Washington (DC) - Owners of analog TV sets can send off their application for a free converter box beginning tomorrow, to prepare for the digital switch over that happened in February 2009.

Two coupons will be sent to each person who applies. Each one is worth $40 off a digital converter box. The devices, which are expected to cost around $60 each, will transform an analog signal to a digital one that will work with the new standards. No such device exists in the retail market now.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will open up for the program tomorrow. Consumers can apply via 1-888-DTV-2009, or online at DTV2009.gov.

Stores are expected to begin selling the boxes in February. Accordingly, the government will start to mail out coupons on February 17, 2008.

All major big box retailers including Best Buy, Circuit City, Target and Wal-Mart will sell the converter boxes.

Source : Tom's Hardware US