  DogfatherPremium
join:2007-12-26
Laguna Hills, CA | Guess it's busy Site's slow and gives an error the few times I tried to apply for coupons. | |
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 | | | Re: Guess it's busy Tried to post the correct info yesterday when it was first announced,Starting today,1/01/2008,14;40
HOW TO APPLY
By phone: 888-DTV-2009. The toll-free number offers interactive voice recognition or live operators who can take orders in English, French, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Tagalog and Vietnamese.
Online: www.dtv2009.gov
By mail: Send a request for an application, or mail a completed application, to: TV Converter Box Coupon Program P.O. Box 2000 Portland, OR 97208
Source: National Telecommunications and Information Administration
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for 2008:try to be more tolerate to those that ONLY know how to criticize & never find anything good to say about anything or anyone,and those with a low MENTAL capacity.
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Hound7
join:2006-03-08
Princeton, NJ | Majority of Consumers do not need a digital converter box You should explain that only consumers who receive
analog TV signals over the air will need to buy a digital
converter box. The last Nielsen report said that there
were about 113 million television homes in the US and
about 13 million homes received over the air TV signals
only. Also some of those 13 million homes may already
have purchased digital TVs with ATSC tuners. Your post
that "consumers will need to buy a digital converter box"
is misleading and unnecessarily causes confusion.
My 85 year old father who gets his TV from Verizon Fios
asks me if he needs a converter box and the answer is, "no
he does not" because he does not get his TV signal OTA. | |
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| Ahrenl
join:2004-10-26
North Andover, MA | Re: Majority of Consumers do not need a digital converter box I don't think that's completely correct, though I also don't like how the article was worded. If you are getting your cable direct from coax to your analogue set (ie. without a cable box) you'll need something. Not sure if a converter would work in this case however.
You are correct with FIoS as it requires a box for every set. | |
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| | | | Re: Majority of Consumers do not need a digital converter box said by Ahrenl:I don't think that's completely correct, though I also don't like how the article was worded. If you are getting your cable direct from coax to your analogue set (ie. without a cable box) you'll need something. Not sure if a converter would work in this case however. You are correct with FIoS as it requires a box for every set. If you get cable over coax and don't use a cable box, you won't need a converter (or anything different than now). The conversion to digital only applies to OTA signals. | |
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| | | Ahrenl
join:2004-10-26
North Andover, MA | Re: Majority of Consumers do not need a digital converter box Agreed, and although I don't watch what all cable outfits are doing, I know that Comcast had already expressed the intention to convert to all digital around this transition time. | |
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| | | |  BF69Premium
join:2004-07-28
Camden, TN | Re: Majority of Consumers do not need a digital converter box said by Ahrenl:Agreed, and although I don't watch what all cable outfits are doing, I know that Comcast had already expressed the intention to convert to all digital around this transition time. That has NOTHING to do with the digital transition for OTA signals. that's just a business decision. | |
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| | | | said by Ahrenl:I don't think that's completely correct, though I also don't like how the article was worded. If you are getting your cable direct from coax to your analogue set (ie. without a cable box) you'll need something. Not sure if a converter would work in this case however. You are correct with FIoS as it requires a box for every set. Actually that is absolutely wrong. The ONLY people who need this box are the ones who have analog only TV sets, and get their feed from an open air antenna. Cable customers don't need it, even if they don't use a cable box. Until the Cable companies decide to do otherwise, the feed coming through their coax will still include analog. It is ONLY the open air broadcasts that are forced into digital by this legislation.
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Intel Quad Core QX6700 @3500Mhz/Asus P5N32-E SLI/4x 1024Mb Corsair/Seagate 750.10/PNY 7800GTs SLI/Silverstone 850W/Custom water cooler | |
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| | | | | Re: Majority of Consumers do not need a digital converter box But if they should decide to go all digital, perhaps these people should have a couple of these boxes in case they don't want to rent a box and just receive channels over the air.
