Why the need for an HDTV tuner?

[Garet Jax]

The title says it all.

 

[RossMAN]

Do you currently own an HDTV? If so, which model?

Without an HDTV tuner, you won't be able to view HD content.

 

[ZoomStop]

The tuner takes the signal and converts it into something your new HDTV can display. Some TV's have them built in. Cable/sat companies can usually hook you up with a box that will handle their service and act as a HDTV tuner.

But even your old 20" TV uses a tuner. Your radio uses a tuner. HDTV tuners are just the new thing and are not built in a lot of the time because they are an expensive componet.

 

[Quasmo]

I want cablecard 2.0 with HDTV support in MCE 2005! Only problem is that I have to buy 4 cards 🙁

To explain, cable card it pretty much a digital cable reciever, it allows you to get on demand programming, and the like, but without the cable box. What I'm talking about is a PCI card for the computer that will work with Home Theater PCs and allow them to

1) Get digital cable without having to go over RCA cables
2) Get more HDTV programming
3) Recieve "On-Demand" Programming from the cable providers.

Only problem is that most cable card manufactures require

1) Windows Vista
2) HDCP Video card & Monitor
3) Windows Media Center Edition

 

[pcman83]

IF the TV has a built in tuner, you can get your local channels in hd with a antenna instead of paying the monthly fee. I like getting it through my cable company because then i get a dvr and can record the hd channels. You dont really need the built in tuner unless you dont want to get cable or satalite. Hope that helps.

 

[KLin]

HDTV Tuners (AKA ATSC tuner) receive OTA (over the air) digital broadcasts. All new big screen TV's this year have built in ATSC tuners. Mine doesn't have one, so I had to buy an external tuner.

 

[venk]

A Lot of the lower end TVs you find are sold as Monitors, which means they don't include ATSC (HD) Tuners. They may include NTSC (SD) Tuners so you can watch your regular content. If you have a monitor and get HD service through Comcast or a Dish, then the set top box can act as a tuner (You do have to ORDER HD Channels and may require swapping out the box). If you don't have Cable/Sat you can still get Over the air HD through a separate tuner box. Those boxes run about $200-$300 at circuit city.

Of course if your TV comes with a ATSC Tuner, then you are ready to go right out of the box.


Some newer TVs don't even include either a ATSC or a NTSC Tuner to keep costs down.

 

[Garet Jax]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
Do you currently own an HDTV? If so, which model?

Without an HDTV tuner, you won't be able to view HD content.

I don't have one yet, but am in the market for one. This is why I am trying to understand the need.

 

[Garet Jax]

Thanks for all the responses.

Let me summarize to make sure I understand. The difference between a plain-jane LCD monitor and an LCD HDTV TV is the tuner. In order for me to see HD content I need some sort of tuner. It can be an external box specific to the cable/sat company or it can be built into the TV. If it is built in then I might be able to pick up OTA content. If it is an external box, then I can use an HDTV with or without a built in tuner.

Is the tuner specific to the service provider? (ie. can I use the comcast tuner with another service or can I use the built in tuner with Comcast?). Thanks.

 

[venk]

Originally posted by: Garet Jax
Thanks for all the responses.

Let me summarize to make sure I understand. The difference between a plain-jane LCD monitor and an LCD HDTV TV is the tuner. In order for me to see HD content I need some sort of tuner. It can be an external box specific to the cable/sat company or it can be built into the TV. If it is built in then I might be able to pick up OTA content. If it is an external box, then I can use an HDTV with or without a built in tuner.

Is the tuner specific to the service provider? (ie. can I use the comcast tuner with another service or can I use the built in tuner with Comcast?). Thanks.

There are genaric tuners out there made by Samsung, RCA, etc that are just ATSC tuners. No cable or Sat alligence with them. Most DIsh/DTV tuners come with an RF input so you can get OTA locals in HD if your sat doesn't provide them.

The question on if you can use your built in tuner with comcast or one tuner to get another providers HD signal is a little tricky. It depends mostly on the modulation that the provider uses and has to decode at the tuner. Comcast uses something called QAM, ATSC tuners cannot decode QAM signals but some sets have QAM tuners (The Vizio plasma line comes to mind) built in.

If your going to get comcast and don't want to pay the rental fee for a cable card (basically an add-on tuner similar to a PCMCIA card supported by some RPTVs and LCD TVs) or a big box then you want to look at either a third party QAM tuner or a TV with a built in QAM tuner.

Considering the Rental fee is abour 5 bucks for the box (or 2.50 for the Cable Card), I wouldn't worry too much about finding a TV with a QAM tuner.

 

[ZoomStop]

Originally posted by: Garet Jax
Thanks for all the responses.

Let me summarize to make sure I understand. The difference between a plain-jane LCD monitor and an LCD HDTV TV is the tuner.
More or less, but be careful. There is no rule that a TV advertised as a LCD HDTV must include a tuner. Check the detailed specs to confirm that it does.
In order for me to see HD content I need some sort of tuner. It can be an external box specific to the cable/sat company or it can be built into the TV.
Correct
If it is built in then I might be able to pick up OTA content.
Built in or if you have a external box (not from a service provider) then you can use an antenna to get OTA HDTV as long as your within 60 or 70 miles of a city with TV stations. The further out you are the better the antenna you'll need. If your in town you may be able to get away with rabbit ears
If it is an external box, then I can use an HDTV with or without a built in tuner.
Right again. And keep in mind that if your TV has a built in tuner you don't have to order the cable company's deluxe HD package & box because you'll get local channels in HDTV un-encrypted over the regular cable line
Is the tuner specific to the service provider? (ie. can I use the comcast tuner with another service or can I use the built in tuner with Comcast?)
Yes and no. Depends on the provider/box. Avoid the Voom boxes all over eBay because if the box isn't activated then you can't use it to get OTA HDTV
. Thanks.

No problem

Also, for great help on this kind of stuff AVS Forum is the place to be.