If this has been posted elsewhere, please accept my apology for reposting. While doing a search this morning, I ran across a government webpage which shows the current status of the converter box coupon program--number of accepted applications, number of coupons redeemed, etc.:

http://www.ntia.doc.gov/dtvcoupon/status.html

There are even downloadable statistics for states and individual zip codes.

It is interesting that the total value of coupons ordered is a bit less than $40 per coupon.

So far we only received 2 out of the 6 we put in for.

So far we only received 2 out of the 6 we put in for.You are only allowed 2 per household.

we own 3 different houses in 3 different states

The intent of the program was to alieviate the financial burden to those who could not easily afford to buy a converter. I only own one home and would be embarrassed to say that I requested coupons for my sets. The shame is that many of those getting the coupons will be affluent enough to not need them. Hopefully there will be enough assistance for those who actually need it. Someone who owns three homes obviously should not need a discount on a converter.

Have you ever paid the bills on 3 homes? Only 1 has cable and I'm paying the same high price for utilities you are. As someone said the government forced this on us so let them help pay for it. You want all the illegal aliens to get everything. We are paying taxes so let them give something back. Already aren't getting bush rebate because I'm single but all you couples are getting everything, BULL GIVE ME MY COUPONS.

Have you ever paid the bills on 3 homes? Only 1 has cable and I'm paying the same high price for utilities you are. As someone said the government forced this on us so let them help pay for it. You want all the illegal aliens to get everything. We are paying taxes so let them give something back. Already aren't getting bush rebate because I'm single but all you couples are getting everything, BULL GIVE ME MY COUPONS.
Wow...:rolleyes:

Wow is right.

I don't even know how to respond to that, because I'm just sitting here with my jaw on the floor right now.

I've heard the phrase "The Entitlement Generation" thrown around before, but I had no idea the problem could be this severe.

Man, this converter box coupon program has really brought some real doozies onto this forum lately I've noticed. I really do wish the mods would just split this off into a separate subforum so I didn't have to read this stuff. It's certainly not enough to get anyone banned or anything like that, but still, it's just not something I'm used to seeing in this area at all ever.

SD digital tuners don't really belong in the HDTV section anyway. Maybe if it were a minor subject, then it'd be OK because it still falls under ATSC reception, but it's so big now that it's pretty much taken over this whole subforum. We're picking up all kinds of jokers from all over the internet that are Googling "CECB tuners".

Wow is right.

Man, this converter box coupon program has really brought some real doozies onto this forum lately I've noticed. I really do wish the mods would just split this off into a separate subforum so I didn't have to read this stuff. It's just not something I'm used to at all on this forum.

We're picking up all kinds of jokers from all over the internet that are Googling "CECB tuners".

In fairness to those of us who are relative newcomers to the group, I've noticed many enthusiastic, and knowledgeable, postings to the CECB thread from folks who are obviously "old timers."

This is apparently a topic that's of interest to many posters, both new and old, for varied reasons. Some of us came here looking for as much assistance as possible before purchasing a converter...some are obviously purchasing these boxes to further a hobby such as DXing...certainly not the intended spirit of the coupon program, but each household is entitled to two converters at this point, for whatever the reason.

I have no control over which group that these topics appear under...a Google search (using the phrase "digital converter" for the search, by the way--I had no idea what "CECB" meant before coming here) led me to this part of the forum. If other posters are going to get extremely upset over a topic in which they have no interest, then it's of no consequence to me if the moderators choose to split this off into its own forum...and perhaps that's what should have been done weeks ago.

I wasn't really referring to you, or even the majority of the SD posters.

About the two-coupon entitlment - I guess that doesn't apply to me - I applied Jan. 2, and I never got them. And I'm definitely not higher income and I don't own 3 houses. Not even one, actually. And I'm not getting any "Economic Stimulus Rebate" back from the government, either. (Also, I'm a fully-legal, naturalized American citizen.) Still, I'll pay full price if I have to - as long as I get the box I really want - the TR-40. And you won't see me gripin' about the program! Heck, at least some of these chronic complainers have actually gotten the coupons.

