With the analog shut-off now 200 days away, Zenith has shipped more than 1 million digital television (DTV) converter boxes to retail stores, and production has been ramped up to meet the growing demand.
Zenith’s compact (8in x 7in x 2in) DTT901 converter box with analog pass-through capability requires an external antenna for reception of over-the-air signals. It features a universal remote control for one-touch closed-captioning control, accessibility to second audio program information, a “what’s on next” program guide button, a button for signal strength‚ and a sleep timer. The box is also designed to automatically turn off after four hours of inactivity.
In addition to V-Chip parental control, the DTT901 provides advanced digital closed captions, including the capability to choose from multiple fonts, sizes, colors, and backgrounds, with the remote control.
Kmart recently joined the list of CE retailers now carrying the Zenith DTT901. Others include national chains Circuit City and RadioShack as well as regional dealers such as Fry’s, h.h.Gregg, Abt Electronics, Brandsmart, PC Richard, and Nebraska Furniture Mart.
To mark the 200-day countdown, Zenith is launching a free desktop widget “DTV Countdown Clock” that can easily be downloaded to computer desktops by visiting http://go.ennectmail.com/BroadcastRedirect.asp?Cid=18970990&BId=31741&U=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.zenith.com%2Fdtv/.
The virtual clock automatically counts down the number of days, hours, minutes and seconds remaining until Feb. 17, 2009, the date that most TV stations throughout the United States will switch off their analog broadcasts.
Since the federal government began taking applications for $40 discount coupons for converter boxes in January, more than 21 million coupons have been requested, and requests are picking up steam with more than 112,000 orders coming in each day. Consumers have already purchased more than 6 million converter boxes with the government-issued coupons, which can be requested from the U.S. Department of Commerce at www.DTV2009.gov.
