Digital TV Converter Coupon for older TVs

[nukevor]

In time for 2009!
https://www.dtv2009.gov/Default.aspx

[JohnG]

btw...they expire after 90 days of issuing them so don't get em yet if you need one.

[cathandler]

Almost certainly the technology and selection of boxes will improve and retail prices will drop as the deadline approaches, so if you can afford to wait, then wait.

[dmt]

What will take the place of analog tv broadcasts?

[Kevin Bresnahan]

What will take the place of analog tv broadcasts?

Um... digital ones?

BTW, it bears repeating that if you're currently using a cable company for your TV signal, their signal transmission is not required to change. Only over-the-air broadcasts will be going all-digital in February of 2009.

You do not need a digital tuner unless you are getting your TV signals over-the-air.

[Rachael Bee]

http://televisionbroadcast.com/TMD/two-minutedrill.mp3

The policy seems rather flawed to make most of the cupon-eligble boxes so limited in outputs. Planned obsolesence or tight budgeting? Good or bad idea, I can't decide.

If it was up to me, I'd give the boxes atleast an HD component output so they're usefulness wouldn't end so soon.

[Zep Fan]

https://www.dtv2009.gov/Default.aspx

You can find out about the $40 Coupon Program from the Govt. and register to be sent up to 2 $40 Coupons for Digital TV Converter Boxes.

Once you've registered for the Coupons, they will be sent to you when the boxes begin being available in late Feb. or early March 2008. Then you must redeem the coupons at a Retailer within 90 Days.

With the converter boxes, you can receive Over-The-Air Digital TV transmissions. And so can your analog VCR, but you'll need a box for it also.

The neat thing about Digital over-the-air TV, is that there are other side channels available. But you have to have the converter box to see the channels over the air.

The site has a FAQ section. Maybe that will answer any questions you have....

[Zep Fan]

I received my Digital TV Convertor Box $40 "Coupons", which are actually credit card shaped plastic cards.

They are valid through June 24th, a little less than 90 days from now.

The letter than comes with the cards lists 4 chains and 8 specific locations closest to me.

A complete list of participating retailers for coupon redemption is available at www.DTV2009.gov

3 Radioshack

1 Circuit City

2 Best Buy

2 Wal-Mart

The there's a separate page that lists Brands and Model numbers.

For the most recent list go to www.NTIADTV.gov/cecb_list.cfm

I viewed 3 boxes, at Wal-Mart, Best Buy, and Radio Shack. They all retail for $59.

All come with remotes, which can be programmed to turn your TV set On and Off.

The DTV box can be programmed to not show certain channels, or your favorite channels.

You can select the picture for Standard TV or Widescreen.

Each box has a Standard Cable In and Out port.

Also each box has an RCA Output (Left, Right, and Video).

The RCA Box at Wal Mart also a "Smart Cable" port.

I do not know what the Standard Warranty is, but the stores will Gladly sell you a "Repair Policy"...

All this is to watch the various "Digital" Channels on "Over-the-Air" transmissions.

You can use any Standard TV Antenna with the DTV Converter Box.

Some, but not all DVT Boxes are also capable of passing through analog TV signal to the TV set.

The DTV Box --IS NOT-- an HDTV Convertor. To View TV Programs in HD, you need an HD Converter AND an HD TV, or an HDTV with a built in converter.

[Michael]

I received my Digital TV Convertor Box $40 "Coupons", which are actually credit card shaped plastic cards.

They are valid through June 24th, a little less than 90 days from now.

The letter than comes with the cards lists 4 chains and 8 specific locations closest to me.

A complete list of participating retailers for coupon redemption is available at www.DTV2009.gov

3 Radioshack

1 Circuit City

2 Best Buy

2 Wal-Mart

The there's a separate page that lists Brands and Model numbers.

For the most recent list go to www.NTIADTV.gov/cecb_list.cfm

I viewed 3 boxes, at Wal-Mart, Best Buy, and Radio Shack. They all retail for $59.

All come with remotes, which can be programmed to turn your TV set On and Off.

The DTV box can be programmed to not show certain channels, or your favorite channels.

You can select the picture for Standard TV or Widescreen.

Each box has a Standard Cable In and Out port.

Also each box has an RCA Output (Left, Right, and Video).

The RCA Box at Wal Mart also a "Smart Cable" port.

I do not know what the Standard Warranty is, but the stores will Gladly sell you a "Repair Policy"...

All this is to watch the various "Digital" Channels on "Over-the-Air" transmissions.

You can use any Standard TV Antenna with the DTV Converter Box.

Some, but not all DVT Boxes are also capable of passing through analog TV signal to the TV set.

The DTV Box --IS NOT-- an HDTV Convertor. To View TV Programs in HD, you need an HD Converter AND an HD TV, or an HDTV with a built in converter.

I ordered my coupons. Can you please tell us which converter box-when you choose one?

[timoteus]

I ordered my coupons in mid February but haven't received them yet. I hope they come soon.

If you watch any low power (LPTV), Class A or translator stations you might want to get a pass through converter box since these stations will still be allowed to broadcast an analog signal beyond the 2009 deadline. With a pass through box you can simply turn off the box to allow the analog signal to pass through the box to your TV. You'll have to get a splitter to send the signal around the standard converter boxes.

[JohnBeas]

I viewed 3 boxes, at Wal-Mart, Best Buy, and Radio Shack. They all retail for $59.


