Donate converter coupons

Q: Some time ago, I heard there were some nursing homes and/or elder-care facilities, and perhaps some social-service agencies (group homes, shelters, etc.), that may not get enough digital TV converter boxes to distribute to their residents, since distribution of the $40 federal coupons was limited to two per address, and many people may be living at that single address. Have you heard if anyone is taking up donations of the converter box coupons that other people don't need? We have some we'd like to donate.

A: By pooling resources and donating unwanted coupons, everyone can work together, so those who really need their TVs aren't presented with a blank screen next February. Some public television stations have coupon donation programs, so you may want to start there. You can find your local station at www.pbs.org. If you have a specific group of people in mind, such as nursing home residents, a shelter, etc., I would recommend contacting the organization directly to see if they need coupons. If they do, mail the coupons to them.

Some of these organizations are cash-strapped, so if they indicate a need, you might buy the box with the coupon and give it to them yourself. At least one public broadcasting station has such a program, in which donated coupons are used (in conjunction with cash) to buy the boxes, which are then installed in the homes of the elderly, disabled and homebound.

It is illegal to sell the coupons, but there are no prohibitions against giving them away. Coupons expire 90 days after issue, so if you have some you have been sitting on, donate them as soon as possible.

Q: I have had TiVo for a long time, and I love it, but there are a couple of other TVs on which I wouldn't mind having a DVR that is akin to a VCR: no program guide and no monthly fee. What I would like is something simple, in case I want to record a show the old-fashioned way. The last time I looked for something like that, I couldn't find one.

A: Any DVD recorder with a hard drive will do this. It will let you choose between recording to the hard drive or a blank DVD. Set it to record to the hard drive and program the timer. You can even burn the recorded program to a DVD later if you want.

Reach Don Lindich at www.soundadviceblog.com.