HDTV set top tuner

[gnef]

My parents just got in on the costco vizio 50" plasma, and we are using the settop dvd burner as the tv tuner right now... I searched for hdtv tuners here, and really only came up with computer cards.

any recommendations with links for reasonably priced set top tuner boxes for hd? I will probably get the 20$ antenna at amazon that i read about here earlier.

price is a priority with this, but we would also like a quality tuner, we don't need anything fancy, just something that will give us a clear picture.

thanks!

 

[Staples]

Best thing to do is buy a used one of Ebay. New oens are still pretty expensive.

My TV has one built in.

 

[Viper GTS]

IMO right now renting a box from a cable provider is the best way to go.

$6 a month means you can rent a HD box for a LONG time before you'll spend even half what a OTA tuner costs.

Plus anytime you want to upgrade you simply exchange the box.

Viper GTS

 

[tfinch2]

Buy used! I got a Samsung OTA box for $50 off craigslist

 

[Apex]

Originally posted by: gnef
My parents just got in on the costco vizio 50" plasma, and we are using the settop dvd burner as the tv tuner right now... I searched for hdtv tuners here, and really only came up with computer cards.

any recommendations with links for reasonably priced set top tuner boxes for hd? I will probably get the 20$ antenna at amazon that i read about here earlier.

price is a priority with this, but we would also like a quality tuner, we don't need anything fancy, just something that will give us a clear picture.

thanks!

So you're looking for an ATSC set top box (for free over the air HD)? There are a lot of good choices, but you should start here:

http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspx

That'll tell you which stations you can get and what antenna is required, and at what angles.

If you want, I have a used Samsung SIR-T151 I'm not using. You'll need to grab a universal remote, but those are cheap. I'd be willing to sell it for $50 clams.

 

[gnef]

in order to use the universal remote, wouldn't i need to have the original remote to 'teach' the universal remote? or would the universal remote have a 'setting' for those functions?

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: gnef
in order to use the universal remote, wouldn't i need to have the original remote to 'teach' the universal remote? or would the universal remote have a 'setting' for those functions?

universal remotes don't necessarily learn. LEARNING remotes do

 

[cHeeZeFacTory]

the LG lst 4200a, one of the best ones available. The samsung 351 or 451 can't even compare to the 4200a.

 

[Apex]

Originally posted by: cHeeZeFacTory
the LG lst 4200a, one of the best ones available. The samsung 351 or 451 can't even compare to the 4200a.

I second that. Short of waiting for the 5th gen chip, the LST-4200A is a great set-top box if you want to spend the money. The sensitivity is great, and the picture is second to none.

 

[gnef]

where is a good place to purchase the LG?

 

[gnef]

also, i read that it has a dvi connector, would getting a dvi to hdmi converter be better than using the component outputs? or would it be the same/comproble?

 

[SynthDude2001]

Originally posted by: gnef
also, i read that it has a dvi connector, would getting a dvi to hdmi converter be better than using the component outputs? or would it be the same/comproble?

DVI (or HDMI) would probably be better for a fixed-pixel display, yes. I've never actually seen DVI and Component compared in person though (I don't have anything that outputs Component or has an input for it ), so there may not be much actual noticeable difference.

 

[gnef]

I found another tuner, the humax hfa100, which is a bit cheaper, and can be bought at fry's... heh. plus, the thing i like about it is that it has an hdmi output, i couldn't find too much on it, other than it is just a standard tuner. opinions?

 

[gnef]

after some research, i've decided the humax isn't what i would want. but i am still having a hard time finding a place that sells the lg lst-4200a. can anyone give me links?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: gnef
after some research, i've decided the humax isn't what i would want. but i am still having a hard time finding a place that sells the lg lst-4200a. can anyone give me links?

meh?

Has a 10/10 on reseller ratings but only based on 2 reviews.

 

[gnef]

look at the availability: 6-8 weeks? I'm looking for something more along the lines of 1 week. thanks for the link though.