People need to start thinking about options. | |
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| | |  Jwobot
join:2002-08-14
Sterling Heights, MI
1 edit | said by Camelot One:said by Ahrenl:I don't think that's completely correct, though I also don't like how the article was worded. If you are getting your cable direct from coax to your analogue set (ie. without a cable box) you'll need something. Not sure if a converter would work in this case however. You are correct with FIoS as it requires a box for every set. Actually that is absolutely wrong. The ONLY people who need this box are the ones who have analog only TV sets, and get their feed from an open air antenna. Cable customers don't need it, even if they don't use a cable box. Until the Cable companies decide to do otherwise, the feed coming through their coax will still include analog. It is ONLY the open air broadcasts that are forced into digital by this legislation. If the cable goes out, will I still be able to get the local channels through the coax cable? From your wording it is a positive yes for all to do this. Though I have never heard of this. | |
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| | | | | | Re: Majority of Consumers do not need a digital converter box I'm not exactly sure what you are asking. If the cable goes out - as in the signal between the cable company and your TV isn't being passed for whatever reason, then no, you are not going to get anything from the coax line. But you wouldn't now either.
If your inside coax wiring is connected to a roof mount antenna, and your TV has only an analog tuner, then you'd need the new digital tuner box.
People keep getting tripped up on open air broadcast versus cable. Cable is cable, it's a signal sent over the wire from the cable company to you. The new legislation has absolutely nothing to do with that transmission. The only thing that will change is the Over The Air broadcast, the ones that we receive via antenna.
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Intel Quad Core QX6700 @3500Mhz/Asus P5N32-E SLI/4x 1024Mb Corsair/Seagate 750.10/PNY 7800GTs SLI/Silverstone 850W/Custom water cooler | |
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| | | | | Jwobot
join:2002-08-14
Sterling Heights, MI | Re: Majority of Consumers do not need a digital converter box You still need a box if you have cable tv with analog tv then. If the cable goes out you can't watch over the air channels. That is what I was saying. | |
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| | | | | | | | Re: Majority of Consumers do not need a digital converter box said by Jwobot:You still need a box if you have cable tv with analog tv then. If the cable goes out you can't watch over the air channels. That is what I was saying. That or you just need a more reliable cable provider. 
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Intel Quad Core QX6700 @3500Mhz/Asus P5N32-E SLI/4x 1024Mb Corsair/Seagate 750.10/PNY 7800GTs SLI/Silverstone 850W/Custom water cooler | |
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| |  maartenaElmoPremium
join:2002-05-10
Orange, CA
kudos:1
 ·AT&T U-Verse
 ·DIRECTV
| said by Ahrenl:I don't think that's completely correct, though I also don't like how the article was worded. If you are getting your cable direct from coax to your analogue set (ie. without a cable box) you'll need something. This is totally wrong. Although cable companies like customers to switch over to their digital system as they can broadcast more digital channels in the same space of 1 analog channel, they are not required to do anything come February 2009.
They can continue to give out an analog signal through cable as long as they please.
--
"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both" -
Benjamin Franklin, Founding Father. | |
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 compugeekI love making my own beer.Premium
join:2002-07-30
Pickerington, OH | I did mine yesterday I filled out the forms yesterday without any issues. I have read in other places that people were having issues with the database as well, but for me it appears to have gone right through.
Geek
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»www.itsnewtoyou.biz | |
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| rradina
join:2000-08-08
Chesterfield, MO | Re: I did mine yesterday Was this an on-line form? I went to the web site but I could not find an on-line form. All I could find is a telephone number and the suggestion that I should return to this site in the future for other options.
Is there an on-line form? If not, do they plan to have one in the future?
The last thing I want to do is make a telephone call. I can't stand using the phone for things like this. The phone should be for interactive communication. Anything else is a waste of time and infrastructure for all parties involved. | |
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| | | | Re: I did mine yesterday »dtv2009.gov/ApplyCoupon.aspx is a direcet link to the coupon application the site is slow since it went live it was rather fast- so many people on there grabbing their coupons. | |
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 NOCManMacChatterPremium
join:2004-09-30
Colorado Springs, CO | Where do you get the boxes? Even the government does not know on it's website.
