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Highlands Today

Coupons Available For Digital TV Converter Boxes

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By JIM KONKOLY

Highlands Today

Published: November 11, 2008

SEBRING - Highlands County residents who get their television reception free through roof top or rabbit ears antennas will be able to pull in twice as many stations when TV broadcasters switch to digital only transmission on Feb. 17.

But, in order to keep getting free over-the-air reception, their televisions must either have digital receivers or be fitted with a digital-to-analog converter box, said Beverly Silva, an agent from the Federal Communication Commission's Tampa field office.

Silva explained the nationwide switch to digital-only television broadcasting at Monday's meeting of the Highlands County Homeowners Association.

People who receive their television through a paid service such as cable or satellite won't be affected by the change, Silva said.

The change to digital-only broadcasting, which will provide sharper pictures and better sound quality, will affect people using antenna reception with older televisions that receive only analog signals.
Converter boxes that convert the digital signal for reception by an analog television sell for between $40 to $70, and the federal government is offering $40 coupons to help defray the cost, Silva said.

Each household is eligible for up to two $40 coupons, but only one coupon can be used per purchase of a digital-to-analog converter, Silva said.

Silva said people can apply for the coupons in four ways: online at www.DTV2009.gov; by phone at 888-388-2009; by mail, by writing to P.O. Box 2000, Portland, Or., 97208; or by Fax at 877-DTV-4ME2.

Applying online is considered the most convenient method, as people can track when their coupon is mailed, Silva said. Applications can be made until March 31 for the coupons, which expire 90 days after their mailing date.

Silva said the two biggest misconceptions about the switch to digital broadcasting are that antennas, either roof top or rabbit ears, will have to be upgraded, and that the new digital broadcasting system requires an HDTV.

"Nobody has to go out and buy a new television set," Silva said. "It is not necessary to have an HD (high definition) TV to receive the digital signal."

She also said that if you receive good over-the-air reception with your current antenna, it will continue working fine once broadcasting switches to digital.

Most Highlands County residents using free antenna reception get six or seven stations now, Silva said. Once the switch is made to digital only broadcasting, they should be able to pull in from 14 to 20 stations, she said.

FAST FACT:

The change to digital-only broadcasting will affect people using antenna reception with older televisions that receive only analog signals. Such users will have to get a converter box, for which the government is issuing a $40 coupon.

Jim Konkoly can be reached at 863-386-5855 or e-mail jkonkoly@highlandstoday.com

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