Free DTV Converter Box Installation Offered
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Updated: 10:46 PM May 28, 2009
Free DTV Converter Box Installation Offered
Lincoln
The FCC is asking Best Buy's Geek Squad to help connect DTV converter boxes to existing broadcast antennas and analog TVs.
Posted: 8:05 PM May 28, 2009
Reporter: KOLNKGIN
Email Address: desk@kolnkgin.com
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The FCC is asking Best Buy's Geek Squad to help connect DTV converter boxes to existing broadcast antennas and analog TVs.

The free service is being offered in 31 states including Nebraska, to ensure that people are prepared for the June 12th, 2009 DTV switch.
Approximately 3.3 million households nationwide are unprepared for the switch.

Along with the converter box installation, Geek Squad installers will adjust existing antennas, scan and rescan converter boxes to locate the maximum digital broadcast channels available, integrate and existing VCR, and provide guidance on the operation of the converter box.

Citizens who are unable to install the converter box they've purchased and who are within a Best Buy store service area can request free installation from Geek Squad. With this program, the FCC is especially focused on reaching "at risk" households, such as low-income consumers, minority communities, non-English speaking consumers, senior citizens, consumers living in rural areas or on tribal lands, and consumers with disabilities.

To request free converter box installation, qualified citizens may call the DTV conversion hotline at 877-BBY-DTV9 from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Central time daily.
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The Digital Transition
On June 12th, 2009, the era of analog broadcast television in the United States will end as the nation completes its transition to an all-digital system.

While this change will mark the end of the traditional analog method of broadcasting over-the-air television, it won’t signal the end of free broadcast television, and your favorite broadcast programs and local television stations will still be available.

Consumers who subscribe to a "pay" television service such as cable and satellite aren’t likely to be affected by the switch, but if you currently receive analog television over the air or via an antenna, you’ll need to take action to continue watching your favorite stations.

What You Need to Know
TV sets that currently receive programming through cable or satellite are not likely to be affected by the transition to digital.

However, TV sets that rely on "over the air" broadcasting with an antenna (set-top or rooftop) to receive a signal will be affected by the cutoff of analog broadcasts in 2009. You will need to consider one of the following options:

  • Purchase a digital-to-analog converter box that plugs into an existing television. The boxes, which are expected to cost between $50 - 70 will be available for purchase in 2008. Beginning on January 1, 2008, U.S. households can request up to two coupons valued at $40 each. Each coupon can go toward the purchase of a single set-top converter box that will allow you to continue watching FREE "over-the-air" television on an analog set.

  • Subscribe to a cable, satellite or telecommunications service provider if all desired local broadcast stations are carried by that service.

  • Purchase a new television set with a built in digital tuner. Any of these steps will ensure that "over-the-air" television consumers will continue to receive programming.