Feds to start mailing digital-TV upgrade funds

If you're among the 2.4 million Americans who have already applied for government subsidies to offset the cost of a forced digital television upgrade, you should be receiving that voucher soon.

Next week, the U.S. Department of Commerce plans to start mailing out the $40 coupons, which can be used to defray the cost of selected converter boxes that permit older, analog televisions to receive digital broadcasts, Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez said Friday.

It's all part of the congressionally mandated switch from analog to all-digital broadcasts scheduled to occur on February 17, 2009.

Here's a favorite demo that digital TV converts like to show: contrast the snowy picture generated by the good ol' rabbit-ears antenna and analog tuner on the left screen with the clearer image on the right of the analog TV outfitted with a converter box.

(Credit: Anne Broache/CNET News.com)

If you're currently a cable, satellite, or Internet Protocol TV subscriber, you're most likely not going to have to make any changes. But anyone who relies on over-the-air broadcasts will need to purchase a TV or DVD player with a digital tuner--or take the arguably thriftier route of outfitting an existing analog TV with a digital-to-analog converter box.

To that end, the government is allowing any household, regardless of income level or any other factors, to request up to two of the $40 coupons during a first phase, in which 22.5 million coupons are expected to be available. If that supply runs out, Congress can authorize some 11 million more vouchers, but households applying for that batch would have to self-certify reliance on over-the-air broadcasts.

Some 9,700 store locations across the country are prepared to accept the electronic cards next week, and another 7,000 or so expect to be able to redeem them in the coming months, according to the Commerce Department. The coupon-request Web site allows you to search for the nearest retailer who's supposed to be stocking one or more of the certified models.

The eligible boxes--some of which are apparently already in stores--cost between $40 and $70, according to the Commerce Department. Here's a complete list of the more than 30 certified boxes.

Remember that the coupons expire 90 days after they're mailed. Right now, the government isn't allowing households to reapply for help beyond the two-coupon maximum if theirs expire, although some congressional Democrats are urging more flexibility.

Applications are still being accepted online at DTV2009.gov or by calling 888-DTV-2009 (888-388-2009). You can also apply by mail or fax. The government plans to accept applications until March 31, 2009, or until the coupons run out, whichever comes sooner.

For more information about the digital TV switch, check out CNET News.com's latest FAQ.

[YendorZ]

This is a Disgrace!

1.2 billion dollars of our taxpayer money is being spent on this! This is disgusting...I am forced to pay for American Idol being rammed down America's throat in true vibrant color!

I'd rather spend $5billion to buy everyone in America a freakin' BOOK!

Why doesn't the television industry pay for this? It's all for their gain anyhow. Another corporate free ride on the backs of U.S. consumers. All for programming whose content is 30% commercials...
Get someone else to pay!

[thronka]

The change is needed for building american infrastructure. WE are so far behind in terms of technology that its making us tlook bad. We used to be the people to go to for technology. Now it is Japan and China.

Example: Average US city has internet with cable, dsl , etc. Average speed is 1.5 mbps per user. That is slow considering England and other countries are offering 20mbps per user. The have been that way for several years. The cost is the SAME as 1.5.

DTV has been mandatory in Japan, China, Taiwan and other countries for several years even before it was accounced that the 2009 deadline 4 years ago. Disgusting is we are actually playing catch up at this time.

Do your math before you post. READ the documents released by the government - it is open documents (open documents act) and freely available to the public eye.

[sanenazok]

Got my coupons

On March 13, and bought two Zenith boxes for them. They pick up ALL Dtv channels. The difference between analog OTA using rabbit ears and the Dtv converter is amazing!

[slick1978]

when will i recieve a voucher

[thronka]

You have to apply for the voucher first and then it will be mailed to you within 3 to 10 weeks. Mine took ten.