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Converter coupon waitlist still 4 million deep
Sure, Tuesday the 17th doesn't hold the same luster as before, but a key reason for this day coming and passing is the converter coupon program running out of cash. The waiting list recently measured around 4 million strong, with 100,000 or so coupons going out each day as older ones expired and freed up funds. It'll only take two weeks to clear the list completely once the additional funding from the stimulus package comes through, unfortunately too late to avoid a pushback of the DTV switch. Waiting for a coupon and live in a place where all / most of the stations are shutting off analog today? You're still on the same first-come, first-served list as everyone else, but we're sure you followed our advice and picked up the necessary equipment with plenty of time to spare.
Best Buy wants to annoy you into a converter box, takes the DTV PSAs in-store
For the five percent of you who managed to miss the whole analog TV shutoff debacle, select Best Buy locations will be blaring out hourly PSA-style announcements in-store, just to bring you up to speed. Even if you can't hear the hourly chime of impending analog Armageddon over the din of everyday Best Buy activity, personnel milling about in "DTV Blackout Prevention" tees should clue you in to the fact that something is going on. That's your cue to ask what the big deal is, whereupon your salesperson will encourage you to act without delay to keep the OTA flowing into your eyeballs. If you've put things off this long, though, you'll be able to procrastinate another four months, right? Seriously -- just pick up a new converter box if there's one on the shelf, because we really don't want to postpone the switch again, mkay?
CEA worries DTV delay could cause a converter shortage
In one of what's sure to be many opinions on the now-inevitable DTV deadline shifting from later this month to June, CEA President and CEO Gary Shapiro pledged support for a successful transition, including devoting part of an upcoming event to DTV education, but worries how the change may affect retailers and manufacturers. Since they had planned their reserves and resupplies around a transition this month, he apparently sees a scenario where we could have plenty of DTV converter coupons, and no boxes to buy. Honestly, we think he may be overestimating our initiative, since most (or at least the 39%+ that won't still switch this month anyway) unprepared will hit the snooze button until it becomes entirely mandatory, and the total number of homes that require a digital TV box isn't going to suddenly go up, so there should be plenty to go around, right?
Retrevo matching people who have DTV converter coupons, people who want them
Really? Congress and the NTIA couldn't figure this out? As we all know, many people have coupons that they aren't using, and many other people are on the waiting list for those coupons while the coupon program waits on more cash. If you belong to either group, the folks at Zatz Not Funny have pointed out Retrevo, a site you can visit to connect with each other. It's just that simple.[Via Zatz Not Funny]
Digital TV delay bill to ride again next week?
Just when you thought it was safe to rescan your channels, the DTV delay is back, as the L.A. Times reports it could be up for another vote, and pass, as soon as next week. Chairman of the House telecommunications committee Rick Boucher expects the issue to return next week, while House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is apparently looking for away to hold another vote soon. While we wait for that to sort itself out, the NTIA pegged the converter coupon backlog at 2.6 million (a number expected to swell to 3.27 million in tomorrow's report) people as it waits for existing coupons to expire, and additional funds from from the economic stimulus legislation.
Honestech's conversion software takes VHS memories to Blu-ray media
If Panasonic's BD70V had a Blu-ray burner in it, this here software would be a lot less relevant. As it stands, however, you'll still need a middleman of some sort if you plan on getting that grainy VHS footage onto those newfangled BD-Rs. To that end, Honestech is providing a new version of its VHS to DVD Deluxe software (v4.0), which provides the means for transferring VHS, HDV, C-VHS and Beta (seriously!) content to DVDs or Blu-ray Discs. $79.99 gets you the program, the VIDBOX interface hardware, a USB cable and the ability to get your mother and her decade-old home movies off of your back.
AVerMedia comes clean with new line of TV tuners
AVerMedia's starting off the year on a good foot, and it's introducing a number of new TV tuners for a variety of applications. Kicking things off is the AVerTV Hybrid PocketExpress ($89.99), which brings ATSC / NTSC / Clear QAM / FM Radio tuning to one's 34mm or 54mm ExpressCard slot. Next up is the AVerTV Bravo ($49.99), which slides into your PCI Express x1 slot in order to handle digital TV tuning and all the PVR functions (record, pause, rewind, etc.) you'd expect. The AVerTVHD Volar Max ($69.99) holds it down on the USB 2.0 front, while the AVerTVHD Duet can tune two digital signals at once for $79.99. Have a look at the read link for all the intimate details on each.
