February 17, 2009 Ends the Era of Analog TV. Get Converter Coupons, or Get HDTV.
Yesterday, Jan. 1, was the first date that you could apply for coupons for digital-to-analog converter boxes. They will take the digital-TV signals and convert them to analog so that your current or older analog set will still be usable after analog transmitters are turned off on Feb. 17, 2009.
The boxes are expected to sell for between $50 to $70. You may apply for two $40 coupons to use toward the purchase of these boxes, one coupon per box. The coupons expire 90 days after they are issued, so BE SURE you are ready to make your purchase before you apply…
The converter boxes will be available in February, so you may want to look into the features of the boxes before you commit to buy.
Be sure to check out some reviews before purchasing.
You may apply for the coupons in three ways:
- By phone: 888.388.2009
- Online: www.dtv2009.gov
- By mail: Send completed application or request to:
TV Converter Box Program
P.O. Box 2000
Portland, OR 97208
The following is the list of currently approved Coupon-Eligible Converter Boxes (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
Check for updates at http://www.ntiadtv.gov/cecb_list.cfm. Big box retailers who will participate in the program include, but are not limited to the following:
•Best Buy
•Circuit City
•KMart
•Radio Shack
•Sam’s Club
•Sears
•Target
•True Value Hardware
•WAL-MART
A complete listing can be found at:
http://www.ntia.doc.gov/dtvcoupon/NTIA_DTV_121107.pdf
The National Association of Broadcasters estimates that as many as 70,000,000 TV sets are connected by antennas. However, there is only enough money for about 30,000,000 coupons. So, we can only assume it will be first-come, first-served.
Incidentally, it is the NTIA, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (a division of the Commerce Department) that is administering this program – not the FCC.
Watch carefully, read the specs, make sure which brand and model you want. Get more information at DTV Facts.
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