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Old People Still Being Sold Converter Boxes With New Digital TVs

Digital TV Transition

Apparently, some people are still getting scammed into buying converter boxes, even as they are buying brand new digitally-correct LCD TVs. Sure, it’s fun to take advantage of old people every once in a while, but usually only when they are your Grandma and there’s a $20 bill on the line. Here’s testimonial from one such customer’s son-in-law:

They were buying a TV for a new RV and bought a DTV converter box. I told them after they got it that they shouldn’t need a converter because the TV (an LCD) was new. I unhooked the converter box and the TV found the new digital stations fine. They are in a poor reception area where they only get a couple of channels, but the digital ones were very clear.

They still don’t quite believe they don’t need the converter. I wonder how many people were over-sold the converter boxes. I did a fair amount of searching and couldn’t really find much (although there was a glut of general information) about what happens when a converter box is hooked to a new TV. I’m guessing it won’t work too great, but I’d like to see a more in depth analysis.

Either these salesmen are really uninformed or they are simply scamming old people into buying shit they don’t need, in hopes of a higher commission. Either way, get with the fucking program.

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Analog TV Goes Kaput Tonight

dtvbox

If you’ll recall, the FCC has commanded that today be the final day for Americans to prepare for the great digital switchover. At midnight tonight, millions of unprepared Americans will be watching television only to find their shows abruptly cut off. I can only imagine the look of horror that’ll grip the faces of the elderly. Poor people. Get a digital converter or a DTV antenna already.

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