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Official DTV Converter Box Coupons for Americans

Posted by timothy on from the please-define-boondoggle dept.

Ant writes "The official Digital Television/DTV Converter Box Coupon Program is now online. Congress created it for households wishing to keep using their analog TV sets and use over-the-air antennae to get TV feeds. After February 17, 2009. The Program allows American households to obtain up to two coupons, each worth $40, that can be applied toward the cost of eligible converter boxes. A TV connected to cable, satellite, or other pay TV service does not require a TV converter box from this program."

4 of 375 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Finally! by el_chupanegre · · Score: 4, Interesting

    In the UK we've had public TV and radio ad's for months telling you about what you need to do when the changeover occurs, with a free number to call with questions. We don't get free coupons though.

  2. Re:From a UK perspective by richie2000 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    We've started switching over to digital - at least one area has had the analogue TV signal switched off altogether - and set top boxes to decode a digital signal have been on the market for some time. Sweden turned off the last analog signal a few months ago.

    Interestingly, televisions without inbuilt digital decoding are still on the market today - though I can't think why. Many people live in apartments where the landlord does the decoding, or they already use a satellite receiver which also decodes to analog. The remaining market that only uses DVB-T is actually pretty small, estimates put it at around 30% of the total market (in Swede, YMMV).
    --
    Money for nothing, pix for free
  3. Getting the word out.. by s31523 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    To request a coupon, consumers can apply online at www.dtv2009.gov. The government also has set up a 24-hour hotline to take requests, 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009). I imagine that many people who need these boxes don't have internet access and will never see the phone number displayed anywhere, except the internet. Poor grandma will just see white fuzz on the morning of Feb. 18 2009 instead of The Price Is Right.
  4. Re:Finally! by willbry · · Score: 4, Interesting
    I think if more people in the US knew what they could get for free, they'd be all over this. I was amazed, after cancelling cable and living on 2-3 analog broadcast television for a few months, that I could get 30+ crystal clear channels over-the-air. Sure, I miss the daily show, but it's not worth $45/month or so that cable charges.

    I'll stick with free, over-the-air digital television as long as it is available, and keep blogging about it.

    williambryson.blogspot.com