reverse modulator

[whcarroll]

We purchased a new TV that appeared to be less expensive than others. Since we were moving into a new home, we did not take it out of the box for 4 months (too long to return to seller).

It is a monitor rather than a TV. When getting a signal through the cable tv "box" it works fine. Is there a way to use it without having to rent the "box" each month? One electronics seller told me that a reverse modulator would allow the unit to show television without the cable "box".

 

[Capt.Ron]

We purchased a new TV that appeared to be less expensive than others. Since we were moving into a new home, we did not take it out of the box for 4 months (too long to return to seller).

It is a monitor rather than a TV. When getting a signal through the cable tv "box" it works fine. Is there a way to use it without having to rent the "box" each month? One electronics seller told me that a reverse modulator would allow the unit to show television without the cable "box".

Digital converter box???
If you're just looking for broadcast I would think that would work if you have the proper connections on the monitor.
You can pick one of those up for about 40 bucks.

 

[markw]

You need a tuner, not a demodulator.

As you found out a bit too late, monitors are TVs without tuners and possibly sound systems.

Where do you want to get the television programs from?

If you expect to use cable TV as the source, the cable box is it. You're home.

If you want to get OTA (over the air) TV, which is free, you'll have to purchase a standalone TV tuner and most likely invest in a decent antenna. Be aware, though, that not all TV tuners are Hi Def. They cost a bit more than standard ones. Be careful there.

Purchasing a TV with a built in tuner would have been much, much cheaper. That inexpensive monitor purchase will cost you more money than you saved. But, looking on the bright side, most monitors don't include sound systems. You lucked out there.

 

[BMXTRIX]

The hard part is if you want HDTV, then a stand alone digital cable TV decoder with the ability to decode clear QAM signals is like $250 - or the rental price for about 2+ years of a cable tuner.

You wouldn't get any of the TV channels that were encrypted either.

It is strongly recommended that you simply stick with a cable tuner or move the TV to a location where you intend to use a cable box anyway and get a cheap TV with a tuner for that secondary location.

Strange that it would be cheaper though as almost all TVs have an integrated tuner these days and only the really nice TVs can sometimes be 'monitors' without a tuner in them.