Have you watched KBDI in the past over the air – for free – on an older TV set using an antenna and/or rabbit ears? With a digital converter box, you still can.

With a digital converter box, you can keep your current TV set AND continue watching your favorite public television programs – for free – after you make the digital switch. Not only that, you'll start getting better pictures and sound as soon as you go digital.

Please note: If you live in an area served by a KBDI translator, your digital conversion date will be later than June 2009. Additionally, you will need a special converter box with an analog pass-through feature. Take a look at DTV details for your area.

How does the converter box work?

A converter box converts digital TV signals (received over the air) into a picture that can be displayed on your analog television. If you buy a converter box, you will not have to spend a lot of money on a new digital TV to get a digital signal.

To make it even more affordable, the federal government issued coupons to help pay for the converter box, making the cost as low as $10 per box (see details below).

Once you've hooked up your set-top converter box, you can start watching digital television for free! Your converter box will come with instructions on how to connect it to your TV. For general guidelines, download this Converter Box Quick Start Guide from the Consumer Electronics Association. Keep in mind that when you complete "Step 3: Scan for Channels," you will scan for frequency 38; after KBDI goes full power in June, you will need to re-scan, scanning for frequency 13. 

Not sure if you need a digital converter box? Take the DTV quiz.

Order your digital converter
box coupon now!

The federal government set up a special coupon program to make digital converter boxes affordable for everyone.  There are a limited number of coupons available. To request your coupon, call 1.888.DTV.2009 (1.888.388.2009) or go to http://www.dtv2009.gov/. Coupons are good for 90 days from the date issued.

Do you have an expired coupon? The DTV Delay Act passed by Congress in February allows the Coupon Program, upon request, to offer replacement coupons for those which have expired without being redeemed.  Check the NTIA website at www.dtv2009.gov for updates about the Coupon Program.

Find a converter box retailer in your area.

See a list of coupon-eligible converter boxes.

NOTE: If you live in an area served by a KBDI translator, you will need a special converter box with an analog pass-through feature. Take a look at DTV details for your area.

© 2008, TeamSoper-OPB