A Quick Question on LCD TVs

[Rl'Halsinor]

My wife suggested that we might consider getting an LCD HDTV for Christmas. Right now we have analog signal TVs which means that we will have to get converter boxes from our cable provider.

Since LCD HDTVs are digital and not analog (right?) and I have cable, will I need a converter box? Sorry for the newb question but I know little about these TVs and signals. Thanks.

 

[Thanee]

Maybe this can answer your question... HowStuffWorks "Do I really need a digital converter box for my TV?"

EDIT: Hmm... that seems to be more focused on the other way around (analog TV with digital signal).

Bye
Thanee

 

[Umbran]

First off, the switch to digital signal is for broadcast TV - the stuff going out over the airwaves. If you are getting your signal from a cable, it doesn't apply.

Also, do not confuse "digital signal" with 'High Definition signal". The two are not the same, especially for cable customers. Most cable providers work with digital signals these days (so, if you have cable, your current box is probably converting for you), as it allows them to fit more channels on one wire. But if you want high definition signals fro your cable company, you have to pay more for them.

 

[Rl'Halsinor]

Okay, then this is what my wonderful cable provider has done (it's Comcast). In order for me to get channels like AMC and Turner Classics, channels I had before they changed up the line-up in the past 6 months, and they tell me now that in order for me to get these that have come with my plan, I now need a converter box.

This where the confusion came in for me.

 

[Mallus]

Since LCD HDTVs are digital and not analog (right?)...

Right. All LCD, plasma, and other current display technology televisions are digital.

 

[Ranger REG]

My wife suggested that we might consider getting an LCD HDTV for Christmas. Right now we have analog signal TVs which means that we will have to get converter boxes from our cable provider.

Since LCD HDTVs are digital and not analog (right?) and I have cable, will I need a converter box? Sorry for the newb question but I know little about these TVs and signals. Thanks.

If you're subscribe to cable or dish, don't worry. If anything, your provider will help you (of course, you may have to ask for their help).

The only ones that need to buy converter boxes -- especially with the government-supplied coupons -- are the diehard free OTA (over-the-air) TV viewers. The ones still using rabbit ears or rooftop antennas. Like me.

For me, I'm going to wait until the Switch is over, and the store is selling low-priced HDTVs with only digital (ATSC) tuners.

 

[Rackhir]

Okay, then this is what my wonderful cable provider has done (it's Comcast). In order for me to get channels like AMC and Turner Classics, channels I had before they changed up the line-up in the past 6 months, and they tell me now that in order for me to get these that have come with my plan, I now need a converter box.

This where the confusion came in for me.

I think what is happening is they are trying to get you to go from analog cable to digital cable.

Digital cable basically means you need a cable box, since they have fought tooth and nail any way of letting TVs or devices not need one (It's not quite this simple, but those are the basics of it). With the older analog cable systems you could essentially tune in the channels with the same hardware you used for receiving broadcast TV. So you could get "cable" without needing a box.

In short, you are getting hit with something similar to, but not directly related to the broadcast TV digital transition.

They want you to move to the digital cable, because then they can sell you things like Movies on demand, which are very profitable for them and probably jack up what they are charging you and charge you for a cable box....

Even if you get a new TV it is highly likely that you will still need a converter box (more properly a cable box). If it's important to you not to need one, then you want to look for a set with what's called a "CableCard" slot (good luck on anything affordable). This is a card that plugs into your TV (or HD Tivo) and does the authorization and provides the decoding keys necessary to enable you to get digital cable. The major downside of them, is that currently they don't permit you to access the "on demand" or interactive services.

 

[LightPhoenix]

I agree with Rackhir, albeit to a more extreme case. There's a lot of confusion about the whole DTV thing... in my opinion, deliberately sowed so that sales of LCDs and digital cable will get a boost. If it's still on the website, I suggest checking out Ask This Old House's special episode on the upgrade... it was very straight-forward and went through a number of common examples.

 

[Ranger REG]

I suggest checking out Ask This Old House's special episode on the upgrade... it was very straight-forward and went through a number of common examples.

Got that specific link?