Duncan, If I remember correctly from you original post, don't you run several VCRs in your system? If so, you will still run into a problem trying to utilize them when the analog signals go black.
IIRC, all televisions above a certain size now require a built in ATSC tuner, so any TV you purchase will be able to receive OTA hdtv. If you are talking about a pure monitor (as in for a computer), then you would need some sort of external tuner. Personally, I would look at 1080p capable sets, although these are larger and more expensive. The smaller ones are usually 720p. The more inputs, the more versatile the hdtv. If you just want to hook up a coax cable, then the other inputs are extraneous. I was surprised how fast the inputs disappeared on my HDTV: Coax cable input for analog and clear QAM stations on cable, 2 component for DVD and Cable Box (with PVR), HDMI for computer and VGA for second computer. If you want to hook up a game console, extra HDMI ports are useful. I remember trying to figure out all the angles of HDTV before my Christmas 2007 purchase. I do not regret the expense of purchasing an HDTV. The difference between analog and HD is dramatic. Be forwarned, the old analog shows don't hold up to HDTV too well. I find watching them in a smaller window via my computer to give a better overall presentation. At least in my area, Comcast has told me that I will continue to receive analog signals for most stations after the Feb 2009 deadline, so I am keeping several analog televisions and my investment in DVR equipment. Good Luck, Jim Maki [EMAIL PROTECTED] > -----Original Message----- > From: DHSinclair > > OK, I've spent the weekend studying all the various DTV boxes > offered to allow us folk with older analog TV hardware to rcv > the (current?) new ATSC digital signals post 2/9/09. Boy, > did I get a cook's tour! And, nowhere I looked did I find a > (the!) solution I sought. > > See, I have an antenna in the garage rafters. To this antenna > connects a good distribution amp. To this distribution amp I > have a cable run to a bedroom, the living room, and the > garage (have an old component TV [Mitubishi] for watching > NASCAR races while puttering in the garage on Sundays. > > So, I've decided to retire (give away, sell, toss, ?, > UPGRADE) all my old analog TV gear and move on to what is now > available. I figure I'll spend ~$3000 to complete this > exercise......(?) I have no plans to build a "home theatre" ATM. > > One Question: Do all of the newer WS LCD/Plasma solutions I > see have internal tuners? Some that I see only mention > having HDMI imputs and/or an imput for a PC. I read this to > mean that this screen will require an outboard "A/V Reciever" > like Denon, Onkyo, Sony, etc...... Am I close? > > I believe my first purchase will be a Viewsonic N2635W LCD WS > HDTW/Monitor for the bedroom. Box says it has both HDTV and > NTSC tunners built-in. OD has it on sale for $499. Anyone > have any negative comments on this choice? > Best, > Duncan >
