UPDATED:Get your Digital TV Converter Coupon now before they're gone!

For over 50 years, broadcast television has been a primary source of news for Americans. In February 2009, the plain old regular TV system that we've been using since the 50's will end and all broadcasts will be digital.

If you have cable or satellite, this change won't be noticeable to you, but if you have not upgraded to HDTV and do not currently use a cable or satellite service, your TV will be of no use to you after February 2009.

That's where the converter coupons come in.

The Feds, as part of the changeover, have allocated funds to supply converters to people with over the air reception so they will be able to continue to receive TV after the changeover.  The converter won't magically give you high-def TV but it will let you continue to see shows over the air without investing in a new HD receiver and without having to use cable or satellite TV services.

The coupons are first come first serve and the website for them went up yesterday.  If you are one of the people who will be affected, grab your coupon now.

The site is https://www.dtv2009.gov/...  It's getting hit hard right now, but be persistent.  You can get two $40 coupons per household.

If you plan to use satellite or cable, please refrain from grabbing coupons, so those less able to afford television services can get the coupons they need to continue to receive signal after the transition.

UPDATE: Khloemi notes below that you can get through more easily on teh phone line right now - 1-888-388-2009.

•  The media are important to democracy

  It's important that TV remains available to rich and poor.

  by nightsweat on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 08:15:36 AM PDT

  •  Hmm

    too bad it sucks so bad. I tried to turn up the brightness but it didn't work.

    by racerx on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 08:30:56 AM PDT

    •  Try adjusting the channel

      PBS comes in a little brighter than the other channels.

      by nightsweat on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 08:31:45 AM PDT

      •  It does

        Bill Moyer rocks and I support them for letting him rock on.

        It used to be a lot brighter before the Bushies got in and put their lackeys in the CPB. At xmas time they ran a series of shows about the middle east where the narrator spoke about all the places Joseph and Mary and Jesus went, as if there was any evidence that they ever existed.

        I wish they would fund PBS better so they wouldn't have to take money from corporations, who knows what they're spiking right now.

        by racerx on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 10:44:06 AM PDT

    •  What do you expect from a bunch of dim bulbs?

      by ccyd on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 08:46:31 AM PDT

  •  A big thank you

    for getting this info out! Went to the site and signed up no prob.

    by peagreen on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 09:11:22 AM PDT

•  What happens

  to my radios that pick up TV stations?  I have a couple of those.  Not exclusively TV, but one of the band choices.

  Anyone know?

  by mem from somerville on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 08:19:48 AM PDT

  •  I'm guessing dead.

    The TV traffic currently in that spectrum will be replaced by other uses after the spectrum auction later this year.

    by nightsweat on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 08:23:38 AM PDT

    •  Oh, yay,

      more Rush Limbaugh.  ;)

      by TracieLynn on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 09:13:08 AM PDT

      •  More likely

        Yay - a decent mobile data network!  (At least that's my guess.)

        If that happens it means more DailyKos.

        by nightsweat on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 09:17:48 AM PDT

        •  We can only hope! n/t

          by TracieLynn on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 09:18:35 AM PDT

  •  They will go off air

    by tiponeill on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 08:24:07 AM PDT

    •  Damn.

      I actually use the one in my kitchen a lot.  The other one is my emergency 9-volt radio.  Always quite liked it.

      by mem from somerville on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 08:25:33 AM PDT

•  Question

  Let's say that you DO have cable service at home (from the evil Comcast) but that all the TVs at home are older, i.e. 8-10 years old or so and therefore, not digital.

  Question is do we need a converter box?

  by gsbadj on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 08:20:15 AM PDT

  •  No

    cable will continue to work on oler sets - it is only for people using antennas

    by tiponeill on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 08:23:37 AM PDT

    •  Thanks

      I signed up earlier this morning after my mother (70+ y/o) called the other day, all in a lather about how everyone needed to apply right away.

      Turns out we'll only need one converter box.  I'll give away or send back the other coupon.

      Thanks much for the clarification.

      by gsbadj on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 08:37:52 AM PDT

    •  Are you sure about that?

      I have cable service, but I don't need nor do I have a box to watch all the cable channels I subscribe to.  

      I thought one would need a converter box even if one had analog cable.  Am I wrong?

      by gooderservice on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 10:57:58 AM PDT

•  Thanks nightsweat

  Good to see tech diaries around these parts.

  I'm not sure many folks understand how political our national technology decisions have become.

  by malharden on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 08:27:20 AM PDT

•  Success, finally!

