Are you ready for DTV?

If you watch TV at all, you have heard by now that in 2009 TV stations transmitting in HD and TV’s with antennas will need a converter box.
If you have a paid TV service like satellite or cable you should be okay (find out by calling the company). However, if you have an older TV (bought before 2006) you might want to get a converter box encase you ever want to ditch the paid provider. That way you won’t have to buy a new TV right away.

This whole switch to HD was supposed to happen a while ago, but they couldn’t because it would have left many with dark TV screens. The switch was abandoned when they learned people were not willing to buy a $40 -$80 box or a new TV to watch TV that should be free.

That is why this time they are giving out $40.00 coupons (debt cards) to people that sign up for them. The average price for a converter box is $45.00, maybe lower when it gets closer to the switch date, so you may end up paying something for a box.
To sign up for your coupon (up to two per household) go to DTVAnswers.com and fill out the form.
I finally signed up for my (and for few friends) coupons about a month ago. When I was talking to a Rep from the phone number, I was told that it won’t show up until may. This was because all the coupons they had already issued had problems and people were not able to use them. To fix the problem they had to cancel all the ones already sent and resend them.
I thought the coupons would be “coupons”, but the $40.00 comes in a one-time-use pre-paid debt card(s) with no name on it (at least that is what the rep said). To me that it just asking for thievery. I have not heard how they are going to prevent people from using them for something other than converter boxes.

Note: If you are going to sign a friend up for coupons, make sure they (or someone else) hasn’t already done it. You could mess things up for them. Their name could be flagged because it looks like they are trying to get more then two. That is why I had to call the number; my brother-in-law had already signed up his mom and did not tell her, so when she did it they gave her a hard time (I fixed it).