Unfortunately the https://www.dtv2009.gov/ site is not in EST time zone and my submission for my coupons (just now) shows 12/31/2007 date! Now my coupons will probably be denied. :mad:

I did get a reference number though. Had anyone visited the site earlier that 1/1/08 and if so, were you able to apply for this coupon? I'm thinking I screwed up with requesting right after the ball dropped at Times Square.

The last time I had tried (couple weeks ago) it returned a 404. So, the fact that it is up now is news to me.

Personally, I plan on waiting until I see the boxes in the store before getting the coupons.

Ditto, from PST. I got a referenced number, but it's dated 12/31/07. I hope it goes through.

This article posted today says tomorrow you can apply online or call.

http://apnews.excite.com/article/20071231/D8TSLN7O0.html

I applied also. I called 888-388-2009 and it said my application was approved. Just call press 1 then 2 2 then 1 enter the Reference number the site gave you on the page to print out.

Shot off the fireworks, guests gone home, applied for coupons, got an error message. Tried again. Error message. Guess I'm not the only one trying.
Hopefully I'll have better luck with the phone later on.

Most of us have become familiar with the different zones and when your submission is accepted in your zone it is usually valid, the response from a server in another zone will time stamp it's local time but that should not have any bearing on the outcome..You were accepted. If it was right after Midnight then you are in the first few thousand.:) Of course you could have waited three hours and been in the first hundreds of thousands with Pacific Time.

Shot off the fireworks, guests gone home, applied for coupons, got an error message. Tried again. Error message. Guess I'm not the only one trying.
Hopefully I'll have better luck with the phone later on.

Applied online again, got the confirmation. I'm in the low 77,000's.

Forget the %&*%$#* web site and just call 888-388-2009

The phone system works and it is fast.

IB

Just applied online and received a reference number in the 94 thousands

Just applied online and received a reference number in the 94 thousands

My reference number is 5 digits beginning with 7 (7+,+++). Does that mean there are over 70,000 people who applied before me?

PS "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."

Looks like I have no worries about getting a coupon.

IB

Thanks troydog! I called and was confirmed my submission. My ref number is in the 3000s, so looks like I am at the top of the list (and good to go). :)

132K+ - took a few tries

155,000 +
First try.

I'm in the 175,xxx...Used the website...Took less than 45 seconds to type name & address and get verification...

People are applying at the rate of 25,000 every 9 minutes

I could not get in this morning, but it worked tonight (240K+).

#266772 at about 9 PM Pacific time for me.

Do any of the eligible converter boxes have HD outputs? (Component, DVI, HDMI)?

No. For the 100th time - no. Do some reading.

Do any of the eligible converter boxes have HD outputs? (Component, DVI, HDMI)?

No, any such output make them ineligible.

To the best of my knowledge the purpose of these boxes are for use with SD 4:3 standard issue for the last 30+ years of SD TV's...But can still be used with HDTV's...Just not used for HDTV...Make sense???;)

I tried to sign up for my parents but got error message...tried twice with same result. :(

This link will take you directly to the application page:
https://www.dtv2009.gov/ApplyCoupon.aspx

I was able to get to the website, I had to reload the page a couple dozen times.

The confirmation page includes this message:
"TV converter boxes are not expected to be available in retail stores until late February or early March. You will receive your Coupon(s) then. The Coupon will expire within 90 days from the date it is issued."

My friend just applied for hers and she is in the 410,000s

So, lets see ~ $900 mil alloted/ 300K per day x 2 (I assume everyone asks for 2 coupons) x $40 = 37 days. Something's gotta give.

I just applied for mine... about #447000.

The boxes I'm particularly interested are the Echostar ones which are apparently the only ones that will take digital TV Guide On Screen data and convert it to analog. I've got a couple of Sony HD DVRs that use analog TVGOS, and they will be very awkward to program after 2009-02-17 without these converter boxes (or a firmware or hardware upgrade which I think is very unlikely).

What are the chances all the early coupons will be claimed before the first box is even available?:eek:

^ Looks like chances may be good if it's true they won't be available(nor the coupons mailed) until late feb/early March ...

It's Up to around 515K around 1:30pm ....

Oops: Edited/deleted portion of post concerning how long the coupons might last after I saw biker19's earlier post with the better math (2 coupons requested per household instead of one) ....

522,000 as of 1345 EST

I just applied for mine... about #447000.

The boxes I'm particularly interested are the Echostar ones which are apparently the only ones that will take digital TV Guide On Screen data and convert it to analog.

Where are you getting the information on the Echostar box? I even looked on the CES web site and didn't see it (they are suppose to introduce it there). I also have the Sony HD recorder so, if that is what we will need to keep it going, I will get the Echostar box.

Apparently it was only recently approved, so it probably hasn't made it onto all the lists yet. I found out about it a couple of days ago in the Sony DHG-HDD250/500 thread in the HDTV Recorders forum:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=12626216#post12626216

Just finished application process...Number 565+K.

Wander how long this rate will continue?

I know YAHOO news is getting the word out...So that will help speed things up I'd guess...

