How do i know if a Television can receive Digital Signals ?

Question

I would like to purchase a Brand New television set but, i want to ensure that the set can receive digital signals, how can i ensure that the television set can receive a digital signal by physically inspecting it. Is there something that i can look for specifically on the television set itself ? Thanks

Answer 1

Just ask the sales person.  They aren't going to lie to you.  Plus there is a federal law that the retailer MUST inform you if you are purchasing a television set that is NOT able to recieve digital signals.  Wal-Mart, Best Buy and Target have all been charged with large fines for not having that information available in the past.  They sure do now!

However, there is nothing you can look for on the TV set itself.  The manual and/or the box will tell if it's digital.  The TV may have a label on the back identifying the tuner, but usually does not.

The tuners are signified by the acronym of the committees who wrote the specifications for each type of tuner:

A DIGITAL tuner is "ATSC" (Advanced Television System Committee)

The older style analog tuner is "NTSC" (National Television System Committee)

So you want to look for a set with an ATSC tuner.

Plus, practically every television manufactured for sale in the USA since March of LAST YEAR includes an ATSC tuner.

Answer 2

This answer assumes you are in the US.

If it is a brand new TV, as you stated, it is required by law to be able to receive digital signals.  If it is old stock, it is required by law to have a sticker warning the purchaser that it will not receive digital.

The best way to make sure is to look at the Owner's Manual specifications section to see if it has an "ATSC Tuner".  If it does, you are all set for free Over The Air digital broadcasts.  A QAM tuner is for digital cable.  Many new Digital TVs can receive both.

I hope this helps.  Please return and select a Best Answer from all of those submitted.