Coupon Eligible DTV Converter Boxes

Digital Television (DTV) is an advanced broadcasting technology that will transform your television viewing experience. DTV enables broadcasters to offer television with better picture and sound quality. It can also offer multiple programming choices, called multicasting, and interactive capabilities.

An important benefit of the switch to all-digital broadcasting is that it will free up parts of the valuable broadcast spectrum for public safety communications (such as police, fire departments, and rescue squads). Also, some of the spectrum will be auctioned to companies that will be able to provide consumers with more advanced wireless services (such as wireless broadband).

Consumers also benefit because digital broadcasting allows stations to offer improved picture and sound quality, and digital is much more efficient than analog. For example, rather than being limited to providing one analog program, a broadcaster is able to offer a super sharp "high definition" (HD) digital program or multiple "standard definition" (SD) digital programs simultaneously through a process called "multicasting." Multicasting allows broadcast stations to offer several channels of digital programming at the same time, using the same amount of spectrum required for one analog program. So, for example, while a station broadcasting in analog on channel 7 is only able to offer viewers one program, a station broadcasting in digital on channel 7 can offer viewers one digital program on channel 7-1, a second digital program on channel 7-2, a third digital program on channel 7-3, and so on. This means more programming choices for viewers. Further, DTV can provide interactive video and data services that are not possible with analog technology.

In accordance with federal law, U.S. broadcast television stations are switching from analog to digital signals. On February 11, 2009, President Obama signed legislation passed by Congress, known as the DTV Delay Act, extending the original date for the completion of the DTV transition from February 17, 2009, to June 12, 2009.

In accordance with the DTV Delay Act, broadcast stations must cease broadcasting analog signals no later than June 12, 2009, but many stations will still end their analog broadcasts on the original conversion date of February 17, 2009, or on other dates before June 12, 2009. A current list of stations that have terminated or will be terminating their analog operations before June 12, 2009, is available at www.fcc.gov (this link will take you to an external website).

Viewers with analog-only televisions using an antenna to receive over-the-air signals WILL NOT be able to receive any TV signals without the aid of a DTV converter box after June 12, 2009 (or earlier if the local broadcast stations choose to end their analog broadcasts before that date). Viewers who have digital-ready televisions or who receive their television signals via cable should not be affected by the transition.

To assist with this transition the federal government is offering each U.S. household up to two coupon codes, each valid for $40 off the cost of eligible DTV converter boxes. If you need a coupon you can apply for one at www.dtv2009.gov/ApplyCoupon.aspx (this link will take you to an external website). Currently there is a waiting list for DTV coupons that is being processed as older coupons expire.

DTV Coupons received from the federal government can only be used toward the purchase of a Coupon Eligible Converter Box (CECB). CECB's are usually designated with this logo when you see them online or in stores. If you are using the $40 coupon you received from the government, make sure the converter you intend to purchase has been designated as a CECB. All of the boxes listed below are eligible CECB's.

All prices you see below are before the coupon redemption. If you intend to redeem your coupon code when you purchase the box, you can deduct $40 from the list prices you see below. For example, a converter box with a list price of $49.99 will only cost you $9.99 after you redeem your coupon code!