Do I need a HD tuner or converter box?

if the tv does not have a built in hd digital tuner you need a Hd digital converter to analogue converter. What you need to be careful about is the available inputs on the TV if it only has AV in then you need a converter that transmits out RCA video or an analogue tv channel on RF the tv can tune into. Some of the new converters have HDMI out so if TV does not have HDMI input it won't connect. The antenna would go into the converter. Not sure how much signal you need you may need an rf amplifier if the signal is poor in your area.

The Hitachi 61SDX01B only has an NTSC tuner (analog). You will need a set-top box to watch digital (ATSC (OTA) or QAM (unencrypted digital cable) signals. For OTA signals, the digital-to-analog converter boxes that were sold with the government coupon were limited to SD output. HD converter boxes are available but cost more.

I wish that I had better news for you.

Cindy Wells

Looks like you'll need a converter.

Here's some background info:


Analog TVs were made up until 2007.

Digital tuners for over the air signals are called "ATSC tuners".

To tell if your TV has one:

-If the TV was sold as a "HDTV" or "DTV", it's supposed to have an ATSC tuner built in to it. "HD ready TVs" do not have a digital tuner.

-Check the specs in the owners manual or google the make & model of the TV to see if it has an ATSC tuner.

-If your TV's menu has an option for scaning for digital channels, then it has an ATSC tuner. If it dosen't have a way to scan for digital channels, then it doesn't have a digial tuner.

Most DTVs also have a digital QAM tuner that is used in some (but not all) cable systems.

If your set is labeled as "HD ready" then it will accept HD signals from, for example, an external HD tuner or other source. The set can be HD Ready, as is my Samsung TV, but my set has only the older NTSC type tuner. I therefore use a digital stream HD tuner which works great to receive over the air signals. Also digital does not mean a set is HD. There are sets that are standard definition digital sets that can receive digital signals, but do not produce HD. If you are using cable, in most cases, you can continue receiving your cable as usual.

Not all units were fitted with the DTV tuner before the switch over occurred. you set should have an insignia that sates that it is DTV ready. if this insignia is not on the box or actual set, you will need a converter box to receive this DTV signal.

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.

I do not know if you will get this message but if you do. Here goes. The protron PLTV3250 does indeed have a digital tuner that can be used with an over the air antenna. You need to push "source" on the remote until DTV is selected. With this selected and your coaxial cable from your antenna hooked up to the digital connector (not analog) on the back of this tv you can then press Menu and you will see a totally different looking menu that you are probably not used to seeing and then from there you can do an auto scan for the digital channels and it works great. I have rabbit ears hooked up to this Protron PLTV3250 and this has a beautiful picture. Far better than the picture I get from just the standard digital Directv receiver. You do not need a seperate digital tuner box to use with this TV. It does indeed have an ATSC digital tuner and it works great. You probably are selecting Source "TV" in the menu and that is not what you select for this TV to use the Digital Tuner. You need to select DTV from the source menu. Good luck and please let me know if you already knew this or if this helped you. Thanks, Tom

Deacon J,
You will need a digital converter box OR high definition tuner for the transition. What's the difference? A converter box will only output a standard definition signal, either on channel 3 or by composite or S video cables. A high definition tuner will allow you to watch the new digital broadcasts in hi-def, assuming they are transmitted in hi definition. The converter boxes are the cheaper option and you can get a coupon from the government for a $40 rebate on the box, but I would opt for the hi-def tuner fo the better picture quality.CNET has a good write up on the transition here:
http://www.cnet.com/1990-7874_1-5108580-3.html
I did some looking and about the cheapest hi-def tuner I could find was $150, which is 3 times what a converter box would cost. I would expect the cost to fall on the tuners over time. Perhaps a converter box may be a good solution until the prices fall, if they do. The problem is that not many companies are making the tuners, as most TV's already have a hi-def tuner built in, so there isn't a big market for the add-on tuners. I hope this answers your questions.

HDLCD2600 come set for cable. Make sure the tv is set for "tv" or "air" then run the auto channel memory or search feature of the set. If you have the manual it's under "memorizing channels". If your still have problems, call Sansui TV's customer service number 800 289 0980.

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.