Japanese government plans to hand out free digital TV converters to needy
By Darren Murph 
posted Jun 16th 2008 7:15AM
posted Jun 16th 2008 7:15AM
While the US government manages to place a totally ridiculous three month expiration date on a coupon that doesn't have to be used until February of 2009, the Japanese government is actually showing some signs of intelligence. Reportedly, around 1.07 million households on welfare will be receiving a digital TV tuner gratis sometime before the July 2011 switchover. The initiative will set the government back at least ¥5 billion ($46 million), but that figure could increase quickly if the retail prices of said boxes end up higher than expected. There's no word given on whether or not the general public will receive any kind of subsidy, but here's a tip: don't throw an expiration date on there just for kicks and giggles.[Via JapanProbe]
"but that figure could increase quickly if the retail prices of said boxes end up higher than expected"
46 million dollars / 1 million converters = 46 dollars per converter. Seems like this is an extremely conservative estimate for a DTV tuner in 2011. How much does Walmart pay for a Magnavox DTV tuner? The Japanese government should be able to get a much better deal in 2011!
Don't let Echostar make 'em... they'll show up three months too late and $20 overpriced.