 wcweaverPremium
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Fort Myers, FL
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1 edit | $40 will Probably Buy One By the time they are needed $40 will probably buy a DAC.
From TVWeek.com
Posted on September 21, 2007
The National Telecommunications & Information Administration has issued its first approval of a digital-to-analog converter box, the device that will allow analog set owners to continue to watch free over-the-air broadcast TV after the national switch to digital-only broadcasting Feb. 17, 2009.
Manufacturer Digital Streams announced Friday that two models of its approved converter box will be available in stores early next year for a suggested retail price of $69.99.
The NTIA, a division of the Commerce Department division, is overseeing a federally funded program that will make available to qualified TV households coupons worth $40 toward the purchase of the converter box. The coupons will be available starting in January.
The Digital Stream boxes measure about 7 by 4 by 1.5 inches.
The company said it plans to unveil a comprehensive retailer/partner and customer-support plan for the converters, including telephone technical support for consumers. |
 tschmidtPremium,MVM
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Milford, NH
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| Be interesting to see how the converter coupon program works out.
Just for fun checked out Target, Radio Shack, Walmart for prices of low cost NTSC/ATSC TVs. For under $100 there are 13" CRT TVs, $100-200 buys a 20 CRT." LCDs are a little more expensive $200-300. I was surprised how many TVs in this price range are only NTSC. Folks buying one of those will be in for a rude awakening Feb 17 2009 if they rely on OTA. Unless TV is very new, special, or money is very tight I wonder how many folks will actually go through the hassle to get a converter box instead of just buying a new TV. I predict we see a lot of $40 off TV specials end of next year and early 2009.
Checked a few stats. 98% of the 115 million US households have TV, with average of 2.4 TVs each. Of households with TV 60% use Cable, 24% satellite, 12% OTA, some have more then one connection.
Percent of households that use OTA is probably under reported because it does not accurately reflect households that have Cable or Sat and have not paid to connect all TVs. Also there seems to be a growing trend to combine OTA local channels with Cable/Sat due to lower cost/better picture.
/tom
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