If built-in HDTV tuner is out of order

[wein]

I have a 42 inch Visio P42 plasma and just last week, dtv function is not working anymore.
All other functions, such as XBOX and computer connection function works on tv; but only dtv.
I called Visio technicians and they said HDTV tuner is out of order and I will have to replace it.
Since warranty period is already passed, they will cost me parts and $125 just for labor.

My question is if built-in tv tuner is out of order, can I just buy some kind of converter to get signal from antenna regardless of broken built-in tv tuner?
If it is possible, I guess it will cost cheaper. (don't want to spend $200 for tv worth only few hundred box)

 

[mshan]

Yes, outboard OTA HDTV tuner will just have to have outputs that match any open inputs on tv.

You would connect antenna to new tuner and have to use it's remote to change channels, etc.

 

[sivart]

For $250, you can get a DTVPal HD DVR with 2 tuners to replace the broken tuner in the Vizio. Another option would be the single HDTV tuner, no DVR DTB-H260F. It will run you in the $200 range.

 

[Modelworks]

You need to ask around for people that have the same model tv. The reason is that sometimes a defective tuner can cause an entire tv to fail. I kid you not. I worked for GE/RCA consumer division as an engineer going over warranty returns for possible faults to make sure it wasn't a design flaw . We had several problems appear with TV that were due to the tv tuner failing, killing the entire tv. The problem is that TV use a communication bus called i2c, it is something like usb where all the devices , power supply, tuner, inputs, audio, video all communicate on a shared wire. If one of those devices like the tuner starts corrupting the data on the channel it can cause important systems like power supply to malfunction.

If you can ask around and find out if it is a common problem than you can determine if it leads to future problems or if the TV continues working.