Help finding a right HDTV tuner/receiver

flooder658 · 01-11-07, 05:15 PM

Hello all,

I just got a 47" Westinghouse LVM-47w1 1080P monitor. The quality of SD was much worse than I expected so I would like to watch free local channels on HD using this monitor.

I don't want to upgrade my cable service as I don't watch a lot of TV. Is there anything I can buy to watch the local HD channels (unscrambled) on this monitor (convert coaxial --> HDMI/DVI)? I tried to find a HDTV tuner/receiver, but most of them are either too expensive, need directv or are discontinued.

Any suggestions on how to watch local HDTV programs without upgrading cable or renting equipment from comcast?

I want something that can send video signals to the TV and 5.1 sound to my speakers. Also, I set this up in my basement, so I don't want an antenna, especially since I already have cable.

Thanks!

biker19 · 01-11-07, 07:00 PM

You'll need something with a QAM tuner.

A bit late but you should have gotten a set with QAM tuner built in.

You can give the 260 (see thread about it in this section) tuner a try.

m_vanmeter · 01-12-07, 10:31 AM

I second "biker19" recommendation - Samsung DTB-H260F ATSC/QAM tuner. Currently, a little hard to find - very popular. The thread biker mentioned shows most people have had some luck with Circuit City and J&R Electronics - try both on the web and check current stock.

flooder658 · 01-14-07, 02:33 PM

Thanks for the replies.

I looked at a few BestBuy and Circuit City stores nearby, none of them seem to have it though. Can't find it online too... Guess I'll just keep looking.

jtbell · 01-14-07, 07:37 PM

Keep an eye on Circuit City's web site. According to reports in the long thread about the DTB-H260F, it's been available for ordering online, on an on-and-off basis. Perhaps Samsung is shipping them to CC in small batches.

crashairlines · 01-14-07, 08:24 PM

The link below makes it sound like in March all DVD players and VCRs will have built in ATSC tuners. If this is true, I would think we'd start seeing some before the March date, but I haven't seen any anywhere. Has anyone heard if this date has been pushed back, or if the government stopped this requirement? I was planning on holding off buying a tuner until some VCRs and DVD players had them built in. Part of the article stated:

"By 2007-03-01 all televisions regardless of screen size, and all interface devices which include a tuner (VCR, DVD player/recorder, DVR) must include a built-in ATSC DTV tuner"

http://www.answers.com/topic/atsc-tuner

crashairlines · 01-14-07, 08:28 PM

Never mind. I found the answer in another thread, and in the link below in case anyone else is interested.

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-12760_7-9675202-5.html

01-11-07, 05:15 PM	#1 \| Link	<a href='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adclick.php?n=a4ac4393' target='_blank'><img src='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adview.php?what=zone:30&n=a4ac4393' border='0' alt=''></a>
flooder658 New Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 9	Help finding a right HDTV tuner/receiver Hello all, I just got a 47" Westinghouse LVM-47w1 1080P monitor. The quality of SD was much worse than I expected so I would like to watch free local channels on HD using this monitor. I don't want to upgrade my cable service as I don't watch a lot of TV. Is there anything I can buy to watch the local HD channels (unscrambled) on this monitor (convert coaxial --> HDMI/DVI)? I tried to find a HDTV tuner/receiver, but most of them are either too expensive, need directv or are discontinued. Any suggestions on how to watch local HDTV programs without upgrading cable or renting equipment from comcast? I want something that can send video signals to the TV and 5.1 sound to my speakers. Also, I set this up in my basement, so I don't want an antenna, especially since I already have cable. Thanks!

01-14-07, 07:37 PM	#5 \| Link	<a href='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adclick.php?n=a591f81a' target='_blank'><img src='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adview.php?what=zone:36&n=a591f81a' border='0' alt=''></a>
jtbell Absent-minded prof Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Clinton, SC Posts: 3,021	Keep an eye on Circuit City's web site. According to reports in the long thread about the DTB-H260F, it's been available for ordering online, on an on-and-off basis. Perhaps Samsung is shipping them to CC in small batches.

01-11-07, 07:00 PM	#2 \| Link
biker19 AVS Special Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: McLean, VA Posts: 3,378	You'll need something with a QAM tuner. A bit late but you should have gotten a set with QAM tuner built in. You can give the 260 (see thread about it in this section) tuner a try.

01-12-07, 10:31 AM	#3 \| Link
m_vanmeter WD4JCM AVS CLUB MEMBER Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Georgetown, KY Posts: 2,456	I second "biker19" recommendation - Samsung DTB-H260F ATSC/QAM tuner. Currently, a little hard to find - very popular. The thread biker mentioned shows most people have had some luck with Circuit City and J&R Electronics - try both on the web and check current stock.

01-14-07, 02:33 PM	#4 \| Link
flooder658 New Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 9	Thanks for the replies. I looked at a few BestBuy and Circuit City stores nearby, none of them seem to have it though. Can't find it online too... Guess I'll just keep looking.

01-14-07, 08:24 PM	#6 \| Link
crashairlines Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 160	The link below makes it sound like in March all DVD players and VCRs will have built in ATSC tuners. If this is true, I would think we'd start seeing some before the March date, but I haven't seen any anywhere. Has anyone heard if this date has been pushed back, or if the government stopped this requirement? I was planning on holding off buying a tuner until some VCRs and DVD players had them built in. Part of the article stated: "By 2007-03-01 all televisions regardless of screen size, and all interface devices which include a tuner (VCR, DVD player/recorder, DVR) must include a built-in ATSC DTV tuner" http://www.answers.com/topic/atsc-tuner

01-14-07, 08:28 PM	#7 \| Link
crashairlines Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 160	Never mind. I found the answer in another thread, and in the link below in case anyone else is interested. http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-12760_7-9675202-5.html