View Full Version : Best Technology For OTA HD Reception


intravino
07-09-08, 01:17 PM
Hello,


What is the best kind of TV for OTA viewing?

Plasma, LCD ?

I read on an other forum that LCD was much better for viewing a OTA Picture.



Thanks for your time,

Intravino

Ratman
07-09-08, 01:21 PM
They will all provide a good picture quality. A good antenna for your specific location should be the primary focus. ;)

intravino
07-09-08, 01:29 PM
Hi,


I have a 40 ' tower with 4228.

I am ready for hd, just need the set.

Thanks

dan57
07-09-08, 01:30 PM
Hello,


I read on an other forum that LCD was much better for viewing a OTA Picture.


Intravino

This is hogwash, in my opinion. A good tv is a good tv. A tv that is superior for viewing from one source should be better for viewing from any source.

This reminds me of years ago when talking about speakers somebody would say that a speaker was good for classical music. Hogwash. A good speaker is a good speaker for any type of music.

mjones73
07-09-08, 01:37 PM
Try the display section for TV buying assistance.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=9

Ken H
07-09-08, 02:04 PM
Hello,


What is the best kind of TV for OTA viewing?

Plasma, LCD ?

I read on an other forum that LCD was much better for viewing a OTA Picture.There is no best.

In very broad terms, LCD is better for brightly lit rooms, with lots of windows, because they are generally brighter. Plasma generally has better blacks, and does better in rooms with controlled light.

intravino
07-09-08, 02:51 PM
Hi Guys,

I had a felling that it was not true.

How about now the atsc tuner, is there a difference in quality between major manufacturers of HDTV?

Or it is better to just purchase a monitor and buy an external tuner?



Thanks again,

Intravino

Ken H
07-09-08, 03:32 PM
Hi Guys,

I had a felling that it was not true.

How about now the atsc tuner, is there a difference in quality between major manufacturers of HDTV?

Or it is better to just purchase a monitor and buy an external tuner?



Thanks again,

IntravinoIn general, the DTV tuners built into the major brands are as good, or better, than external tuners. I've had good luck with LG, Vizio, Samsung, Sony, and others.

EscapeVelocity
07-09-08, 03:34 PM
Most of the big name brands have decent tuners. Unless you have a particular reason to be worried about tuner sensitivity, it shouldnt factor too heavily in your decision....you should be more concerned about video reproduction quality.

allargon
07-09-08, 03:36 PM
Hi Guys,

I had a felling that it was not true.

How about now the atsc tuner, is there a difference in quality between major manufacturers of HDTV?

Or it is better to just purchase a monitor and buy an external tuner?



Thanks again,

Intravino

Even my big box refurbed Westinghouse 32" LCD has a decent tuner. My Mitsubishi DLP has a great tuner as well. Like Ken said--any major brand should suit you well. An external tuner will just waste a HD (component or HDMI) input that can be used for Blu-Ray, upconverting DVD, HD DVD (if you had one), D-VHS (if you had one), media extenders, home theater PC's, cable/sat boxes, etc.

jtbell
07-09-08, 06:39 PM
And there are very few current models of external HDTV tuners available, I think only the Samsung DTB-H260F (by far the most widely available), a PrimeDTV, and a Tivax. (or does the Tivax just have SD output?).

Oh yes, also the Tivo Series 3 and Tivo HD DVRs, plus the forthcoming Echostar TR-50 DVR.

fru1
07-09-08, 11:20 PM
"How about now the atsc tuner, is there a difference in quality between major manufacturers of HDTV?"

I asked about this maybe a month ago. I think the short answer was that, in general, newer models from major manufacturers have very good tuners--significantly better than what was typical only 3-4 years ago. And this certainly proved to be the case for me on purchasing a new LCD. The reception is far more robust than what I expected from my first go at ATSC OTA. Of course, my situation may be different: indoor antenna, < 10 miles, 1st floor, middle of a bldng, no line of site.