I'm new to the HDTV thing so here's my plan setup:

Samsung DTBH260F Tuner
Samsung LNT2653H 26" LCD HDTV

Do I need an antennae? I checked my signal distance at antennaweb and i'm seeing mostly reds at 10 miles (zip 02420).

What other equipments (or cables) will I need?

Thanks!

It appears that the Samsung LNT2653H (http://www.samsung.com/Products/TV/LCDTV/LNT2653HXXAA.asp?page=Specifications) already has integrated ATSC and QAM tuners. The pdf spec sheet (http://www.samsung.com/Products/TV/LCDTV/files/lnt2653_final.pdf) is very clear about the tuners. The set even has separate antenna and cable connections, so you won't need any external switch. The Samsung DTBH260F would be completely redundant and a waste of money and cables.

At ten miles, you should try an indoor antenna that you can find at your local retailer. You will need a cable between the antenna and the tv.

BTW, if you currently subscribe to cable service, the integrated QAM tuner will allow you to receive any unencrypted digital cable channels.

I do have basic cable. By basic I mean no cable box or anything, I guess the way my apartment is setup, we get channels such as ESPN, Discovery, Cartoon, etc. minus the premium movie channels (HBO, Showtime, etc).

I'll have to search for a decent antennae on AVS then.

I wonder how good the built-in tuner is....but I supposed it'll be inferior to the box top.

Thanks for the help.

Quickie: What cables will I need since I have basic cable (w/o cable box) and an antenna? :confused:

I wonder how good the built-in tuner is....but I supposed it'll be inferior to the box top.I don't think so. It will be as good if not better than from a STB.

Ed

Quickie: What cables will I need since I have basic cable (w/o cable box) and an antenna? :confused:You may get just about evey digital and HD channel over your basic cable as you would get OTA. All you need is to connect the coax cable from the wall to the TV - that's it.

If you do go with an antenna, then you just need the coax from the antenna to the TV.

Ed

Hmm...is it common for cable companies to transmit HDTV (the free OTA channels) through the coaxial cable connection?

Thanks for the help so far. :D

Hmm...is it common for cable companies to transmit HDTV (the free OTA channels) through the coaxial cable connection?

Thanks for the help so far. :DYes. It is very common for the local DT(HD)network channels to be unencrypted on cable systems. Your set should be able to tune any unencrypted digital channels with the integrated QAM tuner.

Sounds like I'll be able to save $30 by not having bye an antenna then. Thanks for the help. :)

i have a similar magnavox tv with the atsc and qam tuner, and it only picked up 2 of the local channels in Grand Rapids, where there are at least 3 or 4 more. Any ideas why it wouldnt pick them all up?

i have a similar magnavox tv with the atsc and qam tuner, and it only picked up 2 of the local channels in Grand Rapids, where there are at least 3 or 4 more. Any ideas why it wouldnt pick them all up?
Are you talking about the antenna or cable?

through the cable, its charter, and i get fox and cbs, not abc or nbc like you would think

through the cable, its charter, and i get fox and cbs, not abc or nbc like you would thinkNot all cable companies send the locals unencrypted. Comcast seems to do it, but you have Charter. I would suggest 2 things - it's possible that you missed all the QAM channels - I know that I get a bunch and you have to plow thru a lot to find where the HD channels are. The other suggestion is to go to the local receiption forum and look/ask there what is available in your location - and what channels they're on.

Ed