HDTV Tuners??

Question

Im looking into buying a new HDTV Television and I have some questions. Do you need a built in tuner? What does the built-in tuner do? Is it better to just go ahead and get the built-in tuner? Thanks

Answer 1

All HDTVs have three types of inputs: component video cables (HDTV input), RCA jacks (video, left audio, right audio), and an F fitting for an RF input (over-the-air broadcast, cable TV standard channels, and low-res input from external components - like a VCR).

If you have a digital and/or HD service from your cable or satellite company, the receiver/cable box already contains the converter necessary to pick up the digital channels and HD programming. But, you have to use the component video cables and select that input. Audio is routed separately using RCA cables.

In 2009, the United States is switching over from the current analog transmission format to the new digital format (the format currently offered on satellite and cable systems). As such, all TVs that were made without a digital tuner will require a converter box - similar to the cable TV converter box - to pick up over-the-air television broadcasting. In the mean time, some TV manufacturers that distribute in the US are selling TVs with both digital and analog tuners. After the switch in 2009, all TVs sold in the US must have a digital tuner.

If you go to purchase a TV in the US before 2009, the salesperson - by law - must inform you whether the TV has a digital tuner or not. This is because they don't want salespeople pushing TVs with analog-only tuners that will basically be obsolete in a year and a half. Although, you can use them with a digital-to-analog converter (about $40).

So ... If you intend on watching over-the-air digital channels or digital cable/satellite programming on your TV and you don't want to have to use a converter, get the HDTV with the digital tuner. But, if you plan on using a converter (for pay channels, DVR, etc.) it will already have the digial tuner in the converter box and you don't need a digital tuner in the TV.

One last thing: just because you get a TV with a digital tuner does not mean that it is an HDTV. Even if you have an HD converter. Because, it must have the component video inputs to receive the HDTV signal from the converter.

Answer 2

Where will you get your HDTV? If you get it from Cable or Dish television, then you do not need an internal or external tuner.

If you want to receive over the air (OTA) HD broadcasts then you'll need an HD antenna and either a HDTV with a built-in tuner or purchase an external tuner.

If you just want to watch BluRay or HD-DVD (or play PS3 or XBox 360) you don't need a tuner at all.

Hope this helps!

Answer 3

It depends on what flavor of cable you have. If you have digital cable or something which already utilizes a cable box, that box will interpret the hd for you. On the other hand, if you just plug your cable straight from the wall, getting a tv with an internal tuner will give you some extra channels and some duplicates duplicates of existing channels (in hd). To get that benefit without an internal tuner, you'd have to rent a box from your cable company.

Answer 4

I have an hdtv but I have regular cable so I got a hdtv tunner so i get some hd channels and it was only like $20-$40.