Jun 12, 2009 4:04 pm US/Eastern
Local Residents Prepare For DTV Switch
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
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Americans are eligible for two converter boxes per household.
CBS
At the Mattapan Public Library, two representatives from the FCC have just wrapped up a workshop for people who had questions or who were unprepared for the switch over to digital TV.
An estimated 2.8 million Americans were still unprepared as of last week.
Any sets hooked up to cable or satellite feeds are unaffected. Newer digital TVs that receive broadcasts through antennas and older sets hooked up to converter boxes should be OK, but will need to re-scan to find new channels.
The changeover was originally set for Feb. 17, but the government's fund for converter box coupons ran out of money in January, so the Obama administration pushed for a delay until Friday.
"I need a converter box and I couldn't afford it so that's why I came," said Mabel Walker of Mattapan.
The converter box program got additional funding through the national stimulus package.
Each address is eligible for two converter box coupons and each is worth $40 toward the purchase of a box. That means you would pay probably $10 to $30.
For more help you can call 1-888-CALL-FCC or click here for the
DTV fact sheet.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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