http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/ Engadget HD Comments for HD STBs are not eligible for $40 DTV vouchers http://www.engadgethd.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadgethd.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/Feb 16th 2008 3:08PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/Mar 7th 2008 7:41PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/I am now really surprised that you didn't blame it on Bush or making it to be some kind of "plot" against the black folks.
I am not crazy about this whole mess either & especially that one of my local news stations has decided to count down to the day "old" tv is gone.
Since the government is involved, of course it will be a tangled mess with no one really knowing what is going on with it. It probably won't be figured out until a few months after.]]>Mar 28th 2008 6:18PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/
is it only that my regular tv wont receive any local channels, unless i have one of those HDTV boxes? but can i see my cable programming still, or forcebly i have to buy the box in order to see both.....


]]>Mar 6th 2008 6:01AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/
If you want to nitpick about it, the voucher also doesn't cover any receiver that has any other bells and whistles like DVR or a DVD player built in. It's just the converter, no bells and whistles. ]]>Jan 2nd 2008 12:47PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/
I presume you already watch an HD signal through cable or satellite (which means you don't get a box).

This program is for people who won't have access to any signal without buying something new.]]>Jan 2nd 2008 12:43PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/Jan 2nd 2008 12:54PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/
If they weren't happy with the SD signal, then they would have gotten the HD signal a long time ago, and don't need the coupon to allow them to continue to what they have been doing.]]>Jan 2nd 2008 1:01PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/
If you have a computer and browse Engadget, you have no business getting a government handout for a digital tuner.

THIS PROGRAM IS INTENDED TO HELP POOR PEOPLE!

The fact that you register for the give away via a website sucks. The fact that Engadget is encouraging it's reader to sign up sucks even worse.]]>Jan 2nd 2008 1:12PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/
The government is going to get a huge windfall when they resell this spectrum. This windfall is, in part, due to the fact that there are whole lot of people that will suddenly own an obsolete piece of equipment.

Why shouldn't anyone with an obsolete TV be able to get part of that windfall?!?

Heck, if you end up going out and buying a converter without the coupon, then you just paid a tax... You ended up being a casualty of the windfall.

I'm getting a little tired of people thinking that these coupins are payed for by a tax everyone else ends up footing. Not so.

So please explain why only poor people should be able to partake in this government windfall?

]]>Jan 2nd 2008 1:20PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/
but this program is just government subsidy to force the american public into the future, so it has nothing to do with "handouts"]]>Jan 2nd 2008 1:22PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/Jan 2nd 2008 2:13PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/Jan 2nd 2008 2:38PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/Jan 2nd 2008 12:51PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/Jan 2nd 2008 12:57PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/Jan 2nd 2008 5:40PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/Jan 3rd 2008 2:27PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/
The vouchers are intended to aid people with ANALOG tuners get a DIGITAL tuner at a reduced price.

Some older TVs that are capable of HDTV still have ANALOG tuners. If you have a HDTV with an ANALOG only tuner, (Coax, most likely) then these will still work for you. DVI/Component/HDMI would be better quality, but this should still give you a workable solution.

If you bought an HDTV without a tuner, and were looking to get a free DTV tuner with the coupon, well you're out of luck.]]>Jan 2nd 2008 1:04PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/Jan 2nd 2008 1:02PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/Jan 2nd 2008 7:58PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/Jan 2nd 2008 1:11PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/Jan 2nd 2008 1:33PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/probably too small a market as you've pointed out, but
those with "HD ready" sets who want a tuner might want
to consider the PVR solutions like the Tivo HD.

We just installed one at my in-laws, and while the jury is still out on ease of use, the improvement in picture quality over analog, even displaying on an analog TV was remarkable.

]]>Jan 2nd 2008 4:51PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/
I personally think the use of acronyms is part of the problem. HDTV, DTV? They must be related, right?]]>Jan 2nd 2008 1:28PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/Jan 2nd 2008 1:30PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/
This may be hopeless...]]>Jan 2nd 2008 1:41PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/
Thanks. ]]>Jan 2nd 2008 1:46PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/Jan 3rd 2008 12:37PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/
The point is that when the govt sells the spectrum and "makes" their $10billion (or whatever it sells for) it's not like they all of a sudden have a surplus of $10billion dollars. It is just $10billion dollars less they they need to collect from you and I to pay for their yearly budget. Now if this money somehow magically vaporized if nobody claimed it then fine, but that isn't the case. If the government magically created money (yes, the stuff we use to represent purchasing power (money)) then fine, but that isn't the case either.
]]>Jan 3rd 2008 2:49PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/AND THAT IS THE TRUTH
]]>Mar 28th 2008 6:10PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/
What about my DVD recorder, I just have to throw it away because I can't pick up any analog signals any longer?

