Don't sign up for your $40 DTV converter box coupon--yet
(Credit: DTV2009.gov)The DTV transition is less than a year away and as of January 1, 2008, Americans have been eligible to sign up for a $40 coupon to help purchase DTV converter boxes needed to receive new digital TV signals. While your instincts may tell you to sign up as quickly as possible, there's a strong argument to be made to hold off for a little while. Here's why:
1. The coupon expires in three months
If you carefully read you the FAQ on the government's Web site, the program clearly states that the $40 coupons expire three months after they're shipped. That's unfortunate because we're guessing many people don't think much of it, and are just trying to sign up before they forget. Now you're forced into getting whatever DTV boxes that are currently on the market, even though...
2. Better, cheaper boxes are coming
None of the DTV converter boxes we've seen so far are available for $40 yet, which means you'll need to kick in some real American dollars in addition to your coupon. Echostar is planning on releasing a $40 converter box, the TR-40, but it won't come out until this summer--so if you already have your coupon, you probably won't be able to get it. That wouldn't be so bad, except that the Echostar TR-40 looks like it's going to be substantially better than current models, offering a full EPG and program search functoinality. Even if the Echostar device isn't everything it's cracked up to be...
3. Current models will get cheaper
This is just an educated guess, but don't be surprised if all of the current DTV converter boxes currently going for $50 to $60 suddenly drop to $40 once the Echostar TR-40 comes out. It will be near impossible for the other boxes to compete with free, so they'll be forced to sell for $40, which means it essentially free to consumers with a coupon.
The main counterargument against waiting is that if you wait too long, it's possible that the government's coupon program will run out of money. That's definitely something to consider, as there are only 22.25 million coupons available. After those are used up, an additional 11.25 million coupons will become available, but only to households that solely use analog over-the-air TV (no cable, satellite, Fios, and so on). So if you're worried that you're not going to get a coupon at all, you can play it safe and sign up now. But it's probably a pretty safe bet that the current coupon program won't run dry during the next couple months, and you'll get more out of that $40 coupon.
To get a better of idea of how long it takes to get a coupon, check out the government's "Where's My Coupon?" page.
DTV transition resources
CNET's Quick Guide to the DTV transition
DTV Coupon Program
FAQ: What the digital switch actually means
Antenna Web: Find what digital signals you can receive
This ONLY applies to people who get their TV over the air from an antenna. I don't know anyone who doesn't have at least basic cable. I realize there are parts of the country, like the 9th Ward in New Orleans, that are maybe not wired for cable. And maybe economically disadvantaged people do not have cable. But really, responsible journalism demands that you try to stop a huge wave of people running out and buying these who don't need them and can't use them if they do buy them.
PEAPOD
Or many folks in the western part of the US.
Have you ever heard of LPTV station? It's called "low power TV". Yes, there is such a thing. And for many folks here in eastern WA, that's the only way they can (afford) to get TV.
They are what's known in the industry as "translators." Many are located in areas where signals from over the air towers can not get into - ever heard of mountains and valleys? So For some folks the only way is for their translators (LPTV) stations to get the signals into their valleys!
You really need to get educated before making such biased statements!
Rochester
If you accept the coupons, you are stealing from others.
libertyforall- seriously? No, I mean it. Seriously?
http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/industry/4246037.html
Get a grip, be informed.
I have cable, but until I rerun coax in my house...somehow....I still have rabbit ears in the bedroom. My parents still use rabbit ears, and the inlaws have satellite but have to use an antenna for their local channels. I'm the A/V liason in the family and would like to know what I'm up against.
So, should I just bit the bullet and get one now (I've got 90 days....when's this Echostar one coming out??), or can my wife get another set? Sigh......
Also annoying....these are going to basically act like the cable boxes of olde, right? Meaning you'll have to use the TV remote to control volume, and the DTV box to control channel? It's hardly worth a universal remote for an older TV setup, though, too.
- https://www.dtv2009.gov/FAQ.aspx
Therefore, take the number of houses that relatives will let you send coupons to, multiply that by two, that is the number of coupons that you can get.
I applied for it before they started mailing them out, and just got mine yesterday, seems like about a month for it to process (I applied online).
I think you will be okay to wait till this summer or fall to see how they converter box market is shaping up.
Is it 8-12 weeks like a rebate? Or longer like the free DVD offers.
If it takes 3 months just to get the coupon then I wouldn't wait if you can get $40 units around the summer.
Many people, perhaps most, that have satellite or cable also have 1 or more secondary TV's that are not connected.
Most LPTV stations will continue broadcasting in analog after the deadline, they are not currently required to switch over.
Will you be doing reception comparisons / sensitivity tests?
Since you can apply for 2 coupons, and if you need only one converter box, order one now in order to lock in a coupon. If the coupon expires before you get the box that you want, you can then order the second coupon that you are entitled to, assuming that the coupons are still available. (If you are worried about coupons not being available, then order the second coupon before the first one expires.)
See below for the actual statement from the Gov. website listed above:
If a consumer requests only one coupon and it expires before it is used, then they can apply for a second coupon. Once two coupons have been issued to that household, the consumer will no longer be eligible to request any more coupons. Coupons expire 90 days after they are mailed.
On another note, I hope Echostar has the sense to go ahead and start accepting orders for their converter box soon. Otherwise, there are going to be a LOT of people who ordered their coupon as soon as they became available and so will have them expire before this new Echostar box is ready. I for one would like to get one but my coupon will be expired by then. And speaking of these paltry 90 day expirations, how is it right that there are all these military people serving their country overseas who are going to get shafted on this??? If you order the coupon and get shipped overseas before you get a chance to use it then you are S.O.L. This 90 day rule smacks of the tactics used by these sleazy rebate companies and others just trying to get one over on the consumer. It's not acceptable that our own government is doing this. These should have longer expirations!!!
New housing in subdivisions outside of cities and don't have cable and many don't have satallite.
if you want to see the best DTV - DVR Box ( EchoStar TR-50 ) than take the time to look at this Vid,... Price is said to be $40,..
No need to stress!
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by bugm3n0t
June 7, 2008 10:01 AM PDT
- dang, menotbug -- the government is _giving away money for free_.
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Showing 1 of 2 pages (37 Comments)The fact that you are getting all up in arms about (really, pretty loose) expiration dates is probably why governments always end up hating their people.