[occlaw]

I will be relocating to Dallas in the spring, and I want to set up HDTV in my new house. Problem is . . . I don't have anything. I have a home theater set up that is hooked up to basic cable (no HD, no set top box), that I use primarily to watch DVD's. My TV is not even HD Ready.


First thing I will be doing when I move is buying a new tv, and I even need help with that (as I have not started my research yet). My first naive question is if I buy a HDTV, do I need to also buy a HD Receiver that I am reading about, or does that only come into play if I am dealing with a HD Ready tv.


Next, I expect that I will be going with DirectTV since NFL Sunday Ticket is considered a must with my relocation away from my beloved Bears. I just want the basics as far as channels go (no movie channels). Can you advise as to what equipment I will need, and the best way to get a deal.


Thanks in advance.

 

[mjones73]

If you go with Directv, they usually have various specials going on, it would depend on what was available at the time you moved. It should run you about $300 for a HD receiver, dish and installation, you can usally get a certain amount of SD receivers for your other televisions included for free in the price.


The HD Directv receiver will have an OTA tuner built in for receiving local digital broadcasts via an antenna also, there's no need to buy an addtional box for that or to get a TV with a built in ATSC tuner.

 

[occlaw]

So if I am going with satellite, then I don't need to worry about getting a tv with a built-in ATSC tuner? Is that right?


Under what circumstances would this feature come into play?

 

[mjones73]

Quote:

Originally posted by occlaw So if I am going with satellite, then I don't need to worry about getting a tv with a built-in ATSC tuner? Is that right? Under what circumstances would this feature come into play?

An ATSC tuner is used to receive OTA digital broadcasts, all the D* HD boxes have one built in, having one in the TV also would be redundant.


To be honest with you, with all the changing technology, I'd wait til the spring to determine what your going to buy...

 

[bjohn34]

Well, he needs to watch football so waiting till spring won't work. Well we know your getting D* so maybe you could get the all in one special they have. I think if you but a Samsung HDTV you save like 100 bucks. Actually, forget that. Read the thread about the Directv HD deal. Mostly likely you should buy a HD ready set like the previous post state. Research HDTV and TV sets before buying.Good luck.

 

[mjones73]

Quote:

Originally posted by bjohn34 Well, he needs to watch football so waiting till spring won't work. Well we know your getting D* so maybe you could get the all in one special they have. I think if you but a Samsung HDTV you save like 100 bucks. Actually, forget that. Read the thread about the Directv HD deal. Mostly likely you should buy a HD ready set like the previous post state. Research HDTV and TV sets before buying.Good luck.

I think he means for next year after he moves...

 

[occlaw]

Quote:

Originally posted by mjones73 To be honest with you, with all the changing technology, I'd wait til the spring to determine what your going to buy... [/b]

I am planning now for spring, but quite frankly I expect that I will be planning to buy the tv in January/February in order to take advantage of some post holiday savings. I will also have an idea of my new house to determine what size tv will be optimal for the space.


However, since I will probably not be able to afford the latest and greatest of new technology that comes out in the new year, I will probably try to land a deal on this years models. Since I have much to learn, I figure I would start my research now.


It also gives me some time to prepare the wife for my new toys.

 

[bjohn34]

Good Point. I guess I should have read the part about moving in the spring. Well, if that is the case I would try to hold off on getting D* until next September. I'm sure a HD box will be cheap and every year D* has that deal on ST. When you move to Dallas in the Spring, you could get cable. That is if you wish to view HD before September of next year. You could also get HD cable in Jan/Feb. before you leave. As far as HDTV's buy one with a DVI or HDMI input and read about the different choices such as: LCD, plasma, CRT and others. Usually, the size of your room and your budget determines your choice. HDTVtwincities.com has a lot of good, easy to read info and links

 

[occlaw]

Quote:

Originally posted by bjohn34 Good Point. I guess I should have read the part about moving in the spring. Well, if that is the case I would try to hold off on getting D* until next September. I'm sure a HD box will be cheap and every year D* has that deal on ST. When you move to Dallas in the Spring, you could get cable. That is if you wish to view HD before September of next year. You could also get HD cable in Jan/Feb. before you leave. As far as HDTV's buy one with a DVI or HDMI input and read about the different choices such as: LCD, plasma, CRT and others. Usually, the size of your room and your budget determines your choice. HDTVtwincities.com has a lot of good, easy to read info and links

A couple points: (1) why would i want to get cable first, only to switch to satellite; (2) I am still confused as to whether I need/should be looking at an HDTV or an HD-ready tv; (3) when do I need to buy the "set-top" box that I keep reading about; (4) if I am going with satellite, does directtv provide the set-top box, or is that a seperate purchase i need to make.


Sorry for the basic nature of my questions and thanks for your patience.

 

[bnewt]

I am no expert but maybe I can answer some of your questions.

HDTV has a tuner built into the system, no need for external one

HD-ready will accept & display HD signals if an external tuner (D*, or OTA stb) is connected.

Set-top box (stb) is needed to receive/display hd signals received from an antenna to the HD-ready tv

D* has receivers that will receive both the satellite signal & ota antenna signals. They have some for standard analog ota reception & HD digital signals. You will have to decide which unit that you want.

 

[bjohn34]

If you are for sure going to get Directv at some point, do not buy a HDTV with a built in tuner. Your D* STB that you will have to buy can be used as an OTA (over the air) tuner.

 

[mjones73]

(1) why would i want to get cable first, only to switch to satellite;


I think that was suggested as a hold me over til you got the D* system installed..


(2) I am still confused as to whether I need/should be looking at an HDTV or an HD-ready tv;


As mentioned, if your going the D* route, you don't need a TV with a built in ATSC tuner, look for TV's marked as monitors in their description...


(3) when do I need to buy the "set-top" box that I keep reading about;


See number 4.


(4) if I am going with satellite, does directtv provide the set-top box, or is that a seperate purchase i need to make.


You need to pay a one time fee for a HD D* box and sign up for a 1 year contract, you can get a deal where the dish and basic installation are included in the price and up to 3 more standard receivers can be installed for other TV's in the house with the equipment and installation being free. The D* receiver will be your STB.

 

[occlaw]

Awesome. Thanks for all the information. I'll start checking out the threads on this site, and reading up on various types of tv's to determine which direction I am going to go.