"Well tell you when we find out" lol.
Anywho 40 dollars is not bad. However those boxes if they're talking about HDTV receiver boxes still are over 200 dollars.
That's a big chunk of change for someone on a fixed income.
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Mac Chatter
»www.macchatter.net | |
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| DogfatherPremium
join:2007-12-26
Laguna Hills, CA
1 edit | Re: Where do you get the boxes? There is a difference between DTV and HDTV. And the set top boxes aren't $200. Coby's HD boxes for example run in the $80 range »www.ecost.com/detail.aspx?edp=37···37035987 and will only get cheaper with time. Even the ones with built in DVD recorders are less than $200 these days. The SDTV boxes on the approved list will certainly be even cheaper. Perhaps $40 or just a bit more making them effectively free. | |
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| |
approval from:
antdude 
| Re: Where do you get the boxes? There is a list of presently authorized devices.
»www.ntiadtv.gov/cecb_list.cfm
HDTV boxes are not part of the list. The coupon is intended to subsidize only devices with a limited feature set that can convert dtv(atsc signals) for use on standard definition tvs with analog tuners (ntsc).
If someone really wants to understand the details of the rulemaking go here:
»www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/frnoti···e_2e.htm | |
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| | | DogfatherPremium
join:2007-12-26
Laguna Hills, CA | Re: Where do you get the boxes? My point (which I've not clarified) is that if HDTV boxes are $80, SDTV boxes will certainly be even cheaper. Perhaps they'll be $0 after the $40 coupon. | |
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| BF69Premium
join:2004-07-28
Camden, TN | said by NOCMan:Even the government does not know on it's website. "Well tell you when we find out" lol. Anywho 40 dollars is not bad. However those boxes if they're talking about HDTV receiver boxes still are over 200 dollars. That's a big chunk of change for someone on a fixed income. These coupons can't be used for HD boxes. | |
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zipjay
join:2003-03-11
South Williamson, KY | LOL check this out.. who would be this stupid.. go here: HERE
click on the no for "Do you have a Tv in your household?"
seriously whos that dumb? | |
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|  The BeerI Love It When A Plan Comes TogetherPremium
join:2001-07-24
Atlantic, IA | Re: LOL check this out.. said by zipjay:who would be this stupid.. go here: HEREclick on the no for "Do you have a Tv in your household?" seriously whos that dumb? Then again they also left the Joomla! administrator page out in the open too... »www.dtvtransition.org/administrator/
So the answer to your question is yes. | |
|
Reviews:
 ·Optimum Online
·Verizon FiOS
| Retailer lag.. I've tried searching some of the electronics retailers for the "dtv" set-tops... and I couldn't find ANY by searching the websites. Huh, go figure.. While it's probably true that you probably would need to hit the brick and mortar stores to redeem the voucher to buy the box... it's not encouraging that you can't compare features/prices online.. after-all, they are putting information about the transition on websites. Retailers are very mum about selling product and providing information as of yet (online). | |
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| DogfatherPremium
join:2007-12-26
Laguna Hills, CA
2 edits | Re: Retailer lag.. Look for ATSC, they're at a ton of e-stores. On some sites like Best Buy, they call them HDTV tuners. When the coupons start rolling out there may be demand for the boxes. Big box stores like Best Buy won't bother stocking the cheap Coby boxes unless there is demand for them. | |
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| | BF69Premium
join:2004-07-28
Camden, TN | Re: Retailer lag.. said by Dogfather:Look for ATSC, they're at a ton of e-stores. On some sites like Best Buy, they call them HDTV tuners. When the coupons start rolling out there may be demand for the boxes. Big box stores like Best Buy won't bother stocking the cheap Coby boxes unless there is demand for them. OK this has NOTHING ot do with HDTV. In fact these coupons can't be used on HD tuner boxes. The boxes won't be available in stores until FEBRUARY. That's why you can't find them. Geez people are stupid. This isn't complicated stuff people. | |
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| TACSPEEDPremium
join:2001-04-14
Tacoma, WA | The coupons don't go out until February. I imagine the boxes will show up in February too. | |
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| scooper
join:2000-07-11
Youngsville, NC
kudos:2 | The coupon boxes are expected to be on the shelves of major retailers in Febuary/ eraly March.