  It took several tries, but I finally got my application for 2 converter boxes for my two 1980s era TVs, which are still in perfectly good working order.

  No satelite here, and no cable.  If the converter boxes don't work, I'd rather throw these away than buy some overpriced HD TV.

  I get most of what I want from the internet, anyway.

  by CoolOnion on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 08:28:43 AM PDT

  •  2 TV's from the 70's

    They are 35 years old and work just fine.  One a Sony that has all the connections for the game systems that my son uses.  

    by chigh on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 11:44:22 AM PDT

•  I bookmarked the site...

  couldn't get in just now... my dad will definitely need a coupon...no cable available where he lives... we may talk him back into satellite...

  Thanks for the diary!  Important stuff!

  by mommyof3 on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 08:31:58 AM PDT

•  I've been getting thrown off all morning. n/t

  by boran2 on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 08:35:09 AM PDT

  •  I just called and the computer

    took all my info. Didn't have to wait in line. 1-888-388-2009

    by khloemi on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 08:41:24 AM PDT

    •  Thanks.

      I was finally able to complete the application process.  I wish that I had known about dialing in.

      by boran2 on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 08:44:10 AM PDT

    •  Updated diary to add this info

      Thanks.

      by nightsweat on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 08:44:28 AM PDT

•  Monthly rent

  I have read converter boxes cost between $200-300 each.  So why a coupon for only $40?  

  Oh wait, someone has to make a lot of money off of this boondooogle.

  What is wrong with analog?   What national emergency required the eradication of analog by the force of LAW?

  So no more free TV for many in rural areas and unwired older homes.  Instead the monthly TV rental model for life will be used.  

  Monthly rent is certainly better than free dependent on your viewpoint.

  Better without TV anyway.  

  by Jagger on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 08:35:09 AM PDT

  •  Not $200-$300, more like $50

    It makes sense that there would be a transition away from low-res to higher res digital TV.  You can't support the oldest technologies forever.  The Morse code band for maritime broadcasts was abandoned a few years ago.

    As for $200-300 cost, the Feds estimate $50-$60 as the likely cost of the boxes. http://www.dtv.gov/...

    Anything related to spectrum is regulated by force of law and the FCC.  The original spectrum was set aside by law way back when (I'd guess in the 30's or 40's) and the new spectrum is as well.  Otherwise you'd get chaos as stations overlapped each other.

    by nightsweat on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 08:41:48 AM PDT

    •  Cost

      I saw a short TV discussion on some news program recently (last couple weeks) on the issue.  The discussion definitely stated $200-$300 dollars.  Although I don't know if their information was correct or not.  

      Anyone know for certain the cost of the converter box?

      by Jagger on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 08:47:23 AM PDT

      •  At that price

        The smaller HD sets would be the way to go, IMHO.

        Amazon has a refurb LG 720p set for $349, or a new Toshiba 32" for $699.

        by nightsweat on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 08:53:49 AM PDT

  •  I seem to remember

    they will cost 60-80 each. I don't have time to look up link for proof. You might want to look into it.

    by khloemi on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 08:42:34 AM PDT

•  Thanks for the heads up. n/t

  by khloemi on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 08:38:17 AM PDT

•  Some non tech details of where the spectrum will

  Go.

  http://www.mobile-tech-today.com/...

  I am hoping Google gets a good sized piece of it mainly because all the other bidders, combined with the Bushco FCC, have already proven they have the intention to kill net neutrality and commit the biggest crime spree/rape of open media, of this new century.

  Whether Google becomes another monopoly or not is at least still up in the air.

  by NCrefugee on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 08:49:15 AM PDT

  •  Any idea who polices FCC on the bidding?

    I would hate to see Haliburton, Blackwater and Exxon awarded the spectrum in a "mysterious coincidence."  ;-)

    by malharden on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 10:37:29 AM PDT

•  this is another one of those times

  when I feel like such a luddite.

  Why did we decide we needed to move to digital in the first place?

  I have cable now (it doesn't use a converter box, so I'm guessing it's--what, analog? Cable is hooked up directly to the TV with wire).  Am I going to be forced to upgrade to digital cable (costs a bunch more)?  

  Why has a move to digital been seen as necessary?  And for people who use antennas, does the converter augment their antenna or replace it?

  Why is there a limit on how many coupons available?  Whichever number is being made available, isn't that number arbitrary?

  by pasadena beggar on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 08:50:47 AM PDT

  •  Move to digital

    Will free up bandwidth.  Analog is a pig.  We don't know what that bandwidth will be used for until after the auction later this year.

