"Elmo P. Shagnasty" <
el...@nastydesigns.com> wrote in message
news:elmop-2E924C....@news.eternal-september.org...
> In article <
m6ihi792a8n573302...@4ax.com>, mibbler@large
> wrote:
>
>> >I would like to get
>> >an OTA and put it on my roof, but cannot find anyone that installs. My
>> >local channels, especially CBS i can get for free and in HD. BTW, do
>> >they still sell those hd boxes...? Its been a long time since I had to
>> >look for one and never see them advertised. I guess its time to google.
>>
>> It sounds like you're talking about the government-subsidized digital
>> converters.
>
> Why does everyone think of these as "government subsidized digital
> converters"? They're just ATSC to NTSC converters. That the feds for a
> brief time subsidized the cost of these has nothing to do with what they
> are.
They are being differentiated from the other digital converter boxes (such
as the Samsung I saw years ago in a circuit city store).
The Samsung wasn't eligible to be subsidized by the government coupons--if I
recall correctly it also had component video output--therefore, those that
were on the authorized list for coupon use are those ATSC to NTSC
converters, thus government subsidized converter boxes. You also see CECB
which is, of course, coupon eligible converter boxes.