A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The Banter Hall Ask Mr. Gremelin TV Gov't Converter Box coupons

I don't understand this whole thing (what's new). I'm not very smart with electronics....we have cable but not the digital kind. So does that mean we need a converter box in February?

I don't know Tamara,, Maybe the site I posted could answer that in FAQ's, I don't know it applies internationally,

They advertise it here, just never was smart enough to check about it. it's great though that they allow a rebate of some sort. I definately need to check it out.

Yep I would check it out then,, The site says the coupon expires 90 days after being issued,,

my question is what are these people going to do who can not afford a new TV and the old one will not convert?

I guess maybe the box can be plugged in thru a VCR or DVD player maybe externally to the TV????? Thru the plug ins on that and then the VCR or DVD player just kept on?

All 4 of our TV's have the little plug in jacks on them....And I have Comcast TV and they say that you don't have to worry about the conversion if you have them.......I haven't thought too much about it actually.

I read somewhere the coupons will only be issued to those who live within 5 miles of a store that sells the converter boxes. I can't imagine I'm understanding that right? It seems if you live W/I 5 miles of a best buy,circuit city, whatever, you'd also live close enough to a large city and would be able to pick up the digital signal with just a tv antena?
Our tv is digital. we use an anteana and we can't pick up any of the digital stations. also don't live close to a retailer that sells the boxes.

My mom got the converter box coupons already and she bought the boxes at circut city.

I have caaable--but I had not heard about eh 5 mile thing--th would be rediculous---not efveryone lives within 5 mijles of a store--in fact it is likley that VERY FEW do.

We got our coupons and boxes already hooked up, we have tv's not hooked up to the direct tv too.. they are just little boxes about the size of a small dvd player... they convert the digital signal into one the (old) analog only tv's can understand.. lots of stores sell them - walmart- target,radio shacks... they do expire though ... never heard the no po box rule- but we sent for ours a while back...
Nana

Hmmm, so does that mean new t.v.s won't need a converter box?

Tamara . they still sell analog tv's . make sure they will receive digital signals...
Nana

the way I understand it most new tv's are digital, but they also have to contain a digital tuner. all tv stations are already broadcasting in digital. on our tv we can go to the menu and change from analog to digital then scan for stations. we get nothing, but then again our analog signal is not very strong. supposedly if you can get a very strong anaolg signal with an antena, and your tv is digital and it has a digital tuner inside you should be able to pick up the digital stations no problem. ????
I think the whole thing is gonna be a nightmare.

Rundown of the problem: The Govt wanted to sell the airwaves to companies; that's the dollar drilldown... They want money, blah blah blah...

What's good for you: Digital broadcasts, so places farther our will be able to get better signals (as they're transmitted at a much larger frequency.

How it's fixed: these little boxes convert the digital signal to something your older set can understand.

Where are the boxes: everywhere, there are several brands that several shops have; they're about 40-60$.

Lowdown: You'll need one of these boxes if you have a TV which just "pulls" a signal from the sky. If you have Satelite or Cable you don't need a box UNLESS you have a TV which just pulls in a signal on its own.

You'll connect the box from your antenna and then to your existing euipment (vcr -> TV or just directly to the TV).

In a nut shell what James said !

You can go to the site I posted and all your questions you asked are there,, I read it will work on all tv's even if you have the old ones with out the "jacks" you can still purchase adapters with the screw in types and the jack on the other end then connect the converter,, never heard or saw on the site about the 5 mile rule,, ,, that would be ridiculous seeing how the Gov't has created yet another way to get $$ out of us why would they cut off their nose in spite of their face

So with Comcast Cable we won't even need any boxes then? Only if you use antenna's to get programs?

you need to get hold of your cable company to and ask them, if they are running digital thru your cable,, more than likely they are,, but better to find out now,,.

No, this affects "Over the Air" broadcasts only; if you have cable or satelite this change will NOT affect you at all... As you pull your signal from the wall and thus your provider...

Again, this would only affect you if you use over the air broadcasting...

So, if you have a digital tv with a dig. tuner...and use an antena now for analog, but can't get any digital signal. wouldn't it be better to get a better antenea that would pick up the digital signal, than to get a converter. they're would be nothing to convert?

Well, "older" sets can't READ a digital broadcast signal; whereas newer sets can read a digital broadcast with a good antenna... The point here really is that the analog signals will no longer be broadcasted over the airwaves, so older sets which can't interpret digital broadcasts will not be able to watch television without one of these boxes (unless they are pluged into a cable or satelite provider which pulls the signal elsewhere)

They call my 2nd tv old, it is 2 year old LCD ........ha ha
Had to buy 2 zenith converter boxes.. cost me $40.

Any set that doesn't support HDTV is classified as "old"; it's really quite sad lol...

Then why are you laughing..

Just joking.

I assume you have the big screen, being your a man???

maybe radio will improve......will we go back to the olden days of listening to radio soap operas???? ha ha ha.

I HAD a 34" CRT television; but when my brother came and started staying with us he gave me his 48" LCDTV as a peace offering (loads of problems).

My MOM actually has a 64" LCOS television...

I know the type......
One of the inlaws have that ......
Mr rich who is thoroughly in debt....

He's more "brother jackass who gets into drugs and holds a knife to your throat in a disagreement then robs you blind"...

That is sad.....
Husband has a nephew on drugs all his life.
Know where he is now ? ON life support till the kids can get to see him.

Whooped on drugs , wrecked the car, and now on his own deaths row.....around 42.

Poor you am mama james.....
Stay nice .......

yesterday we were able to pick up three digital stations using our tv antena! I was very excited, since so far we haven't been able to pick up anything. I'm wondering if they are playing around and tweeking the signals, or if the weather was just right? we're still getting them today too along with a couple of others.

tee hee

Well, some stations have ran HDTV signals for a while; but no one has to until Feb; keep in mind it costs more money to transmit afterall ;)... You'll find though that some stations will send out multiple signals...

For example, KGW (our channel 8) sends out 3 broadcasts, they show as 8 (analog), 8-1 (digital1), 8-2 (digital 2); heck, our PBS sends out 4...

Do you mean after february it costs more to transmit?
Do we wait till Feb. to install our boxes?

It costs more for them to transmit; but we end up with HDTV transmissions.

And you can install the boxes now and your sets will be able to take in those HDTV signals that are currently being sent.

I received my coupons yesterday ,, it comes in the form of a credit card,, says I have to use by 10-08,, has anyone else received theirs??

Yes ....

I had to get it at Circuit city here......Walmart said they were out?? If they ever had them.

Mine is zenith I had to get 2 One in the kitchen one in parlor..

My....Dodge! you have a parlor?...fancy.

assuming some people, me included, won't get a box for every tv in the house. what ARE people going to be doing with all the old tv's?

I've recieved several sets; when i fially have the time to go, they're expired and i have to order another lol...

good will/salvation army

We got the box so we dont give old tv away..PS......One is 2 years old only..LCD moniter.

Good will or salvation army refuse them here.........
No resale.


Parlor???????????
What do you call the relaxing room?????????Living room.

My old fashioned way of talk????????? It is where we watch tv.........Company usually lands in the kitchen and doesnt move......Isnt often..
Farmers are outside mostly ........

Me