Whirled One
06-30-2009, 09:48 PM
I've noticed every so often someone posts about being unable to find a reasonably priced ATSC digital tuner box with some form of HD output (for older HDTV sets shipped without tuners, or for use with computer monitors, etc). I've been using an older-model HD satellite receiver with built-in ATSC tuner for this purpose (and left the satellite reciever portion unused), but I just noticed the following new product on MCM's web site:
http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/58-13285
MCM has offered an ATSC tuner with HD output for some years, but it was rather spendy to say the least. This new one is much less expensive-- in fact, at $59.95, it's actually price-competitive with the common standard-def ATSC boxes. [Of course, this HD tuner would not be eligible for the "converter box" coupon program.] Downsides? It appears to only have component output for high-def formats (up to 1080i), so if you need HDMI, you're out of luck. [It also has composite and S-Video, but of course those would be SD only] Also, it's from Coby, which as everyone knows, is a mark indicating a product of impeccably high quality. :rolleyes: It also looks like Coby (or whatever company actually made the thing) has saved some cabinet design work by recycling the case from one of their cheap DVD players.
On the other hand, being a Coby product, you'll probably be able to get this at any number of popular mass-merchandisers soon enough.
Disclaimer: I do not work for MCM or its affiliates, and have never actually used this particular product or seen it in person, so have no idea of its quality (or lack thereof). I just thought I'd point this out since it is a product that may be of interest to some folks here.
http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/58-13285
MCM has offered an ATSC tuner with HD output for some years, but it was rather spendy to say the least. This new one is much less expensive-- in fact, at $59.95, it's actually price-competitive with the common standard-def ATSC boxes. [Of course, this HD tuner would not be eligible for the "converter box" coupon program.] Downsides? It appears to only have component output for high-def formats (up to 1080i), so if you need HDMI, you're out of luck. [It also has composite and S-Video, but of course those would be SD only] Also, it's from Coby, which as everyone knows, is a mark indicating a product of impeccably high quality. :rolleyes: It also looks like Coby (or whatever company actually made the thing) has saved some cabinet design work by recycling the case from one of their cheap DVD players.
On the other hand, being a Coby product, you'll probably be able to get this at any number of popular mass-merchandisers soon enough.
Disclaimer: I do not work for MCM or its affiliates, and have never actually used this particular product or seen it in person, so have no idea of its quality (or lack thereof). I just thought I'd point this out since it is a product that may be of interest to some folks here.