The U.S. government program to provide free coupons for $40 off the cost of the purchase of an HDTV tuner / converter set-top-box began today. Congress created the TV Converter Box Coupon Program for households who wish to keep using their current analog TV sets after February 17, 2009. This program allows U.S. households to obtain up to two coupons, each worth $40, that can be applied toward the cost of eligible converter boxes. This is a great time to request your coupon, as the program just started today.
Click here to go to the U.S. government DTV tuner coupon page , click on item 3, and request your coupon.
(upadated June 6, 2008 with the following information)
Use our store locator to search for a TV Converter Box Coupon Program Certified Retailer near you. Our locator will find the approximate address for retailers that accept DTV converter box coupons, searching by city and state, or by zip code.
(updated June 23, 2008 with the information below)
The list of Authorized Coupon Eligible Converter Boxes .
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28 users responded in this post
I am requesting 2 coupons. (This program allows U.S. households to obtain up to two coupons, each worth $40, that can be applied toward the cost of eligible converter boxes.) After I get the coupon what do I do?
Hello mkirksey,
That’s a great question!
To use your coupons, go to a Coupon Program participating retailer (pdf file list of participating retailers, current as of January 07, 2008), shop for a Coupon Program approved HDTV converter (listed here), then present your coupon to the cashier. The store will then discount the converter box $40 and you will pay the balance, just like a grocery store coupon.
As more converters and retailers are approved, the process of shopping for the converter will become easier.
I believe you can only use one coupon per HDTV tuner.
Participating retailers process the coupon electronically through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.
I am requesting a coupon worth $40 towards the purchase of a unit that will get tv for me…I only have an antenea.
Thanks
I heard on news channel 9 about a place to contact to eather get free hdtv converters or coupons far 2 free converters per house in mail or by email b4 feb 2009…. i would apperciate more info
Hi Blackwolf,
I’ve sent an email to you. I hope it helps.
Well its feb08 and they still do not have the convertors in Circut city and Walmart here in La.
But convertors really wont solve the problem for most people in rual areas. The digital signals do not go as far as the analog does. Many people will be unable to get the boxes to work with weak signals.
It should be pointed out that NONE of the approved converters are HDTV converters. They are digital (ATSC) converters but none of them will allow you to receive a HDTV signal. They only receive/process a SDTV (480p) digital signal.
I know this is a technical nit-pick but a lot of people get confused by the distinction between HDTV and Digital TV (DTV) and quite a few are going to be disappointed when they find out that there aren’t going to suddenly get HDTV.
Hi Jim,
I believe it works the other way around - all of the approved converters in the coupon program must receive both standard definition (SDTV) and HDTV signals. Seeing a broadcast in full HDTV quality does depend on the specs of your TV though. If you have an old analog TV, you’ll only get an SDTV quality picture and some converters do reduce the image quality too.
Here’s the technical appendix of Title 47, CFR 301 which details the requirements for a converter box to be approved for the coupon program.
It should also be noted that not all digital television broadcasts are in High Definition either. Stations can choose and vary the resolution anywhere from SDTV to HDTV as they see fit. The FCC only requires that they broadcast a digital signal.
I just purchased a Magnavox SDTV digital to analog box. What is the difference between, Example: Zenith DTV and the Magnavox SDTV? Will SDTV work as well as the DTV converter box?
I would like to know if the handheld TVs (small ones that people take to parks, picnics, etc… will work. Do they have small converter boxes for those?
Hi Deni,
SDTV and HDTV are flavors of DTV, with HDTV offering much higher resolution. If you are using a DTV converter box with your old TV, your picture quality should be about the same as DVD picture quality.
Hello Florence,
As far as I know, there are no portable DTV converter boxes available (other than USB tuners for laptop computers), nor have I heard of any manufacturers planning to make a portable model. I would assume someone will eventually make a portable version for handheld TVs and weather radios that receive TV audio warnings.
Thanks Deni,
I will keep them anyway, just in case.
Hi, I just applied for 2 coupons at DTV.GOV and when i hit the submit button it says it takes a few minutes to process.