As far as digital reception, 95% of the people here had to work at it to one degree or another to receive it. It didn't just come to them perfectly without effort. Just using the rabbit ears/loop sticking out the back of the set probably ain't gonna cut it. In fact, a lot of them will probably need something a little more expensive than those non-stationary $8.00 VHF rabbit ears that they seem to be so fond of and used to using. With an indoor antenna, there's a lot of trial and error involved, and even that's no guarantee. Some just have to give in and take it outdoors. A lot of these people are just gonna have to learn and accept that.

I know by nature a lot of people who would even be applying for them would not be too flush with disposable income to begin with, but when you hear something like the above (I'm talking mainly about the "3 houses" part), you can really be taken aback.

I just suggested that the CECB tuner topic has become too big on it's own now and should be separated from the long-standing HD Reception forum. It's kind of taken it over, and it's not going to get any less so, at least for a long while. Possibly never. So you might as well break it off now. If it ever does dwindle way down, then they could consider re-combining them.

I wasn't really referring to you, or even the majority of the SD posters.

About the two-coupon entitlment - I guess that doesn't apply to me - I applied Jan. 2, and I never got them. And I'm definitely not higher income and I don't own 3 houses. Not even one, actually. And I'm not getting any "Economic Stimulus Rebate" back from the government, either. (Also, I'm a fully-legal, naturalized American citizen.) Still, I'll pay full price if I have to - as long as I get the box I really want - the TR-40. And you won't see me gripin' about the program! Heck, at least some of these chronic complainers have actually gotten the coupons.

As far as digital reception, 95% of the people here had to work at it to one degree or another to receive it. It didn't just come to them perfectly without effort. Just using the rabbit ears/loop sticking out the back of the set probably ain't gonna cut it. In fact, a lot of them will probably need something a little more expensive than those non-stationary $8.00 VHF rabbit ears that they seem to be so fond of and used to using. With an indoor antenna, there's a lot of trial and error involved, and even that's no guarantee. Some just have to give in and take it outdoors. A lot of these people are just gonna have to learn and accept that.

I know by nature a lot of people who would even be applying for them would not be too flush with disposable income to begin with, but when you hear something like the above (I'm talking mainly about the "3 houses" part), you can really be taken aback.

I just suggested that the CECB tuner topic has become too big on it's own now and should be separated from the long-standing HD Reception forum. It's kind of taken it over, and it's not going to get any less so, at least for a long while. Possibly never. So you might as well break it off now. If it ever does dwindle way down, then they could consider re-combining them.

I'll have to admit that the "I own three houses" posting took me a bit by surprise as well.

I'm also one of the 95% who quickly discovered that digital may not be served well by an indoor antenna. My initial results with a pair of rabbit ears and other indoor solutions were all met with extreme disappointment...basically, it killed the notion of using the converter directly in this bedroom, which was the planned intention. Instead, it sits in the den, hooked up to an outside Radio Shack antenna that has seen much happier days. Even with that aging, ready for the graveyard antenna, reception is 100% better.

Perhaps it is indeed time to split this topic off into a separate CECB section. There is, no doubt, enough discussion remaining to warrant such a move for many weeks to come.

Move or not, I'm very grateful to this forum for the wealth of information acquired in just a few short weeks.

I just suggested that the CECB tuner topic has become too big on it's own now and should be separated from the long-standing HD Reception forum. It's kind of taken it over, and it's not going to get any less so, at least for a long while. Possibly never. So you might as well break it off now. If it ever does dwindle way down, then they could consider re-combining them.

Strongly agree. A separate sub-forum could be named Standard Definition DTV Reception Hardware or it could be named Coupon Eligible DTV Converter Boxes. All of the existing CECB-related threads should be migrated to that new sub-forum.

what are you people talking about, this thread is fine. I was answering another poster back. I don't have the thousand dollars HDTVs or Surround sound systems you all do. We were smart and bought when the prices were low but couldn't do it at todays prices. :p

An interesting side note is that I'm seeing both friends and family members orderign coupons; however they have cable or satellite service. My guess is that many are ordering the coupons without a clue that they don't need them.

