Washington (DC) - Owners of analog TV sets can send off their application for a free converter box beginning tomorrow, to prepare for the digital switch over that will happen in February 2009.

Two coupons will be sent to each person who applies.  Each one is worth $40 off a digital converter box.  The devices, which are expected to cost around $60 each, will transform an antenna signal to a digital one that will work with the new standards.  Manufacturers are already busy creating new boxes specifically aimed at consumers for the coupon program.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will open up for the program tomorrow.  Consumers can apply via 1-888-DTV-2009, or online at DTV2009.gov.

Stores are expected to begin selling the boxes in February.  Accordingly, the government will start to mail out coupons on February 17, 2008.

All major big box retailers including Best Buy, Circuit City, Target and Wal-Mart will sell the converter boxes.

the switch "happened" in 2009? We are now only star...

Dec 31, 2007 08:13     

the switch "happened" in 2009? We are now only starting 2008 The box will convert analog to digital? I thought it would need to convert digital to analog if it is to work with an analog tv set ???? Are the signals not going to be all digital in 09??
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Stupid Question

Dec 31, 2007 09:06     

Isnt that what the digital cable boxes do for analog TV's now? My digital cable box works with my analog TV. Am I missing something?
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how can it have happened already when it's not even...

Dec 31, 2007 10:45     

how can it have happened already when it's not even 2009? How about, "...that will happen in 2009."?
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Correction: a digital signal to an analog one

Dec 31, 2007 10:58     

...that will happen on February 17, 2009. The devices [...] are to transform the upcoming ATSC digital signal to the existing NTSC analog one allowing old TV sets to work in the new standard.
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Ted, you don't need to worry about it if you use a ...

Dec 31, 2007 13:45     

Ted, you don't need to worry about it if you use a cable box.
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What's this NEW digital TV jargon?

Dec 31, 2007 15:43     

*sigh* Digital?? The NEW standard? I won't believe it until I see it. For those of you who have been keeping yourself up to date, remember back in 1999 when everyone was making a fuss about digital TVs? "In year 2000 everything is gonna change. Everything is going to digital!" Here we are 10 years later, still using analog...
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How can it be free?

Dec 31, 2007 17:08     

If each coupon is worth $40 and each converter costs $60. How is it free? Or can you apply both $40 coupons to the same converter?
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The magic box

Dec 31, 2007 21:58     

This change really only affects about 11% of the population that uses "rabbit ears" since most people have CATV service and a cable box or dish. If you have a TV set that old, it's time to step out of the 70's, put the pipe down and go by a new TV. If you have a cable box from a local service provider such as Comcast or Cox and so on you are already set. The cable companies have been pumping both analog and digital over the same coax for years. If you have Dish or Direct TV you are also fine.

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Mark Raby: 5 paragraphs & 6 errors

Jan 01, 2008 00:35     

Mark Raby, you can do better than that... or could you, please?
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corection digital to analog converters, cabel box

Jan 01, 2008 23:01     

digital to analog converters have been around for at least 3 years. (isn't that what the digital cable boxes do for analog TV's now? ) no it is a digital receiver for the signals from the cable co only (coax cable input). the antenna that receives broadcast signals is analog. so if you watch local channels via an antenna you will need a converter.
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Mark Raby (editor) is a POT HEAD!

Jan 01, 2008 23:10     

I wish. Seriously, I doubt he has any knowledge of anything you wrote on this article http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/35447/113/ "that happened in 2009" ? "no such device exists in the retail marken now" not true - you are a fucking retard! (check your sources like most major retail electronic stores like radio shack or circuit city before you make such a claim) "will transform an analog signal to digital" - moron! the converter boxes they will offer will convert from digital to analog for those who still use old tv's. Pot head

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Digital switch over

Jan 02, 2008 00:39     

its really a good news, www.24hoursnews.blogspot.com
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"analog signal to a digital one"

Jan 02, 2008 08:20     

Geez Tom's!!! Get an editor, or get rid of this guy - he doesn't know his elbow from his Can you not get a better group of people to post stories for you? This isn't an isolated incident, this "reporter" continually states things incorrectly, or simply regurgitates the marketing literature for a product. Find someone else, please!!!
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wake up

Jan 02, 2008 08:23     

only those with rabbit ears or a TV antenna on their house will be affected. Anybody who's currently having any type of cable, high definition stuff, digital already or like a satellite system has absolutely nothing to worry about
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wow, really shoddy...

Jan 02, 2008 08:27     

"The devices, which are expected to cost around $60 each, will transform an analog signal to a digital one that will work with the new standards. No such device exists in the retail market now." then what is this? https://www.dtv2009.gov/Boxes.aspx shoddy research and grammatical errors, really impressive work there.
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devices DO exist!!!!

Jan 02, 2008 08:54     

Manufacturers have been making digital TV set top boxes for years!!! There not $60, but they do exist. Here's my 10 second search: http://www.shentech.com/sirt160.html http://www.markertek.com/SearchProduct.asp?item=TV1-ATSC-100&off=0&sort=prod http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815315001 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815260004 RESEARCH your news before you post!!!

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Cable Companies

Jan 02, 2008 08:55     

If you already have cable, you do not need a converter.
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Re: Stupid Question

Jan 02, 2008 09:13     

@Ted The boxes are for people who solely rely on over-the-air TV broadcasts when the signals are converted to digital from analog. If you have cable subscription, then the conversion does not affect you (especially when you are already receiving digital signal from your cable company). However, if your cable signal goes out from your cable company, don't expect to be able to fall back on traditional over-the-air TV broadcast when the conversion happens without a ATSC converter box for your analog TV.

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How Can It Be Free?

Jan 02, 2008 10:18     

If some one uses both $40 coupons on a $60 converter, it would be like they are paying $20 to get the device? :-D It might be an incentive to get people to buy the converter?
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FREE????

Jan 02, 2008 12:07     

How can it be free if a difference in the list price has to be paid?? I don't understand!!
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Economy 101

Jan 02, 2008 12:32     

When the government offers a discount for a product or service, the market always adjusts so that the consumer wimds up with the same out of pocket expense. Start giving out $40 coupons, and that $60 box will cost $100.
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Government Handouts!

Jan 02, 2008 13:11     

More stupid things from the government for "free" that I get no use from but I have to pay for with my taxes. 1. the switch to digital sucks 2. if you can not afford to watch TV, stop watching and get a job. 3. nobody should be watching TV to start with, it is so full of government propaganda it makes a thinking person sick! so there.
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What you can get for your DTV money?

Jan 02, 2008 14:48     

Today few knows what they really get for their bucks, with or wihout a NTIA coupon. Stakeholders and the government agencies involved should do everything they can to build a broad market of converter boxes and with that choices and price range. The more brands and boxes there are the better chance for the consumer to get a reasonable priced box with good quality. And also, make it more clear on a local level how multicasting will work and how many channels you will get in DTV. I write more about it here: dtvbrief.wordpress.com Best / Anders

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