View Full Version : Still Confused...Any Help w/ Tuners
adstout
01-11-2006, 06:02 PM
I am planning to buy a hdtv around the superbowl, i was told this is the time there are the best deals. I've been doing a lot of reading about different tv's and have narrowed my choices down considerably, mainly between the sony 34hs420 and the sony 34xs955 along with a couple toshiba's. my problem is one has the built in tuner and the other doesn't.
I currently live in indianapolis and have comcast cable so i thought i could get a hd box and not need the tuner. if i got the better tv with the tuner could i still get hd programs from comcast? i also want the tv to last several years and i don't know if i might later switch to satellite tv, if this will even make a difference. I do not know whether i would be better off getting a tv with built in tuner and antennae or getting tuner from cable company. i mainly will watch sports and if anyone can explain what channels i would get if i just had the antennae. i have read a lot but it seems the more i read the more confused i become. thanks for any help :cheers:
Read the HDTV FAQ "Can I get digital cable" first, then progress to the other FAQs which are usually quite useful for those new to HDTV.
For satellite, you'll need an external STB for sure. For cable, you should consider an HD DVR. People love their DVRs. If you get an ATSC tuner, you can hook up an antenna any time.
Please do not cross-post. Your other post has been deleted.
badchad
01-11-2006, 07:02 PM
I thought that after a certain date, ALL new HDTV's came without a tuner?
I'm fairly certain I got the link from this forum, could someone provide me with a link, or a little more in depth discussion about this?
Ratman
01-11-2006, 07:16 PM
July 2005 all digital TV's 36" and larger will have ATSC tuners.
By March 2007 "ALL" TV's will have ATSC tuners.
This does not apply to cable or satellite tuners.
If you're retaining a cable subscription, get the TV without a tuner IMO.
An internal tuner (minimally) will only get local broadcast channels available in your area digitally.
adstout
01-11-2006, 07:35 PM
what are the drawbacks of having a tv with a built in tuner or ATSC. Can i have a built in tuner and still get cable hd. I mainly want espnhd and sporting events that are being broadcast in HD on abc, nbc, cbs, etc. any other channels would just be an added bonus.
Can i have a built in tuner and still get cable hd.
Would you please re-read first line of post 2.
You won't be able to get ESPN without CableCARD or a STB on cable since it's an encrypted channel.
badchad
01-12-2006, 12:15 AM
July 2005 all digital TV's 36" and larger will have ATSC tuners.
Gotcha, but isn't whats considered a "TV" a matter of semantics?
For instance, I just purchased a 50" plasma and it is stamped with a September 2005 manufacture date.
My "TV" was simply referred to as a "HD monitor" since it didn't come with any internal tuners (I use my cable box as the tuner).
Ratman
01-12-2006, 08:05 AM
HD Monitors - have no tuners
HD Ready/Capable - normally denoted NTSC tuner.
HDTV - Internal digital tuner (ATSC, QAM or satellite or any combination).
These are generally the terms used. Some manufacturers or salespersons may deviate.
adstout,
Biggest drawback I have noticed it that with the builtin tuner you probably
do not get downconverted (or ANY) tuner outputs for recording. For example
my Motorola HD DVR Box has S-video out which is useful if you want to record with a DVD-R machine on ANY tuned channel, analog, SD, or HD. With my HDTV's built in ATSC tuner there is no ouput of the tuner for recording when tuned to any SD or any HD channels. If I didnt have the Motorola box I could not make DVD-Rs from SD or HD broadcasts...
