Rules on DTV converter coupons might ease, but expiration date stands

As the rollout of digital converter boxes for next year's conversion to all-digital TV continues, the federal government is considering loosening some eligibility requirements for subsidies on the boxes. But other beefs from consumers and consumer groups remain unaddressed.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration, the agency administering the distribution of $40 coupons to offset the typical $50 to $70 cost of the boxes, is considering allowing nursing home residents and consumers who use post-office boxes to apply for the coupons, as our colleagues at Consumers Union, the publisher of Consumer Reports, are reporting on hearusnow.org.

But the agency isn't budging on the expiration of the coupons after 90 days. CU and other groups complain that this is a potentially bigger issue, because there are still relatively few converter boxes in stores, few have the analog pass-through feature some consumers want, and none are as yet priced at $40 or less, meaning consumers must bear some out-of-pocket cost.

We've reviewed three coupon-eligible boxes without the analog pass-through feature and one, a Philco product, that has it. All did a decent job, but you might have to tinker with your setup to get optimal results.

For more helpful advice and links to other DTV resources on the Web, check out our Digital TV Transition information center on ConsumerReports.org.

Comments

[John H. Midbo]

Electronics manufacturers and CU have seemingly forgotten CATV subscribers lately. Manufacturers (for the most part) no longer include a tuner (either analog or digital) with their DVD/VCR combo units - telling consumers that they'll need a set-top box of some sort to record shows. What about those of us who have cable and will continue to have cable after the analog-to-digital switch? Are we to be forced to buy or rent a box we don't really need, just to be able to record TV shows? If we buy or rent the box, how does it get switched between channels if we choose to program our VCR to record more than one program at a time? It seems that manufacturers have taken a step backward in not including a tuner in their products!

[everett whitney]

TO: " Matt - 01 May - read a book / use Computer..."

There's an element of "accuracy" to your posting - essentially all new computers either already contain an internal (digital) Video card or have available a model that does. These offer about the sole source of acceptable small display HD available.

It's been at least 4 - 5 generations since we've all experienced the multitude of roof antennas, the required maintenance, the very limited number of channels available, etc..

Successful, reliable Digital reception will be more difficult than VHF ever was.

Added to those new experiences will be the "severe cropping" on analog TV screens as 16::9 shows are attempted.

Before very long, the issues of Converter Boxes to save CRT may well be offset by the overall dissatisfaction with it all.

[Matt]

It sounds like we'd all be better off just reading more books. I think i'll be watching "TV" on my computer.

[AMBER]

Philips electronics is garbage, they do not back thier products only give a one year warrenty. No one will service their products for after 4 years you might as well haul to the dump. That is as long as it lasts. No wonder the land fills and enviromental charge is there for philips no longer put any money in to the product that they sell

[Emmy]

The lack of analog passthru is not the only problem, of course. I suspect that there are people who don't yet realize that their VCR/DVD recorders will also stop working (as receivers) if they do not have digital tuners. I bought my recorder last year, before there was much awareness of this government-mandated obsolescence. Not only was there no warning on the box when I bought it, it is virtually impossible to find out whether it has a digital tuner by reading the printed manuals and specifications that came with it. I was able to find it for sale online, however, complete with an analog-only warning that confirmed my suspicion that it will stop working next year. I assumed that I could salvage it by buying *two* converters, one for the TV, which I love and do not want to be forced by the government to replace, and one for the VCR with which I record everything before watching it. Now I find that the available converters do not support channel-switching while recording, in effect requiring me to choose only one channel per day to record. The good news is that some higher-function converters will be released later in the year--after, OF COURSE, my coupons have expired. Am I pissed? You becha.