HDTV for my computer

I recently got a 22 inch viewsonic LCD for my computer.
I am thinking of getting a HD tv tuner. What all do I need? just an
HDTV tuner like the one from ati and plug my cable in it?

you have any recommendations on any particular card?

wrote:
I recently got a 22 inch viewsonic LCD for my computer.
I am thinking of getting a HD tv tuner. What all do I need? just an
HDTV tuner like the one from ati and plug my cable in it?

you have any recommendations on any particular card?

Read the specifications for the card carefully. SOME tuner cards only do
high definition over the air (antenna).

Over the air digital (High or Standard definition) requires an ATSC
tuner. Analog TV (Standard Definition ONLY) is NTSC.

Most cable converters will only output high definition through a
component or HDMI connection. Some cable companies disable the HDMI
output. Composite and S-video connections are NOT high definition.

Digital signals on cable systems are typically a QAM format. Expect some
channels to be encrypted in a manner that prevents you from viewing them
without renting a converter or Cablecard (requires YOUR equipment to be
Cablecard compatible) from your cable provider. Note that a new version
of Cablecard is being negotiated which will probably NOT be compatible
with the equipment (TVs, tuners or converters) presently on the market.
You NEED a QAM format tuner to view digital cable (standard or high
definition) without a converter.

On Wed, 24 Jan 2007 18:17:51 -0800, rsanan wrote:

I recently got a 22 inch viewsonic LCD for my computer. I am thinking of
getting a HD tv tuner. What all do I need? just an HDTV tuner like the
one from ati and plug my cable in it?

you have any recommendations on any particular card?

For ATSC only, you can't beat $20 for an old Air2PC card on ebay. TV
antenna required.:-)

--
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I bought the ati hdtv tuner 650 last night, from best buy.. It plays
regular analog TV well. But doesn't tune hdtv channels at all
Could it be that Comcast (my cable provider) is blocking the HD
channels, unless I get a HD box from them?

On Jan 24, 10:34 pm, RobertVA wrote:
wrote:
I recently got a 22 inch viewsonic LCD for my computer.
I am thinking of getting a HD tv tuner. What all do I need? just an
HDTV tuner like the one from ati and plug my cable in it?

you have any recommendations on any particular card?Read the specifications for the card carefully. SOME tuner cards only do
high definition over the air (antenna).

Over the air digital (High or Standard definition) requires an ATSC
tuner. Analog TV (Standard Definition ONLY) is NTSC.

Most cable converters will only output high definition through a
component or HDMI connection. Some cable companies disable the HDMI
output. Composite and S-video connections are NOT high definition.

Digital signals on cable systems are typically a QAM format. Expect some
channels to be encrypted in a manner that prevents you from viewing them
without renting a converter or Cablecard (requires YOUR equipment to be
Cablecard compatible) from your cable provider. Note that a new version
of Cablecard is being negotiated which will probably NOT be compatible
with the equipment (TVs, tuners or converters) presently on the market.
You NEED a QAM format tuner to view digital cable (standard or high
definition) without a converter.

Yes you have to get and HDTV box from Comcast for HD to work. You also might
need an HDMI cable to go from the box to your TV.

Rich



wrote:
I bought the ati hdtv tuner 650 last night, from best buy.. It plays
regular analog TV well. But doesn't tune hdtv channels at all
Could it be that Comcast (my cable provider) is blocking the HD
channels, unless I get a HD box from them?

On Jan 24, 10:34 pm, RobertVA wrote:
wrote:
I recently got a 22 inch viewsonic LCD for my computer.
I am thinking of getting a HD tv tuner. What all do I need? just an
HDTV tuner like the one from ati and plug my cable in it?

you have any recommendations on any particular card?Read the
specifications for the card carefully. SOME tuner cards only do
high definition over the air (antenna).

Over the air digital (High or Standard definition) requires an ATSC
tuner. Analog TV (Standard Definition ONLY) is NTSC.

Most cable converters will only output high definition through a
component or HDMI connection. Some cable companies disable the HDMI
output. Composite and S-video connections are NOT high definition.

