Title: Feds Share Coupons To Help TV Transition (AP)
Richie - January 2, 2008 07:59 PM (GMT)
| QUOTE |
WASHINGTON - Millions of $40 government coupons become available Tuesday to help low-tech television owners buy special converter boxes for older TVs that might not work after the switch to digital broadcasting.
Beginning Feb. 18, 2009, anyone who does not own a digital set and still gets their programming via over-the-air antennas will no longer receive a picture.
That's the day the television industry completes its transition from old-style analog broadcasting to digital.
The converter boxes are expected to cost between $50 and $70 and will be available at most major electronics retail stores. Starting Tuesday, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration will begin accepting requests for two $40 coupons per household to be used toward the purchase of the boxes.
Viewers who have satellite or cable service will not need a box.
To request a coupon, consumers can apply online at http://www.dtv2009.gov starting Tuesday. The government also has set up a 24-hour hotline to take requests, 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009).
Congress, in ordering the transition to digital broadcasting, set aside $1.5 billion for the coupon program, which will fund 33.5 million coupons and other costs.
The giveaway basically works under the honor system.
The first 22 million coupons will go to all households that request them. That includes a residence that gets cable service for one television but has a spare TV that still uses an antenna, for example.
The rest of the coupons, however, are meant only for those who do not subscribe to a pay-television service.
The Nielsen Co. estimates that 14.3 million households, or about 13 percent of the 112.8 million total television households in the nation, rely on over-the-air television broadcasts for programming.
Tony Wilhelm, director of consumer education for NTIA, said the agency expects to have enough coupons to satisfy demand. "We think the high number will be 26 million," he said. "Low end is 10 million."
Members of Congress have criticized both the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the Federal Communications Commission for their work on the transition to digital television.
In November, the Government Accountability Office, Congress' investigative arm, released a report that concluded there is "no comprehensive plan" for the transition.
Most of the concern rests with public education campaigns. While Congress allocated $1.5 billion for the coupon program, only $5 million was for education. The Association for Public Television Stations reported in September that 51 percent of participants surveyed were unaware that the transition was taking place.
Since then, the broadcast industry has announced a voluntary public education campaign. The FCC is circulating a plan among commissioners that would make public education efforts by broadcasters mandatory.
Congress ordered the transition to digital broadcasting to make more efficient use of the publicly owned airwaves.
On Jan. 24, the FCC will auction off the spectrum currently used for analog television. That portion of the airwaves will be sold to wireless providers and is expected to bring in as much as $15 billion. A portion of the spectrum will also be dedicated for use by emergency responders. |
The website were you can apply for the HD converter box coupon is
https://www.dtv2009.gov/. I just sent in my request.
Kuwabara - January 2, 2008 09:07 PM (GMT)
Wow, I wonder how the olden folks (i.e people like my stepmom and dad that don't like cable and use a antenna) are gonna take this. I heard rumors of it a few months ago, but I didn't believe it.
Richie - January 2, 2008 10:20 PM (GMT)
| QUOTE (Kuwabara @ Jan 2 2008, 09:07 PM) |
| Wow, I wonder how the olden folks (i.e people like my stepmom and dad that don't like cable and use a antenna) are gonna take this. I heard rumors of it a few months ago, but I didn't believe it. |
Ask them permission to request a couple for them (if they don't have internet access). That's pretty much all you can do.
Even though I don't own an HDTV, I look forward to this change. The picture and sound will be DVD quality. Even if you don't own an HDTV, there will still be an improvement.
Lucius Octavion - January 2, 2008 10:46 PM (GMT)
Dude that's kind of weird, what the heck?
Loremaster - January 2, 2008 11:53 PM (GMT)
| QUOTE (Richie @ Jan 2 2008, 03:20 PM) |
| QUOTE (Kuwabara @ Jan 2 2008, 09:07 PM) | | Wow, I wonder how the olden folks (i.e people like my stepmom and dad that don't like cable and use a antenna) are gonna take this. I heard rumors of it a few months ago, but I didn't believe it. |
Ask them permission to request a couple for them (if they don't have internet access). That's pretty much all you can do.