Bob Diaz

i don't have cable access around the pool or if a disaster happens and cable lines are knocked out. i also have a few portable TVs just in case.

Strongly agree. A separate sub-forum could be named Standard Definition DTV Reception Hardware or it could be named Coupon Eligible DTV Converter Boxes. All of the existing CECB-related threads should be migrated to that new sub-forum.

My vote would be Coupon Eligible Converter Boxes for DTV. Technically, CECB's can receive HD programming fine - they just downconvert it to NTSC for display. I suggest we avoid creating sub-forum names that could mislead.

The intent of the program was to alieviate the financial burden to those who could not easily afford to buy a converter. I only own one home and would be embarrassed to say that I requested coupons for my sets.

My wife is the "coupon queen" and has worked for years to rid me of "coupon-shame." Single men sometimes use conspicuous consumption as a display of financial status; although I was never that bad, I did feel it to be "cheap" or even emasculating to dig out coupons to save a dollar here or there, especially if the woman at the cash register was cute. But now that I have adjusted to the fact that I'm not single and that my money is "our" money, I use whatever coupons are readily available to me, with more weight given to larger values. Also, my wife has stopped working to stay home to take care of our new twin boy and girl, and so she is being especially critical of my "toy" purchases. Having a coupon has made all the difference with persuading her to approve the converter box purchases.

In all my exposure to government material about the coupon program, nowhere did I see or hear any implication that financial need was or should be a criterion for eligibility. The program has been portrayed as an upgrade program subisidized by those members of the telecom industry who are getting new bandwidth freed by the conversion. So, I'm not ready to feel guilty until I hear that truly needy people aren't able to get coupons because the government ran out. Meanwhile, as an early adopter I'm giving my friends and extra-nuclear family members an orientation on DTV, so that they will have a relatively painless transition. My mom, for example, uses OTA exclusively with an antenna in the attic; she took the initiative to ask me all about it when she visited this weekend. If she doesn't get coupons, I'll buy her two boxes myself.

Edit: My wife just called me to say that UPS just delivered a huge package that says "Channel Master 8 Bay Antenna" on it. This must be the free antenna that I applied for from WRAL with my receipt for my HDTV. It cost me a stamp. Should I feel guilty?

I probably won't even try any of these boxes, since it looks like I'm not even going to receive the two coupons I applied for Jan. 2. I'll just wait for the TR-40, because that one should be worth the full price to me.

(Wow, s! Where did you find out about that free 4228 deal? I wish I could use that antenna, but with the 60-70 MPH winds we occasionally get a couple or few times a year here, I'm sure it wouldn't stay up long.)

Have you ever paid the bills on 3 homes? Only 1 has cable and I'm paying the same high price for utilities you are. As someone said the government forced this on us so let them help pay for it. You want all the illegal aliens to get everything. We are paying taxes so let them give something back. Already aren't getting bush rebate because I'm single but all you couples are getting everything, BULL GIVE ME MY COUPONS.It appears that the handle fits.... dagger 666

(Wow, s! Where did you find out about that free 4228 deal? I wish I could use that antenna, but with the 60-70 MPH winds we occasionally get a couple or few times a year here, I'm sure it wouldn't stay up long.)

I knew WRAL was running an antenna giveaway to promote DTV for a long time, but I assumed it would be a Silver Sensor or bowtie. My neighbor informed me that they were sending 4228's! He recommended a 4228 for reducing my multipath issues. So I searched for their antenna giveway application and sent it with my receipt for my HDTV.

I've since fixed my multipath problems with an XG91, which even picks up our PBS station off the back, which my neighbor claims the 4228 won't do. But I've got other uses for the 4228, particularly when I'm acting as guru to help various friends get set up with DTV. I'm letting friends borrow my spare antennas and extra converter box to determine what works for them before they commit to purchaing their own CECBs. I expect the 4228 will end up in somebody's attic eventually.

