Getting Over The Air HiDef Signal Question:

[SyZyGy]

Can I get HiDeF OTA signals without a receiver of any sort? If I go out and buy an antenna, and I plug it directly to the back of my Hidef Ready SOny 57", can I receive a Hidef signal? or do i still need a receiver since the tv is HD ready...

whereas if I got one of the XBR models with built in HD receiver..

let me know..

thanks

SyZyGy

[AUMMitsu]

HD-ready sets have the HDTV receiver/decoder built-in, while HD-capable sets still need an external receiver/decoder to receive digital broadcasts.

[kevinw]

If your tv has a built in tuner then add the antenna and prepared to be amazed...

[zarlor]

I hate to burst your bubble, guys, but HD-Ready sets do not have a built in tuner. Meaning you will NEED to get a STB (set-top-box) in order to recieve OTA HDTV signals. (Well, DTV signals, actually, since they don't HAVE to be HDTV.) Of course this is assuming you live in an area where the local stations are broadcasting in HD. But the good news is that, especially if you don't live too far from the transmitting antenna, you may not even need to get a big external antenna. Many folks have had excellent results rabbit ears or the Radio Shack Double Bow-Tie antenna, so you might be able to save a few bucks there.

[Harvey S]

Can I just hook an antenna to my SONY XBR450 and use the OTA HDTV signal or do I need a separate tuner?

[kevinw]

Does the XBR have builtin HD tuner/ If yes hook up the antenna

[Harvey S]

which is why I asked the question :)
My XBR450 was purchased last week but hasn't been delivered yet.

[33T]

your sony xbr450 does nto have a built in tuner.. it says its compatible/ or ready i forget which....

i've researched tvs for a few months. and one was the XBR

[klkyte]

I've got the 32XBR450 and it does not have a built in HD tuner/decoder. I use a sidecar box on my digital cable STB (Comcast) to receive HD signals.

The XBR2 series of tv's have the built in tuner as well as the 16:9 aspect ratio.

[hjriver]

Harvey S

RCA F38310 has everything you need already built in. Digital/Alalog tuners, HD Decoder and Directv. Plug your OTA antenna in and watch local stations in digital and HD or watch directv although they don't have but 2 channels of HD. 199 HDNET and HBO 209.

[kevinw]

So I guess Harvey you need a STB. Why did you buy a TV you knew nothing about?

[sts3001]

The XBR2 series has a built-in OTA HD tuner for local network channels...select digital antenna from the tv set-up menu......An outside antenna works great for digital here in cleveland....

For all other Programming:
The BEST in terms of picture quality and sound is a C-Band 4Dtv satellite tv system.....More SD & HD channels than any satellite tv provider. master broadcasts, very little or no-compressions to degrade the picture.....
The SD programming looks and sounds as good as a DVD......

Also 5 HD channels available.....

Systems from $1500 +.....But definitely worth it!

You get what you pay for with this set-up....just like audio equipment, tv's etc.....
You wouldn't think satellite tv could look so good when compared to the pizza-pan(2nd generation, compressed)....I know...I had one !

[Harvey S]

Originally posted by kevinw
So I guess Harvey you need a STB. Why did you buy a TV you knew nothing about?

What I knew was that I was getting a great TV that was HD capable. At least it semed to be until SONY's announcement of the adoption of DVI/HDCP raised some serious questions. I didn't care about the OTA capability because I have Time Warner cable and will be getting their HD STB. Maybe the TW STB will have an OTA antenna input (fat chance).

[sts3001]

Harvey.....the XBR450 is a nice TV....no HD tuner built-in but still has a excellent picture....just need a good source to take advantage of it....

[HokieD]

Harvey, you probably made a good choice. I got a Sony 16:9 television without a tuner because the tv w/tuner was close to $1000 more expensive. I knew decoders were less than $600 so I opted for an add on decoder later.