Digital TV Transition Is Approaching - Don't Forget Your Coupons

Your time is running out to apply for your $40 government coupons by the time the DTV Transition occurs in February. As of February 17, 2009, all high-powered broadcast stations will have to stop sending analog signals and switch over completely to digital signals. This includes your local channels with your favorite news and programming. After this deadline, you won't be able to view these channels if you don't have the proper equipment.

If you have a television in your home that is not hooked up to cable or satellite equipment, you will need to purchase a converter box. These can range from about $40 to $60 depending on the model. However, you can apply for up to two government coupons per household worth $40 each to put towards your converter box purchase. You will need to visit the official FCC website, www.dtv2009.gov, to apply for your coupons. After you receive your coupons, visit an electronics retailer, such as AllAmericanDirect.com, to purchase your converter box(es).

Help With Your Converter Box

Currently, there is a lot of information out there right now regarding the Digital Transition occuring in February, and rightly so. Almost every media and grassroots opportunity has been targeted as a means by which to educate the public on the transition. There's a good chance that unless you live under a rock or have completely removed yourself from the influence of the media, you're aware it is taking place and know what you have to do. For many, that involves purchasing a digital converter box, but do you know what to do after you receive it?

This past Monday, on September 8 at noon, the town of Wilmington, North Carolina switched over to digital signals ahead of the February deadline. The small town was selected to test the effects of the switch and the readiness of the television viewers. What they found out was that few people knew what to do with the converter boxes after they received them. The result? The FCC was flooded with calls, and the town's firefighters were called to go door-to-door assisting residents, helping them get their boxes hooked up and even checked their smoke detectors. This is great for a small town, but what happens when large metropolitan areas such as Los Angeles or Chicago convert? Something tells me the firefighter plan won't work in these areas.

To help you out, we've posted the basic converter box installation instructions on AllAmericanDirect.com. There are only four steps and they are incredibly easy, even for the electronically challenged. Click here to view all the steps.

If you still haven't purchased your converter box yet, you can find those too on AllAmericanDirect.com and even use your government coupons to buy online. Don't wait too long and miss out on your favorite shows! Visit us online today and find everything you need to be prepared for the digital transition.

Consumer Reports Announces the Top DTV Converter Boxes

With the Digital Transition rapidly approaching, many electronics retailers are beginning to carry DTV converter boxes. As more brands come on the market, it's difficult to figure out which ones are the best. Thankfully, we have Consumer Reports magazine to do the leg work for us. They recently came out with a list of the top digital converter boxes. Fourteen boxes were reviewed.

The top 4 boxes rated for the best picture quality, are listed below, in no particular order:
• Tivax STB-T9 ($50)
• Lasonic LTA-260 ($55)
• Sansonic FT300A ($60)
• Microgem MG2000 ($65)

The Digital TV Transition refers to the time in which all full-powered analog broadcasters must convert to digital broadcast signals. After the Transition occurs, viewers will need to have either a digital TV, pay TV services (cable or satellite TV), or a digital converter box in order to receive digital signals. The federal government is currently issuing up to two $40 coupons per household to put toward the purchase of the converter boxes. More information on the coupon program can be found at www.dtv2009.gov.

If you already have your coupon codes and are looking to purchase a converter box, you can find the top rated Sansonic FT300A at AllAmericanDirect.com.