How to convert to digital TV
By The Associated Press
Mon Dec 31, 4:02 PM ET
Beginning Feb. 18, 2009, television stations will stop broadcasting analog signals. An older, non-digital television without cable or satellite service will need a special converter box to receive a picture.
The boxes are expected to cost between $50 and $70. Starting Tuesday, each household can request two $40 coupons at no charge to help pay for the boxes. There are four ways to request a coupon:
• Apply online at
http://www.dtv2009.gov.
• Call the coupon program's 24-hour hot line, 1-888-DTV-2009
(1-888-388-2009), TTY 1-877-530-2634.
• Mail a coupon application to P.O. Box 2000, Portland, OR 97208-2000.
• Fax a coupon application to 1-877-DTV-4ME2 (1-877-388-4632).
The program is being administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, on the Web at
http://www.ntia.doc.gov.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071231/...GJ8sN_as0NU E
U.S. consumers aware but confused over TV switchover
By Peter Kaplan
Wed Jan 30, 4:56 PM ET
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Americans are becoming more aware of next year's switch-over to digital TV, but many are still confused about how they will be affected, according to a pair of surveys released on Wednesday.
Dueling surveys conducted by U.S. broadcasters and a consumer advocacy group both concluded that most consumers are now aware that broadcasters will have to switch to digital signals from traditional analog ones on February 17, 2009.
However, one of the surveys, done by watchdog group Consumers Union, found that there also was still "major confusion" about how the transition will work.
"We agree that awareness is growing, but with it, confusion is also growing," said Consumers Union analyst Joel Kelsey said.
The two studies, released on the same day, are the latest salvos in a dispute over whether the government and broadcasters are doing enough to prepare viewers for the digital changeover.
"As (the broadcasters' survey) notes, the fact that more Americans are aware of the upcoming transition is a big step in the right direction," FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said in a statement.
"It is equally important, however, as highlighted by Consumers Union, that consumers understand how to be prepared," Martin said.
Congress ordered the switch to digital television to free up public airwaves for other uses, such as for police and fire departments. The switch will lead to improved picture and sound for TV viewers.
The transition is being closely watched because owners of analog televisions will not be able to watch television unless they subscribe to satellite or digital cable, replace their TV with a digital television by that date or get a converter box.
The federal government is subsidizing the cost of buying a digital-analog converter box by offering $40 discount coupons to anyone who owns an analog television. That program is being overseen by an arm of the Commerce Department called the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.
Broadcasters are waging a broad campaign to alert consumers about the approaching switch-over and have promised to air more than $327 million worth of television spots as part of the effort.
The president of the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) on Wednesday characterized the results of its survey as positive.
"The first phase of our consumer education campaign has been highly successful, and our next phase will focus on helping consumers learn more about the steps they need to take ...," NAB President David Rehr said in a statement.
But Consumers Union listed a series of misconceptions that it said turned up in its survey. Of those people who are aware of the switch to digital broadcasting, it said 58 percent erroneously believe all TVs will need a digital converter box to function; 48 percent believe that only digital televisions will work after 2009; and 24 percent believe they will need to throw away all of their analog television sets.
Confusion about the transition "will cost consumers a lot of money for equipment they may not want or need," said Kelsey, of Consumers Union.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080130/..._Sfnza YE1vAI
Gov't: TV coupons are in the mail
Fri Feb 15, 2:46 PM ET
WASHINGTON - Coupons days are here for owners of outdated analog televisions.
The federal government said Friday it will begin mailing out $40 coupons next week to consumers to help pay for converter boxes that will save their analog sets from becoming obsolete.
TV viewers who get their programming over an antenna and are not connected to cable or satellite will need a converter box when full-power broadcast stations begin transmitting digital-only signals in February 2009. An estimated 13 million to 21 million U.S. households are in the analog-set set.
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. More than 2.6 million households have requested nearly 5 million coupons since Jan. 1, the agency said.
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.
The expiration date comes too quickly for many on Capitol Hill, who are sure to hear from constituents tangled in the transition.
About 20 House Democratic lawmakers on Tuesday sent a letter to the NTIA to allow consumers with expired coupons to reapply for new ones. An agency spokesman said NTIA will have a better understanding of the coupon program in the coming months and will work with congressional staff to examine the expiration issue.
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
http://www.dtv2009.gov or call the 24-hour hot line, 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009). They can also fax a coupon application to 1-877-DTV-4ME2 (1-877-388-4632) or mail one to P.O. Box 2000, Portland, OR 97208-2000. The program expires March 31, 2009.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080215/...y9f0_r5k24 cA
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