HDTV/Converter Box

[jbbrown]

Ok, so I have a dumb question, but I really don't know much about the newer TV's. I have an older tube TV with a converter box since the TV only has an analog tuner. I made an antenna so I get OTA channels. I am considering buying a Samsung PN50C450 and according to their website, it comes with ATSC/Clear QAM Tuners.

Do I just need to plug in the cable from the antenna to the TV and I will get HDTV? Or do I need some other box to receive HD? Thanks!

 

[postmortemIA]

depends on your cable provider. you should get your local channels in hd at least. ClearQAM are channels in QAM modulation that are not encrypted, so that QAM tuners can tune to them. For encrypted ones, you need cable box.

my cable provider has recently started providing list of clearqam channels. only locals are in HD. Either way, you will need to scan for channels. And they will appear in weird numbers. Nothing like OTA or cable box numbers. I suggest you to look online for clearQAM listings for your cable provider and city. avsforum is more specialized for this issue than any other forum; they have topic about HDTV reception for almost every US city.

 

[TastesLikeChicken]

You'll get HDTV for whatever local OTA channels your antenna can manage to get decent signal strength for, no converter box required. The TV will properly tune in the channels via the ATSC tuner.

 

[jbbrown]

You'll get HDTV for whatever local OTA channels your antenna can manage to get decent signal strength for, no converter box required. The TV will properly tune in the channels via the ATSC tuner.

Thanks, I did end up getting the Samsung PN50C450. I plugged the cable from the antenna straight into the TV and the picture looks great!

 

[sivart]

Thanks, I did end up getting the Samsung PN50C450. I plugged the cable from the antenna straight into the TV and the picture looks great!

Free OTA HDTV is great. Even looks better than some cable systems compressed feeds. I haven't had cable (or pay TV) in 5 years and I don't miss a thing. (I do have an HTPC to use as a DVR for the 3 shows I watch each week)