Even though I don't own an HDTV, I look forward to this change. The picture and sound will be DVD quality. Even if you don't own an HDTV, there will still be an improvement.
|
Erm, Rich, hate to burst your bubble, but it's not HDTV they're converting to, it's digital. As in going from Analog [where even minute fluxuations in signal voltage mean something] to digital [ones and zeroes, on and off, high voltage and low voltage, etc etc etc]
All it is a format change, no noticeable change in image quality. I've got analog cable here and digital cable up at Chico, and there's no difference in picture or sound quality.
HD is something else entirely. [Mainly high resolution and use of multiple focal points on screen]
Richie - January 3, 2008 12:07 AM (GMT)
| QUOTE (Loremaster @ Jan 2 2008, 11:53 PM) |
| QUOTE (Richie @ Jan 2 2008, 03:20 PM) | | QUOTE (Kuwabara @ Jan 2 2008, 09:07 PM) | | Wow, I wonder how the olden folks (i.e people like my stepmom and dad that don't like cable and use a antenna) are gonna take this. I heard rumors of it a few months ago, but I didn't believe it. |
Ask them permission to request a couple for them (if they don't have internet access). That's pretty much all you can do.
Even though I don't own an HDTV, I look forward to this change. The picture and sound will be DVD quality. Even if you don't own an HDTV, there will still be an improvement.
|
Erm, Rich, hate to burst your bubble, but it's not HDTV they're converting to, it's digital. As in going from Analog [where even minute fluxuations in signal voltage mean something] to digital [ones and zeroes, on and off, high voltage and low voltage, etc etc etc]
All it is a format change, no noticeable change in image quality. I've got analog cable here and digital cable up at Chico, and there's no difference in picture or sound quality.
HD is something else entirely. [Mainly high resolution and use of multiple focal points on screen]
|
Really? I read that there were improvements across the board, but you have to have an HDTV to take advantage of all of them. Maybe I'm thinking of something else.
Lucius Octavion - January 3, 2008 12:38 AM (GMT)
I have no idea what you guys are talking about, because I just haven't watched TV in a very, very long time.
atariangamer - January 3, 2008 01:43 AM (GMT)
I had an antenna tv. It was about 5 inches diagonaly. That picked up most any channel. I even picked up a satilite channel once, somehow. It was the Discovery Channel, with the Crocidile Hunter. It went off when I changed the station, but it was weird. We have cable, though, so no worries!
Manny Cav - January 6, 2008 10:08 PM (GMT)
Is there a particular way you can tell if your television is digital or analog? I'm just a tad worried that I might get shot on this one....
atariangamer - January 6, 2008 10:12 PM (GMT)
Its not the tv, per se. Its just the way that tv acquires signal. Do you have "the bunny ears" antenna on your tv, or a big television aerial on your house? that is signal acquired by analog air waves, soon to be defunct. If you get cable from a provider (comcast, timewarner,...)you are good.
Manny Cav - January 6, 2008 10:31 PM (GMT)
No rabbit ears here, but I do get reception from a tall antenna outside. I can receive close channels without it, but not as many. Will I still be able to acquire the close channels, or will I get squat diddly?
Loremaster - January 7, 2008 03:56 AM (GMT)
| QUOTE (atariangamer @ Jan 6 2008, 03:12 PM) |
| Its not the tv, per se. Its just the way that tv acquires signal. Do you have "the bunny ears" antenna on your tv, or a big television aerial on your house? that is signal acquired by analog air waves, soon to be defunct. If you get cable from a provider (comcast, timewarner,...)you are good. |
Not quite correct. The television must be equipped with a Digital Converter which all new TVs must have by federal law.
Manny, there is a simple way to tell: If your tele was manufactured AFTER March 1, 2007, then it is Digital capable by law. If not, you can purchase a Digital converter for a low price. No need to change Television.
Digital signals CAN be sent over the airwaves [How do you think Radio operates?], as well as analog. What is happening is that ALL Television airwave broadcasts will be sent using Digital signal format [ATSC], rather than Analog signal format [NTSC].