Bel Canto's USB Link 24/96 converts USB audio to S/PDIF
Wait just a second there, vaquero. We know you're invigorated, but you should probably attempt to digest the price tag here before blowing a gasket in excitement. Bel Canto -- not known for trickling out low-end gear -- has just introduced the $495 USB Link 24/96, which presumably does an impeccable job at converting high quality USB audio (up to 24-bits and 96kHz) to S/PDIF via a single 75-ohm BNC cable. The unit works natively in both Windows and OS X, comes bundled with a Stereovox XV2 BNC / BNC S/PDIF cable (with RCA adapter) and gets all the juice it needs from your powered USB socket. Now, if only five unclaimed bills weren't so difficult to obtain...
Two-thirds of OTA households have requested DTV coupons
There's no doubt that the CEA and NTIA have been spreading the word about the 2009 digital TV transition as hard as they can, but some folks still aren't taking the time to listen. 'Course, 62% is way better than what we've seen in the past, but that still leaves a full third of OTA-reliant American households sans a government-issued voucher with under 100 days to go until analog slides under the guillotine. Currently, 17 million homes have requested 33.5 million coupons (in other words, most folks are requesting the maximum of two) and 13.5 million have been redeemed. For those with a strange curiosity to know even more, it's stated that a number of eastern cities have the highest coupon application rates, while folks in Hawaii and Alaska could apparently care less. Can't blame 'em given the scenery, eh?
TV One intros analog / digital video format converters
We have all ideas that these converters from TV One will likely be used by professionals exclusively, but if you've found yourself in a pickle that requires a digital-to-analog (or vice-versa) converter, here's your solution. The 1T-FC-524 converts analog RGBHV or Component YPbPr inputs to DVI signals, while the 1T-FC-425 converts DVI to RGBHV or Component YPbPr. Additionally, the output resolution is the same as the input, and TV resolutions from 480i up to 1080p are supported (along with PC resolutions up to 1,600 x 1,200). Both units are selling now for £119 ($235) apiece.
XCM offers up Mega-Cool component-to-VGA converter
Not like Team Xtender hasn't been offering something similar to this for well over a year now, but hey, nothing wrong with a bit of delayed competition. XCM has just made clear that it will soon be selling the 1080p Mega-Cool VGA box, which takes any component input and shoots it back out via VGA. The box supports PC resolutions up to UXGA (1,600 x 1,200 at 75Hz) or HDTV (up to 1,920 x 1,080). Plug-and-play, NTSC / PAL support and USB power are all included -- you just provide the ins and outs. Mum's the current word on pricing / availability, but we're hearing that e-tailer Total Console will be offering it soon.[Via IGN]
Digital Stream DTX9950 converter box touts analog pass-through
Dilly-dallying around, are you? Even if you haven't taken the time to secure a digital converter box for the impending 2009 analog shutoff just yet, RadioShack has a box incoming that may tickle your fancy. The Digital Stream DTX9950 not only enables your antiquated set to receive OTA signals long after the February 17, 2009 switchover (Wilmington, North Carolina notwithstanding), but it also features an analog pass-through. According to the company, said feature will "enable consumers who watch full and low-power TV stations to do so without the need for a splitter or A/B switch to a digital-only converter box." Better still, this one is NTIA approved, meaning that your $40 government voucher can be used on the $59.99 device if it's still valid as of this week.
PS2 to PS3 converter bridges the Rock Band / Guitar Hero divide
It doesn't look like Activision and Harmonix are ever going to make nice and implement broad hardware compatibility for Rock Band and Guitar Hero controllers, but if you've got a sizable investment in PS2 gear, The Ant Commandos' new converter might let you ignore all the nastiness and keep rockin' anyway. TAC's Universal PS2-to-PS3 Converter is compatible with PS3 Rock Band and PS2 / PS3 GHIII, and it works with basically every PS2 axe you can think of, wired and wireless. Not bad for just $20, but c'mon, guys, let's just make this stuff work for real, alright?
