LITTLEBLACKDOG.COM

for those who still don't know...

https://www.dtv2009.gov/

go there... sign up for 1 or 2 discount cards...

after you get your cards... get your boxen.

I got the artec T3Apro from bsat for 2.99 each (after coupon) plus shipping (total little less than $19)

link to this cheapo-box:
http://dtv.bsat.net/pc-17-2-artec-t3a-ntia-certified-convertor-box.aspx

I'll let y'all know what I think when I get it hooked up. I may have to get a better antenna.

US dogs only though...

FAQ wrote:
Are all consumers eligible for the coupon program?
Yes, but supplies are limited. There are 22.25 million coupons available to all U.S. households. Once those coupons have been used, there are an additional 11.25 million coupons available only to households that solely receive their TV broadcasts over-the-air using an antenna. Households with TVs connected to cable, satellite or other pay TV service are not eligible for this second batch of coupons. Consumers can apply for coupons until March 31, 2009, or until the funds are exhausted.

Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 10:18 am Post subject:

From what I've read, you ONLY need this if you are tuning in to your TV via an antenna somehow..

cable/direct-tv subscribers shouldn't have any issues with the transition

(of course I discovered this right AFTER I signed up for these coupons)

Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 12:22 pm Post subject:

yes, they are for over the air broadcasts. though I must say that the digital broadcasts still look better than regular cable and about the same as digital cable. Unless you have HD gear, you won't really care about the 480i output of these tuners.

Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 12:54 pm Post subject:

Great thanks,

been looking for this info....

Now only need to purchase a 40 lcd tv and get the cable in.....

This is just a back up in case I run up my bills to high and need to cut the cable off for a minute ....

later...

Have a good day...

Surprised

Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 4:39 pm Post subject:

Denver finally got the last major networks on Digital broadcasts. I'd been getting some PBS, Fox and other odd channels in Digital for awhile.

Now that it's all digital..and all free...I am seriously considering dropping my DirecTV. My 37" LCD handles the digital signals just dandy Smile

Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 10:26 am Post subject:

I just hooked up my digital converters and, I must say, am VERY impressed! The picture is 150% better than what I had prior, plus the strange extra channels (45 in total). We got the Insignia brand, which was $20 over the $40 coupon discount. VERY worth it!!

They should have done this a long time ago, IMO!!!

Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 12:59 pm Post subject:

I need a better antenna. when I get signal, it's super crispy (compared to analog - sucks compared to HD... but yeah... 1080 vs 480... no contest)

so I ordered an antenna. should be here by the end of the week or early next week.

Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2008 8:27 pm Post subject:

I have a pair of these I don't need...

anyone need extras?

-Tyme

(long tyme members only)

EEps · Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2008 12:43 am Post subject:

fathertyme wrote:
I have a pair of these I don't need...

anyone need extras?

-Tyme

(long tyme members only)

PM sent... Wink Smile

Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2008 12:59 am Post subject:

The only people who need these converter boxes are ones who do not have cable or satellite service and want to continue to use old analog low-def televisions to receive over-the-air programming from their local stations after February 2009. Since most people in the U.S. have cable television, there's not a large need for converter boxes.

I expect that most of the holdouts hanging on to their obsolete low-def analog TVs will upgrade to high-definition digital televisions in the near future. Everyone has known for a very long time that the digital conversion was coming. No-one should have purchased a TV that lacked an ATSC digital tuner in the past five years.

Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 5:55 pm Post subject:

JustAnEngineer wrote:
The only people who need these converter boxes are ones who do not have cable or satellite service and want to continue to use old analog low-def televisions to receive over-the-air programming from their local stations after February 2009. Since most people in the U.S. have cable television, there's not a large need for converter boxes.

I expect that most of the holdouts hanging on to their obsolete low-def analog TVs will upgrade to high-definition digital televisions in the near future. Everyone has known for a very long time that the digital conversion was coming. No-one should have purchased a TV that lacked an ATSC digital tuner in the past five years.

I don't even have a TV... I use my ATI TV Wonder Elite PCI card to watch TV. and it looks pretty good on my monitor when I full screen it (19" 4:3 LCD @ 1280x1024) even though the output is only 480i from the digital tuner. until I get the debt paid off, I can't see spending $500+ for a friggin TV (cause all the nice ones I would actually like are over $500).

of course... this is all beside the fact that I don't have room for a TV right now and the 19" LCD on the computer is the best way for me to go.