003 on Fri Dec 28, 2007 11:58AM EST Report Abuse
Of course congress has put laws in place to prevent cable and satellite providers from buying out and closing any company that makes or sells the converter boxes, right?. Sure they did. Most TV stations are already transmitting the new digital signals, at least according to the puff-piece put out by the FCC, so there's no reason not to get a converter box right now and take advantage of the improved picture and sound offered by the digital signals. Well, except for one little detail, the number of manufacturers offering the converter boxes is (drum roll) ZERO! TV manufacturers could make and sell them, but why would they when they can make you buy a new TV for $1000 instead of a converter for $100. Smaller startup companies could, until they were bought out and closed by the cable and satellite providers protecting their markets, since congress seems to have overlooked that little detail.
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4 Posted by vertigo_000 on Fri Dec 28, 2007 1:14PM EST Report Abuse
I am always amused when non-tech savvy people (this includes the FCC if you're out there reading this) try to post on tech questions. Some of the information provided by dtvtransition.org is pretty much useless and actually VERY misleading. The difference between digital and analog TV transmission is ACTUALLY like the difference between digital and analog mobile phone transmission. People are being mislead into thinking DTV is like a CD player. The transmission is still analog - as a result, you'll still have a lot of issues with reception (especially in bad weather). Everyone out there that already watches DTV knows how annoying DTV can be when a really bad storm rolls through the viewing area. Also, as far as the "new TV" versus "converter box" debate - this year, I purchased a 19" LCD TV for $200. In a year, I am willing to bet that the cost of a similar TV will come down significantly in price (after all, the TV manufacturers want you to buy new TV's, not converter boxes). Can everyone afford a $200 TV? Probably not, but I believe those people that can't afford a reasonably price DTV ($100-$200) should probably be spending their money on more important things like FOOD and should probably spending most of their spare time in a library READING! Is DTV an improvement in television broadcasting technology? Yes and no. I think of DTV like MP3's. MP3's are not really better than CD's, but it did create a whole new industry. I don't think DTV is actually better than traditional broadcast TV, but it is has opened up more possibilities to the future of television.
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5 Posted by captainj0922 on Wed Jan 2, 2008 10:09AM EST Report Abuse
Will the Government required V-Chip identify you and your TV habits together? Helps to profile a citizen without their knowledge?
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1 Posted by ebo768@sbcglobal.net on Thu Dec 20, 2007 1:05AM EST Report Abuse
the following information was taken from www.dtvtransition.org. What is digital television (DTV)? Digital television (DTV) is a new type of broadcasting technology that is transforming television as we now know it. By transmitting the information used to make a TV picture and sound as "data bits" (like a computer), a digital broadcaster can carry more information than is currently possible with analog broadcast technology. The difference between analog and digital broadcasting is similar to that between compact discs and cassette tapes. Digital TV offers a better viewing experience with vastly improved picture and sound quality. DTV is also more efficient than analog TV technology so broadcasters will be able to produce additional signals using the DTV system. What is analog television? Analog television service is the traditional method of transmitting TV signals and has been the standard broadcast technology since the inception of television. Analog television service isn’t as efficient as DTV. It uses up much more valuable spectrum that - once the DTV transition is completed - will be provided to public safety organizations, such as first responders including fire and police departments. Remaining spectrum will be auctioned off for the production of new services.