newbie confused about tuners
 

I have trying to learn all I can about HDTV before I make my first
purchase. I am really struggling to get a handle on tuners.

It seems that some of the TVs are really monitors and they have no tuning
capability. So I am guessing that as long as I have HD cable box (like
Comcast) or satellite box (like DirecTV) then I wouldn't miss the lack of
a tuner in a monitor.

But why are there video processing chipsets (like the PixelWorks DNX or
the MTK MDDI) in these monitors? If the video is being processed by the
cable/sat box, it doesn't seem that the monitor needs to have such a
chipset.

And if I were to buy a HDTV with a tuner, what is the difference between
the QAM and ATSC tuners (they are listed separately in most specs I have
seen)?

Thanks in advance for any help.

James

newbie confused about tuners
 

"Jamey Bon" wrote in message
...
I have trying to learn all I can about HDTV before I make my first
purchase. I am really struggling to get a handle on tuners.

It seems that some of the TVs are really monitors and they have no tuning
capability. So I am guessing that as long as I have HD cable box (like
Comcast) or satellite box (like DirecTV) then I wouldn't miss the lack of
a tuner in a monitor.

But why are there video processing chipsets (like the PixelWorks DNX or
the MTK MDDI) in these monitors? If the video is being processed by the
cable/sat box, it doesn't seem that the monitor needs to have such a
chipset.

And if I were to buy a HDTV with a tuner, what is the difference between
the QAM and ATSC tuners (they are listed separately in most specs I have
seen)?

Thanks in advance for any help.

James

There are a few HD TV's that are sold that are monitors only. But, they are
rare
now. But, when the first HD sets came out they all required an external
tuner
for over the air HD and most had regular NTSC tuners for analog TV (over the
air too)
broadcasts. Some of the newer sets have a basic digital Cable tuner in them
as well.
But, not all of them. None of them have a built-in Satellite receiver.
For cable and satellite service, you still need an external box. On cable
it is required to
receive their scrambled channels. (some of their channels can be tuned in ,
depending on
the cable company, with the internal cable tuner that some HDTV's have.)
For HD content over the air, you need a HDTV that has a built-in HD
tuner(ATSC). For HD content
from a Satellite system, you need a Satellite receiver that can tune and
output HD signals via the
HDMI port to the HDMI port on your HDTV. Same thing with cable, you need a
cable box and service
that that will output the HD from the cable boxes' HDMI port to your TV's
HDMI port.
It is confusing but, that is about as basic as I can make it.
If you live near a large city with several TV stations, there is a good
chance that you can receive
several HD channels , (networks etc.) over the air , for free.
james

newbie confused about tuners
 

On Apr 22, 2:25 am, Jamey Bon wrote:
I have trying to learn all I can about HDTV before I make my first
purchase. I am really struggling to get a handle on tuners.

It seems that some of the TVs are really monitors and they have no tuning
capability. So I am guessing that as long as I have HD cable box (like
Comcast) or satellite box (like DirecTV) then I wouldn't miss the lack of
a tuner in a monitor.

But why are there video processing chipsets (like the PixelWorks DNX or
the MTK MDDI) in these monitors? If the video is being processed by the
cable/sat box, it doesn't seem that the monitor needs to have such a
chipset.

And if I were to buy a HDTV with a tuner, what is the difference between
the QAM and ATSC tuners (they are listed separately in most specs I have
seen)?

Thanks in advance for any help.

James

That's the situation I'm in once again.
Many many years ago I bought a Sony Pro-Fel (?) Component TV set with
speakers, monitor and a tuner, which, at the time, was cutting edge.
After spending a lot of time waiting for the Plasma sets to come down
from $10,000 to 2000 or less, now I see the few latest hi-end 50"
1080p sets (Panasonic's TH-50PF9UK TH50PZ700U and Pioneer's PRO-FHD1)
all need seperate tuners and speakers

As Crusty the Klown would say "Aw Crap!" as now I get to wait another
couple of years until the second generation of the Plasma 1080p sets
come out with intergrated tuners and the price sinks to less than a
new car.

Maybe I just but a standard 50" Plasma like Panasonic's PDP5070/5071HD
and forget about the new BluRay HD players

newbie confused about tuners
 

On Sun, 22 Apr 2007 09:25:58 +0000, Jamey Bon wrote:

I have trying to learn all I can about HDTV before I make my first
purchase. I am really struggling to get a handle on tuners.

It seems that some of the TVs are really monitors and they have no tuning
capability. So I am guessing that as long as I have HD cable box (like
Comcast) or satellite box (like DirecTV) then I wouldn't miss the lack of
a tuner in a monitor.

That depends on if your cable company carry all your local stations in HD.
and whether or not you care about them.

But why are there video processing chipsets (like the PixelWorks DNX or
the MTK MDDI) in these monitors? If the video is being processed by the
cable/sat box, it doesn't seem that the monitor needs to have such a
chipset.

They process the display behind the tuners.

And if I were to buy a HDTV with a tuner, what is the difference between
the QAM and ATSC tuners (they are listed separately in most specs I have
seen)?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quadrat...ude_modulation

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QAM_tuner

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atsc

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atsc_tuner

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ntsc


--
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newbie confused about tuners
 

And if I were to buy a HDTV with a tuner, what is the difference between
the QAM and ATSC tuners (they are listed separately in most specs I have
seen)?




