Hey guys, there is a big post about this tuner box but it seems to have been de-railed. So I'm asking a new question here.

I have checked every hardware retail store in the Phoenix area. Not one digital tuner that outputs in HD. I have a beautiful 52" Panasonic HDTV that supports up to 1080i. Though it was NOT built with a digital tuner in it. I have found only TWO sites that offer a digital tuner with HD compatibility. One is a Samsung that is being asked way too much for, and the other is at American Thunder Audio.

Anybody know of another brand? Is this one O.K.? I'd really like to apply my $40 coupon to whatever product I choose, but that seems to be a far-fetched dream considering I have to buy it from some unheard of web-site. You guys know of any that would take my coupon and give me what I need?

Thanks!

You guys know of any that would take my coupon and give me what I need?No, there are none. The coupon is only for a specific list of non-HD Digital TV (DTV) tuners.


Here is a link for the list of HD compatible DTV tuners:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=179095

One is a Samsung that is being asked way too much for....You must be kidding.

The most popular box is the Samsung DTB-H260F, which priced retail at $179, is a very reasonable price to pay for HD after buying an HDTV capable display.

The RJ-1000ATSC is discontinued. Here is a topic with info:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=798636

Don't forget that the $40 Coupons are not valid on a receiver that outputs anything higher than 480, so you are out that $40 as well.

179 retail is reasonable price, but not for what you are getting. The box is nothing but a modulator similar to a broadband or dsl modem that modulates and demodulates signal then outputs it in said frequency. When items like these first come out $200 or even higher is about normal price.

You can almost buy an xbox 360 or Playstation3 that will play back very high quality HD on different formats and have hard-drives for that price. So basically an over the top DVR, or limited functioning computer.

This kind of technology if you will, has been out for a long time. I know the RJ-1000ATSC is discontinued, but a site claims to still have it available. I will link the site in another reply as I'm not allowed to post URL's at this time.

I appreciate the link and your work of showing currently available models, I will investigate further, but I am unwilling to spend more than $100 for it if that helps, and I doubt I'm not the only one that feels that way considering I can't find any for sale in the greater phoenix metro area.

Posting to get over my 3 post limit so I can post the url

http://www.americanthunderaudio.com/ProductInfo.aspx?id=3539211

179 retail is reasonable price, but not for what you are getting.Sure it is. A product will sell for what the market bears. As an example, the non-HD boxes go for ~$60. For another $100, you get HD.

The problem is, you don't equate the value of HD to what you paid for your HDTV display. What could you have spent on a standard set, instead of an HD compatible one? Do you think the difference was all in the internal components? Not quite.


I doubt I'm not the only one that feels that way considering I can't find any for sale in the greater phoenix metro area.Did you look at Fry's, BestBuy, Ultimate? I'd bet they all carry it.

http://www.americanthunderaudio.com/ProductInfo.aspx?id=3539211

I'll say it again, you do realize that does not output HD?

Video Decoder:

Profile level: MPEG-2 main profile
Input Rate: MPEG2 Video decoding
Video resolution: 720x480i (EIA-770.2A)
Aspect Ratio: 4:3, 16:9, Letterbox



Though it was NOT built with a digital tuner in it. I have found only TWO sites that offer a digital tuner with HD compatibility. One is a Samsung that is being asked way too much for, and the other is at American Thunder Audio.

Thanks Beach Comber I missed that... guess the hunt is still on.

Ken: Yes, called Fry's last night. Ultimate doesn't carry them. Fry's said they used to carry the Samsung one, but stopped a while back. Tried Best-Buy and Comp USA as well..... I wouldn't have taken the time or wasted your guys time if I hadn't exhausted all my resources.

Thanks Beach Comber I missed that... guess the hunt is still on.

Ken: Yes, called Fry's last night. Ultimate doesn't carry them. Fry's said they used to carry the Samsung one, but stopped a while back. Tried Best-Buy and Comp USA as well..... I wouldn't have taken the time or wasted your guys time if I hadn't exhausted all my resources.
The Samsung is available online at Best Buy. http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8102796&type=product&id=1161734592183

Also appears to be available in 3 phoenix metro area Best Buys.

Since price seems to be an issue....

...here are two units that are both available now (on line) for under $100:

· Coby DTV-140
· Tivax LX1000