On a dvd recorder, what is a digital tuner and is it worth the extra money?

Question

On a dvd recorder, what is a digital tuner and is it worth the extra money?

Answer 1

as mentioned above, a digital tuner is an ATSC tuner.  This allows the recorder to pick up digital channels.  Basically, by 02/17/2009 all OTA broadcasts (broadcast over an antenna) will be digital.  If you don't have a digital tuner and you have antenna only - you will not get any channels then.

With direct cable (cable w/ no box) you can still get channels w/ no digital tuner, but w/ a digital tuner you will get more - just not the digital channels that are scrambled by the cable company and only decoded with a box.

Answer 2

It is an ATSC tuner which will allow you to record from an antenna. If you don't plan on using an antenna, then obviously, it's a waste of your money.