Submission + - What happened to HDTV tuner boxes?
amcdiarmid writes: "What happened to HDTV tuners?
For years, we have been told to purchase HDTV capable TV sets. "sure, all you need to do is purchase a HDTV tuner & plug it in..." However, can you find a HDTV tuner device? In almost every case, it is easier to find a HDTV tuner-PCI card for a computer — than it is to find a HDTV tuner box for a TV. (I think the cost of building a quiet computer for this is excessive.)
As an example: If you go to Crutchfield.com and type in HDTV tuners, you will find the tag line of: Add one of these Hight Def tuners to your HD-ready TV to enjoy free over-the-air HDTV broadcasts. However, if you go into the link — you find two DirectTV units, and a $2000 Sony Media Center 2005 PC.
I really just want to watch sports, and Law and order on the air... I can find a few units at $180 for ATSC, and a bunch that require DirectTV... but what happened to the promised HDTV tuners???"
For years, we have been told to purchase HDTV capable TV sets. "sure, all you need to do is purchase a HDTV tuner & plug it in..." However, can you find a HDTV tuner device? In almost every case, it is easier to find a HDTV tuner-PCI card for a computer — than it is to find a HDTV tuner box for a TV. (I think the cost of building a quiet computer for this is excessive.)
As an example: If you go to Crutchfield.com and type in HDTV tuners, you will find the tag line of: Add one of these Hight Def tuners to your HD-ready TV to enjoy free over-the-air HDTV broadcasts. However, if you go into the link — you find two DirectTV units, and a $2000 Sony Media Center 2005 PC.
I really just want to watch sports, and Law and order on the air... I can find a few units at $180 for ATSC, and a bunch that require DirectTV... but what happened to the promised HDTV tuners???"
