Does this tv need to have a digital tuner attached to it? or is it ready to use?

Depending largely on the age of the TV, the location of the TV tuner varies. An older analog TV tapping a digital signal does so with an external DTV converter box. For cable and satellite subscribers, there is a a set top box. Most TVs purchased after March 2007 have built-in digital tuners. Look on the front and back of the TV for a marking that indicates a digital tuner. It may say ATSC, DTV, HDTV, Digital Ready, HD Ready, Digital Tuner, Digital Receiver, Digital Tuner Built-in or Integrated Digital Tuner. Any of these is an indication that the TV has a built-in digital tuner. You may have to go to the manufacturer's site to determine such specifications. If you are having a problem with a tv switching channels, remedies may be rather specific and you might try googling for a specific model while including the problem in a simple phrase.

Looks like you'll need a converter.

Here's some background info:


Analog TVs were made up until 2007.

Digital tuners for over the air signals are called "ATSC tuners".

To tell if your TV has one:

-If the TV was sold as a "HDTV" or "DTV", it's supposed to have an ATSC tuner built in to it. "HD ready TVs" do not have a digital tuner.

-Check the specs in the owners manual or google the make & model of the TV to see if it has an ATSC tuner.

-If your TV's menu has an option for scaning for digital channels, then it has an ATSC tuner. If it dosen't have a way to scan for digital channels, then it doesn't have a digial tuner.

Most DTVs also have a digital QAM tuner that is used in some (but not all) cable systems.

Hello - The fact is that your TV, as a HDTV ready device, is really a display monitor that does not contain any TV tuner. There is no place to attach your coax TV connector.

To view TV on the unit you would have to either subscribe to cable or satellite TV service or buy yourself an external TV tuner such as listed HERE (I'm not recommending this tuner just showing the kind of device you would need.)

Regards and thank you for using Fix Ya.

Mikeywaf

Having looked at the specs for this TV, it would indicate that to receive digital pictures, you would indeed need an external set-top-box, as the tuner in the TV is a standard NTSC tuner, not a DTV tuner.

Your Hitachi 51UWX20B is an HDTV-Ready TV. No Digital Tuner. HDTV-Ready means that your TV set is capable of displaying analog and high-definition digital pictures, but without a digital tuner, it cannot receive the digital signal. An HDTV-Ready requires an external high-definition TV receiver (digital tuner) in order to receive HDTV signals. These external receivers can be called an HDTV Tuner, set-top-box, decoder or DTV Converter Box . So you will be required to purchase a converter box to receive over the air programming from an external antenna.

if there is a label on the tv stating any of these words “Integrated Digital Tuner,” “Digital Tuner Built-In,” “Digital Receiver,” or “Digital Tuner,” “DTV,” “ATSC,” or “HDTV” then yes
if they say “Digital Monitor” or “HDTV Monitor,” or as “Digital Ready” or “HDTV Ready" then no

Your specs are here, http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-tvs/sanyo-clt1554-15-lcd/4507-6482_7-32013875.html?tag=mncol;psum

unfortunately you have a

• Analog TV Tuner NTSC

and

• Enhanced Definition Television (EDTV) Monitor - EDTV Monitor refers to a monitor or display with the following minimum performance attributes:- Display Scanning Format: Has active vertical scanning lines of 480 progressive (480p) or higher- Aspect Ratio: None specified

You need a tv that has this:

Enhanced Definition Television (EDTV) Tuner - EDTV Tuner refers to a RF receiver with the following minimum performance attributes: - Receiver: Receives ATSC terrestrial digital transmissions and decodes all ATSC Table 3 video formats.

So Sorry, the tuner is not Digital.

I doubt it. EDTV "ready" usually means that it can read a digital signal if you have tuner. If it were to say "intergrated" that means the tuner is built into the t.v. and you would not need to purchase or rent a tuner.

Its tuner is NTSC, which will not tune in digital stations. I didn't see a DTV tuner mentioned anywhere on the specs, so don't think it will work. I myself have one and will soon purchase a converter box with the $40 rebate from the government.

Your TV is an "HD-Ready" television. What this means is that your TV is ready to accept HD input from an outside source, but doesn't have the ability to produce the content itself. It is a monitor and does not have a digital tuner. Without a digital tuner (or for cable a QAM tuner) you will not receive OTA broadcast HD.

You need to purchase a High Definition capable set-top converter box. The converter box will have HD component out and may have HDMI out, either will feed your HD Ready TV.