Some more input. A little dated, but still relevant (especially the part
that says "call your local cable company"). Good luck!

http://www.hometheatersound.com/feat...n_20040201.htm

newbie confused about tuners
 

"james" wrote in
ink.net:


"Jamey Bon" wrote in message
...
I have trying to learn all I can about HDTV before I make my first
purchase. I am really struggling to get a handle on tuners.

It seems that some of the TVs are really monitors and they have no
tuning capability. So I am guessing that as long as I have HD cable
box (like Comcast) or satellite box (like DirecTV) then I wouldn't
miss the lack of a tuner in a monitor.

But why are there video processing chipsets (like the PixelWorks DNX
or the MTK MDDI) in these monitors? If the video is being processed
by the cable/sat box, it doesn't seem that the monitor needs to have
such a chipset.

And if I were to buy a HDTV with a tuner, what is the difference
between the QAM and ATSC tuners (they are listed separately in most
specs I have seen)?

Thanks in advance for any help.

James

There are a few HD TV's that are sold that are monitors only. But,
they are rare
now. But, when the first HD sets came out they all required an
external tuner
for over the air HD and most had regular NTSC tuners for analog TV
(over the air too)
broadcasts. Some of the newer sets have a basic digital Cable tuner
in them as well.
But, not all of them. None of them have a built-in Satellite
receiver. For cable and satellite service, you still need an external
box. On cable it is required to
receive their scrambled channels. (some of their channels can be tuned
in , depending on
the cable company, with the internal cable tuner that some HDTV's
have.) For HD content over the air, you need a HDTV that has a
built-in HD tuner(ATSC). For HD content
from a Satellite system, you need a Satellite receiver that can tune
and output HD signals via the
HDMI port to the HDMI port on your HDTV. Same thing with cable, you
need a cable box and service
that that will output the HD from the cable boxes' HDMI port to your
TV's HDMI port.
It is confusing but, that is about as basic as I can make it.
If you live near a large city with several TV stations, there is a
good chance that you can receive
several HD channels , (networks etc.) over the air , for free.
james



Okay, all of this information has been really helpful, but I need one
clarification from what you just said. You mention connecting the set
top box to the HDTV via the HDMI port. Is it not possible to also use
the composite (the one that breaks the video signal into three wires) in
order to transmit the HDTV signal from the set top box to the HDTV?

newbie confused about tuners
 

"Jamey Bon" wrote in message
...
"james" wrote in
ink.net:


"Jamey Bon" wrote in message
...
I have trying to learn all I can about HDTV before I make my first
purchase. I am really struggling to get a handle on tuners.

It seems that some of the TVs are really monitors and they have no
tuning capability. So I am guessing that as long as I have HD cable
box (like Comcast) or satellite box (like DirecTV) then I wouldn't
miss the lack of a tuner in a monitor.

But why are there video processing chipsets (like the PixelWorks DNX
or the MTK MDDI) in these monitors? If the video is being processed
by the cable/sat box, it doesn't seem that the monitor needs to have
such a chipset.

And if I were to buy a HDTV with a tuner, what is the difference
between the QAM and ATSC tuners (they are listed separately in most
specs I have seen)?

Thanks in advance for any help.

James

There are a few HD TV's that are sold that are monitors only. But,
they are rare
now. But, when the first HD sets came out they all required an
external tuner
for over the air HD and most had regular NTSC tuners for analog TV
(over the air too)
broadcasts. Some of the newer sets have a basic digital Cable tuner
in them as well.
But, not all of them. None of them have a built-in Satellite
receiver. For cable and satellite service, you still need an external
box. On cable it is required to
receive their scrambled channels. (some of their channels can be tuned
in , depending on
the cable company, with the internal cable tuner that some HDTV's
have.) For HD content over the air, you need a HDTV that has a
built-in HD tuner(ATSC). For HD content
from a Satellite system, you need a Satellite receiver that can tune
and output HD signals via the
HDMI port to the HDMI port on your HDTV. Same thing with cable, you
need a cable box and service
that that will output the HD from the cable boxes' HDMI port to your
TV's HDMI port.
It is confusing but, that is about as basic as I can make it.
If you live near a large city with several TV stations, there is a
good chance that you can receive
several HD channels , (networks etc.) over the air , for free.
james



Okay, all of this information has been really helpful, but I need one
clarification from what you just said. You mention connecting the set
top box to the HDTV via the HDMI port. Is it not possible to also use
the composite (the one that breaks the video signal into three wires) in
order to transmit the HDTV signal from the set top box to the HDTV?

I think you mean component--not composite (which is only one connection and
is NOT HD)
You will also find that opinions vary as to whether HDMI is superior,
greatly or marginally, to a component connection

--
All the Best,
Richard Harison

newbie confused about tuners
 

"Jamey Bon" wrote in message
...

Okay, all of this information has been really helpful, but I need one
clarification from what you just said. You mention connecting the set
top box to the HDTV via the HDMI port. Is it not possible to also use
the composite (the one that breaks the video signal into three wires) in
order to transmit the HDTV signal from the set top box to the HDTV?

=======================
I think you mean COMPONENT - that is the one with three RCA plugs.