p2pnet - rss feed: Digi-TV coupons mailed next week
p2pnet news | TV:- You WILL use digital TVs. Like it or not.
Digi-TV arrives on February 17, 2009. On that date, every full-power station in the US will switch off its analog signals.
Now, "Coupons days are here for owners of outdated analog televisions," says Associated Press.
Outdated analog televisions?
Oh! The Horror!
But no worries.
In the US, the federal government will next week begin mailing out $40 coupons to help pay for converter boxes that’ll save analog sets from becoming obsolete, says AP, adding:
"The National Telecommunications and Information Administration agency is overseeing the $1.5 billion coupon program to subsidize converter-box costs, estimated to run between $40 and $70. More than 2.6 million households have requested nearly 5 million coupons since Jan. 1, the agency said.
"More than 9,700 stores, including those operated by Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Best Buy Co. Inc., Circuit City Stores Inc., Target Corp. and RadioShack Corp., will be selling the special equipment in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
But, people have only 90 days to use the coupons before they expire.
Adds the story:
"Every household, regardless of whether it needs a box, is eligible to receive two coupons. Initially, $990 million will be used to pay for coupons and cover administrative costs, which are capped at $110 million. An additional $510 million could be allocated, but those coupons are reserved for households that only have over-the-air television."
But there is another solution.
Build your very own HDTV set, like Wendy Saltzer 
To get your coupons, apply online at http://www.dtv2009.gov or call the 24-hour hot line, 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009). They can also fax a coupon application to 1-877-DTV-4ME2 (1-877-388-4632) or mail one to P.O. Box 2000, Portland, OR 97208-2000. The program expires March 31, 2009.
Also See:
Forever - Death of analog TV, January 9, 2008
Associated Press - Gov’t: TV Coupons Are in the Mail, February 16, 2008
Wendy Saltzer - EFF Broadcast Flag challenge, February 22, 2005
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February 18th, 2008 at 8:48 am
But what about Canada….?
February 18th, 2008 at 11:45 am
Don’t see what the 90 day limitation is gonna help with when there are none in the stores. Not that it much matters, don’t use the tv I have now enough to justify buying a digital one. But I bet the ecologists are going to have a field day with what the refuse of junking these tvs across the nation is going to do when they hit the waste stream.
February 18th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
Who cares about Canadians, eh?
Cheers!