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Three Things to Ask when Purchasing an HDTV Tuner


Once you see a high definition TV (or HDTV) picture, it is hard to accept a regular picture without any judgment. HDTV pictures offer more lines per image, a wide screen effect, which will add up to a picture which looks like you could jump into it. There are many ways to get HDTV into your living room, and getting an HDTV tuner is one of the most popular. Know that an HDTV tuner is also referred to as a digital set-top box, receiver or decoder and that many companies make one specific to each TV. Other lingo that may come up is extra-terrestrial or terrestrial tuners. Extra-terrestrial refers to tuners which are made for satellite transmissions. Terrestrial refers to tuners that are made for those that use cable. Along with knowing the above terminology, the following three questions will hopefully get you the information you need to purchase the right equipment. These should allow the purchasing of your HDTV to be an easy process, rather than a confusing one.

Does your satellite or cable company offer packages which include a tuner, or an HD set-top box? You may not need to purchase the tuner on your own at all. Many cable companies will let you rent their HD box for just a few extra dollars a month. If you do buy one, you may find yourself with extra machinery around when you sign-up to get your HD channels. Unless you plan to move around a lot, you may want to keep things simple and wait until you need to purchase one.

How much do you want to spend? The technology of HDTV and media in general is on a fast track. You always have the choice of buying the scaled down version when you buy any technology, so you can have money for other things. However, the trend of TV is moving toward completely integrated systems. Soon, your computer, MP3 player, telephone and TV may all be in one machine. They are already testing and using more interactive TVs, especially in the HDTV department, because integration was one of the reasons HDTV and DTV were created. Therefore, consider that getting one of the more advanced tuners will be able to save you money later. If you get one that has plenty of ports, connectors and compatibilities, perhaps, you will not have to spend the next five years spending the money anyway.

Does the HDTV set with tuner have all the other features you want or need? You can get a receiver from DIRECTV which has TIVO DVR. Some advanced tuners will let you record up to 30 hours of HD programming. This will let you record programs from your HD channels and regular channels. Also, look for tuners which include easy following directions. Make sure that it allows you to easily switch back and forth from regular, over-the-air broadcasting to your cable or satellite service. If you buy a receiver or tuner which has HDMI (high definition multimedia interface) capability, you will not need to buy additional cables and components to get the 5.1 Dolby, surround sound which HDTV naturally transmits. Some other features to look out for include digital audio output and parental controls.

There may be a lot of lingo and terminology that goes along with buying a tuner, but understanding as much of it as possible will help you make the wisest purchase. If you are unsure about something, go to your electronics retailer in person, rather than buying online. Ask the retailer questions about what your tuner will allow you to do and what it will not. Or, do your research on the web to find out what you want to know. Some of the bigger electronics stores offer detailed educational pages which can help you understand all aspects of HDTV and HDTV tuners. Find out whether the tuner has the hook-ups and ports you will need to connect antennas, and cable or satellite boxes. Try to get the most features you can so you do not have to worry about upgrading and buying a lot of extra cables and components. Getting the right tuner can make a big difference in how easily you can enjoy your HDTV experience.

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