Inexpensive HDTV OTA Tuner?
09-19-06, 09:40 AM
#1
Mod Emeritus
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Central Vermont
Posts: 3,883
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Inexpensive HDTV OTA Tuner?
It appears that next month the local networks will finally be broadcasting in HD in my area. I currently have a Samsung Slimfit in my livingroom, wich has a built in tuner, so I'm all set there. But I thought it would also be nice to be able to watch these chanels on my second TV, which is just a regular 4x3 SDTV without an ATSC tuner.
I would prefer to have a tuner that's inexpensive, but I also don't want to skimp out on the features important to me. I'd like it to have the following:
* ATSC and QAM support
* Firewire output
* RF, Composite, S-Video, Component 480i outputs (any 2 of the 4 listed)
My prefernce order for features beyond ATSC is Firewire, QAM, and finally full range of output options.
This doesn't necesarily have to be a new unit. I have actually been browsing ebay for a couple weeks, but I don't really know what exactly I'm looking for.
Any suggestions?
I would prefer to have a tuner that's inexpensive, but I also don't want to skimp out on the features important to me. I'd like it to have the following:
* ATSC and QAM support
* Firewire output
* RF, Composite, S-Video, Component 480i outputs (any 2 of the 4 listed)
My prefernce order for features beyond ATSC is Firewire, QAM, and finally full range of output options.
This doesn't necesarily have to be a new unit. I have actually been browsing ebay for a couple weeks, but I don't really know what exactly I'm looking for.
Any suggestions?
09-19-06, 10:37 AM
#3
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Mpls, MN
Posts: 6,830
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It's getting harder to find a standalone tuner since they are coming out in almost every HDTV, now. They are back up to $250+ new. If you want one, you'd better get one fast. As I recall, LG models were popular and solid.
A still-functional Voom receiver is an option, but I don't know if you can still find them on the market. They will work if they were NOT shut off when Voom collapsed.
A still-functional Voom receiver is an option, but I don't know if you can still find them on the market. They will work if they were NOT shut off when Voom collapsed.
09-19-06, 12:01 PM
#4
DVD Talk Legend
Yeah, don't know about cheap. I love the Samsung box I have (no firewire though) and I just added an ATI HDTV tuner to my PC. The PC tuner works great for regular TV shows, but definitely is lacking on fast moving sports. It is nice to record shows in HD on my PC.
09-25-06, 09:20 AM
#5
DVD Talk Limited Edition
I bought a Samsung SIR-T451 HD Tuner pretty cheaply on eBay recently and it has both ATSC and QAM (no CableCard slot though, so the signal has to be unencrypted). And can output the picture via DVI (Digital), S-Video, component, composite, and RGB. It also can output resolutions of 480i/480p/720p/1080i, as well as digital audio via Toslink or Coax. However, it doesn't have Firewire output.
Last edited by dhmac; 09-25-06 at 09:24 AM.
09-25-06, 12:51 PM
#6
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Kingston, TN
Posts: 2,309
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I was just going to tell you that a VOOM box may be your best bet if you can still find one. I use mine on occasion, my brother has my second box. If I had more I would hepl you out. They used to go real cheap on eBay, but I have not looked in a while.
