HDTV Tuner-Receiver | Get Local HDTV Broadcasts


Defined Tag: HDTV Tuner Receiver.
An Hdtv tuner-receiver will be necessary to get local Hdtv broadcasts on your Hdtv if it does not have a built in ATSC tuner or you don't already have HD cable or satellite service. Without the ATSC tuner your tv is "Hdtv ready", meaning it is capable of showing high defintion images on the screen when connected to a digital tuner and source. However, all is not lost. Depending on your current configuration their are many tuner/receiver choices available.

First, lets get this clear a tuner and receiver are the same thing, they are sometimes also called a decoder. Just more things Hdtv to cause confusion. The tuner is needed to receive digital signals for all digital sets and decode then transmit digital images and audio to your Hdtv. Hdtv is the highest form of digital tv. There is also Enhanced Digital tv and about 16 other digital transmission protocals mandated by the FCC.

HDTV's that don't have a built in (ATSC) tuner require a digital cable or satellite receiver to recieve HD channels and may still require the use of an Hdtv antenna to receive local Hdtv broadcasts over-the-air. An Hd ready tv is sometimes called Hd capable tv or Hd monitor. These sets when properly outfitted with a Hdtv tuner-receiver and Hdtv antenna will allow you to get local Hdtv broadcasts with startling clear images on your television. As prices continue to fall you may find a Hdtv tuner-receiver for as low as $100.00 depending on the requirements of your viewing.

Your present analog hardware such as video games, your DVD, camcorders etc. will work with Hdtv sets in their current video formats not high definition. This is called being backward compatible.

You must make sure that the Hdtv inputs match the outputs of the Hdtv tuner-receiver you're considering. Preferably the outputs of the tuner should be digital cable connection to the tv. DVI-D and HDMI are the standards most often used and these can easily be made compatible with a small adapter.

It's a must that you check to ensure that the present or future entertainment setup will be a match for the new tuner-receiver. Account for your audio, Dvd, games and any other equipment that you may wish to view on your Hdtv through the hdtv tuner-receiver. This will require some analog outputs as well as the digital.

Ironically there is a FCC requirement that "By March 2008, all TVs (and other devices that are designed to receive broadcast television signals) are required to have digital tuners built in." and "Analog TVs receiving over-the-air programming will still work after that date, but owners of these TVs will need to buy converter boxes to change digital broadcasts into analog format." You can get more information on the pending transition to digital tv from the FCC at http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/digitaltv.html.

So when buying your Hdtv tuner-receiver make sure to check compatability for your Hdtv and your entertainment needs. Check with your cable or satellite provider to determine what Hdtv receiver-tuner is compatible for receiving Hd broadcasts from them. With just a little due diligence buying a Hdtv tuner-receiver you can easily get local Hdtv broadcasts and and start enjoying the marvelous pictures and audio that Hdtv provides.