Types of Tuners in new TV Sets

[caranheim]

I presently have four TV sets with all analog tuners and use an antenna for reception, not cable. I purchased a digital to analog converter for one of them that works fine on with the digital over the air transmissions. However, the converter does not have analog passthrough, so can only receive digital signals while using it. My question is this: Do the new TV's out there that are required to have digital tuners have the ability to recieve over the air analog signals as well as digital signals? I get mixed answers from TV dealers. Some say I would have to get a TV with two tuners, one for analog, and the other for digital. This would require two antenna connections. Others have said there is only one tuner that will handle both the antenna digital and analog signals, and has only one antenna connection. I can't believe I can't find anyone selling TV's that can answer this question. They all seem to agree I should be on cable, and not use an antenna, which is probably true. However, I want to replace one of my smaller bedroom TV's with one with a digital tuner, but would still like to pick up one station that is analog only.
Any help you can give me would be appreciated very much.

[Ratman]

Look at the specs on the TV... if the tuner has NTSC and ATSC tuners you will be able to reveive both analog and digital OTA.

The salepersons are correct... depending on the TV, some may have no ATSC tuner (very few today), some have separate ATSC/NTSC tuners, some have integrated tuners.

List the make/model numbers of the TV's you are interested in and perhaps we can help.

Unless that one channel will remain analog (if it's a LP station for example) it won't make a difference after 2/19/09 anyway.

[Just Ask]

Ratman is right. If the HDTV has both NTSC (Analog) and ATSC (Digital) then you will be able to pick up the old and new channels. I did a quick check of one Sony and one Vizio set and both had NTSC tuners built in.

Just a thought. But, Some of the "coupon approved" digital to analog converter boxes also have both ATSC and NTSC tuners in them. You might also want to check into one of those.

[caranheim]

I have heard of Digital to analog converters having a "Passthrough" feature. However I have not been able to find any out there that are on the approved list. I don't remember seeing anything about these converters having two tuners to handle analog as well as digital.
I have been looking at two Sony 26" TV's on the internet. They are the Bravia S series model KDL-26S3000 with a price of $800, and the 26" Bravia M series model KDL-26M4000 with a price of $600. I have not been able to justify the cost of the S series over the M series. They both appear to have analog antenna capabilities as well as digital. The less expensive M series seems to have better characteristics (like contrast ratio). Can anyone tell me what the real differences are between the two models? Do you agree they would both recieve analog as well as digital via antenna? Did they both come out at the same time?

[Just Ask]

I got the following from the JR.com website:

Sony's KDL-26M4000 HDTV brings with it BRAVIA Theatre Sync (HDMI-CEC) for easy, one-touch management of compatible Sony products, ACE contrast enhancement for better shadow detail, and BRAVIA Engine 2 for crystal clear picture quality. And with two HDMI inputs, an additional two Component inputs, as well as a PC input you now have up to five different ways to make sure you see HD-level picture quality on the screen. Surrounding all this technology is the sleek, sophisticated design that has been a hallmark of the M-series and Sony televisions.
Screen Size: 26” (diagonal)
16:9 Widescreen HD 720p Resolution 720p (1366x768p) LCD Panel
9,000:1 dynamic-contrast Ratio
3D Comb Filter
Advanced Contrast Enhancer Circuit (ACE)
BRAVIA Engine 2 with Digital Video processor
BRAVIA Theatre Sync capable ( HDMI-CEC )
HD input capable via HDMI interface
ATSC Digital / NTSC Analog tuners with QAM
Fast panel response
Wide Viewing Angles
20W (10W x 2) Audio Power Output
Dolby Digital
V-Chip Parental Control
VESA hole spacing compatible
Piano Gloss Black color
1-Year Limited Warranty
Input Ports: 2 x HDMI, RF Connection, 2 x Composite Video (1 Side/1 Rear), S-Video, 2 x Component Video (Y/Pb/Pr) Input, PC in (D-Sub) + Audio In (Stereo Mini), 5 x Analog Audio Input (1 Side/4 Rear), Audio Out, Coaxial Digital Out, Headphone Jack
Approximate Unit Dimensions: 20.1" (H) x 26.6" (W) x 9.6" (D) with Pedestal
Approximate Unit Weight: 26.5 pounds

[Just Ask]

I will also do some checking on NTSC tuners in "coupon eligible" converter boxes and post my results here.

OK, so I have not found a coupon eligible box with an NTSC tuner in my 20 + mins of searching, just Analog passthrough. But, on of the sites I visited seemed to imply that there was one with both NTSC and ATSC tuners out there. But unfortunately, the government did not require that the boxes have an NTSC tuner to be eligible for the coupon.

[Just Ask]

Here is a link that might give you what you were looking for. There are a number of boxes listed here that have analog passthrough when they are turned off.

http://www.mackinawshuttle.com/media/WLLZ/DTV.htm

[Just Ask]

The DISH Network DTVPal is the redesigned EchoStar TR-40 it will list for $39.99 and will have analog passthrough.

http://www.ezdigitaltv.com/DISH_Network_DTVPal.html

[caranheim]

Thanks to all who responded to my questions. I still have two problems to work on. The first one is to find a TV converter box that will receive analog signals as well as digital signals, or at least have analog pass-through. I was aware of the posted list for the ones with pass-through, but have not found anyone who sells them in my area. The second question still on my mind is why the $200 difference between the same size Sony TVs I mentioned in the above post, one being the S series, and the other the M series. I would consider buying the more expensive S series if I knew why it might be better. Could it have a more sensitive turner? If so, it might be worth the difference if I use it with an antenna.
Thanks again for your interest.

[Just Ask]

Bricks and Mortar Stores only seem to carry One Model at this time. So, you may have to order on-line to get pass-through

[caranheim]

After purchasing two Zenith DT900 Digital converters, I also purchased a Sony Bravia M Series 26" HDTV. I received many good digital stations using the Zenith converters on my analog TVs. It did not take long to see the difference when I tested the new SONY HDTV. First of all, it did pick up both analog and digital channels using an antenna as expected. However, there were several Digital stations that it would not pick up anywhere near as good as the Digital Converters. I was so disappointed with the new TV, I returned it. It would have probably worked OK on cable, but for the moment, I will keep using the converters. The SONY TV model just came out on the market. I suppose it is possible the new tuner is just not as sensitive as the stand alone converter tuners. Has anyone else had this experience where the converters work better than a full blown HDTV when attached to a local antenna?

[venez68]

i'm still a little unclear on the tuner specifics.
so if i purchase a tv with built in NTSC/ATSC/QAM tuner i will still need an STB from my cable company to view HD programming; correct?
the tv in question would be RCA L32WD26D.

[Ratman]

NTSC = Analog OTA and cable
ATSC = Digital OTA
QAM = Digital Cable

If you want cable programming in HD you need either:
1) a TV with a QAM tuner. This will usually get "local channels" only (non-encrypted) with "basic" cable subscription. No STB
2) the the TV has a QAM tuner and a "cablecard" slot, you can get locals and encrypted channels (digital subscription required and usually cablecard rental fee). No STB
3) Rent an STB and subscribe to digital cable and buy any HDTV that you desire.

[57U]

More info on the QAM aspect.

http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/showthread.php?t=16662

[Rick-F]

i'm still a little unclear on the tuner specifics.
so if i purchase a tv with built in NTSC/ATSC/QAM tuner i will still need an STB from my cable company to view HD programming; correct?
the tv in question would be RCA L32WD26D.

No. The QAM tuner will allow you to get the "in-the-clear" HD channels off your cable without a STB/CableCard. You WILL need to get a STB or Cable Card to get the encrypted channels.