@ggma1126 wrote:
I have 2 lcd tv's (one in kitchen that has an atsc tuner and 1 in guest bedroom that has an ntsc tuner) both are digital tuners - the kitchen one is hd . Since I only use the kitchen one to watch locals would I be able to just hook an antenna to it to view the locals ? Also on the dtv with the ntsc tuner do I need a converter box even tho it is an lcd with a digital tuner? Or do I need just an antenna for that one also? I figure I can save $10 a month on my bill if I turn in the 2 fios stb boxes that are currently hooked to these tvs. I have looked online for answers but they are all confusing. From what I gathered if the tv has a digital tuner (whether ntsc or atsc) I don't need a digital converter box. Can someone clear this up for me I figure that's $120 a year I can save since these 2 tvs do not get much use.
NTSC = analog channels (none on FiOS; off-air NTSC channels are being shutoff)
QAM = digital channels (this is what FiOS uses, although everything but the locals and music channels are encrypted)
ATSC = digital channels from an off-air antenna
If your TV has a built-in QAM tuner, you can connect the FiOS coax directly to the TV and perform a channel scan to receive all locals and public interest channels. These channels won't be on the same numbers you get with the STB. For example, you may find the HD locals on 71-74.
If your TV has a built-in ATSC tuner, but not a built-in QAM tuner, then you would need to connect an antenna to receive the HD locals. If you're looking for a cheap set-top antenna, I would suggest this one for $12.99 from Radio Shack. For more antenna recommendations, see EV's Top Rated Indoor Antenna Review.
Start a new topic or ask questions in the open forum.