I tried to apply for a coupon for about a dozen times on the web site and I kept getting an error. I gave up and applied by phone (888 388-2009) and got an approval right away. They are up to 850,000+ coupons already.

Applied and got 921xxx number.

So, how many of these Coupons will run out before the holders can find a Converter Box for sale ?

Expect to see the coupons and the boxes in the stores around the middle of Febuary / early March.

Applied and confirmed 950XXX

Applied via website, no problem. Now over a million. 1095XXX

(I assume everyone asks for 2 coupons)
Why do you assume that? I only asked for one. They expire after 90 days, and I want to give the manufacturers a chance to fix any bugs that might become evident and release an updated box. I will probably apply for my 2nd one in 6 months.

-Chris

I had no problem at all online when I applied in the wee, overnight AM hours.

My gut feeling is a lot of applicants are speculators that have no actual need for the converters, they just have a land rush mentality. I can't decide whether this is a larger group than the confused ones who can't pick up the part about no HD output on the subsidized boxes.

I'm not going to apply for any coupons, all my current sets have already been provided for.

Mine haven't yet. I have my request in for 2.

Posted by vman41:
My gut feeling is a lot of applicants are speculators that have no actual need for the converters, they just have a land rush mentality.
Either you are correct, or all of those uniformed OTA only folks who know nothing about the digital changeover found out about it, all at once, on 1-1-08.:D

I tell people everyday that had no idea there are government subsidized converter box coupon requests to be made. I've gotten 2 people unaware about the program signed-up. They are folks that can sometimes afford cable/satellite, but other times have had those services cut off. They didn't know they needed a trusty converter box after Feb 2009 to fall back on until I said something. Needless to say they own TVs 15-20 years old, so they were quite thankful.

I expect the demand for the coupons to really shoot up after the PSAs start airing next month.

Why do you assume that? I only asked for one. They expire after 90 days, and I want to give the manufacturers a chance to fix any bugs that might become evident and release an updated box. I will probably apply for my 2nd one in 6 months.

-Chris

At this pace there won't be any left in 6 months.

My gut feeling is a lot of applicants are speculators that have no actual need for the converters, they just have a land rush mentality. I can't decide whether this is a larger group than the confused ones who can't pick up the part about no HD output on the subsidized boxes.
.
+1

Posted by vman41:

Either you are correct, or all of those uniformed OTA only folks who know nothing about the digital changeover found out about it, all at once, on 1-1-08.:D

you mean 2-18-09...;)

you mean 2-18-09...;)

No...He means 1-1-08...Thats the date the coupons were first available and that is what was meant...;)

....or all of those uniformed OTA only folks who know nothing about the digital changeover....Are you referring to the Army, Navy, Air Force or Marine Corps? ;)

I meant 1-1-08.:)

How about the Coast Guard?:D

There are plenty of uninformed folks that won't find out about the digital changeover till 2/18/09 -the 1/1/08 coupon availability was a mere drop in the ocean of uninformed viewers.

There definitely needs to be a better job educating the public on this.

When I was visiting mom over Christmas, we got to talking about it, and she was under the impression her analog TV would stop working next year even though she lives in a high-rise apartment complex that is fed by an in-house cable distribution system. I had to explain the only people that need to worry about it are the ones receiving TV with the "rabbit ears"

She reads the newspaper every day, listens to local news/talk radio, and watches the TV news, (i.e., fairly well informed) and assumed her TV would be dead based on what she heard in the local media.

Are you referring to the Army, Navy, Air Force or Marine Corps? ;)

More likely janitors and McDonalds employees ;)

The local channels here have been running PSA's the past several months and seems to explain the situation in plain english with no technical jargon at all...They also point to a website to find out more information...

The main issue is noone will really prepare untill they have to...Lots of procrastinators in this country...;)

I'm sure the demand for coupons will drop, then pick up again later this year. Can't wait to see a bunch of STBs on eBay for $10 when folks figure out that they didn't need them cause they have cable or whatever.

My questions now:

Will there be enough STBs on the market in the first month or two after the coupons are issued?

And will expired coupons be tracked and go back in the system after 90 days to be available to other households?

I haven't even requested coupons myself because there's no digital OTA in my area, yet, other than a religious station.

There definitely needs to be a better job educating the public on this.

When I was visiting mom over Christmas, we got to talking about it, and she was under the impression her analog TV would stop working next year even though she lives in a high-rise apartment complex that is fed by an in-house cable distribution system. I had to explain the only people that need to worry about it are the ones receiving TV with the "rabbit ears"

She reads the newspaper every day, listens to local news/talk radio, and watches the TV news, (i.e., fairly well informed) and assumed her TV would be dead based on what she heard in the local media.That's one of the problems I've noticed with these stories written by virtual idiots for news programs and the like - they are telling people that their "analog TV's won't work anymore", when they should be telling them it's just the tuner that won't work with OTA anymore. They don't need a whole, new TV, like a lot of them are being led to believe.

If they're getting their info from the TV manufacturers, it's not surprising - they'd love to have everyone run right out and replace all their old TV's with expensive, new ones, I'm sure.

