1 post tagged “dtv conversion”

Apparently the powers that be, the nebulous "they" decided we should get a reminder about the analog to digital television conversion today.  I saw a report on the news, read an article in the paper and saw tweets all in the space of about 2 hours this morning. 

Far be it from me to ignore the universe bonking me over the head (well actually there are plenty of messages I am dawdling on but this one no longer) so I skedaddled over to the official website www.dtv2009.gov and ordered my coupon.

Good thing I stopped procrastinating.  The reason for going to the website is so that you can request a $40 off coupon for a converter box.  Boxes run about $50 to $60 so the coupon makes the effective cost $10 - $20.  You need a converter box for any set that uses an antenna and is not hooked up to cable or satellite.  I've got a couple of older sets that need a box so I ordered two coupons.  I had already checked to make sure I would be able to purchase a converter box.  Know where you are going to get yours before getting a coupon because you have just 90 days to use the coupon and if it expires you cannot request another one.  Our government in action.  Early on in this program, few stores had converters to sell.  Now I can order online and use a code from my coupon for the discount.

Yay! Right? No, not so much at least on the instant gratification front.  Though you can request the coupon online, it is snail mailed to you.  And mailed weeks after you request it - mine isn't going out for nearly 3 weeks.  Plus they emphasize the "snail" aspect as it does not go out first class and you must give it 10 days to arrive.  Therefore I will not receive my coupon, ordered today, until nearly the end of January.  Then I still have to buy the box which I will probably buy online so give it another week or so to arrive.  After you get the box you have to hook it up to the TV, attach the antenna to the box and then play with the signal strength settings so you can find the best reception in your area.

All this has to be done before February 17, 2009 or signal go bye-bye. 

So, order your coupon(s) today.  And if you've got a less tech and AV savvy person among your friends or family, why not offer to hook them up?  Makes a great gift :)