How much do digital converter boxes cost?

Question

How much do digital converter boxes cost?

Answer 1

Set-top converter boxes have been available for several years, although steep prices (from just under $200 to several hundred dollars until fairly recently) have limited the market. But affordable digital TV converter boxes should begin to reach U.S. consumers by 2008, manufacturers say.

Expect to pay $50 to $75, according to a government estimate in early 2007, for a basic DTV converter box. Retail prices may start higher but fall as demand for the device increases. Two leading manufacturers are now targeting a $60 price for entry models.

Answer 2

There are 2 types of boxes. The digital only cost about the $40 that the coupon covers. The ones that will pass both analog and digital run around $55 on average and with the coupon that is still cheap. The little known secret is that only about 1/3rd of the stations (network high power stations) are going digital only. The other 2/3rds will stay analog and many of them have been simulcasting both analog and digital signals for some years now. These are the so-called low power stations, such as, local news and information, many schools and religious stations. From what I've learned so far, one of the better ones is the GE unit sold by Radio Shack for $54.95

Answer 3

Typically $59 to $69 without the coupon.

With the coupon $40 less than that or $19 to $29.

Remember that the sales tax is calculated on the retail price of $59 to $69.

For more details about the coupon program see:

http://www.dtv2009.gov