Well after about 5 seconds it just brings me back to the apply for coupons screen without letting me know if i was successful or not?
And i am wondering if this is the same for everyone? thanx……Marc
Hi Marc4D,
If your coupon application is successful, you should receive a receipt screen that has a reference number and an estimated mailing date for your coupons. Be sure to write down the reference number so that you can go back and check your coupon status. If you didn’t receive an approval screen, try signing up again. If it still doesn’t work, try it using a different browser.
Why is it so difficult to find converters in the inner city WALmart.? We have been trying for so long to get converters and they get in so few that that are out of stock almost before they come in. If you are not standing there when they come in, they are out within a few minutes. We buy fron Walmart because they are cheaper there.
Hi dWinn,
I’m sorry to hear that you are having trouble locating a DTV converter box. Unfortunately, there aren’t enough converter boxes anywhere right now. The major retailers are tracking which zip codes are receiving coupons and they try to stock the stores accordingly.
Since you need to use your coupon within 90 days of the mailing date, you may want to try RadioShack. They may be a little more expensive than Walmart, but if they don’t have the boxes in stock, you can backorder one using the coupon and they will ship the box to your home. They’ll ship the box to you for free if you purchase it at the store too. I hope that helps.
I requested 2 coupons quite a while ago. Can you tell me if they have been, or when they will be mailed out? Thanks!
Hi Linda,
You can check your Converter Box Coupon status by going to the DTV Converter Coupon status page at dtv2009.gov. Enter the reference number or coupon number you received when you applied for the coupon and the site will tell you the status of your coupons.
I apply for my coupons but said that this address had all ready applied for them. My husband and i haven’t applied for them. what do I do now
Hi Crystal,
I would recommend that you email the NTIA through their form at NTIA email and explain your situation.
If that does not work, you can call the Coupon Program toll-free 24-hour automated system 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009) and try to reach a human.
You could also try to request an appeal by writing to: NTIA Coupon Program, PO Box 2000, Portland, OR 97208-2000.
As a last resort, you can contact your State Congressman and request assistance. They can be very helpful with these types of situations.
i would like to receive 2 free coupons. my name is Ms.Patrice Grandberry my address is 5294 Clinchport Cir. Memphis Tn. 38127. i don’t have cable or anything.
i would like to request 2 free coupons I don’t have cable or anything my name is Ms. corina Echols. my address is 630 Georgia Ave. Memphis Tn.Apt.D 38126
I requested my 2 coupons in march. They claim I should have gotten them in May. I never received anything in the mail and now they are telling me that they cant reissue the coupons……That totally sucks as now I cant get coupons and I saw that the converter boxes list for around $60 each. They gave me a request number and even that didnt help. The government is a ripoff as far as I’m concerned. They wont even help out a person who followed their rules and now they cant do anything to remedy the situation.
I have a 5 inch black & white portable tv (GPX SportX TV)that is about 2 years old. The TV was our life line during “Ike.” Will I be able to use this TV again in an emergency after the first of the year? Will a converter box be needed?
I received my two coupons, but had not been able to find the boxes in stores until recently. Now, the coupons are expired. Will I have to pay the full retail price? Or, is there some sort of appeal process to follow to have them reissued?
Hi, Jeff
I’m going through the same problem you are having right now. I tried to buy my converter box, but my coupons were already expired. I asked if there was any way I could receive two additional coupons since the ones I have was never used and I was told no. The coupons are only good for 90 days. The only two options I have as of now is 1)buy the boxes for full price,which can be expensive or 2)ask a relative who has satellite, cable etc. for their coupon. To answer your question…. to my knowledge there is NOT an appeal process to have the coupons reissued.
I requested 2 coupons far back around Jun. and never get any coupon in the mail. I wrote e-mail to support but never get any responed either, then I apply again but it said I had been approved before if any question write to support e-mail address so I wrote e-mail again (this time I worte twice) up to date still get no respond. What should I do next?
Thank you.
It’s the middle of the night & the government website is “too busy” to process. When is it NOT busy?
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