When I was visiting mom over Christmas, we got to talking about it, and she was under the impression her analog TV would stop working next year even though she lives in a high-rise apartment complex that is fed by an in-house cable distribution system. I had to explain the only people that need to worry about it are the ones receiving TV with the "rabbit ears"

The people manging the in-house cable system may be worrying about it a great deal if it's simply remodulating analog signals from a master antenna on the roof (MATV).

I haven't even requested coupons myself because there's no digital OTA in my area, yet, other than a religious station.

You are exactly the type of person I was referring to in my last post:The main issue is noone will really prepare untill they have to...Lots of procrastinators in this country...Come Feb 2009 you will have no choice and neither will your local stations but to go digital...Actually I am quite amazed that there is no digital OTA yet in your area as time is quickly running out and most broadcasters should want to have any 'bugs' worked out by the time the transition is initiated...

You are exactly the type of person I was referring to in my last post:Come Feb 2009 you will have no choice and neither will your local stations but to go digital...Actually I am quite amazed that there is no digital OTA yet in your area as time is quickly running out and most broadcasters should want to have any 'bugs' worked out by the time the transition is initiated...
The broadcast towers in my area are being kicked out of their farm, so new towers have to be built in a different location. The stations may be timing these new towers to start broadcasting very close to the analog cut-off time so they can just take the current analog towers down.

And I have cable TV. TWC will be downconverting local stations to analog. I'll be alright with or without a converter box, but I'd still like to get one dirt cheap. If anything, I can give it to someone who needs it.

I had to explain the only people that need to worry about it are the ones receiving TV with the "rabbit ears"

This isn't quite true. I have an analog TiVo with cable subscription and I too is looking for a converter box that can let me record DTV. Better clarity. Native 16:9 ratio, to name a few. Some of the converter boxes have QAM tuner.

Some of the converter boxes have QAM tuner.

Not the ones which are coupon eligible, which is what this thread is about.

Not the ones which are coupon eligible, which is what this thread is about.

http://www.ezdigitaltv.com/Digital_STREAM_D2A1D10.html

Does anyone think the possibility may lie when the coupons are first issued.. that early coupon holders will be able to use them on DTV boxes that have these extra features like component-out or HDMI-out? Or do you think retailers will be savvy to the limitations of the coupon immediately after we start receiving them? I wouldn't put it past some uninformed high school cashier at Wal-Mart to do a price override at the cash register on a DTV box that could pass HD because they may not give a crap about their job or don't bother to read the fine details of the coupon and make the coupon work for the discount at the register. Granted Wal-Marts around here haven't had ANY DTV-HD receiver on any shelf EVER (I've never seen one and I visit a half dozen Wal-Marts in the area regularly). I actually expect to hear stories about users here 'pulling a fast one' by being able to purchase the higher-end boxes. It seems unlikely that the different receiver models will be tied to the coupon for validity, but we'll see what happens. I'm sure someone will figure a great strategy to get the high-end HD receiver with the discount coupons.

I wouldn't advise that - as that coupon is tied to your name - the store / government will know who is cheating the system.

I wouldn't advise that - as that coupon is tied to your name - the store / government will know who is cheating the system.

Not advising it, but I know how people think, so I was 'picturing' possibilities. Scooper is right.. you don't want Big Brother on your bad side. Whether or not the gov't audits the coupon use, I don't think it is worth the risk. I do expect to see many receivers 'flipped' on eBay though.

I've posed this before in relation to the coupons: what's to keep someone from buying an approved box with the coupon and then returning it to exchange for something else or store credit? I just don't see anything preventing this.

biker-

Almost certainly, the receipt will have the coupon discount listed on it. You might get a store credit for the remaining amount (the $5-20 you actually spent), but not for the retail value of the box.

I'm in for 2 boxes, applied on the 2 and got a conf.# in the 279,xxx area.

I read that the Gov. wont be sending them out until retailers start selling them. We should start getting our coupons in March 08 if I read correctly. Then have 3mo. to secure our boxes before the coupons are voided!

hyghwayman

I've posed this before in relation to the coupons: what's to keep someone from buying an approved box with the coupon and then returning it to exchange for something else or store credit? I just don't see anything preventing this.

Thinking that was spelled out in the FAQs of dtv2009 dot gov (FAQ's "Using a Coupon", questions 15 and 16).

The way I read it, a person may do this, but can not receive credit for the coupon portion of the purchase. (Ex: Buy a box for $60; use $40 coupon , and pay $20 cash. Return the box and you'd receive credit for the $20 cash portion only.). You might exchange, but it would have to be for another CECB (coupon eligible converter box).

hope this helps,
Kelly

biker-

Almost certainly, the receipt will have the coupon discount listed on it. You might get a store credit for the remaining amount (the $5-20 you actually spent), but not for the retail value of the box.
Why not? Once the coupon is cashed the store will get their $40 regardless if the box is returned. The coupon is like cash that can only be used for a very limited number of items but it's like cash nonetheless - actually more like a gift card - from Uncle Sam to be used for converters only.

