Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Coupon Program

As you have no doubt heard by now, all over-the-air TV broadcasters will be converting from analog to digital transmissions (DTV) by February 17, 2009. What does that mean to you?

The change to DTV will effect those who use “rabbit ears” or a rooftop antenna for their TV reception. Most cable and dish users will be able to receive the new digital signals via their cable, or dish, provider without any additional hardware purchases.

Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Coupon Program

Beginning on January 1, 2008, all U.S. households have been eligible to request up to two coupons, worth $40 each, to be used toward the purchase of up to two, digital-to-analog converter boxes. For a quick overview, see the Associated Press (AP) video about the digital TV converter boxes with Technical Writer Peter Svensson.

Take a short quiz at the DTV Transition Web site to see whether the converter box is the right option for your household to make the digital transition.

Get more information from the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).

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Continuing with what seems to have become a digital theme, here is a reminder that high priced cables will not improve the performance of either digital audio, or video. In the digital realm the cables will either work, or they won’t.

Ever wonder why gadget store employees push Monster cables like they’re crack? Bitchin’ markups, just like you suspected/knew all along. That’s what we found when a Radio Shack employee sent us his store’s entire inventory list, which included the wholesale and retail price of every item in stock.

Some cables, like the 19ft HDMI-DVI cable, have markups as high as 80%. Retail: $179.99. Wholesale, $99.40, a profit of $80.54. Or consider the 16 ft S-Video cable, which Radio Shack buys for $61.24 and sells for $114.99. We found non-name brand versions of both on Meritline.com for under $20. It’s not just limited to Radio Shack, Best Buy charges the same retail price, and, presumably, gets them for a similar wholesale price.

Here’s the thing: digital cables, by definition, have no signal loss. A cable is either digital or it’s not. As long as its built to HDMI standards, the only difference between a "fancy" digital cable and a no-name one is the price. (more…)

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