Got Cable and an older CRT (picture tube) or 4:3 non-HD TV set (these are called SDTV)? HD TV sets are 16:9 aspect ratio and are fairly wider than they are tall compared to 4:3 SDTV as it is now called. I don't know about the current status of Sattelite right now, but Cable is in the middle of sudden upgrades and we are being notified as of January 2009. Cable is going digital and so is broadcast (over-the-air) TV. For those with non-HD-type TV sets, you will need a DTV converter box ($50), or a fairly fancy ATSC tuner(more expensive) that can output to SDTV's in the kind of hookup you have (RF coax, RCA NTSC video+stereo audio, S-Video+stereo audio). Component video outputs like YPrPb are for HDTV's.
These are products I thought were cool that I have seen, seen on the internet and it looked interesting, tried, recommend, or I think would come in handy in a pinch. This is by no means an exhaustive list. I recommend you get a DTV converter that has Analog pass-through, since there will be a number of smaller analog stations still running past the switchover date - that feature lets you view those channels.
DTV converter boxes with Analog pass-through (an ATSC tuner for old 4:3 SD TV sets)
DTV Transition page.
Not all DTV's/HDTV's include an ATSC tuner, so you may need to purchase one separately, or purchase a DVD recorder that has an ATSC tuner in it. Check out this graph showing that 1080p does matter - at a certain distance: but then again I don't have 20/20 vision so for me it doesn't matter... Not all tuners are the same. some have better features than others, such as an HDMI port in case you have an HDTV that doesn't come with a tuner. A DTV Converter box is an ATSC tuner with limited amount of connectors (at the very least, no component video out, and probably won't support Cable TV channels either).
A DTV converter box can be used with your digital Cable set top box to view digital channels. As you can see, they currently run about $50.
Not all DTV's/HDTV's include an ATSC tuner, so you may need to purchase one separately, or purchase a DVD recorder that has an ATSC tuner in it. Check out this graph showing that 1080p does matter - at a certain distance: but then again I don't have 20/20 vision so for me it doesn't matter... Not all tuners are the same. some have better features than others, such as an HDMI port in case you have an HDTV that doesn't come with a tuner. A DTV Converter box is an ATSC tuner with limited amount of connectors (at the very least, no component video out, and probably won't support Cable TV channels either).
A DTV converter box can be used with your digital Cable set top box to view digital channels. As you can see, they currently run about $50.
Channel 3/4 Coax TV/RF Output, Stereo Audio Output, Composite Video Output (RCA, Female Type), Coax Antenna IN. Overcomplicated remote. they must have fixed their video bug. review. best converter out there (2008), best program guide.
Channel 3/4 Coax TV/RF Output, Stereo Audio Output, Composite Video Output (RCA, Female Type), Coax Antenna IN.
Channel 3/4 Coax TV/RF Output, Stereo Audio Output, Composite Video Output (RCA, Female Type), Coax Antenna IN.
DTV converter box (an ATSC tuner for old 4:3 SD TV sets)
DTV Transition page.
Not all DTV's/HDTV's include an ATSC tuner, so you may need to purchase one separately, or purchase a DVD recorder that has an ATSC tuner in it. Check out this graph showing that 1080p does matter - at a certain distance: but then again I don't have 20/20 vision so for me it doesn't matter... Not all tuners are the same. some have better features than others, such as an HDMI port in case you have an HDTV that doesn't come with a tuner. A DTV Converter box is an ATSC tuner with limited amount of connectors (at the very least, no component video out, and probably won't support Cable TV channels either).
A DTV converter box can be used with your digital Cable set top box to view digital channels. As you can see, they currently run about $50.
Not all DTV's/HDTV's include an ATSC tuner, so you may need to purchase one separately, or purchase a DVD recorder that has an ATSC tuner in it. Check out this graph showing that 1080p does matter - at a certain distance: but then again I don't have 20/20 vision so for me it doesn't matter... Not all tuners are the same. some have better features than others, such as an HDMI port in case you have an HDTV that doesn't come with a tuner. A DTV Converter box is an ATSC tuner with limited amount of connectors (at the very least, no component video out, and probably won't support Cable TV channels either).
A DTV converter box can be used with your digital Cable set top box to view digital channels. As you can see, they currently run about $50.
