The DTVPal qualifies for the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's TV Converter Box Coupon Program; coupons may be ordered by visiting http://www.dtv2009.gov. Consumers can purchase the converter box for $19.99 after the $40 government coupon is applied; MSRP for the DTVPal is $59.99.

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Why don't they make a tuner product that has component video out? There are plenty of HDTV monitors that can't tune the new DTV, but could certainly display HDTV with a tuner like this one. But no component out is killer. I realize that these subsidized products are for people with limited income and old TVs, but it couldn't cost that much more to add the component out headers.

In order to be "coupon-eligible", the box cannot have component outputs.

From the Technical Appendix of the Rules to Implement and Administer a Coupon Program for Digital-to-Analog Converter Boxes, any output capability below will disqualify the converter box from coupon eligibility:

- Digital Video Interface (DVI);
- Component video (YPbPr);
- High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI);
- Computer video (VGA);
- USB IEEE-1394 (iLink or Firewire)
- Ethernet (IEEE-802.3)
- Wireless (IEEE0802.11)

There are other "Disqualifying Features" as well:

- Any device or capability which provides for more than simply converting a digital over- the-air television signal (ATSC) for display on an analog television receiver (NTSC), including, but not limited to: Integrated video display; Video or Audio recording or playback capability such as VCR, DVD, HDDVD, Blue Ray, etc.
- Equipment cannot be sold conditioned on the purchase of a Smart Antenna or other equipment.

- Shane

Why don't they make a tuner product that has component video out?

Not sure what the issue is? Cheap DTV? Full featured DTV tuners have been available for years for those interested. Best Buy has the Samsung DTB-H260F for $179 - less than half of what DTV tuners cost 5 years ago. You can even buy a dual tuner Tivo DVR for $300 or less! Used/ebay can shave those prices even further. The retail prices would have fallen further much faster if the market had been there to create the volume but for the majority of HDTV owners interested, HDTV content came with satellite or cable services.

The DTV NTSC converter products are not subsidized... the coupon is and it's all about not abandoning those using an indoor or outdoor antenna with their old NTSC TV.

Note the following when requesting a coupon...

Check the statement below that best describes your household*
All or some of the TVs in my house subscribe to one or more pay services, such as cable or satellite.
None of the TVs in my house subscribe to one or more pay services, such as cable or satellite.

and...

By checking this box, you declare that the above is true and correct.*

Richard wrote:

Why don't they make a tuner product that has component video out?

Not sure what the issue is? Cheap DTV?

Hi Richard,

Perhaps you did not read Shane's reply:

In order to be "coupon-eligible", the box cannot have component outputs.

- Miller

But the point of the coupon is to provide a cheap solution for those who can't afford a full featured ATSC tuner and can't afford to upgrade their old TVs. There are plenty of ATSC tuners with component outputs - they're just at higher price points and not coupon eligible.