Thinking that was spelled out in the FAQs of dtv2009 dot org.

The way I read it, a person may do this, but can not receive credit for the coupon portion of the purchase. (Ex: Buy a box for $60; use $40 coupon , and pay $20 cash. Return the box and you'd receive credit for the $20 cash portion only.). You might exchange, but it would have to be for another CECB (coupon eligible converter box).

hope this helps,
Kelly

And you think the store will return the $40 to the gov't when someone returns a box?:rolleyes: They get their money no matter what happens to the box. Come to think of it a store could theoretically sell the same box several times and keep collecting the $40 every time.

Edited msg#72 (Post 12763745) to correct the "dot gov" address, and to cite the FAQs regarding "Using a Coupon".

Hope this helps,
Kelly

What's the latest number count on coupons? And how many are available for the first round? Just wondering whether one needs to act soon or not.

Ed

What's the latest number count on coupons? And how many are available for the first round? Just wondering whether one needs to act soon or not.

Ed

I wouldn't worry about it. I have a feeling our Congress will have no problem allocating a few million/billion more dollars for this when the unwashed masses start complaining.

I had planned to wait until near the end hoping for a better selection of boxes, but became too impatient so I just applied today. My number is in the 1.7mil range which is lower than I expected.

I expect boxes purchased at Best Buy with the coupon will behave exactly as they had for the 2004, 2005 and 2006 McDonald's Monopoly 'Best Buy Bucks' (BBB) coupons... that is to say if you used a bunch of BBB coupons on something like a DVD player to knock the price down and returned it after the purchase, Best Buy would only return the portion of the purchase that was paid by the consumer; the coupons were forfeited and non-returnable. Several people tried to return without a receipt for store credit, but it was "your mileage may vary".

One benefit to those BBB coupons was that the purchase was only taxed on the portion not covered by the BBBs (hence knocking down taxation on the product total after coupons). I wonder if the DTV converter box coupon will follow the same aspect. I would think Best Buy would have a keen eye on returns w/o receipt for the DTV converter boxes.

Right now I am just speculating on how the DTV converter box coupons will be treated at retail. Time will tell.

That would be very clever - taxpayers subsidize coupons, then pay sales tax on the value of the coupon when they buy the converter box. And hey, while we're at it, have the IRS consider the value of the coupon as income. It wouldn't surprise me if it happened.

Oh how sneaky.. Assuming 6% sales tax and $60 converter boxes and 2 boxes each for the 19,000,000 people that apply... the gov't will make $136,800,000 in sales tax! Unless the coupon reduces the taxation on the final purchase price of the DTV converter boxes.

taxpayers subsidize coupons,


Keep in mind, The coupons are being paid for by proceeds of spectrum auctions of our airwaves. Specifically involving portions of what is currently used by tv channels 52~69 which have been or will be auctioned off. 88 MHZ of ch 52~69 have or will be auctioned, the remaining 24MHZ are being reallocated to public safety uses. So, strictly or "directly" speaking, auction winners are paying for it, not you and me( taxpayers).

On another note, As for where the $ is going --- folks might also want to "consider" that We (including the CE manufactuers) have known since 1996 analog TV broadcasting was going to be shut off sometime on or after December 2006. Yet the manufactuers produced and retailers sold MILLIONS and MILLIONS of TV sets, VCR's, DVD recorders/etc. that were NOT capable of OTA DTV reception to seemingly mostly unknowing OTA viewers between 1998 (when first DTV stations came on air, more or less) and March 2007, the latter date being when they were finally FORCED(by FCC's so called "ATSC tuner mandate") to put DTV reception capability in all their sets/VCR's/etc -- more or less ..... a date AFTER the DTV transision was originally "expected" to be over ....

Yet the manufactuers produced and retailers sold MILLIONS and MILLIONS of TV sets, VCR's, DVD recorders/etc. that were NOT capable of OTA DTV reception to seemingly mostly unknowing OTA viewers Which all had to do with the cost effectiveness of having these tuners that at that time were for the most part, useless...The consumers were not willing to spend more money for something then, that would take 10 years to (for the most part) be usefully functional...So I am curious as to what your point is bringing it up???:confused:

Which all had to do with the cost effectiveness of having these tuners that at that time were for the most part, useless...


Not useless for OTA viewers once the DTV signals came on the air, which again, started happening in 1998.

You're looking at this from a "market based" point of view (and the POV of the CE manufactuers - they want to make the things cheap+sell them cheap), but this isn't a market based transistion, it's a gov't mandated transistion .....

One way or another, the CE manufactuers had to bite the bullet and start putting the ATSC receivers in their products, but they resisted it as long as they could .... They didn't really do it until they were forced to do it, and as it turned out, the price for say, a 13" SD digital TV with ATSC tuner now isn't much different than a 13" SD analog only set 3 years ago .... Although it likely would have cost them more at the time, I suspect the situation would probably not have been much different if the ATSC tuner mandate had went into full effect in say 1999 rather than in 2007 ..... *IF* that had happened, the need for a DTV converter box "program" would be much less, IMO (If it were needed at all) .....


