Do the new LCD televisions still need antennas if I do not have cable or satelite?

Question

If and when I buy a new flat screen LCD television will I still need to connect one of those box things if I do not pay for television service? My parents bought one at Best Buy and they told them they did not need an antenna but when we got home we still had to plug it in. When the switch takes place will we even need one if we do not have cable? I am confused and would like to know before I invest in a television that will cost me at least 1,000.

Answer 1

i just bought 2 lcd hd tv's and i am just using whatever antennas

i had laying around. i pick up all local analog and digital stations

including some i did not know were even there { mpls,mn}

i do not have cable or a dish

Answer 2

Yes you will need an antenna. In the US, Digital and analog broadcasts use the same antennas, so if your currently getting good analog reception, your current antenna should be good enough.



If you buy a new TV there is about a 99%+ chance that it will have a digital tuner built in to it, so you would not need a converter box; you would just connect your TV antenna to the DTV and have the DTV scan for digital over the air signals.



As to the other 1% these are things to look for:



TVs manufactured before March 2007 may only have an analog tuner. Some of these are labeled "HD ready". If it says "HD ready", it does not have a digital tuner. There is supposed to be a warning sign by the TV in the store if this is the case. There are not too many of these left and Best Buy has already purged these from their stores.



If you have some doubt, ask the sales person to show you the specs for the TV. The digital tuners for over the air signals are called "ATSC tuners". The ATSC should be listed in the TV's specs.



You cannot tell if a TV has a digital tuner by looking at it. You can buy convertional "tube" TVs that have digital tuners and they used to make LCD TVs that only had analog tuners.

Answer 3

TV's old or new will not work without some type of antenna... when you buy your LCD TV you will get all of your local channels like before because the tuner will be digital also.

If you buy a LCD TV with HD (high definition) you will need to pay for television service plus buy accesories that will be necessary to get even your local channels if they are not broadcast in HD, not all stations will be broadcast in HD.

Otherwise your picture will be all grainy or scrambled... if you have questions talk to the Service Manager only.

Answer 4

Televisions - no matter if they are HD or not - only display images they receive from either a cable box (or satellite dish) or else from an antenna.



If you don't have cable or satellite, you're going to need an HD antenna. The good news is that the government is currently offering $50 rebates to help people buy these antennas, so they'll be ready when the conversion comes in 2009.

Answer 5

Their name is Best Buy (which occassionally they are on the product being purchased) not Best Advice. Yes, you need an Antenna, Cable service, Satellite service or IPTV service (a Broadband Internet based TV connection) to get TV.

Answer 6

i've got had the two....in case you reside interior the snow belt component of america of a, you are able to unfastened your alerts for the period of snowy days, and satellite tv for pc agencies wont prorate the downtime on your bill like the cable company could do, and anymore, cable can compete with a sort of programs, programming, tivo, DVR.....satellite tv for pc look's greater low-value, yet you will locate out in case you unfastened a sign, basically how shopper friendly they are literally. bypass with cable for my area.

Answer 7

I watch or read everything...I love learning new stuff.

Answer 8

While it's true that some t.v. programs are better at informing and portraying than catalogs, catalogs in themselves are a getaway. I personally would have a book over t.v.

Answer 9

Yes, as long as your LCD tv has the built in digital TV tuner. If it doesn't - then you'll need a separate tuner.