Thread: HD Ready VS HDTV

We got really confused at Best Buy today. We own one analog TV in our daughter's room. One big Floor model HD ready (not an HDTV, bought it in 2002) in the living room and an new HDTV in our bedroom. He said we need something special other than a regular converter for our big HD ready TV. He said the TV in daughter's room just needs a converter. So my husband was asking him to show us what we need for the big TV and he said they don't carry it anymore.

We then went to Radio shack and they said we just need to buy 2 converter boxes for those 2 TV's. So, now we aren't sure what we need for the big TV.

We did find an HDTV UHF/VHF antenna.

HD Ready = any display that is capable of accepting and displaying a high-definition signal at either 720p, 1080i or 1080p using a component video or digital input, but does not have a built-in HD-capable tuner.

You can take an external HD device, stand-alone ATSC tuner or HD cable, satellite receiver and connect them to a HD Ready TV and receive HD. It is likely this can save you money in the short term but most HD ready sets are older and likely ready to be replaced soon.

So, a converter box alone won't work. I guess we'll have to look for a external HD device. The set has a perfect picture. I hate to replace it when it may possibly last a few more years or longer if we're lucky.

The issue for the "HD Ready" TV is that you would probably want to watch off the air programming on it in high definition. The inexpensive converter boxes that are available (along with the government $40 rebate coupons) will convert digital off the air broadcasts to standard definition analog format which will not look as good as high definition on that HD Ready set.

Since all TVs sold in the last year or two contain a High Definition tuner, it may be true that it will be a challenge to find a high definition off the air set top box for your HD Ready TV.

None of this is relevant if you are watching cable or satellite rather than off the air broadcasts from an antenna. Cable and satellite set top boxes with High Definion outputs are readily available.

The satellite High Definition set top boxes often include a digital off the air tuner that would provide a high definition signal to your HD Ready TV, but I think the off the air tuner may only be usable if you subscribe to some satellite service.

If indeed your desire is to receive OTA HD on the HD ready set, check out what is available on ebay. I have several. Zenith, LG and Samsung. Some have hard drive recording capability so you can use the same way as a VCR. Without any fees like the Tivo. Just search for those names or "HD set top box" or "HD receiver". I'm sure you'll find something.

Originally Posted by Cab Driver

The issue for the "HD Ready" TV is that you would probably want to watch off the air programming on it in high definition. The inexpensive converter boxes that are available (along with the government $40 rebate coupons) will convert digital off the air broadcasts to standard definition analog format which will not look as good as high definition on that HD Ready set.

Very good info I forgot to add; these are worthless if you want HD. I used to have a LST-4200a back in the day and sold it on eBay.
http://www.audioholics.com/news/trad...d-receiver-dvr

Right now, I think the only one readily available is the Samsung DTB-H260F

Samsung - HDTV Digital Terrestrial Receiver - DTB-H260F

You can usually find open boxes at Best Buy or Circuit City. It will provide HD OTA along with a nice guide, and its all free OTA. It's a nice little box. Good stuff, but pricey at the big box retailers.

You can also get the CECB boxes and use the $40 coupon. This will get you a standard def picture. Set the box to "full" or Squeeze mode. Basically, this will turn the 16:9 picture into 4:3 and squeeze everything horizontally so everyone looks tall and skinny. Then set your TV to strech or full, and your TV will correctly convert the 4:3 picture back to a 16:9 picture.

What I would recommend, is to buy the CECB box for the bedroom TV since you definately need it back there. Hook it up to the HD ready TV. See if it looks "good enough" for you. If so, pick up another box for that TV. If not, look for a HD tuner.

-John

My older HD set (65" RPTV) is being driven my a Series 3 HD Tivo, which has two HD OTA tuners in it. We love it.

Our newer HD set (52" LCD), has on onboard ATSC tuner, but we use a another Series 3 HD Tivo, with it, as well.

Originally Posted by snathanb

My older HD set (65" RPTV) is being driven my a Series 3 HD Tivo, which has two HD OTA tuners in it. We love it.

Our newer HD set (52" LCD), has on onboard ATSC tuner, but we use a another Series 3 HD Tivo, with it, as well.

Oh yeah, forgot about the Tivo HD. I have one as well, and can highly recommend it as well.

How well does it work with two? Do they work well together? ie: can you start watching a recording on one unit, pause it, and continue watching it on the other unit? Also, do the two units know about each others suggestions, or do both of them end up recording essentially the same shows as suggestions?

-John