TechnoBabble

People are saying that the new digital to analog converter boxes are here in the Triad. The government coupons to offset the cost of those converter boxes are also being mailed as of last week to those who have requested them. You can continue to request up to 2 coupons per household until March 31, 2009 or until the money runs out for the coupons. You can request your coupons from http://www.dtv2009.gov or call 888-DTV-2009. The coupons are only good for 90 days.

I have been told that the Zenith DTT-900 converter boxes are at Best Buy and the Insignia converter box is at Circuit City. Both boxes retail for $59.95 each. With your coupon, the total cost would be $19.95. Radio Shack is also suppose to have converter boxes but they will not have them until May or June due to an in store software validation issue they are working on.

If you obtain a converter box, please post your experiences with it. I am sure some will work better than others and people will like to know what you have experienced.

Remember, if you subscribe to cable or satellite, you do not need a converter box, only those analog TVs that are connected to antennas will need them. If you purchased a new TV of any size or kind in the last year, chances are extremely good your TV has the digital tuner to continue to receive FOX8 WGHP after February 17, 2009. You need to check your owner's manual to see if your TV has an "ATSC Tuner." If so, you do not need a converter either.