HD tuner, HD Ready.

[fyrmedic01@hotm]

Ok A neighbor asked me and I am not sure of the answer. Does a TV need an HD tuner built in to get HD from cable/sat. or is the HD tuner just for over the air broadcasts??? If he purchased and HD Ready TV will that suffice if he plans to get HD service from the local cable/sat provider. you got to the stores and you see...HD Ready, HD, HD tuner..a little confusing for the consumer.

thanks
-Chris

 

[Duffinator]

Yes it is confusing.

An HD ready TV will accept an HD signal from cable or sat. If the TV has a built-in HD tuner that is for OTA HD signals only and has nothing to do with cable or sat. Dish and DirecTV HD receivers have OTA tuners built into them. I'm not sure about all cable STB's but the Comcast HD STB's do not have HD OTA tuners built in. At least the ones in Northern California don't.

Bottom line is you do not need a built-in HD tuner to accept cable or sat HD, all you need is HD ready TV.

 

[Red]

Ok A neighbor asked me and I am not sure of the answer. Does a TV need an HD tuner built in to get HD from cable/sat. or is the HD tuner just for over the air broadcasts??? If he purchased and HD Ready TV will that suffice if he plans to get HD service from the local cable/sat provider. you got to the stores and you see...HD Ready, HD, HD tuner..a little confusing for the consumer.

thanks
-Chris

To get HD programming from a cable company your neighbor will need the HD set top box from the cable company whether or not the new HDTV has a HD tuner built in.

If he/she plans to run everything (Audio/Video) through an A/V receiver, and is not in need of OTA HD signal, then I would suggest he/she purchase the HD TV without the tuner as it is likely less expensive.

I bought a Panasonuc plasma - commercial model - without the tuner, utilize the cable company's set top box with DVR, run everything through my 3805 and it works beautifully.

 

[fyrmedic01@hotm]

Thanks for the info folks. I e-mailed him this thread..I think he is on his way to getting a TV...great info!!!