what is the difference between and hdtv monitor and a build in hdtv?

Question

what are the benefits of each? If I buy a tv with a built in hdtv do I need a cable hdtv receiver?

Answer 1

An HD Television is a screen with a "tuner" built in. A tuner can be used to recieve HD signals over the air with an antenna for free, or in some cases, with newer HDTVs and with the help of your cable company, you can get Digital Cable including HD channels without the need of a box. TVs that can handle this require the use of a CableCard which you will get from your cable company. TVs with a CableCard slot will have a sticker on the front of it that says DCR. This stands for digital cable ready. TVs that use the cable card system do not have access to OnDemand, DVR, or Pay-Per-View.

If you have satellite, or are using a Digital Cable Box from your cable company, you do not need a set with a built in tuner. In other words, all you need is an HD Monitor. Plus, the Cable Card slot is in it's infancy and there are already talks about coming out with CableCard II which will support OnDemand and all of that stuff.

I would save the hassle and just get an HD monitor and rent the cable box or satellite box from your provider.

Hope this is helpful.

Answer 2

HDTV monitors don't have HD tuners and will require an external source to view HDTV programs like a HD cable or sattelite box. Built-in HDTV allows you to connect an attenia and view broadcast HDTV without an external device.

The advantage to an HD monitor is that if you already use cable or sattelite, you'll save money by using their HD tuner. It's basically one less thing you have to pay for.

The advantage of the built-in HD tuner is that you won't need any other devices to watch HDTV. If all you watch is basic broadcast TV, it's an excellent option for viewing HDTV.

If you buy an HDTV with a built in tuner, you will still need a digital cable box from your provider in order to view HD programming available through your cable company. The cable company encodes all of their signals and you'll need the box from them to decode the signal.

I hope that helps!

Answer 3

An HD monitor does not include a tuner, so it's less expensive. To use an HD monitor, you'll need an external tuner, such as a cable box.

If you do not have a cable box, you'll need either a separate tuner (not recommended) or an HDTV with a built-in tuner.

Bottom Line: If you have a cable box, there is no problem with getting an HD monitor. However, if you don't have a cable box, you'll need an HDTV with a built-in tuner.

Answer 4

without a built in hdtv tuner you will need a component to input an hd signal to the tv (hd satellite receiver/hd cable box).