Free DTV is free digital television. It is the next step in broadcast television. As of midnight on February 17th, 2009, all high-powered television stations in the United States will broadcast in a digital format. It's as revolutionary as color TV was in the 60s, but unlike the transition to color, your standard analog TV will not be able to receive the signal without the assistance of a converter box. To help with this transition, the federal government has authorized the National Telelcommunications & Information Administration (NTIA) to distribute coupons, up to 2 per household, worth $40 each towards the purchase of approved digital TV converter boxes. All of the converter boxes for sale at FreeDTVShop.com are approved for the coupon program, and Mosquito Productions, the owner and operator of FreeDTVShop.com, is an authorized retailer for the program. The coupon program goes a long way towards making your converter box veryt affordable!

You may be asking why the government is mandating the transition to DTV. There are a number of factors. First, as with many new digital devices, DTV holds the promise of offering improved services. That means more channels, better quality picture and sound, and new features from your local television broadcasters. All broadcasters that are required to move to digital are already broadcasting a digital signal alongside their traditional analog signal, and many have already started to enhance their digital service with additional channels and services like 24-hour weather. Many also broadcast in high definition (HD). This does not mean that you need to buy a new HDTV to receive those signals! High definition is simply a portion of the digital broadcast specification, and any converter box that you purchase from FreeDTVShop.com will be able to receive high definition signals and convert them for display on your standard analog TV.

In addition to the improved television services for the public, the government is mandating the digital transition so that it can reclaim much of the VHF and UHF bandwidth for public safety and emergency communications. Other portions of the broadcast spectrum will be auctioned off for other new wireless services as well.

There are a number of factors that will help to determine if you are affected by the transition to DTV. FreeDTVShop.com has developed a step-by-step process to help you determine if you need a DTV converter box.

1. Is your TV an analog TV or do you use a VCR to view and record television stations?
   
   Remember to consider any television sets and VCRs that you may have at a cabin, vacation house, etc. If you do not use a high defintion TV or did not purchase your TV within the last couple of years, you most likely have an analog TV. If your VCR is more than 2 years old, you have an analog VCR.
   
   • If you answered yes, move on to step 2
   • If no, you do not require a DTV converter box


2. Do you receive television signals from a cable or satellite provider?
   
   Remember to include any television sets that may be in a bedroom, kitchen, or bathroom that may not be connected to the service provider.
   
   • If you answered no, move on to step 3
   • If you answered yes, you do not require a DTV converter box at this time, but you may still wish to purchase a DTV converter box as a backup unit in the event of bad weather or utility interruptions.


3. Do you currently receive all of your television signals from low-power transmitters?
   
   You can determine if you receive low-power stations by reviewing the information at the NTIA's DTV 2009 Low Power Information website
   
   • If you answered no, move on to step 4
   • If some, but not all, of your television signals are low-power, you will want to purchase a DTV converter box that includes an analog passthrough. This feature is clearly marked on FreeDTVShop.com under "Specifications" for each DTV converter box that supports it
   • If you answered yes, you do not require a DTV converter box at this time


4. If you reach this step, you are affected by the transition to digital TV. Your answers to the questions above indicate that you will need a DTV converter box* in order to receive television signals properly after the analog signals are shutoff at midnight on February 17th, 2009. You can view and purchase coupon eligible converter boxes by CLICKING HERE.

DTV signals are already being broadcast by the telelvision stations that are required to convert to digital. You can enjoy the enhanced quality and services that DTV has to offer by purchasing a DTV converter box. A converter box is a relatively small box designed to sit on top of your TV. It uses a standard indoor or outdoor antenna or aerial to receive the DTV signal and connects to your TV in a similar way as your VCR or DVD player. A helpful guide for connecting a typical converter box can be found here:

DTV Converter Box Installation Guide

Be sure to apply for a $40 coupon from the government to help offset the cost of the converter box!

The government has allocated $1.4 billion for the DTV Coupon Program, but you must act quickly to stake your claim to up to 2 $40 coupons. Coupons look like a credit card and will be sent to you in the mail after you apply. Coupons expire after 90 days and cannot be reissued so review your information packet as soon as you receive it. The DTV Coupon Program is administered by the NTIA and you must apply for a coupon through any one of their approved means:

Online: www.DTV2009.gov   Phone: 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009)           TTY 1-877-530-2634 Mail or Fax: Click HERE to Download an Application Mail to: PO BOX 2000, Portland, OR 97208-2000 or Fax to: 1-877-388-4632

Choosing an antenna can be a difficult process. The effectiveness of an antenna depends on a number of factors including distance from the transmitter, altitude, terrain, and placement of the antenna on the property. FreeDTVShop.com offers a number of antennas for a variety of situations, but we cannot guarantee that all antennas will work for all situations. It is recommended that if you require an antenna, take some time to visit AntennaWeb.org. It is a website provided by the Consumer Electronics Association and national Association of Broadcasters and can help guide your antenna buying decision. After inputting your address, you will be provided with a recommended rating for your antenna. At FreeDTVShop.com, you can see the color-coded rating of each antenna listed under the "Specifications" section.