Akai HDTV1080i Monitor

Does the Genie box have screen settings in in? Sometimes hd will show in smaller screens. Makes the picture nicer. If you adjust the screen size with your remote the high definition "niceness" will not be there.

I bought a 42" Akai TV that really was just a monitor because it didn't have a built in tuner. I dug up an old vcr hooked my cable up to it and plugged rca cables to the composite out on the vcr to the composite in on the tv and set the input on my TV to run off that input.I was able to change channels through the vcr it worked like a cable box. Thats just an idea that could save some bucks. Oh yeah, if you do this make sure you get an older vcr that has a tuner in it.

Your TV is only a HD MONITOR, NO TUNER. You need to use cable box with video and sound outputs.
Look at the spec here:
http://www.buy.com/prod/akai-pdp4206em-42-plasma-tv-42-ntsc-16-9-16-7-million-colors-24-bit/q/loc/111/203086492.html

That unit has a NTSC tuner. May be HD Ready but it does not have a digital tuner. Unless you live quiet close to a local Broadcaster, rabbit ears would be useless.
The only way you would be able to get HD is using a HD Set Top Box, HD Satellite System,
or HD Cable BOX, using the Componet or HDMI inputs.
Hope this helps
Skyassoc

This is not an HDTV. However, that does not mean you cannot use it to view the HD channels with DirecTV, you just wont be able to view them in hi-def. Use the component inputs from the directv tuner and plug those into the proper component inputs of your JVC. Once you see the DirecTV picture on the screen, go into menu... setup (with the directTV remote) and make sure that the only resolution checked is 480i. DirecTV with 'downconvert' those cannels to standard def, and they will still look pretty good though the component connection...

... now, in answer to your next question: "What exactly do I need to view HDTV with DirecTV?"...

1. A television that will accept 720p or 1080i signals.
2. A DirecTV HD Tuner.
3. Any DirecTV service BUT you must purchase the HD pack so that they will 'unlock' the HD channels
4. The proper cables to hook in between your DirecTV HD receiver and your HD-capable TV/Monitor. You may use either HDMI or component video cables, so long as your TV will accept them. Tune your TV input accordingly. When using component video cables, you must also run a separate cable(s) for audio...

Take care,
Rob

ps. DirecTV HD tuners do not have an RF 'out'. ("coaxial or ch3/4 connection")

Product Description
Akai is a company with a long history of innovation and leadership in the fields of audio and video consumer electronics. For the past decades, Akai has been a major factor in the electronics industry. From its early days of dominant marketshare in the reel-to-reel recording industry, to modern day state of the art home entertainment systems, Akai continues to be a leader in the consumer electronics industry.PRODUCT FEATURES:Console Model;Progressive Scan Converter;1080i HDTV monitor performance with add-on HDTV tuner;3D Y/C Digital Comb Filter;30-watt BBE stereo audio system;Dual HDTV component video inputs;Translucent on-screen display (OSD) system. its a add on for hdtv tuner on this model

if the tv has the red... blue...green ..picture inputs you hook in through there and you dont have to do anything because your cable sat box will seng the HD signal right through to your tv!

This set has several differant aspect ratios, could you have unwittingly change it to a zoom or expand by mistake?

have to purchase a third party tuner for my tv.

you will need a component or hdmi cable/satellite tuner for this tv.