U.S. Government Starts Mailing $40 Coupons for the Purchase of TV Converter Boxes
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Not only do you want your MTV, it’s also your constitutional right. Okay, maybe that’s taking it a bit too far, but the U.S. government believes it’s your right. First they made a law — no doubt influenced by heavy lobbying — that requires all broadcasters to move to high definition (HD). However, in doing so, every consumer must upgrade their television to an HD TV set. The only way around that is to buy a TV converter box to convert the digital signal to analog (the current standard). Hence, the government funded “we’ll help you pay for most of it” coupon program.
For those who have already applied to the program, they will soon get (or already have) a credit card-like coupon that entitles them to $40 off the cost of a TV converter box. A quick check at approved retailers showed the cost ranging from $55-$60, so you’ll still have to shell out $15-$20 plus sales tax. One thing that I noticed was that approved retailers will not sell them online. Every retailers’ website I visited stated that it was only available in-store.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Coupon
Where can I redeem my Coupon? At any of the participating retailers listed below or listed on our website, dtv.gov.
When does my Coupon expire? Coupons expire 90 days after they are mailed. Each coupon has an expiration date printed on it.
Can I use the Coupon to purchase other products? No, the Coupon may only be used towards the purchase of a single coupon-eligible converter box.
Does the Coupon need to be activated? No, it is ready for use.
Can I use the Coupon more than once? No. The Coupon may only be used once.
Coupon Eligible Converter Boxes
- AMTC AT-2016
- AccessHD DTA1010D
- AccessHD DTA1010U
- AccessHD DTA1020D
- AccessHD DTA1020U
- Apex DT1001 GE
- Apex DT1002 GE
- Artec T3A
- CASTi CAX-01
- COSHIP N9900T
- DigitalSTREAM D2A1D10
- DigitalSTREAM D2A1D20
- DigitalSTREAM DTX9900
- ECHOSTAR TR-40 *
- GE 22729
- GE 22730
- Goodmind STA1000
- Insignia NS-DXA1
- Lasonic LTA-260
- Lasonic LTR-260
- Magnavox TB100MW9v
- MaxMedia MMDTVB03
- MicroGEM MG2000
- Mustek MAT-K50
- Philco TB100HH9 *
- Philco TB150HH9 *
- RCA DTA 800A
- RCA DTA 800B
- Sansonic FT300A
- Sansonic FT300RT
- Tivax STB-T9
- Venturer STB7766G
- Zenith DTT900
- ZINWELL ZAT-856
* These models are capable of passing through an analog signal to the TV set. See www.DTV2009.gov/lowpower for more details.