    If you have cable you should not need to covert to digital cable (unless your cable company decides to make you do it, which is a whole other problem).

    I believe the limit is based on the funds allocated by Congress for the move.

    by nightsweat on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 08:56:42 AM PDT

    •  Wow, you answered my questions

      which is lot to get nowadays.  Thanks!

      by pasadena beggar on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 09:46:40 AM PDT

      •  :)

        by nightsweat on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 09:52:52 AM PDT

  •  Congress passed legislation mandating the move

    to free up spectrum for 'other purposes'.

    I have a strong suspicion that well-heeled special interests lobbied strongly to make it happen.

    by Ammo Hauler on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 10:14:38 AM PDT

•  or your TV will be of no use to you after 2/2009

  ... how will I tell the difference?

  by sayitaintso on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 08:56:14 AM PDT

  •  Thank you

    I needed that laugh!

    by TracieLynn on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 09:08:59 AM PDT

  •  It will be less annoying. nt

    by iconoclastic cat on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 10:03:41 AM PDT

  •  Makes a cool fishbowl! n/t

    by malharden on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 10:38:48 AM PDT

    •  Why is my picture so fuzzy?

      Oh! Guess it's time to clean the tank...

      by nightsweat on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 11:03:50 AM PDT

•  As of noon, Jan 2 ET, the web site worked fine

  for me. When will the government agents appear at my door with my coupons?

  by riverlover on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 09:06:01 AM PDT

•  Letting Your TV go black is a good option

  It's all bullshit and commercials anyway.

  We will continue to rent DVDs via the mail. But television is just a huge waste of time and money these days. The shows are about 10 minutes long and the "news" is all infotainment.

  I get video news online from

  CNN International feed (click "live video" to see what CNN is showing overseas, and keeping from US audiences)
  http://edition.cnn.com/...

  ITN World News
  http://itn.co.uk/...

  BBC
  and for $5 a month you can stream BBC World
  http://www.bbcworld.com/...

  Fuck American TV.

  by greendem on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 09:14:44 AM PDT

  •  BBC

    I'd love it if they let USians pay the same license fee Brits do and receive all the BBC content over the net.  The Doctor WHo/Torchwood/Sarah Jane Adventures alone are worth the annual fee.

    How about it, Brits?  Want some gullible Yanks to subsidize your TV?

    by nightsweat on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 09:19:49 AM PDT

    •  Agreed on BBC content

      Dr. Who and Torchwood are excellent. Found the new BBC version of Robin Hood online. Brilliant show! Also saw the first 6 episodes of Primal which was also good.

      by exNYinTX on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 12:23:29 PM PDT

•  A bit more technical info on DAC chips

  http://www.eetasia.com/...

  Sample chips may still be available for those who have the skills to build their own.

  by NCrefugee on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 09:23:57 AM PDT

•  Thanks! nt

  by iconoclastic cat on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 10:02:23 AM PDT

•  Looked on the website FAQ

  but no luck on an answer. Both my tv's are analog, and the cable cords are plugged directly into the sets. I just have basic cable, and have no interest in getting a digital package. Will I have to get a converter from Time Warner, or can I still be able to use the existing setup?

  by Texas Dem 1958 on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 10:31:36 AM PDT

  •  TW should do the conversion for you

    Your only worry is if TW decide they're eliminating analog cable service and try to make you buy into digital cable, which is unlikely and worth complaining to the local cable franchise commission if it does occur.

    by nightsweat on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 10:40:53 AM PDT

    •  Yeah, I've thought about that

      Hope that's not true.

      by Texas Dem 1958 on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 10:56:35 AM PDT

•  I refuse to sign up for a coupon

  With Bush still in power, there's no way I'm giving any information about me to anyone in his government that I don't have to... even including letting them know what kind of televisions I have.

  Call me crazy.  That's okay.

  by gooderservice on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 11:02:40 AM PDT

•  I sent the info to a friend who replied:

  The coupons expire 90 days from date issued, and the boxes aren't available yet.

  ??

  by SarahLee on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 02:41:48 PM PDT

  •  He's right, but...

    From the FAQ on the site:

    5.  When will I get my coupons?

    Consumers who apply at the beginning or 2008 will receive their coupons when TV converter boxes are expected to be available in retail stores, probably in late February or early March.

    So the clock doesn't start ticking until the boxes are available.

    by nightsweat on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 03:19:54 PM PDT

    •  Many thanks

      will pass that info back.  I can't get TV without satellite, so didn't personally have enough interest to check myself.

      by SarahLee on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 04:03:43 PM PDT