How to Get $40 From the Government to Pay for a Digital TV Converter

Your old Analog TV can live on after Feb. 17, 2009

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On February 17th, 2009, everyone who does NOT own a digital TV will stop getting a picture. What’s the average TV owner to do? Read my article. On Feb 17th 2009, Analog TV siginals will be shut off but Congress has also started a program to help Americans by issuing $40 coupons (by request only) that will help you pay for those converter boxes or set-top boxes. These converter boxes will convert digital TV signals into analog for viewing on your old analog TV.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Analog TV
Internet connection
or a phone

Step1

Visit this web site http://www.dtv2009.gov
The site is busy to be patient.

Step2

click me Click Request Coupon

Step3

Fill out the form. With your address and name. Please understand that if you check the box that says you have cable or satellite, you are only allowed one coupon. If you do not use cable or plan to shut off cable in the future, you can have 2 coupons by selecting the proper option.
The reason for this is that cable users will not be impacted the same way over-the-air viewers will be. Over-the-air antenna viewers will loose all channels. Cable users get a signal that is different. Its actually a formatted cable signal and is controlled by your cable company.

Step4

Once you click the final request button, it will take about one minute to get your confirmation. Print this sheet and save it in case your coupon never arrives or arrives after the expire date..

Step5

Hook up is easy! Once your get your Digital to Analog Converter box, you will hook it up just like a DVD player or VCR.

Step6

Please note: You only have 90 days to use the coupon after its issued. The set-top-boxes and the coupons will be available in FEB. or March of 2007.

Tips & Warnings

The 1st 22 million requests will operate on the honor system.
If you know someone without internet access, have them call: 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009).
After the 1st 22 million, The coupons will be reserved for those can not get a signal other than over the air.
The coupon has an expire date of 90 days after issue.

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Comments

MidniteWriter said

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on 1/27/2008 You are the first one that has been able to answer my question "what do we do in 2009!" This makes it clearer. I have satellite so per your info I suppose I would not be affected until the company decides. I guess then I'm replacing all my TVs? Thanks for the tips and sites.

mrchuck999 said

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on 1/3/2008 Who is not impacted right away by this change: All dedicated cable and satellite users may not experience any problems in Feb. 2009. The cable companies and satellite companies convert the signals and rebroadcast them for paid customers. But these companies can decide at any time to drop analog TV support as well in their own time frame. Also keep in mind; if you have even one TV connected to an antenna, it will not get a signal as of FEB 2009.

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