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Still don't have a DTV converter box? Get your coupon before Monday

30 May 2009 15:11 by Andre "DVDBack23" Yoskowitz | 10 comments

In January, the US Government postponed the mandatory DTV transition from February until June 12th, as it was clear that over 6 million households were not ready.

Today, the federal Department of Commerce has said that if you are still unready and have not applied for a converter box coupon, you should do so no later than Monday, or risk having no TV signal by the time of the transition.

Every household can receive two $40 coupons to use towards the purchase of converter boxes, and more information about the coupons can be found at 888-DTV-2009 or www.DTV2009.gov.

As of May 10th, Nielsen estimated that there are still 3.3 million households not ready for the transition.

Permalink to this article | Topic: HDTV

At least 700,000 people still have questions about DTV transition (14 June 2009)

D-Day for DTV transition in the US finally arrives (12 June 2009)

NTIA promises to clear DTV Coupon backlog (5 March 2009)

Is the FCC too optimistic about the first mass DTV transition? (23 February 2009)

CEA says DTV converters may run out within 2 weeks (9 February 2009)

Retrevo's DTV voucher exchange lets you skip the waiting list (9 February 2009)

U.S. Congress approves DTV-switch delay (4 February 2009)

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SProdigy (Member) 30 May 2009 19:34
I'm personally tired of the charades. The cutover better happen on June 12. Pull the plug and let those who have been sitting on their hands for all this time figure it out when they get nothing but static feedback! [ + quote]
inagasake (Member) 30 May 2009 23:42
How does this DTV transition work? Do you need to subscribe to cable or satellite to watch TV now or is that converter box enough to get some feed if you don't have cable or satellite? I have digital cable service so no worries on my end but what happens with those who don't have cable (and I know a lot of people who don't)? [ + quote] This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 30 May 2009 23:45
Ryoohki (Newbie) 30 May 2009 23:53
Why watch broadcast tv when you can download pretty much any show or just watch it online? I've lived without television for a couple of years. I gave it up once I got broadband and have never looked back. [ + quote] This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 30 May 2009 23:54
bomber991 (Junior Member) 30 May 2009 23:54
*Originally posted by SProdigy:* I'm personally tired of the charades. The cutover better happen on June 12. Pull the plug and let those who have been sitting on their hands for all this time figure it out when they get nothing but static feedback! Quit your bitching. What's gonna be so great once television broadcasts switch over to digital? [ + quote]
Lothros (Junior Member) 31 May 2009 11:34
*Quote:* *Originally posted by SProdigy:* I'm personally tired of the charades. The cutover better happen on June 12. Pull the plug and let those who have been sitting on their hands for all this time figure it out when they get nothing but static feedback! Quit your bitching. What's gonna be so great once television broadcasts switch over to digital? More Radio bands available for uses that still need it [ + quote] This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 31 May 2009 11:34
XdjxedxdX (Member) 1 June 2009 9:42
Just one more way THE MAN (Government) Gets to control us .There was nothing wrong with it in the first place. ... And more channels for what there are way more frequencys then just the TV stations. [ + quote]
garmoon (AfterDawn Addict) 1 June 2009 20:40
It's follow the MONEY as always! I agree, start when they said, this time. What's the odds for an extension? Bet Vegas will take a bet on it. "Remember some people are alive simply because it is illegal to shoot them" [ + quote]
DXR88 (Senior Member) 2 June 2009 21:59
Free up VHF/UHF bands? I Think not as they are just going to turn right around and sell them to the highest bidder. who wins the government. they get more control by way of broadcast flags/Streamed DRM, and they pocket a few billion. my main concern is how the government will utilize those freed up airwaves, as opposed to who they'll sell them to. VHF can do some very nasty stuff when utilized the wrong way. [ + quote] This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 2 June 2009 22:01
beauvais (Newbie) 3 June 2009 16:00
When you get your free government coupon, you can also get these boxes free and with free shipping by calling: 561-572-2164 or go to: www.freeTVsignal.com. There is not cost for the boxes. [ + quote]
IguanaC64 (Junior Member) 8 June 2009 9:44
*Quote:* How does this DTV transition work? - inagasake Converting to DTV doesn't require any monthly subscription costs. If your TV doesn't have an ATSC tuner (which most TV's built in the last year or two probably have), then you have to buy an ATSC TV tuner to decode the new signals. You might also have to buy a new TV antenna if you can't get a good enough signal. *Quote:* Why watch broadcast tv when you can download pretty much any show or just watch it online? - Ryoohki Many rural Internet services have crap for speed. Best I can get is 512k DSL...a couple of miles away from me they have 10mbit cable modems. It's a crap shoot for anyone outside urban areas. The backlog for TV shows on my bittorrent is pretty extensive =). --------------------------------------------------------------------- I got my gub'mint TV welfare cards as soon as they came out. Purchased two nice Insignia boxes after reading the reviews. My TV was watchable when analog...it's mostly just blank blue screens with swirly patterns sometimes with the same equipment. The sound is like a badly scratched CD. I'll try buying a better antenna, but more than likely I'm going to be forced to drop $50/mo for satellite TV that I didn't really want to spend just so I have access to local news, emergency broadcasts, and the small handful of shows we watch. This is a disaster for rural broadcast TV users. Be aware that even in the city, rabbit ears may not cut it. [ + quote]