HDTVs with QAM tuners

[MrNeutrino]

Given how much headache folks have with OTA reception (if they are close enough to get it in the first place), I am surprised QAM hasn't made as much headway in the HDTV market.

What are some of the HDTVs with built-in QAM tuners?

I'm specifically looking for DLP RPs, with LCDs as the backup option.

 

[ViRGE]

Aren't the vast majority of QAM channels encrypted?

 

[hans007]

most newer hdtvs have them. i jus tbought a 32" vizio and it has one, and i think all the vizios do.

 

[MrNeutrino]

ViRGE, many local HD channels are unencrypted - just unpublicized by the big cable monopolies to get you to buy their HD package for an arm and a leg.

hans007, are you sure most newer HDTVs have QAM built in? I know the Vizio / LG series have it generally. However, I'm not sure that most may be the right word, unless I'm missing something.

Put differently, I've never seen a Samsung / Sony DLP or LCD TV spec. page say anything remotely sounding like QAM.

Feel free to share a pointer from these or other vendors (besides Visio / LG) that DO have QAM tuners built-in.

Thanks.

 

[nullpointerus]

Originally posted by: MrNeutrino
ViRGE, many local HD channels are unencrypted - just unpublicized by the big cable monopolies to get you to buy their HD package for an arm and a leg.

Hasn't Comcast has been running a commercial claiming that one doesn't need a HD box as long as the HDTV has a built-in HD tuner? I'm going to test this today; however, it does vary by area and local provider.

But yeah, you're generally correct about cable companies.

hans007, are you sure most newer HDTVs have QAM built in? I know the Vizio / LG series have it generally. However, I'm not sure that most may be the right word, unless I'm missing something.

Look up the difference between HD Capable and HD Ready.

Aside: I hate marketing euphemisms, like Widescreen vs. Fullscreen. *groan*

Put differently, I've never seen a Samsung / Sony DLP or LCD TV spec. page say anything remotely sounding like QAM.

IIRC, QAM isn't a signal format per se but a compression format for unencrypted channels. When using a QAM-capable tuner, you will find that the HD files are not transport streams; instead, you will get MPEG-2 streams at a very high bitrate (e.g. 6 GB/hour). Moreover, the compression is done by the cable co.

 

[kpb]

Originally posted by: nullpointerus
IIRC, QAM isn't a signal format per se but a compression format for unencrypted channels. When using a QAM-capable tuner, you will find that the HD files are not transport streams; instead, you will get MPEG-2 streams at a very high bitrate (e.g. 6 GB/hour). Moreover, the compression is done by the cable co.

QAM is definitely a signal format. Things may be recompressed by the cable co but that doesn't have anything to do with QAM.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QAM

 

[nullpointerus]

Originally posted by: kpb

Originally posted by: nullpointerus
IIRC, QAM isn't a signal format per se but a compression format for unencrypted channels. When using a QAM-capable tuner, you will find that the HD files are not transport streams; instead, you will get MPEG-2 streams at a very high bitrate (e.g. 6 GB/hour). Moreover, the compression is done by the cable co.

QAM is definitely a signal format. Things may be recompressed by the cable co but that doesn't have anything to do with QAM.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QAM

Hmm...interesting! Thanks for correcting me on that.

Incidentally, the link you provided also leads to another page answering hans007's question.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QAM_tuner

 

[melloyello]

my 50in HP DLP RPTV has both QAM and ATSC tuners, but it's not mentioned anywhere in the manual. It just says to connect the f-connector labeled "antenna" to an antenna and the one labeled "cable" to a cable signal. It doesn't say they are HD/digital tuners. Documentation for these things are just really bad. The ads do mention ATSC/QAM tuners sometimes but those aren't 100% reliable either. Good luck with your search.

oh btw, the HP DLPs have just been discontinued, so if you want one, ya better go get one quick. Maybe you can even find a good deal...

 

[hans007]

i think not all of the atsc tunered tv's have qam.

qam is like, atsc over cable lines, so you can watch channels that are unencrypted (which is the same as the ones you'd get on atsc)