OT: Which ATSC Tuner?

musicvid10 wrote on 5/10/2008, 7:22 PM

I've got a decent 23" panel with extra Component and HDMI inputs but no builti-in HD tuner. Not sure about the Component but I know the HDMI accepts 1080.

I've also got an analog portable TV nearby to watch when the monitor is being used by the computer.

So I guess I need a separate tuner with composite (for the small set), and either component, DVI, or HDMI outputs to watch over-the-air HDTV, which gets switched on tomorrow in our area.

So looking in the stores this afternoon, I saw a couple of tuners, a couple of DVD recorders with built-in ATSC tuners and DVI / HDMI outputs, and even a BD recorder with a built-in HD tuner. Where does one start? Better yet, where does one stop?

Any advice / recommendations gratefully accepted.

Comments

baysidebas wrote on 5/10/2008, 8:05 PM

I own several of the Samsungs and they have proven to be reliable and of excellent picture quality. They provide a variety of output options including dowrezzed composite. eBay is doing brisk business on them.

richard-courtney wrote on 5/10/2008, 8:52 PM

I second the Samsung brand. These won't qualify fo the coupon because you want
the optical or coaxial audio out.

Steve Mann wrote on 5/10/2008, 9:25 PM

There's no such thing as an HD tuner.

ATSC (Advanced Television Systems Committee) is a group which defines the standards for digital television transmission in the United States and many other counties. ATSC is the digital replacement for the earlier analog standard, NTSC.

Digital does NOT mean HD, but HD does require the extra bandwidth allowed with digital transmissions.

Coursedesign wrote on 5/10/2008, 11:06 PM

ATSC includes 17 different picture formats, including several in HD.

I've been using a Samsung SIR-T451 ATSC tuner for all my TV for 3-4 years now.

Lousy remote, but it otherwise works very well.

OTA HD also gives significantly better picture quality than either cable or satellite, and it is freeee.

I'm in West L.A. and get 30-40 digital channels, with quite a few in HD.

I allocate $20 of the $100 I save every month to Netflix, the remaining $80 can go towards an occasional bottle of good vintage Dom Perignon served at 6-8C.

:O)

JJKizak wrote on 5/11/2008, 6:03 AM

After going through 2 Samsung tuners (fried T-165's) and an MRD 120 tuner the tuner in my Sony 46LCD XBR2 is hugely superior to anything that Samsung sells as standalone. The Sony switches channels blazing fast and the sensitivety is vastly superior. The MY-HD 130/120 is the closest thing to the Sony but it is a computer card and 1080i/720P whereas the Sony is 1080P? (probably 720P). The difference between the built in Sony 1080P tuner and the Samsung standalone is staggering. I would not even consider the Samsung for any application. I gave the one I had to my Guru buddy to play with for kicks.
JJK

Coursedesign wrote on 5/11/2008, 10:15 AM

I think the current major generation of ATSC tuner is the fifth.

Each generation meant a substantial step up in performance, mostly in reception and channel switching speed, but also in issues related to PQ.

You are comparing a 1942 Ford pickup truck with a 2008 Subaru Forrester and concluding that Subarus are more comfortable then Fords.

There is no 1080P standard in practical use yet, but it is getting more and more sorely missed as the last few interlaced TVs go on the landfill.

I don't care about brands, but if somebody knows of a better standalone tuner than the current Samsungs on the shelves of Best Buy, Circuit City, etc. I'd like to know about it.

musicvid10 wrote on 5/12/2008, 6:50 PM

OK, I'm lurking on eBay for a Samsung DTB-H260F. Hopefully, I can save some on the $169.95 retail price.

Tinle wrote on 5/13/2008, 4:14 AM

Do any of these tuners also do what the "convertor boxes" are being sold for.

Do they take a digital "over the air signal" and make it usable by an analog TV?

baysidebas wrote on 5/13/2008, 4:40 AM

Yes, the Sammies have downrezzed composite outputs with many options. I use the 480i "full" output as an input to my ReplayTV DVRs. This is the 16:9 HD signal in a 4:3 anamorphic format. I record the shows to my SD PVR and on playback on my widescreen display unsqueeze the picture back to 16:9. Not HD but an impressive picture, better than any SD I've seen played back on the HDTV and no need to buy any HD capable DVRs.

richard-courtney wrote on 5/13/2008, 5:27 AM

The ones that comply with the rebate coupon program is ALL they can do.
HDMI and SPDIF are not allowed.

OT:
We have tornadoes where I live and will not be able to use an emergency tv / radio
next year. (battery operated)

What to buy to get weather ?

John_Cline wrote on 5/13/2008, 6:19 AM

I'm guessing that Casio and others are going to release battery operated televisions with ATSC tuners. Casio has been making portable LCD televisions for years and I doubt they're going to just give up on that market.