| Nothing can
make you feel older than when something really simple gets to
be really, really complicated. For instance - watching
broadcast television. Until recently, if you
wanted to watch broadcast television, you simply bought a
working television set, plugged into the wall and, assuming
you were within the broadcast area of the station you wanted
to see, the antenna inside the television would pick up
the signal and play it when you turned the power on.
You didn't have to own the
newest television. Even if you managed to find an
antique that only showed black and white, you could still pick
up the signal.
Of course, even the
simplest acts of life are changed with a huge heinous event -
like 9/11. The nation realized the need for more
broadcast channels for emergency services to handle large
disasters. So, the push was on to clear more channels
for those services. Hence - the digital divide.
In early 2009, all
broadcast television signals will go entirely digital and your
non-digital (i.e. old, analog) television sets will show
nothing but snow. Unless...
If you currently have a
digital television set and receive your television signals
through satellite or cable, you should already have made the
conversion. But if you like your standard set and use
your own antennae, then you will not be able to pick up those
signals until you get a converter box.
Yes, it's a pain but it is
not going to hurt you - unlike a disaster. The
government is helping with coupons to help defray the cost of
buying the converter. Here's the rub.
1. The boxes aren't
even available although they are
"scheduled" to be in stores in the first quarter of
this year.
2. There are a
limited supply of the coupons which are only worth $40 off the
cost of the converter. AND, you can only get 2 coupons,
one per box, two per household. First come, first
served. When the supply of coupons run out you will not
be able to obtain one.
3. You have to apply
for the coupons. You can do this by going to the
government
website
- or by calling toll-free
1888 388 2009. You can download an
application on the webiste and mail or fax it after you fill
it out.
4.
The HDTV converter will not give you digital television.
It will only convert the digital signal into the analog
signal. Since the boxes are not yet available, we have
no way of knowing how well this will work. AND not all
retailers will be participating. As of January 10, there
is not yet a list of participating retailers.
5:
You're coupons will be mailed AFTER the converters are
available in the store so you won't know when until you know
when. AND, you have a limited time to use the coupon, only 90
dates from the time the coupons are mailed. The
converters are supposed to be in the stores late February or
March but you will need to keep current to find out when they
are available and then keep track of the status of your
coupons.
6. If
your coupon(s) are lost or stolen you will not be able to
replace them. If you purchase the converter box before you get
the coupon, you will not be able to use the coupon to get a
refund of the amount of the coupon.
7.
Coupons have no cash value. They cannot be sold or
transferred.
8.
The coupons are only valid for specific converter boxes to be
determined when the items are available.
9?
You cannot use the coupon to help defray the cost of a more
expensive converter box.
10.
We will be keeping track of information and will let you know
when and where converters become available an dhow to find out
where to get them in your area. |
