DTV Converter Coupon supply to Slow? December 25, 2008

The question is, how much longer will the $40 granny box coupons be available?  Because there are so many variables, the best I can do is guess.  The Feds will issue 34 million coupons.  Of those, they have now mailed 40 million coupons.  Yes, the coupons are coming back from the dead.  Over half of the 34 million coupons died a quick death after only 90 days without being used.  That makes available 17 million zombie coupons.  But if half of the zombie coupons redie a quick death, that’s another 8 million zombie coupons, of which half can re-redie to create yet another batch of 4 million zombie coupons, etc.  So, the zombie coupons could number 32 million.  Optimistically, 34 million bleeding edge coupons plus 32 million zombie coupons equals 66 million granny box coupons to eventually be mailed.  But eventually doesn’t keep the pipeline full if the zombies aren’t rising from the dead quickly enough.  The number of coupon requests per day has recently doubled as The Transition looms closer.  A majority of the bleeding edge coupons became zombies.  Now with some Granny Boxes on store shelves without major bugs, only a minority of mailed coupons will continue to die at expiration to continue to rise again to become zombie coupons.  I’m guessing there is presently only a 2 week supply in the pipeline, and the pipeline could run dry.  To watch, see:

https://www.dtv2009.gov/Stats.aspx

I recommend the Zenith DTT901 as best for Granny, but consider getting a better remote and a better antenna.

On Wednesday, January 14 at 3:00 PM in the Sunnyvale Public Library (Silicon Valley), a representative from the FCC will talk about the February 17 Transition to Digital Television.

Update: January 10, 2009:  Yes, the pipeline did run dry, so it is too late to try to get coupons before the Transition.  See:

http://blogs.consumerreports.org/electronics/2009/01/dtv-coupons-joi.html

A biggie Remote for Zenith DTV Converters December 9, 2008

 The  Zenith Converter remote  is too small for Granny.  The buttons have small lettering that has poor contrast.  The Zenith Remote operates well enough, and can turn On/Off most televisions.  But for my Mom, something better was needed.  I briefly considered the Harmony programmable remotes.  Learning Remotes also could work.  In general, TV’s come with poor remotes. There should have been standards set decades ago.

 DigaDo said:  “The inexpensive Philips remotes ($6-$10) use code 0267 for the Zenith/Insignia converter boxes.”  From:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=14995013&postcount=987

The Zenith Converters use some of the same  IR remote control codes used for Zenith satellite receivers.  With luck, the SAT button on some multifunction remotes can be used, if the remote isn’t an old design that doesn’t have the latest codes. 

Since I am out of coupons, I haven’t been hot on the CECB trail.  Want  more coupons! Oh well, can’t have everything. 

I don’t hang out at malls, but I saw a remote there yesterday on sale.  What caught my eye at Brookstone was the “Brookstone Super-sized TV remote”, model 538744, UPC 8 83594 00004 1.  I asked the clerk if the Remote would work with DTV converters.  The clerk hadn’t heard of them.  I asked if I could return the remote with its receipt if it didn’t function as expected, and she said yes.  Sold.  I found that programming the SAT button with code 013 did allow this Remote to mostly operate the Zenith DTT900 or DTT901.  The Remote is a huge 5 inch by 11 inch and 0.75 inch thick, and weighs nearly a pound (including a pair of AA bateries).

On the Zenith Remote, the 7 millimeter diameter button at the bottom right is labeled “RECALL” in letters 1.5 millimeters high.  Contrast that with the big bright “Z” logo at the bottom.  The Brookstone Remote buttons are 22 millimeters diameter.  I find that using the Brookstone Remote requires two hands.  It isn’t fussy about orientation, and easily sends its signal across the room.  The buttons that work with the Zenith are Power; numbers; channel+ and -; mute and volume + and –  which changes the sound on the Zenith; menu; back; the pause button will act like select.  The Brookstone Remote doesn’t access the program guide (EPG),  or the signal strength.  Input and OK buttons don’t send anything.  As for Mom, she isn’t concerned about the transition yet.