Please, the gov't is making millions selling the unused spectrum...I just want my share. Will be signing up my grandparents, too as soon as I verify their address.]]>Jan 2nd 2008 2:36PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/
As for spending the money yourself, the money has already been budgeted, so we've all already spent our $50 or whatever with our taxes; it matters not whether we actually get the coupons ourselves or not, we paid for them.]]>Jan 2nd 2008 4:05PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/
It would be fantastic if it could work indoors - I've tried one of the Silver Sensor antennas indoors, and it's able to pick up the channels I want, but not all at the same time - I need to rotate it (a dealbreaker for programming a PVR...) - Thanks!]]>Jan 2nd 2008 4:35PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/http://www.summitsource.com/dx-antenna-dta5000-tv-smart-antenna-multidirectional-hdtv-digital-uhf-vhf-outdoor-offair-high-definition-local-hd-sylvania-television-reception-aerial-green-zone-part-dta5000-p-6320.html?manufacturers_id=54

however, it seems like it's only useful if the receiver conforms to the CEA-909 standard Ben mentioned, and the only one I could find was the Sylvania 6900DTE box...

I also stumbled across the DTA-3500, but it seems that the directionality needs to be manually selected w/ a remote (also not great for PVRs...) However, I'm guessing that it doesn't need to be interfaced to a CEA-909 standard box...]]>Jan 2nd 2008 7:51PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/Jan 2nd 2008 9:40PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/Jan 2nd 2008 11:04PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/
And to Rocketboy and college student i would like to address you two, the box does not cost 40 dollars as it is a cupon for $40 off of the price when they become avalible to purchase so before posting on a topic perhaps try doing some research on it so that you do not end up sounding like a fool! ]]>Jan 3rd 2008 11:35PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/
I have three other TV's hooked up directly to cable with no tuner boxes (yes, I do rent one box for DVR). I don't need the cable boxes for these other TV's so why should I pay to rent them monthly or purchase them? Why should I shell out $120+ to have these TV's play digital channels? I know this $40 credit is not coming out of our taxes. Even if the Government was only charging 1M, it's still a rip off.]]>Jan 5th 2008 3:50AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/
And yes, as the 4.6 Billion could have been used to reduce the tax burden on EVERYONE, yes, it came out of your taxes. The radio spectrum is really 'public' property, not gov't property. We all should obtain benefits from the windfall. Not have yet another gov't program set up (mega bux right there) to send out a small portion of the cash.]]>Jan 3rd 2008 3:49PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/Jan 3rd 2008 9:45AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/Jan 3rd 2008 12:21PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/
I think that the ban on DVI and VGA is lame but I can see their point. The funding they provide is for the low income user so they can mantain the same over the air service they had before the switch and not so the high end user can watch the local channels in HD.

As a gradstudent I make less then 1500 dollars a year, less then 10 after tuition. I'm glad that when they make the switch I can still watch TV on my little 13" TV. If they didn't provide this service I wouldn't be able to aforde TV anymore.

Its goverment cheeze people be glad that they offer it. If you don't like it then leave it for the rest of us. ]]>Jan 3rd 2008 1:13PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/Jan 4th 2008 4:48PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers/
As I understand it, digital cable in the U.S. uses a standard known as QAM. The ATSC converter boxes will NOT be of any use in decoding digital cable signals. However, Feb. 17, 2009 only discontinues analog over-the-air broadcasting.

It is entirely up to your cable company to decide when they want to turn off NTSC analog channels and go all digital (QAM). The FCC doesn't care about that, apparently. I suspect that day is coming for every cable provider as they look "toward the future".

Please note that some digital TVs have tuners for NTSC, ATSC, and QAM. If your mom gets one that includes QAM, she *should* be able to use it for non-premium cable channels even after they turn off their NTSC channels. It'd be wise to investigate that for her specific cable company, to be sure.

I just checked and it looks like the Samsung DTB-H260F Digital Tuner mentioned above does demodulate QAM signals, too. No discount from the Gov't on these, but one of those could be used for digital cable vs. buying a new TV - at least, while they are still on the market!]]>Jan 15th 2008 5:22PM