Get yourself a digital converter box
Just in case you missed my colleague Chris Emery's story on digital TV coming and how to obtain a TV converter box, read it here.
As Chris told us, households that use "rabbit ears" or a roof-top antenna to receive broadcasts on an older, analog TV will need a converter box. Coupons expire 90 days after they are mailed. Who can apply? Each U.S. household can apply for two $40 coupons to be used separately to purchase a TV converter box. Applications must include a home address. Applications that use post office box as address will be rejected.
How to apply:
Phone: 24-hour hotline 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009).
For hearing-impaired consumers: 1-877-530-2634 (English/TTY) or 1-866-495-1161 (Spanish/TTY)
Mail: Send application to P.O. Box 2000, Portland, OR 97208-2000.
Fax: Fax a coupon application to 1-877-DTV-4ME2 (1-877-388-4632)
Online: Apply online at https://www.dtv2009.gov
Where to redeem coupons: Coupons can be used to purchase converter boxes from certified retailers nationwide. Consumer will receive a list of nearby retailers with their coupon or can search online at https://www.dtv2009.gov. The coupons are only valid for purchasing boxes approved by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.
Here's a list of those boxes:
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration will maintain a list of approved coupon eligible converter boxes to distribute to consumers and participating retailers.
The following is the list of approved CECBs.
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*The manufacturer has indicated that these models are capable of passing analog signals through to the TV set.
Categories: Digital television, How To
Comments
Consumer Reports and HearUsNow.org have a great information site on Digital TV.
And they set up a way to share your experience with the transition to digital television.
Click here for more information on the digital transition
Posted by: Francisco | February 20, 2008 4:49 PM
I have searched the internet for information on all of these boxes. The NTIA website just has a list but this page has features and specifications to help choose a box! http://www.ezdigitaltv.com/Converter_Box_Retailers.html
DD: Michael, Great tip! Thanks for sharing it with the rest of us! Definitely far more useful than the NTIA site!
Posted by: Michael | February 28, 2008 9:11 AM
You can get your converter box on the web at www.CompuPartsAndMore.com with free shipping for $21.99 + the govt coupon. They sell the Tivax STB-T9 Converter.
Posted by: tsemmes | March 22, 2008 9:02 PM
I think the best site with the most reviews is http://dtvconverterboxes.blogspot.com
Posted by: Mark | February 13, 2009 12:40 PM
i cannot find a retailer who sell mmdtvb03 converter box.
My zip is 92660
Posted by: robert ashe | May 27, 2009 12:30 AM