Last year with analog TV in US, free coupons

[Dono]

In exactly one year (365 days), the world of television will be blacked out forever for viewers with analog sets in the US. Fortunately, however, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration agency is overseeing the $1.5 billion coupon program to subsidize converter-box costs, estimated to run between $40 and $70. The agency announced Friday that it will begin mailing out $40 coupons this week to consumers to help pay for converter boxes that will save their analog sets from becoming obsolete. The process of switching from analog to digital signal is now taking part in most European countries as well.

More than 9,700 stores, including those operated by Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Best Buy Co. Inc., Circuit City Stores Inc., Target Corp. and RadioShack Corp., will be selling the special equipment in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Consumers have 90 days to use the coupons, which resemble plastic gift cards, or they expire. Every household, regardless of whether it needs a box, is eligible to receive two coupons. Initially, $990 million will be used to pay for coupons and cover administrative costs, which are capped at $110 million. An additional $510 million could be allocated, but those coupons are reserved for households that only have over-the-air television. Consumers can apply online at dtv2009.gov.

[Crazy68Dart]

Pretty annoying.  I have a bunch of square boxes in my house and have been refusing to pay over 1k for a TV that will have maybe 25% the lifespan as the tried and true CRT.   

[flyboy01]

Pretty annoying.  I have a bunch of square boxes in my house and have been refusing to pay over 1k for a TV that will have maybe 25% the lifespan as the tried and true CRT.   

Not true, CRTs don't have longer life spans than others. But yes, you will have to shell out some $$$ to get a different kind. The US is one of the last modern countries to switch, the old NTSC system was designed in the 30's, obsoltete is an understatement. If you use an antenna, then you will have to add the box, plus side will be a better picture. If you have cable or satellite, you will not be affected in any way.

[west]

I dont know if its the tv set companies spreading this myth or what,but as fly said unless you use an antenna your old set wont be affected.
I don't even think prisoners still use broadcast t.v.,do you?

[Crazy68Dart]

Call me in 5 years when your florescent backlight is half dim, burned out, or the inverter is shot.  Current offerings will not last as long as a CRT without "maintenance" which costs money.  This is LCD, plasma is more complicated yet and consume serious power.  They will get better, as OLED backlighting becomes more mainstream, but you cannot get a set less than 3k (last I looked) using this technology.

My point is, it can be an expensive change, and false marketing will surely play a role in making big sales.  I currently have cable, so no biggie for me, but friends and family who can't or don't want to pay 50+ dollars a month for the garbage on cable see it differently.  The gov is handing out vouchers, two per family, to help offset the cost of the conversion box, which is yet another annoyance.

I think the change over should have been a slower process, allowing technology to advance, and prices to drop.

[jamesdart]

i think it is a bunch of crap. why should they put the squeeze on people to buy more up to date tv. i dont care how good the picture is, its still tv.  how good of a picture do i need. i went and set up bose sorround sound in my living room which i just did a complete renovation. i havent sat down and watched a movie to reap the benefits of it yet. my wife gets pissed off because we bought some way overpriced nice quality furniture after the renovation, and i still cant stand to sit there and watch tv. im just glad we didnt go all out and waste more money on a big stupid flat tv.

[Crazy68Dart]

i think it is a bunch of crap. why should they put the squeeze on people to buy more up to date tv. i dont care how good the picture is, its still tv.  how good of a picture do i need. i went and set up bose sorround sound in my living room which i just did a complete renovation. i havent sat down and watched a movie to reap the benefits of it yet. my wife gets pissed off because we bought some way overpriced nice quality furniture after the renovation, and i still cant stand to sit there and watch tv. im just glad we didnt go all out and waste more money on a big stupid flat tv.

I agree.  I'll get one eventually, but to force the expense is not right.  For the over the air folks, an antenna upgrade will be in order, depending on the capabilities of their current antenna, regardless if they have an old TV and necessary convertor, or brand new digital TV.

[NYrr496]

I bought my house 5 years ago. There was a tv antenna on the chimney when we got here. I cut it down immediately. There are still a few houses on my block with them. I hope they aren't using them. The reception out here is terrible.

So... I have cable, I'll still be able to use my Sony Trinitron? I really like this TV.

[Crazy68Dart]

Yeah, you should be able to.  I have two, one I bought about 8 years ago, and the other I bought used for 20 bucks from a guy at work.  I think it was manufactured in 87-88 timeframe.  It was his second TV, and he unloaded it.  Still great picture, and works fine.  Another nuisance is how the programming is changing towards the 16:9 format, so things will be off the screen sometimes.

Funny, my G-parents have an antenna.  Their reception is unreal.  Seriously, it is better than analog cable.  They are pretty high, out in the country.  We bought them a new TV for less than 250 dollars (CRT 27" flat screen) 2 or 3 years ago for Christmas and they love it.

[496dart]

anyone know the manufacturer of  the  box that everyone will be forced to buy ??

[268darts]

Is this like the Y2K scare? I don't really care what happens. I quit watching TV several months back. Who needs all the doom and gloom anyway?

[Bigdummy]

If you buy a Digital Tv you don't need a box do you?I have 2 digitals in my home that recieve extra channels

[Crazy68Dart]

I wouldn't call it a scare, but it is very confusing to most and the proper equipment is necessary once the analog broadcasting halts.

No, the convertor box is only necessary if your TV does not have a digital tuner.  This is typical of all the older CRT (cathode ray tube) "box format" TVs.  Something else to point out is that only a few years ago did even newer LCD and plasma sets get the digitial tuner by default.  It was common for these sets to be "digital ready" where a separate digital tuner was needed.  But, I hope if you spent the coin at the time, you also got the digital tuner at the same time.  Generally the smaller form factor, say 24" and smaller, LCD TVs do not have a digital tuner, so most likey they will need a convertor box.  For instance, I got a cheapo 13" LCD TV for the bedroom, and it does not have a digital tuner.  Again, if you have cable or dish of some type you should be fine, but it might be worth checking with your provider.

Here is the gov site where to order the coupons and has as a FAQ.

www.dtv2009.gov

[Bigdummy]

I wouldn't call it a scare, but it is very confusing to most and the proper equipment is necessary once the analog broadcasting halts.

No, the convertor box is only necessary if your TV does not have a digital tuner.  This is typical of all the older CRT (cathode ray tube) "box format" TVs.  Something else to point out is that only a few years ago did even newer LCD and plasma sets get the digitial tuner by default.  It was common for these sets to be "digital ready" where a separate digital tuner was needed.  But, I hope if you spent the coin at the time, you also got the digital tuner at the same time.  Generally the smaller form factor, say 24" and smaller, LCD TVs do not have a digital tuner, so most likey they will need a convertor box.  For instance, I got a cheapo 13" LCD TV for the bedroom, and it does not have a digital tuner.  Again, if you have cable or dish of some type you should be fine, but it might be worth checking with your provider.

Here is the gov site where to order the coupons and has as a FAQ.

www.dtv2009.gov