[rll]

When a set has a built in HD tuner, is this for receiving OTA signals with an external antenna only? If you subscribe to a satellite SD/HD provider do you still need their receiver/tuner or need only the one built into the set?

This question may seem elementary, but I have gotten some information from a salesman that is confusing to say the least.

Thanks in advanvce.

 

[absolutic]

built-in-HD tuner means OTA signals only


unless


your set says "Built-in Direct TV HD tuner" but I dont think any plasmas have these.


If you subscribe to a satellite SD/HD provider you do need that satellite box in order to receive satellite HD channels such as Discovery HD, HBO HD, HDNET and like.


In order to receive over the air hd programming such as ABC, CBS, NBC, PBC, WB, FOX, KCET, you can use the built-in HD tuner in your plasma if it has one.


I hope I did not make it more confusing

 

[TKO]

To add to the previous post...


NTSC = Standard definition tuner.


ATSC = Digital OTA tuner.


QAM = Digital cable tuner with possible Cable Card support.


So a TV could have any combination of the 3. If it has a QAM tuner you'll be able to view unscrambled digital cable channels. My local Comcast is currently not scrambling 27 digital channels which opens up all of the local HD's plus ESPN-HD, INHD1 and 2, DISC-HD, etc.

 

[rll]

I understand then that if you were living in a rural area where you can not pick up an OTA signal then the built in HD tuner [ not QAM] is not a feature that is useable.

 

[orbitzboy]

rll,


that would be correct, unless your local cable operator transmits the HD channels over cable with ATSC specifications. There are a few that do.


I have a 50" panasonic consumer plasma with a built in OTA & QAM HD tuner's. The OTA tuner is great, but the QAM tuner is boarderline useless.


You need to get a cablecard for the QAM tuner to operate, which costs the same amount as a set-top box. The television itselft doesn't have a guide so it's impossible to remember all 500+ channels, let alone figure out what's on at any given time.


The other downside to the internal tuner's is they tend to be a bit underpowered. There is a noticable delay between pressing the channel button, and the television changing channels & tuning in the next station. I have an LG DVR with QAM & OTA capabilities which is significantly faster, and the HD cable box supplied by my cable company is even faster.