The consumers were not willing to spend more money for something then, that would take 10 years to (for the most part) be usefully functional...


I picked up my first ATSC receiver/HD set in 2001, it's been entirely useful since then, and we've had DTV stations on the air here since 1998.

The broadcasters weren't allowed to "wait" until viewers had DTV receivers to put their DTV signals on the air. CE manufactuers weren't doing their part to further the transistion along, so FCC implemented a ATSC tuner Mandate, but it didn't go into full effect until March 2007.


So I am curious as to what your point is bringing it up???:confused:

When you figure it out, perhaps you can PM me .....

Digital-TV-to-analog converter-box coupon requests have leveled off since the first rush at the program's Jan. 1 launch, according to the National Telecommunications & Information Administration, which is overseeing the program.

According to spokesman Todd Sedmak, more than 1.78 million applications have been received so far for a little over 3.3 million coupons, which means that almost everyone is still requesting the maximum of two $40 coupons per household. ...

I guess there's no worry of the first batch running out.

I guess there's no worry of the first batch running out.

At the current rate they would be gone by June.

^except that I'd expect the application rate to drop off some more and then maybe pick up again once the PSAs start to saturate the airwaves.

I have a feeling some of the early applicants were "flippers" either of the coupon itself or the converter.

IIRC the coupons are not transferable, and they'll expire 90 days after they're sent out, anyway. The boxes are another matter, of course. They won't be worth very much as long as coupons are still available. After the coupons run out, how much the boxes are worth will depend on how many people still need them.

There is nothing preventing people from buying more than 2 converter boxes either - but you can only get the coupons for the 2.

Anybody received/redeemed their "coupons" yet?

The actual redemption process still seems a bit fuzzy.

Anybody received/redeemed their "coupons" yet?

The first ones were mailed out this week. We should start hearing from the "early appliers" soon.

The actual redemption process still seems a bit fuzzy.

How so? It looks simple to me. You take the red card to your local store and buy a box that qualifies and hand the cashier the card and they take $40 off the price. I was at two stores yesterday that already have the boxes (BIG stacks of them).

stores may have the converters, but there may be initial resistance to accepting the coupons. I was checking stock on the Zenith box here in NYC, and the Radio Shacks are not expecting any an inventory, while the rank and file CircuitCity employees have not heard of this $40 coupon. One guy tried to hustle me into spending $200 before I would be able to apply it. I assume he was confused between his own store coupons and the one from the Fed.

on another note;
I'm baffled that it's 2008 and at least the first wave of coupons are not handled electronically. We mostly registered online, yet there is no email confirmation, or email based distribution? someone really did a snow job down in Washington convincing bureaucrats that the only people interested in this program, may be too old or too poor to have regular access to a computer :rolleyes:

I'm baffled that it's 2008 and at least the first wave of coupons are not handled electronically. We mostly registered online, yet there is no email confirmation, or email based distribution?

:rolleyes:If you registered online...you were sent an email confirmation...and had you read said confirmation you would have noticed it was suggested you print out said confirmation...I am looking at mine right now...I was number 175,0xx on 1-1-08...;)

stores may have the converters, but there may be initial resistance to accepting the coupons. I was checking stock on the Zenith box here in NYC, and the Radio Shacks are not expecting any an inventory, while the rank and file CircuitCity employees have not heard of this $40 coupon. One guy tried to hustle me into spending $200 before I would be able to apply it. I assume he was confused between his own store coupons and the one from the Fed.Nothing I wouldn't expect from the likes of BB or CC. :rolleyes:

If you registered online...you were sent an email confirmation.
I am looking at mine right now. I was number 175,0xx on 1-1-08.

you got an email? mine was;
Reference Number: 3,056,XXX on 02/17
and no email was asked for,
so obviously none was sent.

I printed my confirmation, but it was
from a web site browser window.

perhaps they changed the application,
or I got forwarded to an alternate site.

I went back to the GOV. site (https://www.dtv2009.gov/CheckStatus.aspx) and put in my ref.# to check my status here is the message I got;

Coupon Status Found
Your application was recently approved and we are currently preparing to mail your coupons.

I just applied for my Mother and got the same generic answer:eek:.

O'well,
hyghwayman

:D 02-29-08, 05:22 PM EST

I got my credit card coupons from the government for the converter boxes.
Only best buy, radio shack and wal-mart are the stores it works in.
Oh it says for a complete list check out dtv2009.gov

:D 03-03-08, 04:42 PM EST

Received coupons today. Good til 5/23/08. Registered 1/1/08 @ 11:00am. Reg# 61,nnn

I got mine last night.

-Chris

Great News! ;)

according to tc1

when you check your coupon status at;

https://www.dtv2009.gov/CheckStatus.aspx

it actually updates the response to let you know it's actually in the mail with;

Your coupons have been mailed. You should receive them within two to three weeks if you haven’t already.

People posting you got your coupon, please take the time to post
approximately what your registration number was. This way others
can tell how far down the list the government has been mailing.

