Tech Talk: Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Coupon Program

After February 17, 2009, all TV stations must cease analog broadcasting and transition to exclusively broadcasting in a digital format, also known at DTV.

If you subscribe to cable or satellite, your access to broadcast channels should not change. However, if you currently rely on over-the-air signals via an analog television and an antenna ("rabbit ears"), you will need to act to continue to receive television.

You must either:

• Purchase a low-cost converter box to use with your existing analog television
• Purchase a digital television that can receive DTV signals
• Subscribe to cable or satellite

The Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has launched the Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Coupon Program (Coupon Program), as authorized in the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005. Starting January 1, 2008, all U.S. households will be eligible to request up to two coupons, worth $40 each, to be used toward the purchase of up to two, digital-to-analog converter boxes.

To Get Coupons - go to: https://www.dtv2009.gov/

You Got to Love the French...

I have a few friends who are quite the wine connoisseurs. I won't mention any names (Wanda, Nina, Pat, Belinda, and Deon) but wouldn't we love one of these cool USB devices? (Click the Arrow to Start.)

Happy New Year and Tech Talk...

I truly believe there is nothing like a cheap DVD player.


Cheap DVD Players will play any darn thing, unlike those fancy models. I had an APEX that I wore completely out, I loved it because there was no limit to what it was willing to play, lol! Well after a little searching, I finally found a pretty good replacement.


I purchased a "Philips DVP3960 Multiformat 1080i Upscaling DVD Player with DivX, MP3, Windows Media Support" from Amazon.com, and I really like it. It is not high def or blue ray, but it has a great picture and will play all type of movie formats.

I created a data DVD that has 6 DivX Movies on it, and I was able to navigate the folders to play the selected movies. So far, I am really pleased. I paid $69.99 for it, but I had some Amazon.com money (much like Monopoly Money), so it ended up costing me about $15.00 bucks.

This week Circuit City has a similar model on sale for $39.00.







Philips DVD/DivX Player - Model #: PHL DVP3140


Besides DivX, this DVD player also plays DVD, DVD-R/-RW/+R/+RW, MP3, WMA, JPEG and SVCD formatshttp://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Philips-DVD-DivX-Player-DVP3140-37/sem/rpsm/oid/174777/catOid/-12872/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

So if you are looking for a inexpensive 'play-any-damn-thing' type of DVD player you might want to check this one out!