Gotten Your DTV Converter Box Yet?

Alabama Mobile If you haven't expect delays.

by Steve Alexander

Published: Fri, January 09, 2009 - 8:26 pm CST Last Updated: Fri, January 09, 2009 - 10:19 pm CST

Many people in Mobile are very happy they've already gotten their digital TV converter boxes.
The U.S. Commerce Department has run out of money to fund the $40 coupons intended to help offset the cost of the boxes.
Pepper Stubblefield said he's happy he bought his two digital TV converter boxes when he did.
Stubblefield said, "I'm glad I got it before it was not available. I assume that the cards will continue to be available when the money becomes available, that's what I've heard, but I've got mine."
Paula Stadther said she bought a converter box two months ago with a discount coupon, even though she still hasn't hooked it up.
Stadther said, "I am glad that I got it because I really didn't plan to buy a digital TV. I just wanted to stay with my old TV and do it as economically as possible."
Stubblefield did mention one problem he's had with digital TV: freeze frames.
He said, "I get a lot of 'stops' and 'starts' with my box and I have to get up and jiggle my rabbit ears sometimes."
But John Hatten with Radio Shack said getting the right type of antenna can help with that.
Hatten said, "Anybody in Mobile, the city of Mobile, should be okay with an amplified indoor antenna and, if they're having a problem with an amplified indoor antenna, then they want to go to an outside antenna."
If you haven't gotten your discount coupon yet, as of Monday the government started putting people on a waiting list.
And here's another reminder: if you do have your coupon, use it quickly.
It expires 90 days after it is issued.

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carl Says:

Sun, Jan 11, 2009 at 5:16 am

Hello MeAmerican! It’s good to see you back and a happy new year to you too.That rosepetal will be over joyed I bet.I like that new Avatar of your’s! Unlimber them guns and go get’em.

carl Says:

Sun, Jan 11, 2009 at 5:05 am

I know what you’re talking about Claycity!Them bucks are getting hard to comeby.I’ve had a 32” flat panel for about three years or so and I really didn’t want to let go of the money for it,but my big 55” projection gave up the ghost and I could see the switch over to digital coming around the corner.I’m starting to think the switch over to digital might be delayed again.It will just be postponing the agony of a lot of people if they do delay it again.Unless they make some changes to the equipment,TVs and converter boxes, I think we’re gonna have a lot of unhappy campers,especially during bad weather.The cliff effect is gonna be a big drop for a lot of people.As they say “WATCH OUT FOR THAT LAST STEP” it’s a lulu.

MeAmerican Says:

Sat, Jan 10, 2009 at 5:52 pm

The heck with the stinking box!! Guess who’s Back?? Greetings to all and Happy New Year!!

claycitymadness Says:

Sat, Jan 10, 2009 at 5:25 pm

carl i tried the converter boxes and the amplified indoor antenna and apple tv bound and determined to to pay for cable or satalite. finally broke down and got a 42 inch hd and direct tv. hated to do it you know how cheap i am.

carl Says:

Sat, Jan 10, 2009 at 7:20 am

Emergency communications are just a very small part of this spectrum that analog broadcasting now occupies.The government has already sold $19 billion of the space to private companies who have been trying to get this for years.There is gonna be more than just a converter box or a digital TV involved in this for a lot of people who are already hard pressed for money.This conversion project started off on the wrong foot and will end up on the wrong foot.No doubt a digital picture is better but if you can’t get it,it doesn’t do much good.Just call me CHICKEN LITTLE.I’ve been ranting about this every where for quite some time now,now I will just sit and watch and see what happens if this happens anytime soon.I do see a few clouds forming in the distance on this occurring as scheduled.

southfan1981 Says:

Sat, Jan 10, 2009 at 4:06 am

I understand the push has to do with freeing up airspace for emergency operations. Anyhow, I got my two coupons and tried to get boxes at my favorite places. They were out every time I checked. The last time I checked and the stores had the boxes.. my coupons had expired. YEE haw!

BamaBob Says:

Fri, Jan 09, 2009 at 10:37 pm

Couldn’t they just get a MoonPie?

The wife Says:

Fri, Jan 09, 2009 at 10:12 pm

I understand it. It is going to boost the economy. We will probably need to buy new televisions, extra converter boxes, signal amplifiers, all kinds of new things that will not work with the old televisions. In other words, “They are doing it to us again.”

BamaBob Says:

Fri, Jan 09, 2009 at 8:49 pm

Does anyone really understand this big push for digital TV? I sure don’t. Does it give Big Brother another way to monitor Joe Citizen’s activities? I don’t get it…...