Digital TV upgrade vouchers to go out soon

The digital TV transition might be confusing sales clerks nationwide, but if there's anything that most people understand, it's cold, hard cash -- and if you applied for one of the FCC's switchover coupons, you might want to start checking that mailbox: the $40 vouchers are being mailed out soon. 9,700 stores are already set to accept the coupon for approved digital TV tuners next week, with another 7,000 to come online in the next few months. Of course, only over-the-air television viewers are affected -- cable and satellite customers will continue to be swindled mercilessly by Comcast get TV with no disruption at all when analog broadcasts are switched off.

[vipin @ Feb 15th 2008 6:11PM]

i think i hear your internet going out right now.

[Dave @ Feb 15th 2008 8:12PM]

glad to see my tax dollars hard at work...so people who dont have digital tuners wont lose their OTA broadcasts...in all honesty it's ridiculous the gov't is doing this, I mean talk about wasteful spending. And if someone here is going to offer up the "Emergency Broadcast Service" excuse for this, people can use radios.

[Patrick @ Feb 15th 2008 11:04PM]

@ Dave,

Yeah, I'm not sure, but despite this being a "government program", I thought I heard somewhere it was funded by some entity within the industry, like a group of related companies...maybe I'm crazy. Someone please let me know exactly where the money is from, tax payers directly or not.

[Rainier @ Feb 15th 2008 6:12PM]

I, would like a voucher for an HDTV instead, please.

[duffman @ Feb 15th 2008 6:20PM]

Strike-through text shows Engadget's allegiance to the mothership.

[Nilay Patel @ Feb 15th 2008 6:23PM]

Or my own deep, abiding hatred of Comcast. But you know, that tinfoil hat looks good on you.

[phanbouy @ Feb 15th 2008 6:35PM]

lol nilay ftw

[Dave @ Feb 15th 2008 8:17PM]

Agreed, Comcast RAPES customers in markets where they have no real competition...In Jacksonville, FL, they had competitive rates when they first came in to get everyone to switch from satellite, then after about a year the bait and switch came...To get a 3-service "value" bundle with basic digital cable, its 125 a month, which is absolutely insane. Comcast can seriously burn in hell.

[Jarrod @ Feb 15th 2008 6:21PM]

Hey, I work for the NTIA. If anyone has any questions or wants to nab a coupon online, we've opened a call center at (888)DTV-2009. It's relatively hassle free. Most of your smaller indie TV shops are certified now, and the big asshat chains are supposed to train each and every employee on the project. Chances are you'll have a lot more luck with The Little Guy.

[MeGeek @ Feb 15th 2008 7:13PM]

I’m in the “pilot” group for the TV converter boxes. (No V.A.)
The program worked great for me. I received the paperwork about 2weeks ago and just completed the purchase 2 days ago. The local Best Buy didn’t have the units out on the floor yet because they didn’t quite know where they should go. The sales rep mentioned they are well labeled in the backroom in case someone comes in. He also mentioned they had received training recently and wanted to see the “debit card”. Best buy was well prepared at the register, when the item was scanned a popup window asked “Ask the customer if they have a coupon card for the TV converter program” (good idea based on the high school staffing) When you swipe the card it deducted the $40 and that was it.
Quite simple …..
Side note – We didn’t really need one but I figured someone would need one (like my mom/dad) . But to complete the pilot we need to hook it up. Very nice unit. My son’s TV only gets the basic 4 channels …. With just a basic set top antenna he gets all 20+ channels now. (I’m guessing he will want to keep it)

[Yorch @ Feb 15th 2008 8:45PM]

Question, when I receive the DTV box, and I plug it, would I be able to see digital TV now?. or everything will be turn on later this year.

[got2bwireless @ Feb 15th 2008 10:38PM]

It really depends on your market if the current stations have already begun to broadcast. Most markets have already switched and are broadcasting in analog and digital but you can use this website to check and see what stations you may be able to receive with the new box. www.antennaweb.org

[ZeroCorpse @ Feb 17th 2008 10:16PM]

Just so long as you understand the difference between "digital TV' and "HD TV" and the fact that one does not equal the other.

On your old TV, you'll get digital TV. That means when you tune in channels, they'll be clear with no snow, static, or horizontal hold problems. If you get a signal, the image will be clear and crisp (probably better than basic cable!)

However, if the signal is too weak, then you won't get the channel at all. Digital is all or nothing.

My question is whether or not they will have digital tuners that will output via component/DVI/RGB for those of us who were early adopters and shelled out big bucks for a "HD-ready" television? I have an HDTV with an NTSC tuner, and no ATSC tuner. I shouldn't be screwed over by this deal... But I get the feeling I will.

Right now, and HD ATSC Tuner costs anywhere from $150 to $300 at retail stores, if they even have them.

I understand the converter boxes are just for people who have older TVs and want to get the ATSC sIgnal on their old tech, but what about people in the middle between the old tech and the new tech? What do we get?

What's out there in converter boxes for us?