An NTSC/ATSC/QAM digital tuner, in the case of a TV, means that the TV supports the NTSC, ATSC, and QAM broadcast standards with its included tuner. NTSC is the old analog over-the-air (OTA) standard, ATSC is the newer digital over-the-air supporting High Definition video and Dolby Digital AC3 audio, and QAM means that the TV can decode digital cable signals without a set-top box.
My internet research indicates that QAM will receive unencrypted broadcasts only. While encrypted channels varies by geography, it seems that most cable stations are encrypted while major networks are not. So, best I've determined, is that if you want more than just the major networks in high def you still need the set-top box or Cablecard.
A built in digital tuner is capable of receiving digital broadcasts. In the recent past older televisions were only able to receive analog broadcasts. Almost all new televisions now have digital tuners built in to receive digital broadcasting . Only a few digital channels are available and may require a separate digital antenna. To get more digital or HD Channels (requires HDTV), you may want to subscribe to either cable TV or satellite television. Both are good options, however satellite TV currently has more HD channels than cable TV.
If your old tv has no built in ATSC Digital Tuner , then you need a digital to analog converter box. This box receives the ATSC Digital Signal and converts it to NTSC Analog , for Tv's that only have a NTSC Analog tuner.
Only if the TV has a digital (ATSC) tuner. If it has an analog (NTSC) tuner only, it will not work with over-the-air digital broadcasts. In that case you'll need some sort of converter.
No, it doesn't. If a TV does have a Digital Tuner then it will say so in the menu.
TV tuner card
Unfortunately not, although this unit will process digital signals and HD signals from the computer the TV Tuner portion is NTSC-M, PAL-M/N, PAL-SECAM and in order to process digital TV signals in the USA the tuner must receive ATSC (digital) signals
To receive Broadcast Television Signals of NTSC Analog or ATSC Digital a television antenna is needed. If the TV has ATSC built in , then a converter box will not be needed.
If connected to a digital to analog converter box , yes.
On the settings or set up menu the tuner might not be set to receive off air signals or might be in the cable mode or it might be in the analog mode and you no longer have any analog stations to receive. Check to see if you are in the digital and antenna modes.
Yes, you can use the old antenna. However, some new antennas are specially designed to better capture digital TV signals. And the direction, angle, distance, and type of digital signals in your area could influence your choice of antenna. HDTV is a picture format, not a signal format. Most likely a TV with an HDTV picture format already has a digital tuner (ATSC) rather than only an analog tuner (NTSC). However, if it is just a monitor, then you may have to attach a tuner to it, or attach a tuner to your computer, and the computer to the monitor. Actually, there is no such thing as an "HDTV" tuner. There are analog and digital tuners. All HDTV is digital, but not all digital is going to be HDTV. In Feb 2009 the U.S. Government has mandated that all broadcasters will cease transmitting in analog format and begin transmitting their signals over the air in digital format only. This signal requires an ATSC type tuner (digital) to demodulate the digital signal and display it on your television screen. All TVs manufactured for use in the U.S. from 1 Jan 2006 must have an ATSC tuner. Older TVs with the older style NTSC tuner (analog) will require a converter box to demodulate the digital signals. More information about the upcoming changes to TV transmissions can be found here: www.dtv.gov === ===
ATSC Standards document a digital television format intended to replace (in the United States) the analog NTSC television system (NTSC is used mostly in North America and Japan). It was developed by the Advanced Television Systems Committee. NTSC is the analog television system in use in the United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Mexico, and some other countries, mostly in the Americas (see map). It is named for the National Television System Committee[1], the U.S. standardization body that adopted it.
NTSC Tuner
Unfortunatly the Durabrand DWT1905 is not digital ready, as it only has 1 NTSC "Cable" input and a set of Mono A/V connectors. To make it digital ready, you would either need a Digital Converter Box, or a DVD or VCR that is ATSC compatible hooked up to it.