And no - these convertor boxes DO NOT have HDTV outputs !@. | |
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stevephl
join:2000-11-27
Colorado Springs, CO | Tax Dollars at work once again Since the Government does not generate wealth, it only redistributes wealth the coupon program is another piece of socialism. I for one am tired of the government putting their hands into my wallet. If someone needs a new digital tuner for their TV let them purchase it and leave my hard earned wages alone. | |
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| | | Re: Tax Dollars at work once again said by stevephl:Since the Government does not generate wealth, it only redistributes wealth the coupon program is another piece of socialism. I for one am tired of the government putting their hands into my wallet. If someone needs a new digital tuner for their TV let them purchase it and leave my hard earned wages alone. I completely agree! More government handouts at the taxpayer expense. I'm paying so that other people can get a "free" box to watch TV. I don't go to work everyday to pay for other people to watch TV!  | |
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See 6 replies to this post |
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| The BeerI Love It When A Plan Comes TogetherPremium
join:2001-07-24
Atlantic, IA | said by stevephl:Since the Government does not generate wealth, it only redistributes wealth the coupon program is another piece of socialism. I for one am tired of the government putting their hands into my wallet. If someone needs a new digital tuner for their TV let them purchase it and leave my hard earned wages alone. Don't forget about the 4.5+ BILLION dollars they will make from selling the analog spectrum. | |
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| | | maartenaElmoPremium
join:2002-05-10
Orange, CA
kudos:1 Reviews:
·AT&T U-Verse
·DIRECTV
| Re: Tax Dollars at work once again Great. Now we can finance 2 more weeks of war.
--
"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both" -
Benjamin Franklin, Founding Father. | |
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|  fuziwuziNot born yesterdayPremium
join:2005-07-01
Atlanta, GA | said by stevephl:Since the Government does not generate wealth, it only redistributes wealth the coupon program is another piece of socialism. I for one am tired of the government putting their hands into my wallet. If someone needs a new digital tuner for their TV let them purchase it and leave my hard earned wages alone. Get over it already. Life isn't always equitable for everyone. Most of my tax money goes to the school system for your spoiled brats, even though I have no children, so don't go complaining to me about your "hard earned wages" being used to help other people. Taxes are necessary for a civilized society, it is high time you just accepted that fact and moved on. | |
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| | | | Re: Tax Dollars at work once again Yes, but there is a big difference between education and TV. | |
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| | | DogfatherPremium
join:2007-12-26
Laguna Hills, CA | Re: Tax Dollars at work once again Yeah, the DTV transition will actually be worth the money spent. | |
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| | | | | | Re: Tax Dollars at work once again said by Dogfather:Yeah, the DTV transition will actually be worth the money spent. good point | |
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| TACSPEEDPremium
join:2001-04-14
Tacoma, WA
1 edit | The money for the coupon is coming from the sale of the old analog TV frequency spectrum.
The government is going to make a pile of dough from this sale.
So it is only right for them to use some of the money to mitigate some of the cost to the millions of households that still get their TV programing over-the-air.
--
Fiber Optics is the future of high-speed internet access. Stop by the BBR Fiber Optic Forum.
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| DogfatherPremium
join:2007-12-26
Laguna Hills, CA
1 edit | The gov't generates wealth whenever it sells or leases something it controls or owns which is the case here. Uh, how many billions are they making from the auction of the freed analog spectrum?
No one is getting into your wallet. The freed spectrum is being sold for billions, possibly $20-$24 billion, and some of the money goes back to subsidizing set top boxes which is estimated to cost about $1 billion.
That looks like a $19 billion plus margin.
