Apsattv
26-12-2007, 11:12 PM
From http://www.sltrib.com/technology/ci_7801001
Antennae reception will go dark, forcing viewers to go digital
WASHINGTON - In little over a year, more than 20 million homes that rely on antennas for free analog television broadcasting will suddenly go dark.
So the federal government is gearing up for Feb. 17, 2009, the day when TV stations will stop broadcasting analog signals, which means that those old rabbit ears and rooftop antennas will no longer work with analog TV sets.
Consumers then will have three options: Buy new TV sets with digital tuners. Connect to cable, satellite or pay television services. Or buy converter boxes for $60 to $70 that will allow them to receive digital broadcasts with their old analog TVs.
It's a long way off, but Uncle Sam wants you to start planning now. Congress has signed off on a new $1.5 billion subsidy program aimed at making sure the nation's couch potatoes continue to get their viewing needs met. Come Jan. 1, each U.S. household can apply for two $40 coupons to help buy the converter boxes.
The Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration is preparing to distribute 33.5 million coupons and will start mailing them on Feb. 17, 2008, a year before the transition. Washington is eager to spread the message to the elderly and poor people in rural states, who are most likely to be affected.
In 2005, Congress passed the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act Congress, which mandated the switch from analog to digital. After two years of planning, federal officials say they're ready.
"The TV Converter Box Coupon Program is on schedule and will be ready to take consumers' coupon requests starting January 1, 2008, as directed by Congress," acting NTIA administrator Meredith Attwell Baker said.
So far, eight of the largest consumer electronics retailers - Best Buy, Circuit City, Kmart, RadioShack, Sam's Club, Sears, Target and Wal-Mart - have been certified to participate in the TV Converter Box Coupon Program, along with more than 100 other retailers. They represent more than 14,000 stores throughout the country.
Like most everything on Capitol Hill, the program is kicking up a controversy.
A report by the Government Accountability Office criticized the government's efforts, saying that there's "no comprehensive plan or strategy" for the digital transition and that a majority of Americans have no idea what's coming.
The report cited two recent surveys: The Association for Public Television Stations found 51 percent of participants were unaware the transition was taking place. Another survey, of households that primarily receive TV signals over the air, found that 57 percent were unfamiliar with the transition.
Converter box coupons
On Jan. 1, households can begin to take advantage of the TV Converter Box Coupon Program. Its aim is to help consumers buy converters that will allow them to use analog television sets to view digital programming.
Between Jan. 1, 2008, and March 31, 2009, households will be able to request coupons while supplies last in one of four ways:
Apply online at www.dtv2009.gov. This Web site will be active on Jan. 1.
Call the Coupon Program 24-hour hot line 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009), TTY 1-877-530-2634.
Mail a coupon application to: P.O. BOX 2000, Portland, OR 97208-2000.
Fax a coupon application to 1-877-DTV-4ME2 (1-877-388-4632).
So far, Best Buy, Circuit City, Kmart, RadioShack, Sam's Club, Sears, Target and Wal-Mart have been certified to participate in the TV Converter Box Coupon Program, along with more than 100 other retailers. There are no income guidelines for eligibility.
The government will begin distributing coupons on Feb. 17, 2008, one year before the transition takes effect.
For answers to more of your questions, go to www.dtv.gov/consumercorner.htmlfaq1.
Source: U.S. Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications and Information Administration
Antennae reception will go dark, forcing viewers to go digital
WASHINGTON - In little over a year, more than 20 million homes that rely on antennas for free analog television broadcasting will suddenly go dark.
So the federal government is gearing up for Feb. 17, 2009, the day when TV stations will stop broadcasting analog signals, which means that those old rabbit ears and rooftop antennas will no longer work with analog TV sets.
Consumers then will have three options: Buy new TV sets with digital tuners. Connect to cable, satellite or pay television services. Or buy converter boxes for $60 to $70 that will allow them to receive digital broadcasts with their old analog TVs.
It's a long way off, but Uncle Sam wants you to start planning now. Congress has signed off on a new $1.5 billion subsidy program aimed at making sure the nation's couch potatoes continue to get their viewing needs met. Come Jan. 1, each U.S. household can apply for two $40 coupons to help buy the converter boxes.
The Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration is preparing to distribute 33.5 million coupons and will start mailing them on Feb. 17, 2008, a year before the transition. Washington is eager to spread the message to the elderly and poor people in rural states, who are most likely to be affected.
In 2005, Congress passed the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act Congress, which mandated the switch from analog to digital. After two years of planning, federal officials say they're ready.
"The TV Converter Box Coupon Program is on schedule and will be ready to take consumers' coupon requests starting January 1, 2008, as directed by Congress," acting NTIA administrator Meredith Attwell Baker said.
So far, eight of the largest consumer electronics retailers - Best Buy, Circuit City, Kmart, RadioShack, Sam's Club, Sears, Target and Wal-Mart - have been certified to participate in the TV Converter Box Coupon Program, along with more than 100 other retailers. They represent more than 14,000 stores throughout the country.
Like most everything on Capitol Hill, the program is kicking up a controversy.
A report by the Government Accountability Office criticized the government's efforts, saying that there's "no comprehensive plan or strategy" for the digital transition and that a majority of Americans have no idea what's coming.
The report cited two recent surveys: The Association for Public Television Stations found 51 percent of participants were unaware the transition was taking place. Another survey, of households that primarily receive TV signals over the air, found that 57 percent were unfamiliar with the transition.
Converter box coupons
On Jan. 1, households can begin to take advantage of the TV Converter Box Coupon Program. Its aim is to help consumers buy converters that will allow them to use analog television sets to view digital programming.
Between Jan. 1, 2008, and March 31, 2009, households will be able to request coupons while supplies last in one of four ways:
Apply online at www.dtv2009.gov. This Web site will be active on Jan. 1.
Call the Coupon Program 24-hour hot line 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009), TTY 1-877-530-2634.
Mail a coupon application to: P.O. BOX 2000, Portland, OR 97208-2000.
Fax a coupon application to 1-877-DTV-4ME2 (1-877-388-4632).
So far, Best Buy, Circuit City, Kmart, RadioShack, Sam's Club, Sears, Target and Wal-Mart have been certified to participate in the TV Converter Box Coupon Program, along with more than 100 other retailers. There are no income guidelines for eligibility.
The government will begin distributing coupons on Feb. 17, 2008, one year before the transition takes effect.
For answers to more of your questions, go to www.dtv.gov/consumercorner.htmlfaq1.
Source: U.S. Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications and Information Administration