$40.00 DTV Converter Box Coupons
by Joseph Rybka on Dec.27, 2007, under DTV, On the Web, Retailers
Starting Feb. 17, 2009 the U.S. Analog TV broadcasting will be gone for good. Meaning that if you don’t have a digital TV, or a DTV Converter Box your current TV will be pretty much useless. For those of you that are or will be signed up with cable or satellite service, the current set top box should accommodate the DTV Transition. For the few that don’t subscribe to cable or satellite service and are happy watching only the local channels, TV will come to a screeching halt.
(The FCC has mandated that cable carriers must support analog TV sets until at least 2012)
The price for the digital to analog converter box will range in pricing from $50.00 to $70.00 each. This seems a bit pricy to me, but it sure beats $1,000 to $3,000 for a Digital TV.
Where will we be able to purchase the DTV Converter Box? According to http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/12/slew-of-retailers-to-carry-tv-converter-boxes-coupon-requests-o/ we will be able to pick them up at the large retail chains such as Best Buy, Sears, Circuit City, Kmart, Wal-Mart, and Target. These retailers will also honor the $40.00 DTV Converter Box Coupons.
With all this being said, it sounds pretty bleak for those of us that may know someone that either chooses not to purchase cable or satellite service, or for those that simply can’t afford it.
To ease the strain on your pockets, starting January, 1, 2008 you can start applying for the $40.00 coupons (you are allowed two coupons per applicant; each coupon is good for $40.00 off one analog converter box. The coupons will be handed out starting Feb. 17, 2008, exactly one year to date that the DTV takes affect.
You can apply for the $40.00 DTV Converter Box Coupons over at http://www.ntia.doc.gov/dtvcoupon/index.html
December 28th, 2007 on 2:50 am
I heard this was going to happen but didn’t know the date was set. Nice to have the information and atleast the 40.00 will help those that need it.
December 28th, 2007 on 5:20 am
I am sure that alot of people are not quite ready to update their TV sets to digital just yet, and yes the $40.00 coupons will help those few people out alot. Thank you for the comment Rich.
January 31st, 2008 on 2:14 am
Actually one of the converters (the EchoStar TR40) will be on sale for $39.98, so it doesn’t have to cost anything for the converter. Also, going to digital brings real advantages, even if all you have is a standard def set. Assuming you get reception at all , digital broadcasts contain no snow, no shadows and cleaner color. Plus many areas have some stations multicasting, so you get more channels.
It’s not really that complicated, but until more people get hands-on experience there’ll be widespread confusion.
March 10th, 2008 on 12:08 am
Is the EchoStar TR 40 designed only for use by EchoStar Dish owners (which I doubt is the case) or is it usable by any customer?
Also, I’m reading about “pass through signals” … am I correct in assuming this means that the converter can be placed in line first, followed by a VCR or Tivo, etc., then a TV and actually “control” the TV when the VCR is off?
Thanks!
March 10th, 2008 on 12:09 am
Rather than customer I should have said, IS THE TR 40 usable by anyone on any analog TV without Echostar or any other add-on service/hardware, etc.!?
May 28th, 2008 on 7:16 pm
Very nice site. I am looking forward to more on the subject of DTV. The best thing is to go to the gov site and get your coupon started..
April 15th, 2009 on 1:42 pm
This is very up-to-date information. I’ll share it on Facebook.