Good question and one that many people are confused about.
The simple answer is that it can show high definition pictures but it does not contain a built-in HDTV tuner. It means that the equipment can show you High Definition pictures broadcast by the TV and satellite channels, hard drive video recorders, DVD players and games consoles. |
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There are advantages and disadvantages to this type of set. The main advantage is of course that it is considerably cheaper. The biggest disadvantage is that you will need a box to convert the signals.
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The tuner is the way that the unit is able to receive the signals. It then converts them into a form that you can watch on your set. If you want to enjoy all the benefits of the HDTV programming with an HDTV-ready set you will need to purchase an additional box.
If you receive your HDTV from a cable provider they can provide you with one. |
If the unit you are thinking of buying has a built-in HDTV tuner that is much more convenient and a tidier option than yet another set-top box. However there is a price premium and they are considerably more expensive than a standard HDTV ready set, even when you take into account the cost of the tuner box.
Some of the new HDTV's are digital cable ready (DCR), which means they can receive digital cable channels, including HDTV if the cable provider has HDTV channels, without the need for an external cable box. There are drawbacks with this service too as at the moment. These will be discussed in another article.
Go back to FAQs from What does HD ready mean?
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