Area retailers are now accepting the federal government coupon for a digital converter box.

The coupon looks like a gift card and is worth forty dollars towards the purchase of a converter box.
The box will be needed for television sets using an antenna to get over the air broadcast signals.
In February 2009, stations like WEEK will be turning off their analogue signal and broadcasting only in digital.
The old analogue TV's need will need a converter box to decode the new digital signal.

"Just come into a store that sells these and we'll swipe your coupon like a gift card and then you'll have to pay the difference with cash or credit," said Jon Hopkins, a video and audio specialist at American Furniture-Electonics-Appliances.

Digital converter boxes start at $49.99.

You can apply for up to two government coupons at week.com.... click on news links.