Digital Stream DSP7500T DTV Tuner Converter Box, available at newegg $50+11
an HDTV/SDTV tuner for regular NTSC televisions. A/V Out: Channel 3/4 RF Output, CVBS Output, Stereo Audio Output, Composite Video Output (RCA, Female Type), Stereo Audio Output (RCA, Female Type).
Magnavox Digital-to-Analog TV Converter Box, available from walmart $53
Video Output, Audio Output (L + R), RF In (F-type Connector). ATSC. ch 2-69. better review than the RCA.
Digital Stream DTX9900 Digital- to-Analog Converter Box , available from radioshack $60
Inputs 1 x "F" Plug(Antenna in), Outputs 1 x "F" Plug(To TV), 1 x RCA(Video), 1 x RCA(Audio). rated as good picture quality and easy to set up.
Zenith DTT900 Digital-to-Analog Converter Box, available from radioshack $60
Inputs 1 x "F" Plug(Antenna in), Outputs 1 x "F" Plug(To TV), 1 x RCA(Audio), 1 x RCA(Video). rated as good picture quality and easy to set up.
Apex DT502 Digital TV Converter Box with Remote Control - NTSC to ATSC, Coax, Composite & S-Video Out, RCA Stereo Audio Out, Smart Antenna Jack, available from compusa $41
Inputs RF, smart antenna port, Outputs RF, S-video, 3xRCA(video, stereo audio).
AccessHD DTA-1080U Digital to Analog Converter Box W/Universal Remote, available from compusa $50
Inputs RF, Outputs RF, 3xRCA(video, stereo audio).
ATSC TV tuner (DTV tuner for sets that don't have it)
ToteVision atsc-100 ATSC/NTSC/QAM Stand-alone Receiver/TV Tuner, available from spytown $190
antenna in. Component (YPbPr) or composite (CVBS) video outputs and stereo audio out. V-chip & closed captioning. english, french, spanish. cable channels 1-125, atsc/ntsc channels 2-69. tunes and decodes all 18 broadcast formats. NTSC 480i output. aspect ratio control (4:3, 16:9) mode. 16-day Electronic Program Guide.
HDMI, 8-channel audio
This is an ATSC tuner. outputs 1080i, 720p or 480p/i DTV formats.connectors: HDMI, Component, Composite (to old-style TV Video in), Audio-Right/Left, Dolby® Digital Optical (SPDIF). parent control.
RCA ATSC11 HDTV Tuner, available from yahoo $372
channel surfing is very slow,when using 4:3 letterbox the bars are grey instead of black and it cant be changed. you can buy this on ebay for 1/2 the price, but as with anything on ebay, beware: you may be getting a broken refurb, even at an expensive price. I've been burned on ebay items before on a camera.
Sylvania DVD Recorder with ATSC Tuner - ZC350SL8, avalable at target $200
Photo Viewer, MP3 player.Plays CD+R/RWs.Compatible with MP3, DVD, JPEG, CD.
Kworld Global SA290-Q DVI External ATSC/QAM TVbox, avalable at newegg $85
USB 2.0, MP3/JPG Playback, component video 1080i support, unencrypted QAM (Cable), 4:3, 16:9 Aspect Ratio, Remote, PC/TV switch, Watch TV on monitor (with DVI port); plug and play, no PC Required. "gets kinda hot but I think that's normal."
Startech.com COMP2VGATV2 TV Tuner for Computer Monitors with Remote, available at cablestogo $147+10
Watch TV on your computer monitor, play games, or watch movies right at your workstation. Comes with a full function remote control. can flip to TV mode. connect your DVD player, camcorder, or game console to your monitor, for a space-saving multimedia centre! Perfect for tight spaces like dorm rooms and bedrooms.
Supports full audio pass through via your PC speakers, displays up to 181 channels. works when your PC is off. 1-year warranty and FREE lifetime tech support. No software or drivers required. LCD and CRT Monitors. in: s-video, audio, audio-in-L, audio-in-R, S-video-in, antenna (coax) out: 15-pin D-SUB VGA, audio.
Startech.com COMP2VGATV2 TV Tuner $79 for Computer Monitors with Remote, available at $
converts NTSC RCA video or S-Video to VGA. could be used to watch TV using your VCR. you would need a stereo or a pair of business speakers for the audio though.
list of channels
FCC list of stations (see coverage maps, which are pdf's, they give station lists and coverage areas). also see antennaweb.com and dtv.gov for channel lists+maps
For handheld DVR's & camcorders see this page.