Coupon Program starts on January 1st 2008 as reported from from consumerist.com & Infoweek article
Most of you folks are searching for good deals for Digital TV (HDTV) but not many realize that the Federal Communications Commission has ordered all U.S. TV broadcasts to be exclusively digital as of Feb. 17, 2009. The deadline became law early last year. Starting in March 2007, all new TV sets that could receive over-the-air signals were required to include digital or HDTV tuners.
Starting January 1, 2008, all U.S. households will be eligible to request up to two coupons, worth $40 each, to be used toward the purchase of up to two, digital-to-analog converter boxes. For more details follow the website
If many of you folks are like me (still searching for that exclusive deal) or plan to keep the existing TV after the purchase for the other room this could be a money saver. Edit by Moderator: Thank you for your participation. Please note that there is also discussion about this topic Here.
I wish you had the similar interest towards Global Warming...... And with just 10 of you .......!! Oh man we would have a better world.....
wheezzee
Member
posted: Dec. 30, 2007 @ 3:45p
I found this useful (but LONG) info at the site.. Thanks OP
1. How do I know whether I need a converter? If you use “rabbit ears” or a rooftop antenna for TV reception, you probably need a converter. Television sets connected to cable, satellite or other pay TV service do not require converters. Televisions with digital tuners also do not need converters. Take a short quiz at the DTV Transition Web site to see whether the converter box is the right option for your household to make the digital transition.
2. Can I request my coupons for the converter program today? No. The converter coupon program will be up and running on January 1, 2008. At that time, the government will begin taking requests for coupons.
3. Can I pre-order my coupons before January 1, 2008, by providing my address to the government? No. By law, requests for coupons cannot be taken before January 1, 2008.
4. How can I request my coupons? Requests will be taken beginning January 1, 2008, and going through March 31, 2009, by calling 1-888-388-2009. Check back to this website during that period of time to find out convenient ways to request your coupons, including calling a toll-free number.
5. How do I know whether I'm eligible for a coupon? All households in the United States and its territories are eligible for coupons on a first-come-first-served basis.
6. How many coupons can I request? Each household can request a maximum of 2 coupons.
7. What is the value of a coupon? Each coupon is worth $40. Only one coupon can be used per converter.
8. What information do I need to provide the government to request my coupons? The government only requires information necessary to mail coupons: name, household address and number of coupons needed (maximum of 2). Applications will be made available beginning in 2008.
9. Will my coupons expire? Yes. Coupons will expire 90 days after they are issued.
10. Will I still need an antenna to receive my programming? Yes. If you currently use an antenna to receive your over-the-air programming, you will still need it after you install a converter.
11. Where can I buy a converter? Coupon-eligible converters are currently not in stores. Beginning in early 2008, they will appear in stores where you would also buy televisions and other consumer electronics products.
12. Can I buy a converter online? It is expected that online retailers will participate in the Coupon Program. Again, check back to this website in early 2008 to see a list of participating retailers.
13. Can I use my coupon(s) to purchase any converter? No. The government will provide a list of eligible converters and participating retailers on its website. Consumers can also ask participating retailers what converters in their stores can be purchased with a government coupon.
14. Can I use my coupon to purchase other consumer electronics products, such as DVD recorders or televisions? No. Coupons will be electronically coded to be redeemable only for purchase of eligible converters.
15. Can I use my coupon to get $40 off a converter I've already purchased? No. Coupons must be presented at the point of sale and must be redeemed at the time converters are purchased.
16. Will I need to buy a new television after February 17, 2009? No. Your existing television sets will continue to work after the digital transition if they are connected to converters. You do not need to discard your analog sets.
17. Will I receive Closed Captioning through a converter? Yes. Manufacturers of converters are required to pass through Closed Captioning to display on your television.
18. Will I receive High-Definition TV with the aid of a converter? No. Analog televisions are not capable of displaying high-definition resolution, but the picture will generally be better with a converter. If you want to view high-definition TV, then you will need one of the newer sets rated for "high-definition" resolution.
19. How do I know whether my facility is eligible for coupons? For example, are prisons or group homes eligible to receive coupons? Applicants must meet the Census definition of a household as consisting of "all persons who currently occupy a house, apartment, mobile home, group of rooms, or single room that is occupied as separate living quarters and has a separate U.S. postal address."
20. Why is the transition from analog to digital television happening? Because digital broadcasting is more efficient than the current "analog" technology, less of the airwaves are needed to provide programming to consumers. The unused spectrum which broadcasters no longer require will be used for two important purposes. First, it will be given to first responders - our nation's firefighters and police - to better communicate with each other during emergencies. Second, this spectrum will be auctioned off to provide innovative wireless broadband services to consumers.