Mine just came in the mail today...:D

Ditto, from PST. I got a referenced number, but it's dated 12/31/07. I hope it goes through.

I got them. As you can see, technically, I was before the opening window, and the reference number was 4,xxx. Mailed on 2/23.

I just went to check my status and the security words to type in were "coffin" and "husband". I think the government DOES have a sense of humor.

I just went to check my status and the security words to type in were "coffin" and "husband". I think the government DOES have a sense of humor.

http://www.hometheatershack.com/forums/images/smilies/rofl.gif"coffin" and "husband"http://www.hometheatershack.com/forums/images/smilies/rofl2.gif, now that is funny!

My coupons arrived yesterday. They expire on 5/23. I applied on 1/1 with a 134,xxx reference number. I am located in Portland OR. While Portland is the official mailing address for the program the postage imprint reads "Mail Services, Inc." That company has locations in Sterling VA and Des Plaines IL.

Has anyone applied for their coupons in the last few days? I was just wondering how many they have given away and when they will run out.

Most of the "good" (feature wise) boxes won't be available until this summer and I don't want to apply until I'm sure that I can get one but I don't want to miss out on the coupons either.

Has anyone applied for their coupons in the last few days? I was just wondering how many they have given away and when they will run out.

Most of the "good" (feature wise) boxes won't be available until this summer and I don't want to apply until I'm sure that I can get one but I don't want to miss out on the coupons either.


I registered my parents two days ago...the ref # was 4,###,###.

May as well go ahead and apply. All of the boxes have to meet the gov specs to qualify for the coupon program (not too many features and not too few, it's a very specific list).

I applied for mine on Jan. 1, at about 8am CDT and got them in the mail Feb. 22 (Little Rock, AR). I went back and looked and don't see any e-mail confirmations, just printed off the confirmation screens on the website. The "coupons" look like/act like a debit/credit/gift card (16 digit number, expiratio date and everything, embossed with your name, etc). Bought a pair of the Zeneth ones at Circuit City on Feb. 23. Employee knew what to do. Had to sign 2 receipts (one for the Gov's card and one for mine for the balance) but other than that a normal purchase. Tried to upsell me a maintenance contract as usual but....

Best $50 I've spent in a long time (the balance plus tax for the purchase). Getting all of my local OTA channels crystal clear now.

My name isn't on my cards...

Today in the mail:D. I applied for my cards on 01/01/2008 #239,xxx.
They expire on 05/27/2008:eek:
Which box is the best out of these two?; RCA DTA 800A, Zenith DTT900

Neither one has S-Video. Go for the Maxmedia

I got the Magnavox unit from WallyMart and it works fine, except...

I cannot get the output from the Magnavox to pass through my Denon AVR 3808 to my Westy Monitor.

Has anyone been able to get output from any of these boxes to pass through any kind of AVR?

Thanks.

Has anyone applied for their coupons in the last few days? I was just wondering how many they have given away and when they will run out.

Most of the "good" (feature wise) boxes won't be available until this summer and I don't want to apply until I'm sure that I can get one but I don't want to miss out on the coupons either.

I only applied for one coupon back in January, am waiting patiently (and if you believe that... : ) for it to arrive.

On March 4th I decided to apply for a second coupon, and the application was quickly accepted. Reference # given was seven digits this time, with the first digit being the number four. On January 2nd, when the first coupon was applied for, reference # was six digits, with the first being the number seven.

My name isn't on my cards...

You know what, your right, forgot, my name showed up on the receipt after they ran the transaction. Must have been encoded on the mag stripe.

Which box is the best out of these two?; RCA DTA 800A, Zenith DTT900Of those two, the Zenith by far. However, if you want S-Video (if your TV even supports it, and you even care), then perhaps the MaxMedia will work fine. However, if the choice is use the coupons on the Zenith, or get the MaxMedia, use the coupons on the Zenith.

I received my "coupon" in the mail. It's basically a credit card for $40.

It came with a list of all the valid converter box choices. Does anyone know which are among the best?

http://www.ntiadtv.gov/cecb_list.cfm

-Robert

Ok, now I am pissed! How come mine have not come? I am freaking number 3000ish!!! I believe the postal service has lost mine. I wrote to the program admin and asked what to do. I've been checking religiously for 2 and a half weeks now. The status has said they were mailed and I should receive them in 2 to 3 weeks. Of all the people that can't afford the DTV converter boxes due to the economy and unfortunate lifestyle changes why does this crapola always happen to me? Guess I will wait for a response from the admin and see what can be done before I try to do something crazy like apply again.

Jeez...calm down...There is ample time left for you to get these...Hell I had people past my # say they got theirs and I didn't...Finally my came...IF you filled the form out correctly you'll get yours...

Does the FCC really think that ************* ***** ****** <---censored by FCC. Just kidding. Do they really think that this is going to help "move tv along"? This is just going to be a way to add more useless channels and still decrease an already bad standard def signal. I thought way back in, what, 2002 or 2003, they wanted everything to go to high def. Now they're only doing digital? This helps nothing. The only beneficial thing I see happening is them getting rid of mirror channels, 1 for SD and one for HD.

