[ExI] Fw: TV Analog to Digital Conversion

[Terry Colvin]

-----Forwarded Message-----
>From: Terry Colvin <fortean1 at mindspring.com>
>Sent: Nov 15, 2007 2:43 PM
>
>TV ANALOG TO DIGITAL CONVERSION:   The US Department of Commerce has announced that
>on 17 FEB 09 all television broadcast in the United States will convert from analog
>to digital (i.e. DTV) format. Although the conversion will not take effect until
>2009, the conversion boxes should be available JAN 08.  Following are some consumer
>questions with answers regarding the conversion and the Converter Coupon Program:
>
>1. How do I know whether I need a converter? If you use “rabbit ears” or a rooftop
>antenna for TV reception, you probably need a converter. Television sets connected
>to cable, satellite or other pay TV service do not require converters. Televisions
>with digital tuners also do not need converters. Take a short quiz at the DTV Transition
>Web site www.dtvtransition.org to see whether the converter box is the right option
>for your household to make the digital transition. 
>
>2. Can I request my coupons for the converter program today? No. The converter coupon
>program will be up and running on 1 JAN 08. At that time, the government will begin
>taking requests for coupons.
>
>3. Can I pre-order my coupons before 1 JAN 08, by providing my address to the government?
>No. By law, requests for coupons cannot be taken before 1 JAN 08.
>
>4. How can I request my coupons? Requests will be taken beginning 1 JAN 08, and 
>going through 31 MAR 09. Check back to this website during that period of time to
>find out convenient ways to request your coupons, including calling a toll-free 
>number.
>
>5. How do I know whether I'm eligible for a coupon? All households in the United
>States and its territories are eligible for coupons on a first-come-first-served
>basis.
>
>6. How many coupons can I request? Each household can request a maximum of 2 coupons.
>
>7. What is the value of a coupon? Each coupon is worth $40. Only one coupon can 
>be used per converter.
>
>8. What information do I need to provide the government to request my coupons? The
>government only requires information necessary to mail coupons: name, household 
>address and number of coupons needed (maximum of 2). Applications will be made available
>beginning in 2008. 
>
>9. Will my coupons expire? Yes. Coupons will expire 90 days after they are issued.
>
>10. Will I still need an antenna to receive my programming? Yes. If you currently
>use an antenna to receive your over-the-air programming, you will still need it 
>after you install a converter.
>
>11. Where can I buy a converter? Coupon-eligible converters are currently not in
>stores. Beginning in early 2008, they will appear in stores where you would also
>buy televisions and other consumer electronics products.
>
>12. Can I buy a converter online? It is expected that online retailers will participate
>in the Coupon Program. Again, check back to this website in early 2008 to see a 
>list of participating retailers.
>
>13. Can I use my coupon(s) to purchase any converter? No. The government will provide
>a list of eligible converters and participating retailers on its website. Consumers
>can also ask participating retailers what converters in their stores can be purchased
>with a government coupon.
>
>14. Can I use my coupon to purchase other consumer electronics products, such as
>DVD recorders or televisions? No. Coupons will be electronically coded to be redeemable
>only for purchase of eligible converters.
>
>15. Can I use my coupon to get $40 off a converter I've already purchased? No.
>Coupons must be presented at the point of sale and must be redeemed at the time 
>converters are purchased.
>
>16. Will I need to buy a new television after 17 FEB 09? No. Your existing television
>sets will continue to work after the digital transition if they are connected to
>converters. You do not need to discard your analog sets.
>
>17. Will I receive Closed Captioning through a converter? Yes. Manufacturers of 
>converters are required to pass through Closed Captioning to display on your television.
>
>18. Will I receive High-Definition TV with the aid of a converter? No. Analog televisions
>are not capable of displaying high-definition resolution, but the picture will generally
>be better with a converter. If you want to view high-definition TV, then you will
>need one of the newer sets rated for "high-definition" resolution. 
>
>19. How do I know whether my facility is eligible for coupons? For example, are 
>prisons or group homes eligible to receive coupons? Applicants must meet the Census
>definition of a household as consisting of "all persons who currently occupy
>a house, apartment, mobile home, group of rooms, or single room that is occupied
>as separate living quarters and has a separate U.S. postal address."
>
>20. Why is the transition from analog to digital television happening? Because digital
>broadcasting is more efficient than the current "analog" technology, less
>of the airwaves are needed to provide programming to consumers. The unused spectrum
>which broadcasters no longer require will be used for two important purposes. First,
>it will be given to first responders - our nation's firefighters and police 
>- to better communicate with each other during emergencies. Second, this spectrum
>will be auctioned off to provide innovative wireless broadband services to consumers.
>
>For additional information about the digital television transition, refer to the
>following Web sites to become familiar with your options for making a smooth digital
>transition: 
>•	www.dtvtransition.org - a one-stop clearinghouse of consumer information and tools
>to manage the digital transition, hosted by the DTV Transition Coalition.
>•	www.dtv.gov - this is a government site offering comprehensive resources, including
>a consumer guide on what to look out for as the digital transition approaches.
>•	 www.myceknowhow.com - the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) offers this 
>information to help consumers understand various available equipment options.
>•	 www.ceretailers.org - representing consumer electronics retailers, CERC (Consumer
>Electronics Retailers Coalition) offers a Q & A about the transition as well
>as a consumer advisory alerting consumers to the cutoff date.
>[Source:  Various Nov 07 ++]
>
>
>
>Terry W. Colvin
>Ladphrao (Bangkok), Thailand
>Pran Buri (Hua Hin), Thailand


Terry W. Colvin
Ladphrao (Bangkok), Thailand
Pran Buri (Hua Hin), Thailand