Do you have to have a box for your hd tv?

Question

I just bought a hd tv and I know they have the boxes through your cable company,but is there are there any other ways? Do they have anything you can buy yourself?

Answer 1

To get HD programming, you must have an HD source.  You can watch free Over The Air (OTA) digital broadcasts from your local TV stations with an antenna.  Many of those are in HD.

If you want HD through your cable system, then you must purchase an HD package from them.  Many cable systems require HD subscribers to have an HD cable box.  Some  don't, you really have to ask them how their system is set up.  If your HDTV has a "QAM" tuner, you might be able to get by without the box.

I have Dish Network at home.  My Dish Net box is connected to a video input and I have an antenna connected to the ANT input so I can watch OTA and cable/satellite by just switching inputs.  That's an option, too.

Answer 2

Best way to get digital channels on your HDTV is to get either an HD cable box, or use a dish company like Dish network, or Direct TV.  Also make sure to use the HDMI ports if available.  It makes a huge difference.