The reason WHY they're doing this [in my humble opinion] has to do with signal "noise". Digital signals are much less susceptible to noise corrupting the datastream [since above a certain voltage, say 3 volts, is "ON" and below is "OFF"], whereas in Analog noise is accumulated MUCH faster and can lead to rapid signal degradation. As well, when amplified, the noise is amplified as well, leading to issues in long-range transmissions.
Also, Digital sounds "Techie", and we all know how businesses and the Government like to try to be "hip".
Manny Cav - January 7, 2008 04:17 PM (GMT)
| QUOTE (Loremaster @ Jan 6 2008, 09:56 PM) |
| QUOTE (atariangamer @ Jan 6 2008, 03:12 PM) | | Its not the tv, per se. Its just the way that tv acquires signal. Do you have "the bunny ears" antenna on your tv, or a big television aerial on your house? that is signal acquired by analog air waves, soon to be defunct. If you get cable from a provider (comcast, timewarner,...)you are good. |
Not quite correct. The television must be equipped with a Digital Converter which all new TVs must have by federal law.
Manny, there is a simple way to tell: If your tele was manufactured AFTER March 1, 2007, then it is Digital capable by law. If not, you can purchase a Digital converter for a low price. No need to change Television.
|
Uh oh. I don't think I have a single television made after that date. Am I completely messed up on ALL local channels if I don't get a converter box?
Loremaster - January 7, 2008 06:24 PM (GMT)
If you don't get either cable or satellite, then you will need to acquire a converter box. As I understand it, they will cost less than $100
If you have either Cable or Satellite, then you're cherry. No need to worry about any of it.
However, since you get your signal from a tall antenna [not a dish, I assume] outside, and only get local channels, then you are currently getting Broadcast [also known as Rabbit Ears] television. You'll need a converter.
xbolt - January 7, 2008 08:45 PM (GMT)
March 1, '07...
Our TV is over 20 years old, so I somehow doubt it's digital... :lol:
Manny Cav - January 8, 2008 03:01 AM (GMT)
| QUOTE (Loremaster @ Jan 7 2008, 12:24 PM) |
If you don't get either cable or satellite, then you will need to acquire a converter box. As I understand it, they will cost less than $100
If you have either Cable or Satellite, then you're cherry. No need to worry about any of it.
However, since you get your signal from a tall antenna [not a dish, I assume] outside, and only get local channels, then you are currently getting Broadcast [also known as Rabbit Ears] television. You'll need a converter. |
No cable or satellite here, so I'm probably sunk. Can I still get extremely limited reception without the tall antenna outside, or am I finished?
Richie - January 8, 2008 03:26 AM (GMT)
| QUOTE (Manny Cav @ Jan 8 2008, 03:01 AM) |
| QUOTE (Loremaster @ Jan 7 2008, 12:24 PM) | If you don't get either cable or satellite, then you will need to acquire a converter box. As I understand it, they will cost less than $100
If you have either Cable or Satellite, then you're cherry. No need to worry about any of it.
However, since you get your signal from a tall antenna [not a dish, I assume] outside, and only get local channels, then you are currently getting Broadcast [also known as Rabbit Ears] television. You'll need a converter. |
No cable or satellite here, so I'm probably sunk. Can I still get extremely limited reception without the tall antenna outside, or am I finished?
|
I saw a digital antenna (for digital channels) at Radio Shack that mounts on your roof the same way your current antenna does. It advertises the ability to pick up stations up to 50 miles around your house. I don't remember it being very expensive, either. Of course, the people at Radio Shack are thieves.
You should still be able to get limited reception (at least what you get now without the roof antenna) without the antenna outside of your house. Just be sure to pick up a converter box (I suggest requesting a $40 dollar off coupon from the government now before they get backed up) and rabbit ears that are compatible.
Loremaster - January 8, 2008 05:58 AM (GMT)
Aye. Your current setup will still receive the same channels as it currently does. The problem is your Tele won't know what to do with the signals it's receiving, which is why you need a converter.
Dvader0086 - January 8, 2008 07:13 AM (GMT)
I just applied as I don't get cable... :(
