Do I need a built -in tuner in my HDTV?
Purchase HDTV without a built -in tuner is significantly cheaper, so elimination can be real savings. But how does the TV accept channels without a tuner? Most people rent a tuner, otherwise known as Set Top Box (StB), from the local company Kableové or Satellite DISH.
The built -in tuner function is to pick up local channels. The built -in tuner does this when it is connected to the roof antenna, provided that local broadcasts are available in this area. Free, local channels are referred to as air broadcasts or ota . In many areas, OTA broadcasting is already in high definition (HD), which is a format that will be standard in the United States by February 17, 2009. For those content with local channels, cable or satellite services are not unnecessary. Although it can save a lot of money for subscribers, local channels are limited compared to cablemd DISH NETWORKS.
For this reason, some people are expanding the roof antenna to a subscription to the service, but to give up the surcharge for local channels and HD service because they receive free local HD through their antenna. In HD, however, they cannot receive digital HD channels. HD SET TOP BOX and HD subscription is required to obtain these high definition channels. Normally HD Set Top Box is a few more dollars a month than a regular set Top Box and login to HD for cable or satellite channels can cost anywhere from $ 5 (USD) to $ 20 per month, depending on the provider.
For those who do not want to bother with the roof antenna (probably most), a prepaid service for a cable or satellite company along with a set top box is required. Set Top Box performs all work in this case and leaves any built -in tuner unused. For these people buy HDTV Wje the possibility of a built -in tuner. In very large TVs, the previous built -in tuner can save consumers up to $ 1,000in the US (USD).
HDTV, which is missing a built -in tuner, is called "HDTV Ready". They are also referred to as industrial models or "monitors" rather than TVs. In the US, this is due to the legal technical capacity based on the Federal Commission (FCC) mandate (FCC).
TheFCC decision states that since 1 March 2007, new TVs that contain an analog tuner must also include a built -in digital tuner. FCC made this decision to protect consumers from shopping sets that would be obsolete after switching from analog format to digital format. Thanks to the mallest in the mandate, if the TV has no none a built -in tuner, the mandate does not apply. Therefore, most manufacturers who offer HDTV without a built -in tuner refer to them as monitors to prevent conflict with FCC regulation.
is the point, do you ever use a roof antenna with HDTV? If the answer is yes, get a built -in tuner. If there is no answer, save some money. Instead they canEte to spend on cable or satellite fees.