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Entry bubble Digital TV Transition

By: Sommer | January 11, 2008 | Category: General

By now, you've probably heard that on February 17, 2009, television stations in the United States will stop broadcasting in analog and switch to 100% digital broadcasting. Last week, the Consumer Electronics Association reported that half of American households had purchased a digital TV to date. However, if you’re one of the more than 14 million households that rely on analog, over-the-air signals to watch TV you’ll need to take action before February 2009.

Let’s find out how the switch will affect you.

Do you own: Get your programming from: By Feb 17, 2009 you’ll need:
Analog TV Over-the-air or an antenna A Digital-to-Analog Converter box or to purchase a digital TV
Analog TV Cable, satellite, or other paid service You DO NOT need a converter box. Contact your service provider.
Digital or High Definition TV Over-the-air or an antenna Do nothing
Digital or High Definition TV Cable, satellite, or other paid service You DO NOT need a converter box. Contact your service provider.


If you need a converter box, the government’s TV Converter Box Coupon Program can help you save money. Here’s how it works:

  • Each household can apply for two coupons but you can only use one coupon per converter box.Digital TV
  • Apply for the coupons between January 1, 2008 and March 2009, while supplies last, in one of four ways:
    • Apply online
    • Call the Coupon Program 24-hour hotline 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009), TTY 1-877-530-2634. (Operators in 7 languages: English: French, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Tagalog and Vietnamese)
    • Download a coupon application and mail it to: PO BOX 2000, Portland, OR 97208-2000
    • Fax a coupon application to 1-877-DTV-4ME2 (1-877-388-4632)

Fine print:

  • The converter boxes will be available in February or March 2008 through designated retailers and are expected to cost between $50 and $70 each.
  • The coupons expire after three months – don’t let your coupons expire because you can’t get more than two.
  • Only certain converter box models qualify for the coupon. The DTV2009.gov list will expand in the coming months so keep checking the website for more information.
  • There are a limited number of coupons available so order yours soon to make sure you get one.

Take a quiz to see if you’re ready for the DTV transition.

Then, take another quiz to become a DTV deputy so you’re qualified to teach your friends and family all they need to know about the transition.

| View Comments [7] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: analog   coupons   digital   dtv   government   sommer   transition   tv  

Comments (7):

blue comment bubble Posted by dcrider on January 14, 2008 at 06:14 PM EST

I would like to read the myth about plasma, LCD, 720P, 1080i, 1080P.... Superbowl is around the corner. It is urgent to know how to make the biggest bang with your money.

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blue comment bubble Posted by Sommer on January 15, 2008 at 08:31 AM EST

dcrider -

I'm not sure what you mean by the "myth" but if you're in the market for a new TV you might want to check out a couple resources:

1) The Federal Communications Commission has a publication called "Digital Television: What Every Consumer Should Know" that will give you information about the types of TV's you asked about above. Here's the link: http://www.hdtv.gov/DTV_booklet.pdf

2) If you're a fan of Consumer Reports, they have a site on Televisions at http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/electronics-computers/
televisions/index.htm You can compare LCD vs. Plasma, learn about different screen resolutions and more. If you pay to become a member of the Consumer Reports site you can also access ratings of the different TVs.

Hope this helps!
Sommer

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blue comment bubble Posted by Maurice on January 23, 2008 at 04:00 PM EST

I found an excellent site; it had all the info about the Digital Transition and requesting the $40 coupon. I ordered my 2 coupons from it. http://www.digitalconverterbox.org

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blue comment bubble Posted by DTVSCREEN on January 28, 2008 at 06:56 PM EST

What is the idea, does the Government realize it will make up to a billion (if not, MORE) tvs obsolete, udated, and antiques.

Buying a converter box (with or without a coupon), buying a DTV, or even subscribing to cable or satillite service will cost more cash.

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blue comment bubble Posted by Dave on February 21, 2008 at 09:46 PM EST

I think that http://finddtvanswers.com is the best site for information on the transition to digital tv. I almost purchased a new tv until I discovered on that site that I was out of the broadcast area!

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blue comment bubble Posted by Wi-fi Astronomer on February 26, 2008 at 12:46 AM EST

I have an LCD monitor with multiple inputs including video. For the tuner I use a DVD recorder. Now, for the fun part. I live only 10 miles from the transmitters and live on the wrong side of the building.

The result is that the UHF signal can get hard to catch but not impossible - if you have some technological know-how normally found among hams. My antenna has 6dB of gain and directionality plus two 10dB signal boosters in series. Can you expect everyone to be able and willing to build an antenna array? My own experiments don't bode well for people twice the distance. Everything else the same the array would need to be 4 times bigger!

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blue comment bubble Posted by Robbie in Maine on March 09, 2008 at 08:50 AM EDT

I just have to wonder how much this legislation was influinced by big business - especially those that make say... digital converter boxes or say... televisions - in places like say... China or those who broadcast digitally already like say... Cable and satillite companies !! I find it difficult to believe that those who have been telling us to watch less television now want us to have better television service - of course this is out of the goodness of their dear hearts. I tend to like bringing my old portable battery operated black and white set along on camping trips to catch the local news and weather - thanks for looking out for me guys. Is this about better reception or squeezing every last dime out of Mr and Mrs Joe Knucklehead ?? So after a long winter off paying high food prices, high gas prices, high home heating prices, high interest rates, and losing my shirt on my IRA & 401K - shoot golly - maybe I'll run right out and by more tv's and converter boxes. Thanks guys for looking out for me - the average middle class consumer.

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