Question: Buying a TV with or without a HD Digital Tuner
Is it better to buy a television with or without a HD digital tuner?
Answer: The short answer is that it all depends on how you plan on watching television over the next 20 years. If you always plan on subscribing to cable or satellite, then the need for a built-in tuner is debatable. But those that plan on saving a few bucks by purchasing a TV without a built-in digital tuner need to be aware that when the analog era ends, then they will not be able to receive OTA digital signals with an antenna unless they have an external ATSC tuner connected between the antenna and television.
Saving a few dollars is nice, but I want the comfort of knowing that my television is compliant to my local broadcasters digital signal. As a satellite subscriber, I sometimes lose reception during a storm. My television is HD-ready television, which means I need an external tuner to decode digital signals. This is acceptable right now because the analog spectrum exists, but I worry about three years down the road when analog signals cease.
Losing reception in a storm is a big issue with me because I live in an area where tornados are possible. This might not be an issue for most. The issue could be as simple as forgetting to pay your bill, a neighbor cutting through a cable when digging a hole or a car hitting the transformer and knocking out your cable for a day or two. What then do you do when your signal goes out?
The bottom line is that it's better to have it and not use it than to not have it and need it.
Now, for the long answer
BACKGROUND
An ATSC digital tuner is required to receive and decode over-the-air digital television signals. The digital spectrum is comprised of 18 frequencies. High definition is part of the digital spectrum.
In the United States, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is regulating the conversion from analog to digital. As a measure, the FCC is setting deadlines making it mandatory that all manufacturers include digital tuners in their televisions. Here are the dates:
- July 1, 2005: All TVs with screen sizes over 36" must include built-in ATSC tuner
- July 1, 2006: 100 of 25-35" TVs must include ATSC DTV tuner (right now only 50 required)
- July 1, 2007: 100 of 13-24" TVs must include ATSC DTV tuner
- July 1, 2007: 100 of all interface devices must have ATSC DTV tuner (VCR, DVD player/recorder, DVR)
The above deadline only applies to new televisions, and does not include the tremendous surplus of units. That is why there are many televisions over 36" still being sold without built-in digital tuners.
TELEVISION DEFINED
A television is a viewing device that includes a tuner. A device without a tuner is called a monitor. CNET.com reports that there is a loophole in the FCC measure that allows manufacturers to build TVs without any tuner, which would technically make it a monitor.
CABLE AND SATELLITE SUBSCRIBERS
All satellite and most cable subscribers do not use the televisions built-in ATSC tuner when receiving a signal. Instead, they use their service providers set-top box to receive and decode the digital signals. The only exception are those people who use a CableCARD, which is a small credit card type of chip that takes the place of a set-top box. It is inserted into the television, and is only available through certain cable providers.
Because most cable and satellite subscribers don't use their built-in ATSC tuner, some might think that they made a mistake by paying extra for an unused feature. I contend that the tuner is an added benefit, and not a burden. Here's why:
Cable and satellite providers will charge at least $9.95 a month to receive HD channels. While the HD tier is growing, not all people want to pay ten dollars a month for channels they don't watch. Some people just want their local stations in HD. By purchasing an antenna from the local electronics store for $25-100, a person with a built-in ATSC tuner can now enjoy their local stations for free. In the process they will save a few bucks for a rainy day.
As analog signals cease and digital becomes the standard, cable and satellite providers will probably provide the local networks for free if they don't do already. However, you will still have to buy or lease the HD box, which right now costs a minimum of $199. And the problem with leasing a HD box from a cable or satellite company is that they will probably charge you for the HD programming.
PEOPLE THAT RELY ON AN ANTENNA
If you:
- Are someone who relies on an antenna for your television
- Don't own a digital TV with a built-in ATSC tuner
- Don't own a digital-ready TV and an external digital set-top box
- Don't own a digital-to-analog converter box
You will be out of luck in three years when the digital conversion becomes complete and stations begin turning off their analog signals.
The digital era is expected to begin on January 1, 2009 (subject to change).
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