Rizon said: Good to know, as I really cannot afford an HDTV right now, and we are using a couple 5+ year old TV's right now.
The thing is that you don't need an HDTV set. But you would need a DTV set, that is a set that has an ATSC tuner that can decoded digital TV.
Lots of folks are confused and think that in '09 they must have an HDTV set. The broadcasters are required to switch from analog signals to digital signals, but doesn't mean they have to transmit in HD...
And also it doesn't mean that you MUST get a plasma or LCD set. The tube TVs will still be available but will have a digital tuner (non-HD) instead...
Oh, and AFAIK cable companies are not required to switch from analog to digital by 09...
BTW, the thing is that the coupon is useless if we don't have decent converter boxes that can be used... I think there's only a few and hard to find...
Oh, and to OP, green, but this belongs in DD. Not FREE...
JassieB
Happy Member
posted: Dec. 31, 2007 @ 2:05a
rsuaver said: BTW, the thing is that the coupon is useless if we don't have decent converter boxes that can be used... I think there's only a few and hard to find...
Oh, and to OP, green, but this belongs in DD. Not FREE...
These boxes will become available -- the low-end ones will be $79.99.
Ironically, when the $40 coupons expire, the boxes will drop to $39.99. Industry insiders have already discussed how the companies that own the patents on the technology are making a killing from the US Government just handing them money through these vouchers. Fingers point towards some guy who is only about 37 years old when the deal was pushed through, and people are amazed he didn't get more resistance when he got all this money for the electronics industry.
The bad thing about digital receivers is that you either receive the signal, or you don't. With analog, at least you can watch fuzzy TV and listen to static. With digital, if you don't get the full signal, you won't get anything at all.
JassieB said: rsuaver said: BTW, the thing is that the coupon is useless if we don't have decent converter boxes that can be used... I think there's only a few and hard to find...
Oh, and to OP, green, but this belongs in DD. Not FREE...
These boxes will become available -- the low-end ones will be $79.99.
Ironically, when the $40 coupons expire, the boxes will drop to $39.99. Industry insiders have already discussed how the companies that own the patents on the technology are making a killing from the US Government just handing them money through these vouchers. Fingers point towards some guy who is only about 37 years old when the deal was pushed through, and people are amazed he didn't get more resistance when he got all this money for the electronics industry.
The bad thing about digital receivers is that you either receive the signal, or you don't. With analog, at least you can watch fuzzy TV and listen to static. With digital, if you don't get the full signal, you won't get anything at all.
That sucks for people with antennas.
Where did you get this information? I find it hard to believe they would be priced that high since you can buy a dvd player with a converter for around this today.
I was hoping we could use the darn coupons toward a box with dvd player but I doubt the govt would be that generous.
powerplay
Member
posted: Dec. 31, 2007 @ 6:35p
This has been reported on public radio in the past few days. A $50 price was mentioned for the converter box. If $50 is what they really sell for we should be able to get them for around $10 after the $40 coupon.
elizard said: Where did you get this information? I find it hard to believe they would be priced that high since you can buy a dvd player with a converter for around this today.
I read a press release by a company that was the one to release announce the first two DTV->ATV converters. Their "retail price" was to be set at $79.99.
I'm sure that with competition, the price will drop, but for each box that is made, a royalty license fee has to be paid to the patent holder company.
IMPORTANT: TV converter boxes are not expected to be available in retail stores until late February or early March. You will receive your Coupon(s) then. The Coupon will expire within 90 days from the date it is issued.
IMPORTANT: TV converter boxes are not expected to be available in retail stores until late February or early March. You will receive your Coupon(s) then. The Coupon will expire within 90 days from the date it is issued.
Please print this page for your records; your application is reprinted below.
If you have any questions, you may call the Toll-Free Consumer Support Hotline at 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009), 1-877-530-2634 (TTY), or write to us at:
TV Converter Box Coupon Program PO Box 2000 Portland, OR 97208-2000
Instead, I called the phone number and got through right away. The phone system is quite nice - they pull your address off of caller ID records and you hardly have to do anything. Takes 1 minute.
Anyone know if this converter can also act as a dtv tuner with output to a tunerless digital television once someone gets rid of their rabbit ears set and buys a dtv?
Miura
New Member
posted: Jan. 1, 2008 @ 9:55a
"Anyone know if this converter can also act as a dtv tuner with output to a tunerless digital television once someone gets rid of their rabbit ears set and buys a dtv? "
They will work, but the govt-approved models will not have good connection interfaces and won't be HD. I think, at best, you can get one with a S-video connection.
Where did you get this information? I find it hard to believe they would be priced that high since you can buy a dvd player with a converter for around this today.
