Digital boxes Do I need a digital box for this Sony TV? Nowhere in the instruction manual does it mention "HD-ready" or "HDTV monitor". Will I need a special converter or a cable TV connection in February?. In the index it mentions an HDMI IN jack and an HDMI -equipped device connection, but there is no explanation as to what these are (why can't they explain simply to laymen?)

If you have a HD TV then you do not need a converter box, however you will still need an antennae to receive the channels. the antennae can be hooked up directly to you're HD tv.

The TV will provide an HD picture with a set top box connected to the HD input (AV4 or AV5). It does not have a digital tuner (only a NTSC analog tuner).

The manual is available here: http://download.p4c.philips.com/files/5/51pw9303/51pw9303_dfu_aen.pdf . See appendix B on page 58 for the specifications.

I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells

Someone did not explain to you what HDTV "Ready" means. It means you do not have a ATSC tuner in it to except over the air digital signal. The only way you will get digital reception is either from a HD Cable box with RGB outputs that plug into your RGB inputs, or being on Satellite connecting the same way. Seven years ago manufacturers never made it easy to understand and Salesmen only made it worse. So in short the term HDTV Ready meant it can, with a BOX.

According to http://www.dtv.gov/consumercorner.html#faq9

How can I be sure that I am buying a digital TV (DTV)?
By law, beginning March 1, 2007, all television reception devices (including TVs, VCRs, DVRs, etc.) imported into the U.S. or shipped in interstate commerce must contain a digital tuner. Retailers may continue to sell analog-only devices from existing inventory, but must prominently display on or near the analog-only device a Consumer Alert label with this advisory:

What is the difference between “Integrated” DTVs and DTV or HDTV “Monitors”?
An Integrated DTV set is a television with a built-in digital tuner (also referred to as “a DTV”). A digital tuner is also sometimes called a DTV decoder or DTV receiver. If you have an Integrated DTV, you will not need any additional equipment, with the exception of a broadcast antenna (either a rooftop antenna or “rabbit ears” connected to the set), to receive over-the-air digital broadcast programming. Integrated DTVs can also receive and display analog broadcast programming, so you can continue watching analog broadcasts.
In contrast, a DTV Monitor is not capable of receiving digital broadcast programming without additional equipment; it is simply a display device without the processing capability for DTV reception. A digital or HD set-top box must be connected between the antenna and the monitor to receive and display over-the-air digital or HD programming.
If you have a digital or HD “Monitor” and would like to purchase a digital or HD set-top box to view over-the-air programming, confirm with your retailer that the set-top box is compatible with your Monitor.

Your tv is HDTV ready but unfortunatly it only has a NTSC tuner which is analog, you will need a set top box to recieve OTA over the air digital, if you have cable sattilite or an HD dvd player you can display HD. You only need the set top box if you use an anttenna. Let me know if I can assist further and please rate this solution. lone99star

Btw, I’m available to help over the phone in case u need at https://www.6ya.com/expert/jason_77a19afa8d604dee

if there is a label on the tv stating any of these words “Integrated Digital Tuner,” “Digital Tuner Built-In,” “Digital Receiver,” or “Digital Tuner,” “DTV,” “ATSC,” or “HDTV” then yes
if they say “Digital Monitor” or “HDTV Monitor,” or as “Digital Ready” or “HDTV Ready" then no

You Dont need one your set is HD. So when the switch happens you are good to go. The only TVs that are going to need converter boxes is those who do not have HD or only have antenna.

no need to convert ,,i have same tv,,hdready just means it has no built in converter. You just need a HD converter box or a cable box or dvr that is also an HD receiver.

Hi duce1500,

Unfortunately, the 36A50 is not HDTV-ready. That means you will need a converter box. Here is a link to the model's specs, which includes this information:

http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-36A50-36-TV/dp/tech-data/B00004YMBV/ref=de_a_smtd

I should mention, however, that if it's connected to cable (or certain satellite services), you won't need a converter to watch the TV - you'll receive the digital signal (although you won't have the 1080-pixel HD resolution - the 36A50 only has 850 lines of resolution).

I hope this helps. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance.
H2H

Your TV is an "HD-Ready" television. What this means is that your TV is ready to accept HD input from an outside source, but doesn't have the ability to produce the content itself. It is a monitor and does not have a digital tuner. Without a digital tuner (or for cable a QAM tuner) you will not receive OTA broadcast HD.

You need to purchase a High Definition capable set-top converter box. The converter box will have HD component out and may have HDMI out, either will feed your HD Ready TV.