I just glanced at the single box available at my local Wal-Mart and it was $49.

[wkohler]

My father is dead-set against buying a new television, so converter box coupons are coming our way soon. Long live the Quasar. :rolleyes:

[PaulKTF]

Wake me when they can make the TVs get the digital channels without a clumsy box on my TV. Ditto for digital cable.

[wkohler]

Uhhh, they do. They're called new TVs.

[PaulKTF]

Uhhh, they do. They're called new TVs.

I doubt it.

[NicS]

I ordered my coupons. Can you please tell us which converter box-when you choose one?



Michael, check out the AVS forum and click on the HDTV Reception Hardware thread. Most of the available boxes have been reviewed there, warts and all.

I myself am using a Zenith DTT900 converter and now get 20 channels crystal clear for free.

Nic

[Michael]

Michael, check out the AVS forum and click on the HDTV Reception Hardware thread. Most of the available boxes have been reviewed there, warts and all.

I myself am using a Zenith DTT900 converter and now get 20 channels crystal clear for free.

Nic

Thanks Nic!
Do you have a link to the reviews? I'd appreciate it.:)

[Dillydipper]

I doubt it.

:confused:

[Dillydipper]

BTW, it bears repeating that if you're currently using a cable company for your TV signal, their signal transmission is not required to change.

What I'd like to know is, if the signal the cable company will be sending us, is the modified version of the wider-screeen signal the new HDTV transmissions will be broadcasting...will they give us a letterboxed version, or a normal-screen-sized picture with information cut off both sides?

I can see Comcrap wanting to upsell customers by giving us the bare minimum of what they promise, and bombarding us with ads suggesting how we can get "the whole picture" with yet another charge on the cable bill...:sigh:

[Drew]

Wake me when they can make the TVs get the digital channels without a clumsy box on my TV. Ditto for digital cable.

Any TV that has a ATSC tuner (not an NTSC tuner which is an current analog tuner) can receive digital television channels without an external box. Only a set of rabbit ears or an antenna on your roof is needed.

[Zep Fan]

I just glanced at the single box available at my local Wal-Mart and it was $49.

You're RIGHT ! !

I mis-spoke in my earlier post....

The RCA Box at Wal-Mart retails at $49 (and not $59!!)

[Zep Fan]

What I'd like to know is, if the signal the cable company will be sending us, is the modified version of the wider-screeen signal the new HDTV transmissions will be broadcasting...will they give us a letterboxed version, or a normal-screen-sized picture with information cut off both sides?

I can see Comcrap wanting to upsell customers by giving us the bare minimum of what they promise, and bombarding us with ads suggesting how we can get "the whole picture" with yet another charge on the cable bill...:sigh:

I presently subscribe to the lowest tier available through Time Warner Cable. It's the "Basic" Tier. I get all the local channels and CSPAN and the City Govt Channels.

This is all done ---with NO box--.

What remains to be seen, is what exactly will happen after Feb. of 2009 with Time Warner Cable.

Will Time Warner force me to PAY an "extra" fee to have one of their "boxes" so that I can receive the "Basic" tier digitally.

Or...no ...wait... I can see this Mega Conglomerate will 'work' this in.... THE BOX WILL BE FREE ! ! ! !

----ONLY---- The Basic rate will mysteriously goup be $5.00 Beginning in Feb. '09 ! ! ! !

I CANNOT WAIT FOR A LA-CARTE CABLE PRICING ! ! ! ! :righton:

The.... I will pick EXACTLY what I want to pay for, and those 'other' channels that I DO NOT want to suppoert... will NOT get a nickel from me. ( Add that to Millions of subscribers.... and THAT'S some MOOLA MTV will NOT get !!!!).

[PaulKTF]

I presently subscribe to the lowest tier available through Time Warner Cable. It's the "Basic" Tier. I get all the local channels and CSPAN and the City Govt Channels.

This is all done ---with NO box--.

What remains to be seen, is what exactly will happen after Feb. of 2009 with Time Warner Cable.

Will Time Warner force me to PAY an "extra" fee to have one of their "boxes" so that I can receive the "Basic" tier digitally.

Or...no ...wait... I can see this Mega Conglomerate will 'work' this in.... THE BOX WILL BE FREE ! ! ! !

----ONLY---- The Basic rate will mysteriously goup be $5.00 Beginning in Feb. '09 ! ! ! !

I CANNOT WAIT FOR A LA-CARTE CABLE PRICING ! ! ! ! :righton:

The.... I will pick EXACTLY what I want to pay for, and those 'other' channels that I DO NOT want to suppoert... will NOT get a nickel from me. ( Add that to Millions of subscribers.... and THAT'S some MOOLA MTV will NOT get !!!!).

TWC will find some way to charge you more. Analog cable will probably go away not soon after Feb. '09. sigh.

A-la Carte cable pricing will probably never, ever happen.

[NicS]

Thanks Nic!
Do you have a link to the reviews? I'd appreciate it.:)



Here you go..

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=25



Nic

[Zep Fan]

Michael, check out the AVS forum and click on the HDTV Reception Hardware thread. Most of the available boxes have been reviewed there, warts and all.

I myself am using a Zenith DTT900 converter and now get 20 channels crystal clear for free.

Nic


For the rest of us Nic, please give us at least a link to this "AVS" Forum. You know exactly what you're talking about.... But I am not sure of the exact Forum you are speaking of here..... :)