HD Converter box for SDTVs & HDTVS < $50?
09-29-10, 05:49 PM
#1
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HD Converter box for SDTVs & HDTVS < $50?
Hey guys, don't really dabble in this part of the forum but...
unemployed and need to drop cable.
Can anyone recommend a cheap HD Tuner that I can use with my SDTV but that I will also be able to use in the future when gainful employment allows me the luxury of an HD one?
Or is that a crazy stick question?
unemployed and need to drop cable.
Can anyone recommend a cheap HD Tuner that I can use with my SDTV but that I will also be able to use in the future when gainful employment allows me the luxury of an HD one?
Or is that a crazy stick question?
09-29-10, 08:33 PM
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Re: HD Converter box for SDTVs & HDTVS < $50?
About as close as you can get, assuming you have a way to plug it into the TV.
http://www.amazon.com/Hauppauge-WinT.../dp/B001DEYVXO
The govt freebie boxes were about $50, but those are only for SDTVs. Many DVDRs have HD tuners, but also only for SDTVs, and they are generally over $100. And "regular" HD tuners (which would be what you want) are almost nonexistant, now, and were never that cheap.
http://www.amazon.com/Hauppauge-WinT.../dp/B001DEYVXO
The govt freebie boxes were about $50, but those are only for SDTVs. Many DVDRs have HD tuners, but also only for SDTVs, and they are generally over $100. And "regular" HD tuners (which would be what you want) are almost nonexistant, now, and were never that cheap.
09-30-10, 02:24 AM
#3
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Re: HD Converter box for SDTVs & HDTVS < $50?
Hmm, well what would be my cheapest solution for just the sdtv. Or what search term should I be looking for?
09-30-10, 04:05 AM
#4
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Re: HD Converter box for SDTVs & HDTVS < $50?
Any new TV will have an HD tuner built-in. You only need a digital tuner (commonly known as a 'converter box') to get stations on your older analog TV, though I don't know what you'd actually want to WATCH on it...
09-30-10, 10:39 AM
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Re: HD Converter box for SDTVs & HDTVS < $50?
"ATSC tuner"
"ATSC converter box"
Good point by Alan, you shouldn't need to worry about a tuner for a future HDTV purchase. It does look like some of the old subsidy boxes are still out there.
"ATSC converter box"
Good point by Alan, you shouldn't need to worry about a tuner for a future HDTV purchase. It does look like some of the old subsidy boxes are still out there.
09-30-10, 12:31 PM
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Re: HD Converter box for SDTVs & HDTVS < $50?
What's up with the thread title? The digital transition/conversion last year had nothing to do with HD. 
Buy a digital converter box. Connect to your present TV -- presumably a standard def. tuner and you're watching TV again although you are still going to need an over-the-air antenna to plug into the box.
$40 - $50 new or just check classifieds like Craigslist. I usually see people including converter boxes when selling their old TVs as low as $20.
Buy a digital converter box. Connect to your present TV -- presumably a standard def. tuner and you're watching TV again although you are still going to need an over-the-air antenna to plug into the box.
$40 - $50 new or just check classifieds like Craigslist. I usually see people including converter boxes when selling their old TVs as low as $20.
09-30-10, 08:19 PM
#7
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Re: HD Converter box for SDTVs & HDTVS < $50?
"ATSC tuner"
"ATSC converter box"
Good point by Alan, you shouldn't need to worry about a tuner for a future HDTV purchase. It does look like some of the old subsidy boxes are still out there.
"ATSC converter box"
Good point by Alan, you shouldn't need to worry about a tuner for a future HDTV purchase. It does look like some of the old subsidy boxes are still out there.
Last edited by SterlingBen; 10-01-10 at 03:02 AM.
10-01-10, 03:16 AM
#8
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Re: HD Converter box for SDTVs & HDTVS < $50?
So if I were to buy say this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ATSC-DIGITAL-TO-...f#ht_500wt_896
I would need to buy a pair of rabbit ears?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ATSC-DIGITAL-TO-...f#ht_500wt_896
I would need to buy a pair of rabbit ears?
10-01-10, 12:23 PM
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Re: HD Converter box for SDTVs & HDTVS < $50?
You can receive local digital channels two ways. (1) Via cable, if you are signed up for cable it is generally just "on the line" for no extra charge. (2) Via antenna.
If cable, it means your tuner needs to handle QAM signals. If this is how you plan to get signal, you need to make sure the tuner decodes QAM. I can't remember if these subsidy boxes do or not, and Amazon never gives decent specs.
Or, you need some sort of antenna. Location matters, check out antennaweb.org to see what kind of antenna would be recommended for you. It will tell you the direction, distance, and whether stations are VHF or UHF. Don't fall for "HD" on the box, any antenna is "HD", including rabbit ears from 1945, or coat hangers. If you are getting an indoor antenna, don't worry about "amplified", it basically does nothing for an antenna sitting on top of your TV, and often makes the signal worse. Just get the proper antenna type.
As I recall the Zinwell or Zeniths were some of the better ones for all-around quality.
If cable, it means your tuner needs to handle QAM signals. If this is how you plan to get signal, you need to make sure the tuner decodes QAM. I can't remember if these subsidy boxes do or not, and Amazon never gives decent specs.
Or, you need some sort of antenna. Location matters, check out antennaweb.org to see what kind of antenna would be recommended for you. It will tell you the direction, distance, and whether stations are VHF or UHF. Don't fall for "HD" on the box, any antenna is "HD", including rabbit ears from 1945, or coat hangers. If you are getting an indoor antenna, don't worry about "amplified", it basically does nothing for an antenna sitting on top of your TV, and often makes the signal worse. Just get the proper antenna type.
As I recall the Zinwell or Zeniths were some of the better ones for all-around quality.
