Free Digital TV Converter Box Coupons

Electrical and Lighting, Quick Picks by Ben Erickson

At midnight on February 17, 2009, analog television signals will stop broadcasting over the airwaves in the U.S. and digital signals take their place. While this won’t affect TV sets with digital tuners, or those on cable or satellite, a converter box will be necessary for older sets that use an antenna. To help homeowners with the change, the federal government is giving away $40 coupons for the purchase of a converter box. To apply, go to TV Converter Box Coupon Program.

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7 Comments on “Free Digital TV Converter Box Coupons”

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  1. Armando Says:
    August 23rd, 2008 at 8:37 am

    Question:

    I subscribe to cable. Only one of the TVs in the house is connected to a cable box. I currently do not subscribe to digital service. The other TVs are directly connected to the cable without any boxes. Given this scenario, will I need to get any DTV boxes?

  2. Official Comment:

    Ben Erickson Says:
    August 25th, 2008 at 12:59 pm

    Armando,
    If your reception is coming through cable, you should not need a converter box regardless of whether you subscribe to their digital service or not.

  3. Gabe Says:
    December 17th, 2008 at 4:08 pm

    I was wondering if you get that converter box up till what channels can u watch?

  4. Official Comment:

    Ben Erickson Says:
    December 18th, 2008 at 9:45 am

    Gabe,
    You should be able to watch all the channels broadcast over the air that have a strong enough signal for your antenna, including channels over 13. Go to AntennaWeb and fill out the address form to find out the channels you will be able to receive and how strong the signal to them will be. Channels listed in red should come in fine with rabbit ears, others may require a rooftop mounted antenna.

  5. Gabe Says:
    December 22nd, 2008 at 6:33 am

    Thanks Ben Erickson

  6. Portia Knight Says:
    April 23rd, 2009 at 6:41 pm

    Ben,
    I sent away for the coupons for the digital boxes last year. However as you probably know they have an expiration date on them, and I was unable to afford them before the coupons expired. I have appealed this with the program website and I have not heard one word! It has benn 6 montha ago. I still can’t afford to puchase them at full price. Do you know of any place to that can help me with this. Thank you for any help.
    Thank you Portia Knight

  7. Official Comment:

    Ben Erickson Says:
    April 24th, 2009 at 7:38 am

    Hi Portia,
    A provision in the recently passed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 allows those whose coupons have expired to apply for a replacement on a first come, first serve basis.

    Info on it is at https://www.dtv2009.gov/CouponProgramUpdate.aspx
    The application form is at https://www.dtv2009.gov/ApplyCoupon.aspx

    You can also apply for a coupon by phone at (888) 388-2009, or mail your application to P.O. Box 2000, Portland, OR 97208.

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