The fact of the matter is the spectrum buyers who will make billions off their purchases are the ones subsidizing the boxes. Not the government. | |
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|  morboComplete Your Transaction
join:2002-01-22
00000 | said by stevephl:Since the Government does not generate wealth, it only redistributes wealth the coupon program is another piece of socialism. I for one am tired of the government putting their hands into my wallet. If someone needs a new digital tuner for their TV let them purchase it and leave my hard earned wages alone. oh wow, complaining about $40 coupons? did you realize that the war has cost more than $3,000 per household?
keep pinching those pennies! | |
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| | DogfatherPremium
join:2007-12-26
Laguna Hills, CA | Re: Tax Dollars at work once again Yep and $60B goes to medicare cheats and $350B in taxes goes uncollected every year.
Meanwhile the spectrum auction nets the government billions even if they spend the legal limit of $1.5B on set top box subsidies and administrative costs. | |
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|  TechieZeroTools Are Using MePremium
join:2002-01-25
Gibsonton, FL | I agree. TV is not a public necessity.
Why also did they not handle this as a tax credit? Now much of that money will be spent on government overhead in just dealing with these vouchers? STUPID. | |
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| | DogfatherPremium
join:2007-12-26
Laguna Hills, CA
1 edit | Re: Tax Dollars at work once again Because the gov't doesn't want people having to front the money for the boxes as they would have to do with a tax credit. The vouchers I presume would work like a coupon and give them the discount at the time of purchase.
Meanwhile with the auctioning of the spectrum, the gov't still stands to make billions off this whole deal. | |
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| | | TechieZeroTools Are Using MePremium
join:2002-01-25
Gibsonton, FL Reviews:
·Verizon FiOS
| Re: Tax Dollars at work once again said by Dogfather:Meanwhile with the auctioning of the spectrum, the gov't still stands to make billions off this whole deal. So? The gov't has to pay billions for the other socialist programs of the past. Heaven forbid they actually make some cash.  | |
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| | | ricep5Premium
join:2000-08-07
Jacksonville, FL | said by Dogfather:Because the gov't doesn't want people having to front the money for the boxes as they would have to do with a tax credit. The vouchers I presume would work like a coupon and give them the discount at the time of purchase. Meanwhile with the auctioning of the spectrum, the gov't still stands to make billions off this whole deal. I hate to break some bad news but the government is us!...the spectrum auction is a wealth redistribution system...essentially an indirect tax on those who would use the spectrum. Any winning bidder for the spectrum is going to pass on any of those acquisition costs back to the ultimate user, that my friends will be US.
While bidding the spectrum out may appear to be democratic, the more bidding will also raise the prices for you and me. Unless of course you are Google, who lifts dollars out of ads to subsidize. | |
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| | | said by stevephl:Since the Government does not generate wealth, it only redistributes wealth the coupon program is another piece of socialism. That entire statement is contrary to fact. Perhaps you should look into the patents and discoveries that have come from government labs to start...
Let's stick to the facts, not ideological dogma that has no basis in reality... | |
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| | | The key point is that the government is FORCING a transition that destroys the value of millions of television sets (i.e. the property of many people).
Think of it as a takings where the government is providing subsidies to the property owner to recover the lost value of the property, rather than compensating the property owner in other ways. | |
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| | | said by stevephl:Since the Government does not generate wealth, it only redistributes wealth the coupon program is another piece of socialism. I for one am tired of the government putting their hands into my wallet. If someone needs a new digital tuner for their TV let them purchase it and leave my hard earned wages alone. Well, then if you have kids in public schools take them out and pay for their education at private schools. If you go to college or have kids in college, don't apply for financial aid. Pay for everything out of your pocket. If your getting social security money whether you have disability benefits or retirement, send the check back to the US Government and don't get medicare or medicaid. Go to a private HMO and PAY for everything. | |
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 lordfly
join:2000-10-12
Homestead, FL
 ·SkyNet360
 ·AT&T Southeast
| Why Not! I went ahead and signed up three different households yesterday morning. Only one, my in-laws, don't have cable or satellite.
Best Buy reported that the boxes will be $60. So only $20x2 plus tax out of your pocket. I might not used but one, but I am buying it anyway.