Miura said: "Anyone know if this converter can also act as a dtv tuner with output to a tunerless digital television once someone gets rid of their rabbit ears set and buys a dtv? "
They will work, but the govt-approved models will not have good connection interfaces and won't be HD. I think, at best, you can get one with a S-video connection.
Bummer. I was hoping someone would make one with an hdmi connector for future upgrading. There'll be a lot of these getting thrown out along with the old analog tv's as they die off...
Authorized Coupon Eligible Converter Boxes (CECB) The NTIA will maintain a list of approved CECBs to distribute to consumers and participating retailers.
The following is the list of approved CECBs: DigitalSTREAM D2A1D10 DigitalSTREAM D2A1D20 Zenith DTT900 Magnavox TB100MW9 Philco TB150HH9 Sansonic FT300A Philco TB100HH9 MicroGEM MG2000 Sansonic FT300RT MaxMedia MMDTVB03 Apex DT1001 ECHOSTAR TR-40 AMTC AT-2016
Miura said: I couldn't get the site to take my info either.
Instead, I called the phone number and got through right away. The phone system is quite nice - they pull your address off of caller ID records and you hardly have to do anything. Takes 1 minute.
Online Coupon Application Submission Thank you for applying for a Coupon online. IMPORTANT: TV converter boxes are not expected to be available in retail stores until late February or early March. You will receive your Coupon(s) then. The Coupon will expire within 90 days from the date it is issued. Please print this page for your records; your application is reprinted below. If you have any questions, you may call the Toll-Free Consumer Support Hotline at 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009), 1-877-530-2634 (TTY), or write to us at: TV Converter Box Coupon Program PO Box 2000 Portland, OR 97208-2000
Reference Number: ##### Name: ***** Home Address: ***** Number of Coupons Requested: 1 Statement Selection: Cable/Satellite Date Submitted: 01/01/2008
manzanaextasis
Addicted Member
posted: Jan. 1, 2008 @ 12:22p
JassieB said: The bad thing about digital receivers is that you either receive the signal, or you don't. With analog, at least you can watch fuzzy TV and listen to static. With digital, if you don't get the full signal, you won't get anything at all.
That sucks for people with antennas.
This is only somewhat true. With a digital transmission, you either get an all or nothing *picture*. It is not necessary to have a full signal to have a perfect picture with a digital signal. Often times, depending on your individual circumstances, the same signal that would give you tons of static with an analog transmission will give you a perfect image with a digital one.
elizard said: Where did you get this information? I find it hard to believe they would be priced that high since you can buy a dvd player with a converter for around this today.
I was hoping we could use the darn coupons toward a box with dvd player but I doubt the govt would be that generous.You are very mistaken... the dvd player you linked to is a DVD UP-CONVERTER... it essentially uses line doubling to take a standard DVD and make it near-HD quality, vs. buying an HD-DVD/Blu-Ray player and re-buying your DVD collection in HD/Blu
For the rest of the crowd... digital tuners have been available for some time now, Samsung made a few that were popular back 4-5yrs ago, can't remember the model numbers. When HD broadcasting and TVs were new, most TVs did not come with tuners so if you wanted to get OTA you had to purchase these pricey ~$400 tuners to go with them, those were clearanced (from BBY when I worked there) a few years later when a majority of HD TVs came with digital tuners. These boxes that I speak of read OTA HD programs and would output them in standard def OR HD, depending on which output you used (composite, component, DVI, etc). NOTE: These boxes also have the ability to read cable TV programming if your cable company does not encode them, just like an HD TV set with tuner.
They're hard to find but they're out there, and quite pricey last time I checked. The goal is after today more companies will produce them and the price will be reduced significantly.
proof of concept so you all don't think I'm blowing smoke CNET review completed Oct '06, and the box itself was released in '04
this is the one I used to sell it worked very well for all customers that came back to tell me about it, and it upconverted standard broadcasts to near HD quality
BE ADVISED you should not waste much time trying to find one of these, as someone mentioned above it appears the coupon can only be used on certain makes/models... just providing links so people can get an idea of what these will be when they come out
OP should fix the title. You don't need to buy HDTV by 2009... just a digital TV... and if you've bought a TV anytime in the past 5 years, you probably already own a Digital TV.
rsc272 said: OP should fix the title. You don't need to buy HDTV by 2009... just a digital TV... and if you've bought a TV anytime in the past 5 years, you probably already own a Digital TV.
The title is OK (excepting the spelling error ...)
Owning a DTV is NOT enough to receive digital broadcasts. I have a HDTV that I purchased in '05 that only has NTSC tuners. Tuner-equipped models were not required to have ATSC onboard until 3/2007.
There are no immediate plans to use the frequencies for public safety. The primary company, Frontline Wireless, that was going to bid on the combined Public/Private network went bankrupt and nobody else met the minimum bid on D-block.
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