what everyone is talking about is the digtal tuner for analog tv's it might work for you though...
Well, kinda. What you need is a ATSC external TV tuner to recive HDTV signals over the air if your tv does not have one built in. Not to be confused with DTV. HDTV is part of the ATSC spectrume so just be sure the box you get is not simply a DTV tuner but a HDTV tuner. The External ATSC HDTV tuner and a HDTV antenna is all that will be needed to recive HDTV over the air. If your TV had the ATSC tuner built in, all you need is the HDTV antenna.
About.com said:
ATSC digital set-top receivers are devices that receive and decode digital television signals for output on a high definition TVs (HDTV) that don't have built-in digital tuners.
Most people use a cable/satellite box to serve this purpose. However, some people don't subscribe to cable/satellite, or they don't want to pay for the upgradeable HD service/box to receive local channels.
Also, one quick note...I saw earlier some talk of coaxial connections. To recive HDTV you will only be able to do so with a component connection (red, green, blue colored connections), HDMI or even a DVI connection. The preferance would be HDMI if your TV has it.
Here are some examples:
1. Viewsonic HDTV Video Tuner - Model HD12
The HD12 is the more sophisticatd one of the two Viewsonic ATSC receivers. The lower priced model is the HD10. Here are features for the HD12 according to Viewsonic:
Receives ATSC and NTSC TV signals
Compatible with all 18 ATSC signal formats
Compatible with VHF and UHF TV signals
Video connections include DVI (HDCP), component, composite, S-video and VGA (RGB)
Picture-in-picture capability
Displays content in 4:3 and 16:9
Output resolution in 480i, 480p, 720p, and 1080i
www.Newegg.com
2. Humax HFA100 HDTV Tuner
The HFA100 is an over-the-air (OTA) digital TV receiver, which means it isn't something you would use to receive cable or satellite programming. It will receive and decode all 18 ATSC digital formats. Here are some more details according to Humax:
Video connections include HDMI (1), Component (1) , S-Video (1), composite (1)
Audio outputs include RCA stereo L/R (1), Optical Dolby Digital
Output resolution in 1080i, 720p, 480p, 480i
On-screen guided set up and Electronic Program Guide
3. Samsung SIR-T451 High Definition TV Tuner
The SIR-T451 is a nice looking ATSC receiver. It is an over-the-air (OTA) digital TV receiver, which means it isn't something you would use to receive cable or satellite programming. Here are details according to Samsung:
Decodes all 18 ATSC Table 3 broadcast formats
Audio output in Dolby Digital 2.0 or Dolby Digital 5.1
Output in 1080i, 720p or 480p
Video connections include DVI (1), Component (1), Composite (1)
Audio connections include RCA stereo (R/L), Dolby Digital Coaxial and Optical
This next one would be a good option if you have a little older TV that only has DVI connection (no HDMI)..
4. RCA ATSC11 High Definition Tuner w/ DVI
The ATSC11 is is an over-the-air (OTA) digital TV receiver, which means it isn't something you would use to receive cable or satellite programming. Here are some features according to RCA:
Receives all 18 ATSC signal formats
Output resolutions are 480i, 480p, 720p, and 1080i
Onscreen program guide
V-Chip parental controls
Video connections include DVI (1), component (1), S-Video (1), composite (1)
Audio outputs include digital-audio (1 optical, 1 coaxial), RCA stereo l/r (1)
The following one would be for somebody that has and anolog TV...
5. Sylvania 6900DTE ATSC/HDTV Broadcast Set-Top Box Receiver
The 6900DTE is a nice box capable of digital-to-analog conversion, which means a person could watch a digital signal on an analog television with this box. This is a good box for those not wanting to buy a digital television, but continue receiving OTA signals once the digital transition is complete in 2009. Here are some other features according to Sylvania:
Receives ATSC HDTV Digital broadcast signals
Output in 16:9 and 4:3
Electronic Program Guide (EPG)
Anyway, sorry bout the length but hopefully this answers all your questions :beer: :beer: