Need Advice on Tuner

[Caveman]

Current system has a Toshiba A2-HD player that we use for movies...

As for TV...

Love to watch HD, but it's costing us ~$70/month to keep our comcast feed. Actually, we are so busy right now, about the only thing we watch TV-wise is LOST each week so we're thinking of axing the COMCAST cable service and just doing local OTA for LOST, etc...

I've got a great antenna for OTA, but once we get rid of the HD DVR from Comcast, I'll need a tuner.

What should I get? I'm nit against forking out some money, though I would like to get away cheap... Best bang for the buck is usually how I like to play my cards...

Any recommendations on what to do?

 

[heyheybooboo]

HDTV PCI Tuner Card & USB HDTV Tuner Chart

+1 for the Fusion5 ATSC HD tuner- you can get one at Digital Connection for $80.

Check out this website to find the HD tv broadcasts and their tower locations closest to you

 

[Caveman]

So... What if I'm not ready for a dedicated HTPC in my component stack yet... Any other alternatives?

 

[heyheybooboo]

Originally posted by: Caveman
So... What if I'm not ready for a dedicated HTPC in my component stack yet... Any other alternatives?

You need an HDTV receiver 'set-top box'

Now ... you might be kinda ewed-scrayed. The box must NOT convert the signal to standard definition. STBs like this are what everyone is now manufacturing for the 'big conversion' next February.

You probably have what's called an ""HD monitor"" which does not have an HD tuner. Not a big deal - except since 2006 they stopped making 'HD monitors'. OEMs started to include tuners in all 'panels' back then.

I imagine there are 'HDTV receivers' somewhere but finding the right one might be tough (and expensive) to find.

This is the only one I could find with a quick search.

$165 You could buy a LASCALA SST-LC13 and ATSC tuner card for that ...

Good luck!

 

[Caveman]

This is just crazy weird... I though before the search I'd find 3-4 peripheral types that carried tuners for people like me or at least some good, dedicated HD Tuners... I have a Marantz HD PJ shining on a 106" screen but want to get rid of my HD cable... I'd guess that's quite a niche market there...

 

[s44]

Geez, just get a Tivo HD.

 

[mshan]

http://www.samsung.com/us/cons...model_cd=DTB-H260F/XAA

Range of remote sucks (have to point directly at front) and power on is a little slow, but they are usually pretty cheap on eBay and works fine for me (HDMI and component outputs, too).

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: s44
Geez, just get a Tivo HD.

That's my suggestion too.

Goes for around $250 on Amazon. Yeh there's a subscription, but you can't beat the integration and fit and finish compared to a HTPC.

 

[kenrippy]

Originally posted by: vi edit

Originally posted by: s44
Geez, just get a Tivo HD.

That's my suggestion too.

Goes for around $250 on Amazon. Yeh there's a subscription, but you can't beat the integration and fit and finish compared to a HTPC.

another vote for a tivoHD. you can get them new with upgraded hard drives from weaknees if you want to spend a little more up front. or add on a 500gb WD My DVR Expander e-SATA drive later.

the tivoHD or S3 allows you to connect with other tivos via wireless or wired network, send videos from the PC to the tivos and vice/versa. stream mp3's from your pc to your tivo/home theater sytem. download amazon unbox movies (rent or buy) with broadband connection via the network.

i think a 1yr monthly plan is only about $10/mo or $99 if you prepay for a year. a second tivo is less (multi-service discount)

 

[Caveman]

2 things though... Doesn't a Tivo HD require a cable service in the background? Also, Can I use the Rx portion of the Tivo without the subscription fee? I mean... What are they charging $10 for to watch OTA broadcasts???

 

[alfa147x]

Originally posted by: mshan
http://www.samsung.com/us/cons...model_cd=DTB-H260F/XAA

Range of remote sucks (have to point directly at front) and power on is a little slow, but they are usually pretty cheap on eBay and works fine for me (HDMI and component outputs, too).

I second that, its the best tuner i have used (3rd one) iv had for 8 months and havnt seen anything better

 

[kenrippy]

Originally posted by: Caveman
2 things though... Doesn't a Tivo HD require a cable service in the background? Also, Can I use the Rx portion of the Tivo without the subscription fee? I mean... What are they charging $10 for to watch OTA broadcasts???

you can use the tivo for OTA, i'm not sure about recording without paying for the sub. the sub also gets you a guide that's updated via broadband or phone line.

you might want to hit up the tivo community forum for more answers.

tivoHD & series3 units use cable cards to decode digital/HD/pay channels.

 

[alfa147x]

Originally posted by: kenrippy

Originally posted by: Caveman
2 things though... Doesn't a Tivo HD require a cable service in the background? Also, Can I use the Rx portion of the Tivo without the subscription fee? I mean... What are they charging $10 for to watch OTA broadcasts???

you can use the tivo for OTA, i'm not sure about recording without paying for the sub. the sub also gets you a guide that's updated via broadband or phone line.

you might want to hit up the tivo community forum for more answers.

tivoHD & series3 units use cable cards to decode digital/HD/pay channels.

if you dont want the whole hassle of the tivo the samsung has a built in guide for free

 

[tHa ShIzNiT]

OK I'm not understanding this...why dont you just use the tuner that came built into your TV? I must be missing something and I will surely look like a fool for posting this, but I have to know now.

 

[JohnAn2112]

Originally posted by: tHa ShIzNiT
OK I'm not understanding this...why dont you just use the tuner that came built into your TV? I must be missing something and I will surely look like a fool for posting this, but I have to know now.

It sounds like he has an "HD Ready" TV, meaning that he needs a cable box or some sort of receiver. If that's the case, then the TV doesn't have a built in tuner. It only has composite, s-video, component video, etc.

 

[Caveman]

Originally posted by: JohnAn2112

Originally posted by: tHa ShIzNiT
OK I'm not understanding this...why dont you just use the tuner that came built into your TV? I must be missing something and I will surely look like a fool for posting this, but I have to know now.

It sounds like he has an "HD Ready" TV, meaning that he needs a cable box or some sort of receiver. If that's the case, then the TV doesn't have a built in tuner. It only has composite, s-video, component video, etc.

I was using "TV" in the verbform... We watch TV on a Marantz VP4001 HD Projector via HDMI. The PJ has no tuner... Whatever tuner (or Tivo) I get must have a RG6 in and an HDMI out.

Kinda leaning towards an HDMI now if I don't have to pay to use the tuner.