HD Ready benefits?

[Mutiny]

I am in the market for my first HDTV. I am looking at a 42" LCD with HDMI.

My question is: What are the benefits of having an HD Ready TV over one with the tuner built in? I know it is cheaper...I will be using Adelphia Cable, and they said that if I wanted to get their HD signals, I needed a set-top box from them. So, if I have to have that box anyways, then what benefit is there in having a tuner built in to the TV? Am I missing something?

Thanks-

 

[mytzen]

With a built-in HD Tuner a TV is capable of recieving digital over-the-air broadcast. Go to http://www.hdtvpub.com/ and use your zip code to see what stations are available to you.

You can use either built-in or HD ready tv's with a HD cable box.

 

[Mutiny]

Thanks...I have been there, and there are over the air HDTV signals in my area. But, if I am going to have a cable box anyways, is there a benefit to having the tuner in the TV? or is HD ready enough?

 

[mytzen]

HD ready will be enough if you are using a HD cable box and have HD cable service. The box has a HD tuner inside of it.

I think that the only advantage for a tv with buit-in HD would be that you could use a cablecard instead of a set top box and still get HDTV programming.

 

[BMXTRIX]

Digital Cable Ready (DCR) TVs are not a requirement for a TV that is listed as HD Ready.

You have it all figured out already though - if you have no interest in your over the air (OTA) channels because you get enough HD channels with your local cable provider, then just use your local cable provider, then get the TV without the built in digital/HD tuner (ATSC).

NOTE: Check with your cable company to make sure they DO offer you all the HD channels you want to get. Just because it is available locally OTA, does not mean that your cable company will actually carry it.