IR2BT Infrared-to-Bluetooth converter now on sale, PS3 owners rejoice
Although the PlayStation 3 is quite the lovely Blu-ray player in most respects, one issue has nagged remote junkies from day one: the absence of IR. Now, however, the highly-anticipated IR2BT Infrared-to-Bluetooth converter is on the market, and sure enough, it promises to transmit "all 51 Sony Blu-ray remote codes including the PS button for Power On / Off." The unit itself measures in at 4.5- x 3- x 1-inches, operates on a pair of AA cells or a mini-USB connector and doesn't even require you to own a soldering iron. Ready to control your PS3 via a universal IR remote without getting a degree in electrical engineering? Hit up the read link and hand over your $55, bub.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
NCTA, CEA expect some loose ends in digital switchover
In case you missed it in the last couple of EHD podcasts, we've talked about how the logistics of the digital switchover will be handled. With such a ginormous footprint, one thing's for sure: it's not going to come off without a hitch. At a recent luncheon meeting, presidents of the National Cable and Telecommunications Association (NCTA) and the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) both expressed as much. NCTA president Kyle McSlarrow seemed more focused on putting more work into the pre-switch side, while the CEA's Gary Shapiro called for cooler heads to prevail after the first hiccups. Seriously, no matter how much information is blasted out, there are going to be some people that are unable (or unwilling) to put together the pieces necessary to keep TV flowing into their homes. It seems like the ads are hitting the targets, so maybe it's best to just start readying the "switchover shock troops" for the days following "day zero." In the meanwhile, EHD readers, try and do your part by helping out confused or unaware friends, family and coworkers!
Poll: Have you seen a DTV transition commercial?
With less than a year to go until the analog signals go dark, consumer awareness is one of the biggest concerns. While many analyst fear congress hasn't allotted enough money for advertising, we wonder if they've forgotten about all the public service announcement each station is required by the FCC to broadcast in return for the free use of America's airwaves. Some might argue that those who are the most affected have the best chance of catching one of these commercials, as the target audience is people who get their television programming exclusively via OTA antenna, and we'd go a bit further and say the same type don't have commercial skipping DVRs either. But these same people aren't the techy type and might just glance over any commercial not selling food or clothing, but in that case, there's no way to get to them anyways. We've seen a few of these commercials and wonder if the rest of the HD community has caught one yet, if not click through the break and watch. %Poll-10408%
Poll: Will you be getting a DTV converter box?
Now that we've broke it down and explained exactly what you need to do to get prepared for the US analog shutoff, we're curious to see just how many of you will actually be taking the government up on its offer and snagging one or two $40 vouchers. We fully expect the vast majority of you to have no need for one in your main living area, but what about that hand-me-down set you keep in the kids' room / garage to catch Sunday afternoon sporting events while tinkering around? Bottom line: will you be picking up a converter, and if so, what will you be using it for? %Poll-10266%
EchoStar's TR-40 DTV converter box not available 'til June / July
For those of you out there eying EchoStar's $39.99 TR-40 DTV converter box since it first made headlines at CES, we've got tough news. According to TWICE, the critter won't be shipping out until June or July of this year, which could mean that early appliers to coupons will miss out. If you'll recall, those $40 government-issued vouchers have to be redeemed within 90 days of receiving them, and moreover, it seems as if the firm is still deciding what brand name(s) it'll use to market the device. Here's to hoping we see a release closer to June and further from July, eh?
Asus HDTV Suite-HDMI turns your monitor into a TV
We've certainly seen our share of devices to bring your computer and TV together, but the HDTV Suite-HDMI from Asus brings it back the other way, providing a TV tuner and a variety of TV-oriented inputs for your computer monitor. The box accepts a host of inputs from HDMI to coax, converts, finesses and upscales the signal up to 1080p, and outputs over DVI or VGA, turning your old display into a viable television. The multiple inputs and TV tuner support PIP, and there's also a bundled remote to control the on-screen menus, completing the TV makeover. Sadly, there's no word on price, but PAL and NTSC support hints that we might see this box hit our fair shores -- looks like it's time for a monitor upgrade, eh?[Via PCLaunches]
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.
