I’m starting this forum more for informational purposes than discussion. Of course, discussion is always beneficial for expanding one’s knowledge on any subject and therefore welcome. Questions are also welcome.
By now, most all RVers should know that the analog signal that provides viewing for conventional TV sets will cease to exist for OTA or AFTA (Over The Air or Analog Free to Air) broadcast on February 18, 2009.
For most RV’s with older analog TV sets, this means buying a new TV with a digital tuner or adding a digital to analog converter box. The only problem is that the only converter that has been available is one from Camping World for a rather high price.
The USA Government has announced that it will give a maximum of two coupons with a value of $40 each to each household to purchase digital to analog converters so older TV sets may continue to be used. To get these coupons you need to go to here.
When I registered in mid January of 2008, I was told that the coupons would be mailed in late February or early March of 2008 to coincide with the availability of converter boxes. Once received, I must redeem the coupon within 90 days.
Since then, an article in our local newspaper appeared stating that Best Buy was concerned that they would not have enough coupon eligible converter boxes to meet public demands.
Several other articles have appeared indicating that the government program designed to provide the coupons may run out of money long before the demand is met.
Last year we replaced the TV in the front living room area of our RV with a 26” digital LCD unit. We were extremely pleased with the improved quality of the digital OTA broadcast. The digital signals were free of any snow, noise and ghosting. The TV in our RV bedroom is a 2 year old flat screen 20” conventional picture tube set that receives only analog signals.
While digital high definition LCD or Plasma TV is great, I was amazed at how good an old 480 viewable line interlaced picture (SDTV) looked on a conventional picture tube TV with a digital tuner. I had pretty much decided to purchase a new standard definition 20” TV with a digital tuner from Wal-Mart to replace the one in the bedroom of the RV. Only problem was the model I needed to fit the space was never in stock when I checked the store. Every time I asked when they would be available, I got the old "back ordered" routine.
I stopped by Best Buy last week (February 4, 2008) to see if they had an SDTV’s in stock that would fit my available space. To my amazement, the digital to analog converters were in stock (only 12 on the shelf – no others in the stockroom). The sticker price was $59.95. I stood there debating – should I wait for the coupon and risk there being no available stock of converters? Would the converter give me the picture quality I was expecting or should I get a new TV?
I threw for the full price of the converter while I knew I could get it. I also rationalized that I would most likely need more than two anyway and I could use the coupons (if I got them) to add additional converters later (if they were available).
The converter I purchased is an Insigina model NS-DXA1. After testing, I can confidently say I am impressed! The box is small and ubiquitous. Hook up is a no brainer. It comes with a programmable remote that will adjust volume, turn a TV on or off, change digital channels and provides a nice collection of added features not present on my analog TV. Connection to the old TV is made either through a channel 3 or 4 RF (cable type F connector) or via a composite video and audio connection (AV input - RCA connectors). The picture quality is excellent and it works extremely well with my existing “bat wing” antenna/amplifier on the RV. There is a by-pass so regular analog channels may also be accessed as long as they are available. Other brands of converters may become available soon. Their features may be different.
My summary is that the Insignia converter is a real deal, even if you don’t have a coupon yet or cannot get one. I easily saved over $100 by not buying a new TV, not to mention the time involved to swap the sets out and the environmental impact of disposing of the old analog set.
If anyone has been wondering about the new, but seemingly unavailable, D to A converters, I hope this info will be of benefit.
Professor Randy T. Agee & Nancy Agee
Mechanicsville, VA
2005 Prowler Regal 330 FKDS
1999 GMC 3500 4x4 dually. 7.4L gas engine with homebrewed WATER/air/fuel injection. Better mileage, more power! Yes, I now burn water.
jenks60 wrote: How did you "test" it? And, fulltimers without a home aren't eligible for the coupons. That is discrimination!
This isn't 100% true. I'm a full-timer and the park I am in now lets me get mail. Its a physical address with a unit number. So there are ways around the no PO box rule.
Rodney 2005 Laredo 29GS 2002 F250 V-10 Hughesnet Satellite Internet
jenks60 wrote: How did you "test" it? And, fulltimers without a home aren't eligible for the coupons. That is discrimination!
I've looked at the application online - can't find anyplace where it says you can't get the coupons if your address is a PO Box.
I don't know that the coupon is that good an idea, anyway. As long as the gov is willing to pay $40 for the box, you can bet that will be the minimum price. Like all things electronic, I would expect the price to drop dramatically in short order - if it weren't be "floored" by Uncle Sugar.
The government's computer system apparently can distinguish between residential and commercial addresses. My application for coupons was turned down because my mail forwarding address was recognized as a non-residential address even though it isn't a PO box.
George
97 Airstream Land Yacht
01 PT Cruiser Dinghy
Cappy - Pekinese Burglar Alarm
Uh Oh..... I did not mean for my posted observations and info to become a debate forum for the government coupon program. Rather, I hoped to inform those who were wondering about the long awated converter boxes that they were beginning to appear and that the performance of at least the model I purchased worked well.
The rules say only 2 coupons per household, then there is the defination of household.
If one is in a CG and uses that address for 2 coupons, then no one else in that CG can receive a coupon!
Here is the defination of "household";
What counts as a household? Under the government’s definition, a “household” consists of all persons who currently occupy a house, apartment, mobile home, group of rooms, or single room that is occupied as a separate U.S. postal address. (Even if multiple families share the same household, the limit remains two coupons worth $80 in total. For example, if your family shares a house or apartment with your parents, the whole lot of you will still be limited to two coupons to divide among yourselves.) If you live in an apartment or other multiunit dwelling, each unit with a separate postal address can request two coupons. A post office box does not count as a household, although a P.O. box is acceptable as a mailing address in rural areas without home postal delivery.
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