can some explain QAM vs ATSC vs...

[amheck]

in laymans terms, pls?

We're shopping for a new TV which probably won't have a cable card slot, and won't ever be hooked up to a STB. Just a small LCD fed direct from coax from BHN.

I know that we'll only be able to get 2-99, but I THINK, with one of those above tuners, we should be able to pick up the HD channels, right? At least the locals?

Thanks!
Aaron

[bdraw]

QAM is the way cable companies encode signals for digital cable. If you want to just connect a BHN cable into your TV and watch HD you'll need this. Manufactures aren't very clear about which TVs have this and most employees at big box stores don't know what it is.

ATSC is what you'll need to watch free OTA (over the air) HD with an antenna. Every TV sold today requires one of these, but it won't do you any good if you don't have an antenna.

[amheck]

QAM is the way cable companies encode signals for digital cable. If you want to just connect a BHN cable into your TV and watch HD you'll need this. Manufactures aren't very clear about which TVs have this and most employees at big box stores don't know what it is.

ATSC is what you'll need to watch free OTA (over the air) HD with an antenna. Every TV sold today requires one of these, but it won't do you any good if you don't have an antenna.

Thanks Ben, good info. Yeah, reading the tags for each TV, some listed the tuners the set had, and other didn't. I'm hoping to narrow it down to a few models and them come back to the manufacturer's site and find out if it has QAM or not.

Aaron

[bdraw]

I can tell you that the Samsung I recently reviewed worked very well with Verizon's free QAM channels.
www.engadgethd.com/2007/10/10/engadget-hd-review-ln-t4671f-120hz-hdtv/

I'm reviewing a Toshiba right now that works pretty good too, but not as good as the Sammy.

[dprice]

I think the Big Box employees get commission for selling you cable or satellite service so don't be surprised if you get little good information on QAM tuners. Like you said, look it up on the web if you can't find it on the box.

Don