Digital TV for dummies?

Discussion in 'General Chat' started by Kat2, May 4, 2007.

  1. #1
    Hi all,

    We just got a new Sony digital TV, and would like to get a digital tuner for our ten year old Magnavox. However, the tech that set up our digital TV told us that the Maganvox "didn't have the guts for digital." I thought that you could get a digital tuner for any TV, like a cable box. Is this true? (We only have broadcast, no satellite or cable.)

    Questions I would like to know the answers to:

    1. If we can get a tuner for the TV, does it plug in between the house antenna and the TV?

    2. If it does, will the tuner also work for our VCR? For example, if our VCR isn't digital (doesn't tune to 11.1) can we turn the TV on 11.1 and press record on the VCR and have it pick up?

    3. Do digital tuners exist for plain-old-rabbit-ears TVs? (I have a little 13-inch color.)
     
    Kat2, May 4, 2007 IP
  2. Kerosene

    Kerosene Alpha & Omega™ Staff

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    #2
    Yes. Antenna on roof > Digital tuner > TV

    Yes. Rabbit ears > Digital tuner > TV

    This is how it works in Australia, can't imagine the USA is much different. In Australia most of our crappy free to air is available on an HD signal for new TVs, and a standard definition for older TVs.
     
    Kerosene, May 5, 2007 IP
  3. Kat2

    Kat2 Well-Known Member

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    #3
    Could you please give me a link to a couple of fairly inexpensive digital to analog converters, then? I'm having a hard time, I'm mostly getting things like Slingbox or PC TV tuner cards.

    It doesn't need to be hi-def, our old TV certainly isn't.

    Yes, I know we don't *need* one until 2009, but we want one anyways.
     
    Kat2, May 6, 2007 IP