http://www.wral.com/news/technology/story/2156374/

I have an HDTV that does not have a built in ATSC tuner. I get HD such as Discovery and HBO from my DirecTV HD Tivo. I also get my local HD stations using the ATSC tuner built into my DirecTV HD Tivo. As long as I have that setup, I know I am fine. However, if I move the TV to another room that does not have an HD Tivo, I know I will need an external ATSC tuner to get my HD local stations. My question is whether the new government subsidized boxes available next year will work as a full ATSC tuner for my TV and allow me to get my HD locals?

I have looked for the answer, and it seems to be yes, but the articles typically focus on old 4 x 3 analog sets.

Thanks,

Robb

These boxes are intended to allow older analog NTSC sets to be able to receive ATSC signals and display them. They will NOT be showing in HDTV - only 480i output.

If you need a standalone ATSC tuner for a 16:9 HDTV, I'd suggest you look at boxes like the Samsung DTB-H260F.

No, the box will decode all ATSC formats, but only to an SD output, either RF modulator (channel 3/4), composite video, or S-video.

The government is subsidizing people with analog sets deprived of signal. It is NOT subsidizing your HDTV reception (or mine). Sorry.

Yes, according to the NTIA, any box with outputs other than composite, S-Video and RF is disqualified from the coupon program. So that means no 480i component video either.

"Best Buy Co. Inc., Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and six other retailers...
...Circuit City Stores Inc., Target Corp., Sears Holdings Corp. and its Kmart outlets and RadioShack Corp. Wal-Mart's Sam's Club stores will also sell the devices."

Why no mention of online companies, like Amazon?

"Best Buy Co. Inc., Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and six other retailers...
...Circuit City Stores Inc., Target Corp., Sears Holdings Corp. and its Kmart outlets and RadioShack Corp. Wal-Mart's Sam's Club stores will also sell the devices."

Why no mention of online companies, like Amazon?

<cynical>
Because they didn't pay for placement.
</cynical>

"Is the government subsidized box an ATSC tuner?"

Yes it is, but remember the FCC did NOT mandate HDTV only DTV.

Given that we KNOW these will not be a large commision item, I don't think I would bother with BB, CC and Sears too much. Walmart, Sam's and Target will be the stores I will look for the converter boxes in.

Given that we KNOW these will not be a large commision item, I don't think I would bother with BB, CC and Sears too much. Walmart, Sam's and Target will be the stores I will look for the converter boxes in.

There won't be anything different with these boxes from all the other electronics except the $40 subsidy. As such, BB would be the place to go for them.

"Best Buy Co. Inc., Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and six other retailers...
...Circuit City Stores Inc., Target Corp., Sears Holdings Corp. and its Kmart outlets and RadioShack Corp. Wal-Mart's Sam's Club stores will also sell the devices."

Why no mention of online companies, like Amazon?I've been wondering about online web stores too.

About 2 weeks ago Amazon had a listing for the RCA DTA800 Digital to Analog TV Converter Box which said it was not yet available.

Today I searched for the RCA listing and it was gone; and I could not find the LG/Zenith DTT900 or any Coupon Eligible Converter Boxes on Amazon.

Maybe the NTIA has limited sales to B&M stores only. I recently read that the actual "coupon" is plastic and has the exact specs of a credit card.

How would web stores handle the retail transaction? Are they part of the program? I did some research and was not able to find an answer.

EDIT: I just answered my own question. It's in the article cited in the 1st post. It says:

Meredith Baker, who is the acting administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, which is overseeing the coupon program [said]

"We have nationwide coverage with over 14,000 brick-and-mortar stores involved as well as with online participation," she added during a telephone conference with journalists.Avio