TechnoBabble

On February 7th, Best Buy Senior VP Michael Vitelli and Commerce Sec Carlos Gutierrez as well as FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, NAB President and CEO David K. Rehr, National Cable and Telecommunications Association President and CEO Kyle McSlarrow, and Consumer Electronics Association Vice President Jason Oxman announced in Washington, DC the digital to analog converter boxes for the DTV Transition will be available to the public starting one year from the transition date, February 17, 2008. Best Buy is one of the retailers that will be selling the boxes. Best Buy will also have a converter box hotline, 877-BBY-DTV9, to answer questions and process purchases using the coupons.

“The transition to digital television is an unprecedented effort, and we are working hard to ensure all Americans are aware of the transition and take necessary action before February 2009,” Sec Gutierrez said. February 17 is also the day the government coupons will be mailed out to those who have applied for them. He also talked about the public safety aspect of the transition. He was also asked if there was a real chance the coupons would run out before all who needed them received them . Sec Gutierrez said there would be enough coupons.

Mr. Vitelli stated that all 900 Best Buy stores will stock the boxes.