Do I need an HDTV tuner?

[Fraggable]

First, I'm a n00b when it comes to HDTV.

I'm looking into buying an HDTV antenna and found that you need a HDTV tuner as well as a HDTV antenna. I'm unclear on whether I have one already or not. I have this HDTV but it doesn't specifically say it has a tuner built-in. At BB HDTV tuners start at $229 and I'm not planning to spend that much. I just want to watch the playoffs in HD.

Thanks for any help.

EDIT: I just realized, I may be able to use my AIW card in my sig as a HD tuner if I must. Anyone done that before?

 

[boggsie]

The Insignia? 23-inch LCD TV offers a big, clear, bright picture that's perfect for watching DVDs and HDTV (additional equipment required).

I added the emphasys (bold, italic and underline) to draw your attention to the part of the description that seems to indicated that you need an add-on HDTV Tuner.

Many cable companies offer their set-top boxes in HDTV Tuner form. It would need to connect in DVI-D or HDMI in order to get the best HDTV image.

 

[SpunkyJones]

It looks like it doesn't have a tuner. Also there is no such thing an a HDTV antenna. A antenna is an antenna, don't buy an expensive one because it says HD on the box. I use a 20 year old one for OTA HD just fine.

 

[Fraggable]

Originally posted by: SpunkyJones
It looks like it doesn't have a tuner. Also there is no such thing an a HDTV antenna. A antenna is an antenna, don't buy an expensive one because it says HD on the box. I use a 20 year old one for OTA HD just fine.

Thanks for the tip. Can I not get full HDTV resolution OTA?

 

[SpunkyJones]

Originally posted by: Fraggable

Originally posted by: SpunkyJones
It looks like it doesn't have a tuner. Also there is no such thing an a HDTV antenna. A antenna is an antenna, don't buy an expensive one because it says HD on the box. I use a 20 year old one for OTA HD just fine.

Thanks for the tip. Can I not get full HDTV resolution OTA?

You would still need a tuner.

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: Fraggable

Originally posted by: SpunkyJones
It looks like it doesn't have a tuner. Also there is no such thing an a HDTV antenna. A antenna is an antenna, don't buy an expensive one because it says HD on the box. I use a 20 year old one for OTA HD just fine.

Thanks for the tip. Can I not get full HDTV resolution OTA?

You can get full resolution OTA, but you need a tuner.

Tuner != antenna

Antenna = for picking up radio signals
Tuner = for making useful info of received signals

Viper GTS

 

[boggsie]

It looks like the ATI AIW x800 XT should come with YPrPb (composite) output. Look at your video card documentation to see if you have this connector and an adapter to connect the composite cable to your TV.

 

[Joony]

Your TV seems to have a DVI connector. Hook it up via DVI for best quality and set the resolution to 1280x768 pixels, you might need to user Powerstrip for such a custom resolution.

You will also need a HDTV tuner, I highly suggest this one: DVICO FucionHDTV5 lite

there's a 10% off coupon laying around somewhere!

I just got mine yesterday and it has been great, I just watched the Patriots game on ABC.

You can either use the included tuning program or you can buy Beyond TV or use Sage TV or Windows Media Center Edition 2005 for Tivo like features.

 

[RossMAN]

You'll need an OTA HDTV Tuner + antenna.