-Steve

Two topics are being discussed here, sdtv forum, and I would like that very much, and who should be allowed to get these coupons. One person with three houses should get 6 coupons? I don't think so, it's not about paying taxes its about not losing the use of tvs. I don't think one person is entitled to 6 or more because of how many homes you own. One person is entitled to two, no argument, but 6? Unless you are renting these homes you can take one or two boxes with you when you change locations. Some boxes are small and work well.

As far as digital reception, 95% of the people here had to work at it to one degree or another to receive it. It didn't just come to them perfectly without effort. Just using the rabbit ears/loop sticking out the back of the set probably ain't gonna cut it. In fact, a lot of them will probably need something a little more expensive than those non-stationary $8.00 VHF rabbit ears that they seem to be so fond of and used to using. With an indoor antenna, there's a lot of trial and error involved, and even that's no guarantee. Some just have to give in and take it outdoors. A lot of these people are just gonna have to learn and accept that.

Converter boxes still need a lot of work on multipath rejection.

It's too bad ATSC reception is reliable only with outdoor antennas. Ratings will certainly drop after the transition.

I knew WRAL was running an antenna giveaway to promote DTV for a long time, but I assumed it would be a Silver Sensor or bowtie. My neighbor informed me that they were sending 4228's! He recommended a 4228 for reducing my multipath issues. So I searched for their antenna giveway application and sent it with my receipt for my HDTV.

I've since fixed my multipath problems with an XG91, which even picks up our PBS station off the back, which my neighbor claims the 4228 won't do. But I've got other uses for the 4228, particularly when I'm acting as guru to help various friends get set up with DTV. I'm letting friends borrow my spare antennas and extra converter box to determine what works for them before they commit to purchaing their own CECBs. I expect the 4228 will end up in somebody's attic eventually.

-Steve

I may have to ask about one after I get my next CECB

Have you ever paid the bills on 3 homes? Only 1 has cable and I'm paying the same high price for utilities you are. As someone said the government forced this on us so let them help pay for it. You want all the illegal aliens to get everything. We are paying taxes so let them give something back. Already aren't getting bush rebate because I'm single but all you couples are getting everything, BULL GIVE ME MY COUPONS.
I'm going to side with dagger. The coupons are the solution to those that are losing analog signals. He is losing it on at least 2 of his homes. His other house has cable, but I doubt if cable gives him the sub-channels. If his applications are approved, then he gets them.

The coupons stats page is interesting. Would also be interesting to see a "coupons redeemed" statistic there ...

Also Concerning the coupon statistics page, are the links to the XLS and zip files for the 3 digit/5 digit zip and stats by state working for anyone? I'm just getting errors when I click on them ... I've tried them several times the past couple of weeks ...

I applied for the coupons to keep the $80 away from the gov't coffers - the money is not the gov'ts anyway - all of the money is coming from Verizon/AT&T and others who bid on the spectrum that we all own and the gov't "manages".

At the current pace (100K/day?) there's about 4 mos of coupons left of the anyone can get variety. We'll see what happens after that.

Income is certainly not a factor in the application process - I live in one of the wealthiest zip codes (with very few visible antennae) yet it has one of the highest application rates

Also Concerning the coupon statistics page, are the links to the XLS and zip files for the 3 digit/5 digit zip and stats by state working for anyone? I'm just getting errors when I click on them ... I've tried them several times the past couple of weeks ...

I retrieved the zip5 file on Sunday night. Still reporting 4 coupons ordered for my ZIP code.

knew WRAL was running an antenna giveaway to promote DTV for a long time, but I assumed it would be a Silver Sensor or bowtie. My neighbor informed me that they were sending 4228's! He recommended a 4228 for reducing my multipath issues. So I searched for their antenna giveway application and sent it with my receipt for my HDTV.

just wondering i live in NY, can i get in on this? All they do in this state is take take take.

just wondering i live in NY, can i get in on this? All they do in this state is take take take.
I think you'll need something a little better than a 4228 to pick up WRAL in NY.:rolleyes:

Not that it will keep you from trying to get some free cheese...

they don't give away cheese anymore.