My Mom asked me about the RV they have. I hadn't even thought about that. There are many RVs that only have analog TVs. They will need to have one as well.
Also, the coupons (cards) will start mailing in the middle of February. | |
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|  dvd536as Mr. Pink as they comePremium
join:2001-04-27
Phoenix, AZ
kudos:4 | Re: Why Not! said by lordfly:Best Buy reported that the boxes will be $60. So only $20x2 plus tax out of your pocket. I got a novel idea. how about $40 each[tax included]WHY should it cost ME money because the FCC wants to make 5 billion dollars!
--
You can never be too rich, too thin or have too much Bandwidth | |
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 wruckman Ruckman.net
join:2007-10-25
Northwood, OH | 2 $40 Coupons huh? How much are the converter boxes if the coupons are $40? At least they are trying to do something about offsetting the cost. Which they should since they made it law to switch. I guess this is just another cost of legislation. Laws do nothing to help. They only cost us freedom and money. Let providers and customers do the switch. Supply and demand. | |
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| | | Re: 2 $40 Coupons huh? 50 to 70 dollars is the predicted cost with around 15 million people still using over the airways (myself included). This is total B.S. and I HOPE people speak up and it doesn't go through. I mean that is crap we HAVE to spend 10-20 dollars to buy a box to get t.v. now. Not to mention, the government is selling off that airway. O well, stupid government at times. | |
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| |  cvrefugeePremium
join:2003-09-15
Corona, CA
kudos:7
·AT&T Yahoo
| Re: 2 $40 Coupons huh? said by jc100:50 to 70 dollars is the predicted cost with around 15 million people still using over the airways (myself included). This is total B.S. and I HOPE people speak up and it doesn't go through. I mean that is crap we HAVE to spend 10-20 dollars to buy a box to get t.v. now. Not to mention, the government is selling off that airway. O well, stupid government at times. You can't afford cable/satellite TV but you can pay for HSI? | |
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| | | | | Re: 2 $40 Coupons huh? HSI has more redeeming social value than 90% of the TV shows. | |
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See 6 replies to this post |
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Reviews:
·Verizon Wireless..
| What about reception? I pay for my local channels through DirecTV because the reception for my area (in a valley) is terrible even when using a rooftop antennae. Is digital supposed to be easier to pickup a good signal? It'd be nice to save a few extra bucks a month.
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Hulloooo, Zeba Neighba... | |
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See 10 replies to this post |
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gpattonPremium
join:2003-11-08
Oskaloosa, IA | cable/ dish etc failure During bad storms, tornado alerts etc its nice to have over the air ability. My dish dies during every tornado warning. I wont switch to hdtv until the bigger monitors can support the resolution of my computer. Which isn't far away.
One has to wonder how many others will jump on this for this reason. I assume quite a few. | |
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 rtp
@bellsouth.net
thumbs down from:
dentman42
| NO coupons I think that the govt should not hand out those coupons.. TV should be considered a luxury not a necessity .. besides the people who are blacked out after the transition should either pick a book and read or pick up a newspaper and read the news than just sitting at the couch watching tv .. .really it would help the obesity problem and make a smarter society | |
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|  MaxxxtPeculiar Mental TwistPremium
join:2001-06-12
Denver, CO | Re: NO coupons ..lol
New weight loss program..reading books and newspapers sitting on your ass opposed to watching TV sitting on your ass.
Next.
The US government is going to make untold many many billions from the spectrum sale this year..they should buy me a brand new digital ready flat screen..sheesh. And they probably could instead of spending all this money on "Educating the public about digital", mailing coupons, sending back checks, website, bandwith ,publishing all these flyer's in 14 languages, TV ads etc.
This doesn't go into effect until 2009. Ill wait to see what devices are around in a year. | |
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 neonhomerKK4BFNPremium
join:2004-01-27
Edgewater, FL
·RoadRunner Cable
| Backups... I submitted my for my two... I have a old 13" TV in my camper that I use for emergencies (like bad weather).. so one will go in the camper, the other will go in the house for a backup.
