Look for your two, $40 coupons

**Frugal Doug** · 02-15-2008, 12:07 PM

Do you know that next February, all TV stations will begin broadcasting in a digital format? This means that if you are relying on free, over- the -air TV for your entertainment, your TV (TVs?) will go black.

The good news is that you'll be able to buy digital-to-analog converter boxes that will turn those new digital signals into something your current TVs can handle. Even better, the government will soon start mailing two $40 coupons to every household in America. These coupons can then be used to help purchase the new converter boxes which are expected to cost between $40 and $70. For example, Wal-Mart recently started selling a converter box from Magnavox for $49.87.

Although you may not want to rush out and buy any boxes so far in advance of the big changeover, you do want to put those coupons someplace you can find them when you need them.

Hint: If you have more than two TVs, you can probably get extra coupons from folks who already have digital TVs.

Frugal Doug

**Hannahs mom** · 02-15-2008, 03:32 PM

Thanks for your posting! I've been hearing about the conversion and know some people who plan to go buy a new TV because of the supposed blackout!
I think its awesome that the govt. will give us money for this. We have satellite (for the DH who insists he'll DIE without it), but I love to watch free TV thanks to my 1970's bunny ears.

**shoiji** · 02-15-2008, 06:32 PM

Didn't realize the government was going to automatically mail out coupons. Will keep an eye out for them. Have cable now but old TV's. May invest in the box if cheap or free w/coupon. ; )

**Frugal Doug** · 02-19-2008, 12:14 PM

If you have any questions about the analog-to-digital conversion, there's an article I thought had some good information. However, I haven't enough posts yet to provide a URL so all I can say is to go the Circuit City site and search on digital-to-analog or analog-to-digital and see what you find.

Frugal Doug

**Darlene** · 02-19-2008, 12:39 PM

It's my understanding that you have to apply and request the coupons. They are not automatically mailed to you.
Here's more info.
http://dtvfacts.com/digital-tv-converter-box/

http://www.ntia.doc.gov/dtvcoupon/

**M55FF** · 02-25-2008, 07:42 AM

Originally Posted by Darlene

It's my understanding that you have to apply and request the coupons. They are not automatically mailed to you.
Here's more info.
http://dtvfacts.com/digital-tv-converter-box/

http://www.ntia.doc.gov/dtvcoupon/

darlene thanks for posting that link for the coupons to be mailed.

**acox68** · 02-26-2008, 03:29 PM

Thank you, Doug, for posting this information!

I called the toll free # and it gave me the website address to order the coupons online which is www.dtv2009.gov. I ordered two of them. You have to use the coupons up within 3 months from the date of issue though (I think it was three months) or they expire. Hopefully we will be able to get the boxes at a great cost with these coupons!

Andrea