HD ready TV and the 2009 switch?

Question

Ok I have a HD ready TV. So the way i understand it, is I need a HD tuner to watch the TV channels in high def. I don't get cable so when the switch happens I will need a converter box. Do I need to get an HD Tuner or a Analog Tv converter? Are they the same thing? or would I be better off getting the HD tuner? and what is the ATSC tuner. I am a little confused.

Answer 1

If you want to watch TV in high-def quality, you will need to buy an HD tuner like the Samsung DTB-H260F (~$170).

You could also just buy a cheap coupon type converter box for $10 - $20 after using a coupon. The thing is that they only output plain old 480i analog signals. That means the picture can only be as good as a DVD player puts out, which is not HD quality.

The ATSC tuners in either HD tuners or converter boxes can receive all over the air digital broadcasts. The difference is that a HD tuner can send the HD quality picture information to the HD ready TV. A converter box will only send an analog standard def picture quality to the HD ready TV.

If you have a smaller screen HD ready TV, a converter box might be good enough for you . If you have a big screen  you will probably want to spring for a HD tuner. A good converter like the Zenith/Insignia model is just as good at picking up marginal signals as the highest priced HD tuners/HDTVs.

There are already HD broadcasts in most areas; the "big switch" on 2/17/09 is just when most analog transmitters will be shut down. Rather than procrastinate, perhaps you should request one coupon and give the Zenith a try? (Make sure it has a manufacture date of April 2008 or later.)