HDTV Forum

hey guys love the forum so far been reading for the past hour and now my head is spinning. i have a few questions and hope some of you can help.

Ok this is the Tv i plan on buying this week here: http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product. ... id=4872141
RCA 52" Widescreen Projection HDTV w/ Built-In Digital Tuner

Ok now, "built-in Digital Tuner". it says this in the description: With the built-in digital (ATSC) tuner you'll enjoy access to high definition programming without the need for a separate set-top box.

I have Comcast Digital cable with the digital box and all. i have HD channels in my channel lineup but only hear sound when i put them on. Now the question is Do I Need to upgrade to a special box from Comcast to decrypt these HD channels? Or will my new HDTV Do It For Me????? Only reason why i ask is because Comcast says i need additional equipment.

Also if i can decrypt these channels with out addionial equipment from Comcast do i needs special cables to hook up to my box to my new tv to help the picture?

I hope you can help and thank you if you do respond. It would be gratly appreciated.

Your built in ATSC tuner will allow you receive over the air digital signals with an antenna, provided they are available in your area. Cable uses QAM instead of ATSC. I don't know which digital box you presently have from Comcast but it probably is not an HD STB. For $5 a month you can upgrade your box to the one needed. For $10 your can get their HD DVR. Money well spent IMHO. I have the DVR and love it. The DVR came with component cables, one of the methods of transporting your HD signal from the box to the TV. If your new TV has HDMI capability, the DVR will also allow that, but you have to buy the cable yourself. Good luck and happy viewing. Welcome to the world of great looking TV.

Great advice!

Just to get on my soap box and touch on the marketing crud and technicalities...

it says this in the description: With the built-in digital (ATSC) tuner you'll enjoy access to high definition programming without the need for a separate set-top box.

RCA PDF spec sheet

Note there appears to be no place for a cable card nor is a cable card mentioned. The claim may be accurate for some cable system in the US but based on your description you are on a QAM system as Bobby C noted. Like most folks it won;t work with yours. In fact the chances of someone having a cable system that this thing would work with is quite slim.

This twisting of the facts is what gives marketing and sales a bad name... it doesn't have to be that way...

ARGH