Does the FCC really think that ************* ***** ****** <---censored by FCC. Just kidding. Do they really think that this is going to help "move tv along"? This is just going to be a way to add more useless channels and still decrease an already bad standard def signal. I thought way back in, what, 2002 or 2003, they wanted everything to go to high def. Now they're only doing digital? This helps nothing.

A *lot* of people care nary one whit about high definition. Those that do care (have the money to have bought an HDTV) are 99.9% likely to be getting it via cable or satellite. On the other hand, I, as a cheapskate OTA-only watcher, have gotten a LOT of joy out of getting seven different (Standard Def) PBS subchannels from two different PBS stations. That's moving TV forward, to me. And, the SD signals are much better than NTSC ever was at 45 miles away. If ATSC allowed a station with 20 subchannels of YouTube level quality, I'd surely watch the ones where the content was interesting.

A *lot* of people care nary one whit about high definition. Those that do care (have the money to have bought an HDTV) are 99.9% likely to be getting it via cable or satellite. On the other hand, I, as a cheapskate OTA-only watcher, have gotten a LOT of joy out of getting seven different (Standard Def) PBS subchannels from two different PBS stations. That's moving TV forward, to me. And, the SD signals are much better than NTSC ever was at 45 miles away. If ATSC allowed a station with 20 subchannels of YouTube level quality, I'd surely watch the ones where the content was interesting.

I have several hd sets and get all my signals ota. I had sat but actually feel the picture is better ota, and cheaper.

I have several hd sets and get all my signals ota. I had sat but actually feel the picture is better ota, and cheaper.

It is better unless you have a C/Ku-band dish and a receiver capable of picking up network HD feeds.

All home satellite services recompress the signal, and for most channels, reduce resolution as well.

I applied for one coupon on 1/3/08. Approval number was in the 850,xxx range. I received it today (3/27) and it expires on 6/11/08.

Today, I applied for my second coupon and the approval number was 5,25x,xxx range. I wonder how long it will take to get that one?

I should have only applied for one and then later applied for the second. As it stands BOTH mine have been lost (one of the very first in the country to request coupons). The program office told me yesterday I am basically SOL and they cannot re-issue legally. Would have been better to request one, have that single one get lost and then request a second and maybe get that coupon. Instead I get ZERO coupons and the gov't saves $80 and I own two large paperweights now.

BenCJedi, have you looked online to see if anybody spent them? It could just be incredibly slow delivery. You can look up status by address, so you don't need your application number. Coupons ordered Jan 3-6 were supposedly mailed last week. Apparently they aren't always mailed in the order taken, I read they don't mail the coupons until there are sufficient boxes locally. My mail carrier is notoriously bad about putting things in the right mailbox, so I've been checking to see if someone else got them.

this whole progran is another stupid run goverment program.

BenCJedi, have you looked online to see if anybody spent them? It could just be incredibly slow delivery. You can look up status by address, so you don't need your application number. Coupons ordered Jan 3-6 were supposedly mailed last week. Apparently they aren't always mailed in the order taken, I read they don't mail the coupons until there are sufficient boxes locally. My mail carrier is notoriously bad about putting things in the right mailbox, so I've been checking to see if someone else got them.

How can I check to see if someone else redeemed them? The status page only shows that they were supposedly mailed and it has said that since folks on this forum first reported their status change (I checked too). I applied 1/1/08 at about 12:06am. I am not sure if the program administrators could just give me the numbers off the cards that their system claims was sent to me or not. This way they could tell me if they were used, right? I don't know why I didn't think of that before. I was probably going to use the cards online anyhow for better selection of receivers. I don't need the plastic cards themselves. If they want to validate my identity maybe I can mail them a copy of my driver's license in with my email address. When the special person at the program office receives this, they email me what the cards have printed of them?

I am really hoping for incredibly slow delivery, but being #35XX out of hundreds of thousands applied for doesn't give me much hope. My mail carrier(s) are the same way. I play mailman every now and then re-delivering mis-delivered mail to people on my street I don't even know, but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to read a mailbox number, match it up with what is printed on an envelope and stick it in the corresponding mailbox. I don't know why my mail carrier(s) have such difficulty with this task. ;)

Several people in my area have been clueless about the DTV converter box program, so if these coupons are sent out in batches based on queuing a certain number locally first, there could still be hope mine will show up.

How can I check to see if someone else redeemed them? The status page only shows that they were supposedly mailed and it has said that since folks on this forum first reported their status change (I checked too).

The coupon status will read as follows at the dtv2009 website once the coupon has been redeemed:

"Your Coupon has been used to purchase a converter box and is no longer active."

When people have used their card and check status, it then shows the card has been used. [edited to add, I got distracted, that's already been said.] So if it's still saying "mailed" I take that as a good sign. At least that was my theory, so I keep looking. It certainly sounds like they are inflexible about replacements; it might be easier to find a neighbor willing to order ones they don't want for you.

12:06 am, you were eager! No wonder you are weary of the wait. I didn't get around to ordering until Jan 14th. Hope your cards get there soon!

