Ideas in Progress

A year from now the old-fashioned analog TV broadcasts will stop, and all American TV signals will be broadcast in digital. If you have an analog TV set, however, you can still use it to watch TV by using a signal converter box. The Federal Gov't is subsidising the transition to digital TV by giving out free* coupons to consumers good for $40 off of the purchase of the converter boxes from participating retailers. To take advantage of this you should:

1. Go to this webpage and apply for your coupons (limit 2): https://www.dtv2009.gov/ApplyCoupon.aspx

2. Go to this webpage and find a participating retailer in your area: https://www.dtv2009.gov/VendorSearch.aspx

3. Wait to receive your coupons from the Gov't.

4. Take the coupon(s) to a participating retailer and use it to get a $40 discount on your analog-to-digital TV converter box. Do not wait long after getting the coupons since they expire within 90 days of being mailed to you.

5. Hook the converter box to your analog TV before Feb. 18, 2009.

If you don't have access to the internet, you can apply on the telephone by calling 1-888-388-2009 or mailing an application to PO BOX 2000, Portland, OR 97208-2000. If you use either of these options then custom requires you to thank the person who printed this posting out for you by giving them a nickel and telling them not to spend it all in one place. Calling them "sonny" is optional.

According to the gov't, all consumers are eligible for the $40 subsidy. Presumably this includes illegal aliens as well as US citizens and legal residents.


* Of course it isn't really free, since our tax dollars are paying for these coupons. Honestly, though, I'd rather have members of the public spend that money on new gadgets for themselves than to have government bureaucrats spend the money on new ways to regulate my life.

tags: digital+tv