TV antenna to receiver

[pzaur]

Anyone ever do a connection of TV antenna -> AVR -> TV? And, do this while keeping the HD feed?

I'm just brainstorming ways to run everything through my AVR first. I just started looking for some sort of solution that converts the antenna feed into component or HDMI.

-pat

 

[Adam]

Pat, you can do that if you have anything with a TV tuner. For analog NTSC, you can pull that off with something as simple and old as a VCR or DVD recorder. For digital ATSC, you can do that with any of the new boxes that have digital tuners. You'd still run the antenna feed to the component with the tuner, then run audio and video to the AVR. I bought my parents a Philips DVR/DVDR last year that has a built-in digital tuner and an HDMI output (but it only does SDTV, not HDTV).

I'm not aware of any AVRs that have built-in TV tuners (doesn't mean that they don't exist).

 

[pzaur]

I'm not aware of any AVRs that have built-in TV tuners (doesn't mean that they don't exist).

That would be nice!

Basically, I would love a way to have only one feed into my TV at all times and be able to switch the feeds through the AVR. Keeping the HD signal would be of utmost importance. I'm sure that there is a solution to this, just WAY out of my budget.

-pat

 

[markw]

You're still gonna have to tune the TV with it's internal tuner unless you invest in a stand-alone HDTV tuner and,eve,tne, you'll still have to use it's internal tuner to select your stations.

But, with the external HD tuner you could feed it's output through the AVR and from there to the TV.

As the other guy said, until they start marketing AVR's with built-in ATSC HD tuners, you're outta luck.

 

[Adam]

...unless you invest in a stand-alone HDTV tuner.... But, with the external HD tuner you could feed it's output through the AVR and from there to the TV.

Mark - yep, that's what I was getting at. The drawback with the DVR/DVDR that my parents have is that the digital tuner is SDTV only, so not HD like Pat wants. I did some searching (as I want one, too), but I haven't found any recent external tuner models with HDMI or component video outputs. They used to market them, but I haven't seen any lately. If you (or anyone here) know of any, please post them! I'd love to find out about them.

Thanks!

 

[pzaur]

Using the internal tuner of the TV would be ideal. That causes a whole lot of other issues with connections and pass-through and the like. I don't think it's possible how I'm imagining unless it's all connected with a proprietary connection like Pioneer has for using their components together.

I did find this. It would solve the issue and be able to be run through the AVR but possibly necessitate another remote (I don't have and am not getting a "real" universal remote). Out of my budget. Wait...everything is with a budget of zero!

-pat

 

[Adam]

I did find this.

Perfect! I had wondered if those were still available. Pricey compared to the new "converter boxes", but much more capable. You can pick up a converter box for about $20 (after the $40 government coupon), but you won't get the HD signal that you want. That, and the converter boxes don't have digital audio outputs, either.

 

[jcPanny]

Remote

Pat,
Don't wast a lot of money on an NTSC tuner box when you already have one built into your set. Also keep in mind that the Antenna is only for "over the air" local channels. Cable or satelite can be routed through the receiver. Buying another box would also require using another remote.

I would recommend investing your money in a good URC or Harmony universal remote. When you press the "TV" macro it will change the TV input and receiver input at the same time. Once setup, it will be easy for the whole family to use the system.

 

[pzaur]

Pat,
Don't wast a lot of money on an NTSC tuner box when you already have one built into your set. Also keep in mind that the Antenna is only for "over the air" local channels. Cable or satelite can be routed through the receiver. Buying another box would also require using another remote.

I would recommend investing your money in a good URC or Harmony universal remote. When you press the "TV" macro it will change the TV input and receiver input at the same time. Once setup, it will be easy for the whole family to use the system.

Agreed. I'm just brainstorming ways to have only one input being used on my TV so the only "change" needed to view a different input would be at the receiver. I'll never actually do this. Just thinking out loud, throwing ideas out there.

-pat