This program brings fresh material to "it's in the mail."

When people have used their card and check status, it then shows the card has been used. [edited to add, I got distracted, that's already been said.] So if it's still saying "mailed" I take that as a good sign. At least that was my theory, so I keep looking. It certainly sounds like they are inflexible about replacements; it might be easier to find a neighbor willing to order ones they don't want for you.

12:06 am, you were eager! No wonder you are weary of the wait. I didn't get around to ordering until Jan 14th. Hope your cards get there soon!

This program brings fresh material to "it's in the mail."

Date stamp after submission also indicated 12/31/07. :eek: If one believed in gov't conspiracies one might think the system secretly rejected my entry based on that and isn't factually representing the true status of my application. I can't find anyone in ref #3000 to 4000 range that has either confirmed getting theirs or confirmed they are in the same boat as me wondering if they were really sent or not. It's run on a government computer and it can't be wrong cause our gov't is infallible, right?

For some reason I am reminded of the Circuit City HD-radio commercials that keep airing on the radio, except my analog TVs are saying it, "Who needs pockets, .....right?, ............pockets!?"

Date stamp after submission also indicated 12/31/07. :eek: If one believed in gov't conspiracies one might think the system secretly rejected my entry based on that and isn't factually representing the true status of my application. I can't find anyone in ref #3000 to 4000 range that has either confirmed getting theirs or confirmed they are in the same boat as me wondering if they were really sent or not.

I was in the 4,xxx range and my confirmation was dated 12/31/07. I got mine. I think they were dated 2/23/08, expiring 5/23/08.

I was in the 4,xxx range and my confirmation was dated 12/31/07. I got mine. I think they were dated 2/23/08, expiring 5/23/08.

Thanks for speaking up. If mine do ever show up, they'll show up the day after they expire. You can bet on that.

I'm impatiently waiting also, Maybe I'm just too optimistic but I think it has to do with ibm implementing the coupons at the direction of the fed, the fed says mail these and shows them mailed before ibm actually mails them.
ps ibm also handles the welfare system in indiana, whats up with that?

I applied on the morning of 1/1/08 with a reference number in the low 134,xxx range. My cards came with the 3/4/08 mail. These expire on 5/23/08. I also submitted an application for a relative on the afternoon of 1/1/08 with a Reference Number in the low 249,xxx range. That relative's cards arrived on 3/15/08. These expire on 5/27/08. We are both located in Portland Oregon.

The cards are mailed by Mail Services, Inc., a company with locations in Sterling VA and Des Plaines IL. The return address shown on the envelope is the official mailing address for the TV Converter Box Coupon Program, PO Box 3019, Portland OR 97208-3019.

I thought of thanking the government for giving me $80 worth of converter box coupons. Then I realized that I pay taxes so it's my own money in the first place. I asked a government official about this. He said that I was greatly mistaken, it was not my own money coming back to me. He said that $250 taken from a taxpayer in North Carolina was converted by the federal government, after deducting the government's expenses, into my coupons worth $80. Whew! I'm sure lucky to live in Oregon. (And let me add my thanks to the taxpayer in North Carolina.)

Applied on 01/02/08. Still haven't gotten mine yet.

Applied on 01/02/08. Still haven't gotten mine yet.

Applied on 1/1/08 @ 12:06am and still have not gotten mine either. I have been in discussion with the program director and she says basically they cannot legally reissue, so in essence.. I am out the $80 discount and have to pay out of pocket to watch TV OTA in 2009. Her last communication for me was to file complaints with the USPS. There's nothing they can do. This is another fine example of the government not working for its people.

It is better unless you have a C/Ku-band dish and a receiver capable of picking up network HD feeds.

All home satellite services recompress the signal, and for most channels, reduce resolution as well.
i've had my dish for 25 years and have more fun than ever. you ought to see the pbs hd feed. wow.

so far we received 2 applied for on Jan 1
have not received the 2 applied for Jan 2
and just applied for 2 more today.

so far we received 2 applied for on Jan 1
have not received the 2 applied for Jan 2
and just applied for 2 more today.

Unless you've got 3 street addresses, you're probably just gonna have to deal with 2, since that's how the program works.

edit: annnnd seeing in a previous thread that you do! ;)

Well, there you go. hehe.

so far we received 2 applied for on Jan 1
have not received the 2 applied for Jan 2
and just applied for 2 more today.

Hey buddy,

All ordered with same address? You won't get them. Max 2 per household

I applied for my second coupon 3/27/08. I got it yesterday (5/14/08). It expires 7/28/08.

It still seems that some of the "better" boxes aren't available yet (and won't be until the end of the summer). My first coupon expires on 6/11/08 so I may have to get one of the "plain" boxes. I sure would like to get the Echostar TR-40 (now called the "DTVPal") but they still haven't released the date that it will be available.

Moved.

2 coupons

requested 06/08/2008 on website

Reference Number 10174xxx

scheduled mail date 07/04/2008

received 06/30/2008 san diego

expire 09/18/2008