Thursday, December 13, 2007

News: Digital converter box coupons available January 1st

With just over a year to go before the forced mandate to all digital broadcasting in the United States on February 17, 2009, several retailers have announced they will be accepting the government issued coupons for the new digital-to-analog converter boxes. These will allow analog viewers to continue using their older sets with the new digital technology.

Coupons are available beginning January 1st. To read my full article about this on WKYC.COM, CLICK HERE.

The following is the application information you need to know --

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
Between January 1st, 2008, and March 31st, 2009, consumers can request coupon applications through four easy methods:

1) Complete an application online: http://www.dtv2009.gov/

2) Call for an application 24/7: 1-800-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009), TTY 1-877-530-2634

3) Request an application via mail: Converter Box Application, P.O. Box 2000, Portland, Oregon, 97208-2000

4) Fax an application request to: 1-877-DTV-4ME2 (1-877-388-4632)

REDEEMING PROCESS: (You can not use coupons until 2/17/08).
Starting February 17, 2008, - these coupons of $40 each (limit 2 per TV household) will be good towards the new digital-to-analog converter boxes at certified retailers.

RELATED LINKS:
*List of currently approved retailers: CLICK HERE
*List of approved converter box manufacturers: CLICK HERE
*View a sample application form: CLICK HERE
*Read more about the converter coupon progam: CLICK HERE
*Government converter coupon rules: CLICK HERE

VIDEO FEATURE
To watch a video package about the converter boxes: CLICK HERE

Read more of the "Director's Cut with Frank Macek" blog with fun, behind the scenes stories about the WKYC Digital Broadcast Center, High Definition TV and other interesting television matters. Please bookmark our site as new articles are posted almost daily: CLICK HERE.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Frank,

When I'm watching a network show or nationally-syndicated show on WKYC in HD and it is coming back from a commercial break, I oftentimes lose my sound after the local WKYC bumpers (i.e. Browns Tonight, Monica Robins, Report the facts).

Do you know what's going on there? I usually have to just flip channels quickly to get sound again, but it's quite an inconvenience. Thank you.

Frank Macek said...

Hi.. I'm looking into your issue with our engineering staff.

If anyone else has a similar issue, please let me know. You can email me: fmacek@wkyc.com

Anonymous said...

This is no joke.I get the same thing on my new TV. We live in Conneaut OH.
I finnaly got the box from TW to solve the problem.Glenn K.

tsemmes said...

You can get your digital converter box on the web at www.CompuPartsAndMore.com for $21.99 + the govt coupon with free shipping. They sell the Tivax STB-T9 converter.