Digital signals on cable systems are typically a QAM format. Expect
some channels to be encrypted in a manner that prevents you from
viewing them without renting a converter or Cablecard (requires YOUR
equipment to be Cablecard compatible) from your cable provider. Note
that a new version of Cablecard is being negotiated which will
probably NOT be compatible with the equipment (TVs, tuners or
converters) presently on the market. You NEED a QAM format tuner to
view digital cable (standard or high definition) without a converter.

wrote in message
ups.com...
I bought the ati hdtv tuner 650 last night, from best buy.. It plays
regular analog TV well. But doesn't tune hdtv channels at all
Could it be that Comcast (my cable provider) is blocking the HD
channels, unless I get a HD box from them?

RTFM
Hook an antenna up to it.
High Def is free, over the air.



On Jan 24, 10:34 pm, RobertVA wrote:
wrote:
I recently got a 22 inch viewsonic LCD for my computer.
I am thinking of getting a HD tv tuner. What all do I need? just an
HDTV tuner like the one from ati and plug my cable in it?

you have any recommendations on any particular card?Read the
specifications for the card carefully. SOME tuner cards only do
high definition over the air (antenna).

Over the air digital (High or Standard definition) requires an ATSC
tuner. Analog TV (Standard Definition ONLY) is NTSC.

Most cable converters will only output high definition through a
component or HDMI connection. Some cable companies disable the HDMI
output. Composite and S-video connections are NOT high definition.

Digital signals on cable systems are typically a QAM format. Expect some
channels to be encrypted in a manner that prevents you from viewing them
without renting a converter or Cablecard (requires YOUR equipment to be
Cablecard compatible) from your cable provider. Note that a new version
of Cablecard is being negotiated which will probably NOT be compatible
with the equipment (TVs, tuners or converters) presently on the market.
You NEED a QAM format tuner to view digital cable (standard or high
definition) without a converter.

wrote:
I bought the ati hdtv tuner 650 last night, from best buy.. It plays
regular analog TV well. But doesn't tune hdtv channels at all
Could it be that Comcast (my cable provider) is blocking the HD
channels, unless I get a HD box from them?

As far as I can tell from their website, the ATI 650 has no QAM capabilities
whatsoever. It is incapable of receiving digital cable signals. It can receive
HDTV only from over-the-air signals, not cable.

wrote in message
ups.com...
On Jan 24, 10:34 pm, RobertVA wrote:
wrote:
I recently got a 22 inch viewsonic LCD for my computer.
I am thinking of getting a HD tv tuner. What all do I need? just an
HDTV tuner like the one from ati and plug my cable in it?

you have any recommendations on any particular card?Read the
specifications for the card carefully. SOME tuner cards only do
high definition over the air (antenna).

Over the air digital (High or Standard definition) requires an ATSC
tuner. Analog TV (Standard Definition ONLY) is NTSC.

Most cable converters will only output high definition through a
component or HDMI connection. Some cable companies disable the HDMI
output. Composite and S-video connections are NOT high definition.

Digital signals on cable systems are typically a QAM format. Expect some
channels to be encrypted in a manner that prevents you from viewing them
without renting a converter or Cablecard (requires YOUR equipment to be
Cablecard compatible) from your cable provider. Note that a new version
of Cablecard is being negotiated which will probably NOT be compatible
with the equipment (TVs, tuners or converters) presently on the market.
You NEED a QAM format tuner to view digital cable (standard or high
definition) without a converter.

I bought the ati hdtv tuner 650 last night, from best buy.. It plays
regular analog TV well. But doesn't tune hdtv channels at all
Could it be that Comcast (my cable provider) is blocking the HD
channels, unless I get a HD box from them?


The 650 is OTA(ATSC,8VSB modulation) only. You have to use an antenna. To
get digital into it. To get HD from cable company requires a card that does
QAM modulation. As pointed out you'll likely only get the local stations
they rebroadcast in the clear(unencrypted) this way. Unless your more than
20 miles from transmitter you'll probably be surprised what you can get with
a small indoor antenna. I've been using an HDTV Wonder for a couple of years
this way. Getting 5.5 channels at 33miles with the "Silver Sensor" that came
with my card and a cheap preamp.

Since you already have the card this may be of interest:
http://forums.hexus.net/showthread.php?t=77340

The reception problems that plagued the first cards have been corrected.

Also check out hdtvprimer.com