CHICAGO (WBBM) - The federal government has run out of those $40 coupons to defray the cost of a device to convert old style television sets to be compatible with new digital transmissions starting February 17th.

There still are hundreds of thousands of people with old analog television sets that do not have the federal coupons.
 
CNET.com technology Web site editor David Carnoy says despite a months-long media blitz, some people aren't aware of the conversion deadline and will "scream bloody murder" when they turn on their TVs and see nothing but snow.

People seeking coupons for digital TV converter boxes are being put on a waiting list because the federal government has run out of the money budgeted for the converter boxes.

The U.S. Department of Commerce authorized to issue only $1.34 billion in coupons which are good for 90 days.

If no more money is forthcoming, those applying will have to hope people who took coupons earlier will neglect to redeem them, freeing up money for new ones to be issued. The switch to digital television is set for Feb. 17th. Those without the converter or a cable or satellite hookup will see their sets go dark.

Neilsen Company has said 14.3 million households rely on over-the-air analog television and so far the government has sent coupons to more than 12.6 million households. That leaves almost 2 million households that haven't received any coupon at all.

The president of Abt appliances, Mike Abt, says business has been brisk and increasing in the normally slow post holiday period.  He's been selling 80 to 90 converters every day and expects that to pick up as the deadline approaches.

Abt says his store offers two brands.  He says both work about the same, both work well: the technology is pretty well established.

He says if there's enough signal for any picture, then the converted picture will be excellent.  But  he says if the signal to the converter box is too weak, then there'll be no picture; there's no such thing as a poor or fuzzy picture, either it's good or there's none at all.

On the Net: http://www.dtv.gov/consumercorner.html