Digital TV Coupons - Feds share coupons to help TV transition (AP)

[SolidSignal_Matt]

WASHINGTON - Millions of $40 government coupons become available Tuesday to help low-tech television owners buy special converter boxes for older TVs that might not work after the switch to digital broadcasting.

Beginning Feb. 18, 2009, anyone who does not own a digital set and still gets their programming via over-the-air antennas will no longer receive a picture.

That's the day the television industry completes its transition from old-style analog broadcasting to digital.

The converter boxes are expected to cost between $50 and $70 and will be available at most major electronics retail stores. Starting Tuesday, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration will begin accepting requests for two $40 coupons per household to be used toward the purchase of the boxes.

Viewers who have satellite or cable service will not need a box.

To request a coupon, consumers can apply online at http://www.dtv2009.gov starting Tuesday. The government also has set up a 24-hour hotline to take requests, 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009).

Congress, in ordering the transition to digital broadcasting, set aside $1.5 billion for the coupon program, which will fund 33.5 million coupons and other costs.

The giveaway basically works under the honor system.

The first 22 million coupons will go to all households that request them. That includes a residence that gets cable service for one television but has a spare TV that still uses an antenna, for example.

The rest of the coupons, however, are meant only for those who do not subscribe to a pay-television service.

The Nielsen Co. estimates that 14.3 million households, or about 13 percent of the 112.8 million total television households in the nation, rely on over-the-air television broadcasts for programming.

Tony Wilhelm, director of consumer education for NTIA, said the agency expects to have enough coupons to satisfy demand. "We think the high number will be 26 million," he said. "Low end is 10 million."

Members of Congress have criticized both the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the Federal Communications Commission for their work on the transition to digital television.

In November, the Government Accountability Office, Congress' investigative arm, released a report that concluded there is "no comprehensive plan" for the transition.

Most of the concern rests with public education campaigns. While Congress allocated $1.5 billion for the coupon program, only $5 million was for education. The Association for Public Television Stations reported in September that 51 percent of participants surveyed were unaware that the transition was taking place.

Since then, the broadcast industry has announced a voluntary public education campaign. The FCC is circulating a plan among commissioners that would make public education efforts by broadcasters mandatory.

Congress ordered the transition to digital broadcasting to make more efficient use of the publicly owned airwaves.

On Jan. 24, the FCC will auction off the spectrum currently used for analog television. That portion of the airwaves will be sold to wireless providers and is expected to bring in as much as $15 billion. A portion of the spectrum will also be dedicated for use by emergency responders.

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On the Web:

FCC information: DIGITAL TELEVISION (DTV) Tomorrow's TV Today!

Reference: Yahoo! News

[SolidSignal_Mike]

The following is the list of approved Coupon Eligible Converter Box (CECBs).

AMTC AT-2016
AccessHD DTA1020D
AccessHD DTA1010D
AccessHD DTA1020U
AccessHD DTA1010U
Apex DT1001
Apex DT1002
Artec T3A
CASTi CAX-01
COSHIP N9900T
DigitalSTREAM D2A1D10
DigitalSTREAM DTX9900
DigitalSTREAM D2A1D20
ECHOSTAR TR-40*
GE 22729
GE 22730
Goodmind DTA1000
Insignia NS-DXA1
Lasonic LTR-260
Lasonic LTA-260
Magnavox TB100MW9
MaxMedia MMDTVB03
MicroGEM MG2000
Mustek MAT-K50
Philco TB150HH9*
Philco TB100HH9*
RCA DTA 800A
RCA DTA 800B
Sansonic FT300A
Sansonic FT300RT
Tivax STB-T9
VENTURER STB7766G
ZINWELL ZAT-856
Zenith DTT900

* These models are capable of passing through an analog signal to the TV set.

For an updated list, check https://www.ntiadtv.com/cecb_list.cfm

[SolidSignal_Mike]

Helpful YouTube Video on the Digital TV Transition and basic understanding of digital television broadcasts.

[Satellite Samurai]

I just got my $40 coupon in the mail. A lot of stores don't have any of these converters in stock. Do you guys have coupon elligible boxes in stock that I can buy online today wity my coupon?
Thanks.

[SolidSignal_Mike]

Yes we are one of the few online retailers that have stock on coupon eligable converter boxes, and have a coupon entry form during checkout.

These are the three boxes we currently have in stock:
Artec T3A
Tivax STB-T9
Philco TB100HH9

After you add one of these receives to your cart, go to Checkout. During the check out process you will be asked for your name and addres, after that step you will be taken to a Coupon Entry screen where you can get your 40 dollars off before you enter your credit card.

-Mike

[SolidSignal_Matt]

"Why would you buy model..."

We've been receiving a large number of questions regarding the differences between the available DTV converter boxes.
To help field some of the questions, we assembled a small comparison list of the models we currently have listed on SolidSignal.com.


Channel Master CM-7000 - The only DTV converter box we carry at this time that has a Super VHS output (S-Video Output).

Philco TB100HH9 - This unit has an "Analog Pass-Through", which means the unit will allow the off-air signal to go from your antenna all the way to your TV. Other models listed here will not.

MicroGEM MG2000 - Smallest DTV convertor box unit on the market as of this writing.

Sansonic FT300A - "Dual Silicon Conversion" unit - most of the DTV converter boxes listed here are not.

Artec Digital T3APro - Utilizes a 12V DC power plug, perfect for use in RV's, boats, and other vehicles.

Tivax STB-T9 - Lowest priced DTV converter box we currently carry.

Digital Stream DSP7500T - Compact design, nice looks, appears to be built strong.

Keep in mind that we can only accept DTV Converter box coupons for models that we currently have in stock.
This rule is set forth by the Governing body responsible for administering the digital conversion coupons.

For an updated list of stocked models, please visit this link.

For information on how to use your Government Converter Box Coupon, click here.

[SolidSignal_Matt]

Dish Network has released some information about its digital converter box.
The model number is "TR40" and has an analog pass-thru feature.

Check this link for Echostar/Dish Network TR40 DTVPal availability.



Some TR40 features:

Digital-to-Analog Converter Box

See what's showing on every channel with FREE on-screen program guide.
Switch between digital and analog channels with the push of a button.

Easy to connect
Event timer
Programming switch
Closed Captioning
Alternate Audio
Stereo Audio Output
Parental Controls