Apsattv
02-01-2008, 01:20 AM
From http://www.centralvalleybusinesstimes.com/stories/001/?ID=7413
• Coupons being offered starting Tuesday
• Will convert digital TV signals to analog
In February 2009, most older TV sets that are not hooked up to cable or satellite services will become large bun warmers.
That’s when the nation’s full-power television stations must turn off the analog signals they’ve been broadcasting for decades and switch to digital signals.
Older, analog TV sets won’t be able to “see” the digital signals without being connected to cable or satellite – or to a converter box.
The Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration is offering a $40 coupon that can be used to offset much of the cost of converter boxes. The boxes are expected to retail for $59.95 to $69.95.
The coupons are available on a first-come, first-served basis. There’s been enough money allocated for about 33 million coupons.
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, representing more than 14,000 stores throughout the nation.
Consumers may purchase converter boxes to keep their analog televisions working with over-the-air broadcasts when full power television stations convert to all-digital signals.
By Feb. 17, 2009, consumers need to look at each analog television set in their home that is not connected to cable, satellite, or other pay television service and make a decision:
• They may connect it to cable, satellite, or pay television service;
• They may replace it with a TV with a digital tuner or
• They may keep it working with a TV converter box.
Coupons are worth $40 each, to be used toward the purchase of up to two, digital-to-analog converter boxes. Between Jan. 1, 2008 and March 31, 2009, households can request coupons while supplies last in one of four ways:
• Apply online at www.dtv2009.gov . This website will be active on Jan. 1 after 3 a.m. Pacific time.
• Call the coupon program’s 24-hour hotline (888) DTV-2009 or TTY (877) 530-2634
• Mail a coupon application to: P.O. BOX 2000, Portland, Ore., 97208-2000
• Fax a coupon application to (877) 388-4632)
NTIA will provide consumers a list of eligible converters and participating retailers when coupons are mailed and on its Website. Coupons expire 90 days after they are mailed, and only one coupon can be used to purchase each coupon-eligible converter box.
• Coupons being offered starting Tuesday
• Will convert digital TV signals to analog
In February 2009, most older TV sets that are not hooked up to cable or satellite services will become large bun warmers.
That’s when the nation’s full-power television stations must turn off the analog signals they’ve been broadcasting for decades and switch to digital signals.
Older, analog TV sets won’t be able to “see” the digital signals without being connected to cable or satellite – or to a converter box.
The Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration is offering a $40 coupon that can be used to offset much of the cost of converter boxes. The boxes are expected to retail for $59.95 to $69.95.
The coupons are available on a first-come, first-served basis. There’s been enough money allocated for about 33 million coupons.
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, representing more than 14,000 stores throughout the nation.
Consumers may purchase converter boxes to keep their analog televisions working with over-the-air broadcasts when full power television stations convert to all-digital signals.
By Feb. 17, 2009, consumers need to look at each analog television set in their home that is not connected to cable, satellite, or other pay television service and make a decision:
• They may connect it to cable, satellite, or pay television service;
• They may replace it with a TV with a digital tuner or
• They may keep it working with a TV converter box.
Coupons are worth $40 each, to be used toward the purchase of up to two, digital-to-analog converter boxes. Between Jan. 1, 2008 and March 31, 2009, households can request coupons while supplies last in one of four ways:
• Apply online at www.dtv2009.gov . This website will be active on Jan. 1 after 3 a.m. Pacific time.
• Call the coupon program’s 24-hour hotline (888) DTV-2009 or TTY (877) 530-2634
• Mail a coupon application to: P.O. BOX 2000, Portland, Ore., 97208-2000
• Fax a coupon application to (877) 388-4632)
NTIA will provide consumers a list of eligible converters and participating retailers when coupons are mailed and on its Website. Coupons expire 90 days after they are mailed, and only one coupon can be used to purchase each coupon-eligible converter box.