--
"I reject your reality and subsitute my own!" - Adam Savage, Mythbusters
"We're either gonna die or gonna fly...", Jamie Hyneman, Mythbusters - M5 Industries | |
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| | | Re: Backups... I requested one coupon on January 1st. I want to try out one of the earliest low-end units to see how it works. Then I will request my second unit when the next phase of the program starts (for households who receive OTA only). By that time there will be more information out there about how different units perform. Perhaps my second unit will be one that hooks up to a "smart" antenna that adjusts automatically for the channel selected. | |
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| | Coupon use I need one for the "under cabinet" TV in the kitchen. The other one I will probably take to an assited living home or some other such place. I'll bet there will be many older people ranting and raving a little over 13 months from now. | |
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| | | Re: Coupon use coupons can not be transferred or sold. There are only two issued for a household and they only last 90 days.
There are also a limited total number of coupons that will be issued so don't order more than you need, thinking that you can help someone else out by giving them a coupon, unless you are intending to buy the box yourself.
Though I'm not sure about this I would guess that address information will be printed on the coupon. | |
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| | | | Re: Coupon use Now it is politically incorrect to order these coupons, I give up. | |
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| | | | | Re: Coupon use I don't follow.
I'm simply stating the rules and why dervari wouldn't be able to transfer unused coupons to anyone else. | |
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slomike2
join:2007-07-18
San Luis Obispo, CA | Coupons recycled after expiration? I would hope that when coupons go unused and expire, that the government will add those unused coupons back into to set of available coupons.
I am expecting to use a coupon, I don't plan to purchase until at least the summer.
I think a lot of people will order one now and never use it becuase they don't want a low end converter.
-Mike | |
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| | Why 90 days > they only last 90 days.
What's the point of having the coupons expire after 90 days? | |
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| scooper
join:2000-07-11
Youngsville, NC
kudos:2 | Re: Why 90 days "Use it or lose it".
You also cannot sell them over Ebay, or use them for any other electronic device - the coupons are meant to be strictly for buying the "coupon boxes". | |
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 GeekGirl1Premium
join:2007-01-28
Morrisville, PA
kudos:2 | WIll the box work on 1080i? The NTIA certification process for the converter boxes is only for 720p or higher. Not 1080i. »www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/frnoti···_ftnref1
2. Testing Guidance
a. Source Material: For the performance specifications in items 8 through 13 and item 15 of Technical Appendix 1 to the Final Rule, it is recommended that the tests be performed with a High Definition data stream (i.e., resolution of 720p or higher) with motion. Still not sure why this whole debacle is done through the NTIA and not the FCC. Everything else used for broadcast is done via the FCC.  | |
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GeekGirl1Premium
join:2007-01-28
Morrisville, PA
kudos:2
3 edits | Why 90 days? Trace the $$$. Justified as "public safety". Interesting look at the money trail. Everything is based on "Public Safety", not entertainment. Read the full rules: »www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/frnoti···1207.htm
Total budget allocation: »www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/frnoti···1207.htm. Note that there's fixed $$$ budgeted. Once they hit the limit, no more coupons.
NTIA is, therefore, authorized to expend up to a total of $1.5 billion for the program, including up to $160 million for administration. Assuming the entire administrative amount is taken into account, $1.34 billion would be available for distributing up to 33.5 million coupons. This section also authorizes NTIA, beginning on October 1, 2006, to borrow not more than $1.5 billion from the Treasury to implement the program. NTIA must reimburse the Treasury for this amount, without interest, as recovered analog television spectrum auction proceeds are deposited into the Fund. The 90 day expiration date is explained here: »www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/frnoti···e_2d.htm.
NTIA believes that three months is reasonable and allows ample time for consumers to receive and use the coupons. The expiration date will encourage consumers to use coupons promptly and will permit NTIA to use funds from expired coupons to issue coupons to other households. | |
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 NickDPremium
join:2000-11-17
Princeton Junction, NJ | Re: . This was supposed to happen in 2006. They proposed to give out coupons for digital boxes back in the 90s when a more significant percentage of the population got TV over the air. | |
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