Need a DTV-to-Analog Converter-Box Coupon? Ask Sen. Stevens
Senate Commerce Committee Vice Chairman and Ranking Member Making Application Forms Available at Office, via Web Site
By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 1/9/2008 10:43:00 AM
Add the offices of Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) as the latest place where you can get application forms for digital-TV-to-analog converter-box coupons.
Stevens, vice chairman and ranking member of the Senate Commerce Committee, said Wednesday that he would make the forms available at all of his offices and via his Web site.
Stevens -- whose sprawling and mostly rural state relies heavily on over-the-air TV to bridge those wide-open spaces -- added that "having access to digital converter boxes will be the key to a smooth digital transition."
All full-power TV stations are required to pull the plug on analog broadcasts as of Feb. 17, 2009, and over-the-air-only households with analog sets will need converter boxes to continue to receive TV pictures.
The U.S. government is supplying households up to two $40 coupons apiece to defray the cost of qualified boxes. Most are expected to sell for $50-$70, although EchoStar Communications said it will have a $40 box on the shelves by the end of the next quarter.
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration, which is overseeing the subsidy, began accepting coupon-application forms Jan. 1, which can be obtained at a variety of places, including Post Offices and libraries, then mailed or faxed to the NTIA. Requests for coupons can also be made online or over the phone (1-888-388-2009) without the forms.
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as long as your tv has an ATSC Tuner yuo can use any old rabbit ears yuo want, including that old roof antenna. If that does not work for you then look for an hd antenna.
All tv's with analog tuners need converters unless they are on cable or satelite already.
HD-Tester - 5/13/2008 7:19:00 PM EDT -
I think we are missing some information from Ralph on his comment.
Before these converter boxes came along you had a choice of what type of signal that you are connecting to the back of your tv. In the good old days of Howdy Doody and Gun Smoke you connected your roof antenna or rabbit ears to the back of your tv. That signal is technically know as an "Analog Signal". When cable tv and satelite came along you may have wanted to go that route to get more movies and sports. When the cable, or satelite guy, came out and installed that cable or satelite box he disconnected your roof antenna or rabbit ears and connected his cable to the back of your tv. At that point you then were watching a digital signal.
If you are still paying for cable or satelite you do not need the new converter box for those tvs.
Only the tvs that are still on the old antennas will need the new conveter box by 2/17/09.
There is no reason to connect your cable or satelite box up to the new converter box. You do not need to convert the cable or satelite digital signal. It is already digital.
Here is a thought: A lot of us have recreational vehicles with a anolog antenna on top and a anolog tv inside. Don''t forget those or the next time you go "Roughing It" you will have to watch movies from your DVD player or analog vcr. Oh, heck, why don''t we get closer to nature and go for a hike. If a bird sings is that analog? Will we need converter head phones to hear them? Ha Ha
Bob Damon - 5/13/2008 12:59:00 AM EDT -
The analog/digital converter boxes will NOT work if you get your TV from a cable company (e.g., Comcast, Time-Warner,etc.) They work ONLY if you get your TV from an antenna. I bought the Magnavox and plugged my Comcast cable connector into the box. After completing the autoscan process, the TV shows
"no signal." I called Comcast and discussed this. They confirm that you cannot use these boxes if your TV is from cable. WHAT A MESS!
Ralph - 3/9/2008 9:01:00 AM EDT -
ya' think this is such a great idea?
considering it's sen. stevens, folks might think they're getting a coupon to nowhere.
invitedmedia - 1/9/2008 3:55:00 PM EST
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