Digital TV Converter Box

The National Association of Broadcasters said today that its member companies have agreed, on a voluntary basis, to continue to make local broadcast signals available to distribution partners -- cable, satellite and telecom TV operators -- for an extra couple of weeks after the official switch to all-digital TV takes place on Feb. 17. NAB's Television Board of Directors said it is also working to reach the same agreement with all television members, the networks and the network affiliate stations.

ROCKFORD - If you haven't already made the switch to digital TV, there's still time. You have until February of 2009. But if you want that clearer signal now, 13 News has more on how to make a smooth change.

By now you've heard if you don't have cable or a satellite dish, you'll need to buy a converter box by the time television goes digital. Quest General Manager Michael Cory says, "The cheapest most economical solution would be the DTV box, the digital box that's coming out."

Consumers are snapping up digital converter boxes to keep older televisions working beyond February, but millions nationwide are letting their $40 government-issued coupons expire without spending them.

The government launched a coupon program earlier this year to help subsidize the cost of converter boxes to update older model televisions that tune in analog TV signals from set-top antennas, or so-called "rabbit ears."

Many of our viewers continue to have questions about the big switch to digital television.

You should all know by now that the existing system of analog TV transmission will end next February 17. Starting then — unless you already watch your local channels via cable or satellite subscription — you will need to receive digital TV off the air.

NTIA-Approved & Available

These NTIA-approved CECBs currently are available in retail stores, according to manufacturers and retailers. Consumers should call ahead to retailers to make sure that the boxes are in stock.

ALPHA DIGITAL AT2016

APEX DT250 *

Access HD DTA1020D

Access HD DTA1020U

AccessHD DTA1010D

AccessHD DTA1010U

Apex DT1001

Artec T3A

Artec T3APro

CADENCE DTVC-9

COSHIP N9900T

COSHIP N9988T

CRAIG Electronics International Ltd. CVD506 *

Channel Master CM-7000

DIGITAL STREAM DSP7500T

DIGITAL STREAM DSP7700T *

An Ohio company engaged in a national advertising campaign that promises free channels, services and TV converter boxes is taking advantage of the public's lack of knowledge about the upcoming switch to digital television signals, the Better Business Bureau said Monday.

But the satcaster has yet to launch the much-anticipated cheaper version.
By Swanni

Washington, D.C. (June 26, 2008) -- Dish Network has announced that its new Digital TV converter box, called DTVPal, is now available for purchase for $59.99.

On February 17, 2009, all full-powered local stations must switch their analog signals to digital which means viewers will need a Digital TV, a digital converter box or a pay TV subscription to watch television.

The converter box will transfer the new digital signals so they can be displayed on the old analog sets.

Some Americans are finding the government-issued coupons used to help pay for digital television converter boxes are expiring before they can be redeemed, House lawmakers said Tuesday.

Consumers also are having a tough time finding converter boxes, which are sold out in some stores, and should be given more time to buy them even after the coupons expire, several lawmakers said during a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee hearing.

Within the next few months, Americans will face new challenges when it comes to viewing TV over the air. Many have switched to cable or satellite, but the rest have several new issues that are not being adequately disclosed to the public.

Many stations have been telling us we will need a new "set-top box" (STB), so that we can view digital TV stations on our analog televisions. While this will provide some help for people who cannot afford new TV sets, and part of the cost will be met by the $40 government coupons, it is nothing like the whole story.

A DTV converter box is an easy-to-install electronic device that hooks up to your analog television set and over-the-air antenna and converts the digital television signal into analog, making it viewable on your analog TV. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will issue up to two converter box coupons valued at $40 each to households to help defray the cost of the converter box.

When can I get a DTV converter box?