Going to all-digital. Questions.

[jcarrera]

Well, I think I had a major revelation last night. I have one analog bedroom TV and had planned just to replace it with a small HDTV soon, before the analog signals disappear next year.

But while looking at TVs in the store last night, I noticed something. None of the TVs have a coax input. So, I can't just replace the TV--I am also going to have to rent a second cable box (STB) so the TV will work. That stinks.

Or am I missing something here?

[Lkr]

I have never seen a TV without a coax input. You were looking at monitors and not TVs is my conclusion.

[jcarrera]

Nope...this was the entire lineup of 22in HDTVs at a major retailer...numerous different brands--about 5-6 different sets. They typically had HDMI, component, S-Video, composite. No coax. And they were NOT marked as monitors.

[harshness]

Major retailers make mistakes all the time.

A display without a tuner is a monitor.

Note that because you didn't see the connector doesn't mean that it isn't there. Many of the flat panel displays have the connectors situated parallel to the plane of the screen so that the TV can be mounted flat to the wall. An F connector pointed perpendicular to the plane of the screen and the attached coaxial cable forces you to either drill a hole or find some sort of right angle adapter.

More than a couple of the retailers in my area use RF to distribute sound and picture to their display TVs. The alternative (component video w/stereo audio distribution amps) can be awfully expensive if you have more than a handful of display models.

[jcarrera]

Well, I will look again...never thought about the side-in approach. I was looking where all the other connectors were--which, in almost all of the models, was in a recessed area in the back.

[stevenl]

Some of the smaller LCD tvs (the HD ones) do not have coax inputs... I assume its because they figure you will use the HD inputs! A cheap way to get around this would be to use a VCR as the tuner, and use RCA cables to connect the VCR to the tv. (I recommend a VCR/DVD combo because who the hell has any vhs tapes anymore!?)

[jcarrera]

... because who the hell has any vhs tapes anymore!?)

Me.

[stevenl]

Then its perfect for you DVD/VCR Combo and your all set.

Question though why are you replacing the "analog" tv in the bedroom for? You do realize since you have BHN Servcice you will not be affected by the changes that will be happening in 2009 ? BHN Also offers a box for 1$ so you can receive those analog channels that have no become digital. Just ask for it by name,

[jcarrera]

... You do realize since you have BHN Servcice you will not be affected by the changes that will be happening in 2009 ? ...

?? If you "have BHN service, you won't be affected?"" Then why is BHN making such a big deal about it if it affects no one?

[skottey]

Major retailers make mistakes all the time.

A display without a tuner is a monitor.

Note that because you didn't see the connector doesn't mean that it isn't there. Many of the flat panel displays have the connectors situated parallel to the plane of the screen so that the TV can be mounted flat to the wall. An F connector pointed perpendicular to the plane of the screen and the attached coaxial cable forces you to either drill a hole or find some sort of right angle adapter.

More than a couple of the retailers in my area use RF to distribute sound and picture to their display TVs. The alternative (component video w/stereo audio distribution amps) can be awfully expensive if you have more than a handful of display models.

I doubt it was a mistake. No retailer puts up six or seven monitors and labels them HDTVs... come on! I have seen newer TVs without coaxial inputs.

They probably are just assuming you'll use a cable box. Yes, it is a stupid assumption, because Radio Shack sells some wonderful $50 HDTV antennas that connect via the coaxial input to an internal tuner. But they will do anything to bring down the cost.

Radio Shack also sells coaxial to composite converters and vice versa.