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HD 101: What is ATSC, PSIP, QAM, and 8-VSB?

by Ben Drawbaugh, posted May 8th 2009 at 11:54AM Featured Story

HD master control
Once you buy an HDTV it doesn't take long before you get confused by all the acronyms. We love us some HD, but the days of simply bringing a new set home and plugging into a coax cable are long over -- at least for most. It is pretty obvious by the latest surveys that most people don't understand exactly what it takes to enjoy HD on their HDTV, but even if you do, you may not understand what most of it means. Now while this isn't the typical make sure you have your HDTV configured to watch HD post, it will help you understand the different ways HD is delivered.

Continue reading HD 101: What is ATSC, PSIP, QAM, and 8-VSB?

Momitsu BDP-899 promises out of the box region free Blu-ray for cheap

by Richard Lawler, posted Apr 13th 2009 at 5:31PM


Looking for region-free Blu-ray and DVD support? The Momitsu BDP-899 fits the bill, including BD-Live and Dolby TrueHD output. It's not clear whether multi region support is included by default or only due to retailer mods, but the BDP-899 can be manually changed between DVD & Blu-ray regions when there isn't a disc in the tray via a code input by the remote. We found a few reviews indicating its region switching and PAL/NTSC conversion works as advertised, though checking out every possible combination could stress anyone's disc library. At $349, it's the cheapest BD-Live compatible region free player we've seen, although questions about how fast Momitsu will be in providing firmware updates in case of problems might have the region switching consumer eyeing more expensive modded players from other manufacturers instead.

[Via CD Freaks, thanks Richard!]

Read - Quick review of Momitsu BDP-899 BluRay player
Read - BDP-899 (modified) Region FREE Blu-ray player review

Sharp intros entry-level SB series of 1080p LCD HDTVs

by Darren Murph, posted Aug 5th 2008 at 3:22PM

Oh sure, Sharp's doing the whole OLED thing because of societal pressures, but it's no secret where its passion lies. The outfit best known for its AQUOS brand has just introduced a trio of newcomers aimed at those looking for an "entry-level" HDTV: the 42-inch LC-42SB45U, 46-inch LC-46SB54U and the 52-inch LC-52SB55U. Each of the LCD HDTVs boast a 1,920 x 1,080 resolution panel, glossy piano-black finish, a pair of component jacks, a dedicated PC input and built-in NTSC / ATSC / ClearQAM tuners to boot. As for HDMI sockets, you'll find four on the big fellow, two on the 46-incher and three on the "little guy." The pain? Try $2,299.99 for the LC-52SB55U (available now), $1,699.99 for the LC-46SB54U (also ready to snatch right away) and $1,399.99 for the September-bound LC-42SB45U.

ASUS intros DVB-T My Cinema-PE6300 PCIe TV tuner

by Darren Murph, posted Jul 5th 2008 at 7:56PM


You're going to have to sit this one out, Americans -- unless you own a vacation cottage in Europe, that is. ASUS' latest PCIe TV tuner is aimed squarely at those in DVB-T territories, as the My Cinema-PE6300 hybrid card tunes both digital (DVB-T, obviously) and analog (PAL / NTSC) signals. There's also a hardware MPEG2 encoder to take some of the strain away from your CPU, not to mention an IR sensor input and FM radio tuner. In typical ASUS fashion, it's not even trying to dish out a price or release date, so our best advice is to simply keep an eye out if this is the card for you.

EVGA joins USB ATSC tuner game with inDtube

by Ryan Block, posted Apr 30th 2008 at 7:08AM


Not that there aren't already enough USB tuners to sate your media-obsessed palette, but EVGA wants us to make room for one more, the decidedly un-indie inDtube. Originally announced at CES (but apparently just now making its way to market), the inDtube is basically your run of the mill USB 2.0 ATSC and NTSC tuner with S-Video, RCA, coax, remote, and the usual software package (if you're not already using something like Media Center, that is). No price or availability yet.

AVerTV Bravo Hybrid PCI-E tuner handles Clear QAM

by Darren Murph, posted Feb 27th 2008 at 8:17AM


AVerMedia's latest PCI-E tuner isn't chock full of extras, but it's definitely packing quite a punch for $79.99. The unit plays nice with ATSC, NTSC and Clear QAM signals along with FM radio, and aside from letting folks tune into HD programs over-the-air, it can also record directly in H.264 format to save space on your hard drive and provide easy exporting to iPods / PMPs. Just what the doctor ordered? Fantastic -- it's available right now.

Best Buy kicks analog TVs to the curb

by Matt Burns, posted Oct 17th 2007 at 1:48PM

Best Buy is saying sayonara to analog TVs by announcing that it has pulled all analog sets from its shelves, which marks the first time a big box retailer of this magnitude has publicly announced an exit from the analog TV biz. Of course, this decision now enables the firm to shamelessly proclaim that any television purchased within the confines of its brick and mortar walls will work in the all-digital future -- and for those not willing to pick up a new set, it also stated that it will be participating in the NTIA DTV Converter Box Coupon Program starting early next year. At first glance, the announcement sounds like much needed progress towards getting folks ready for the 2009 switchover, but for moms and pops scouting a 13-inch analog CRT on the cheap for that garage / playroom, it looks like you'll be "forced" to check out one with a digital tuner... or an LCD. As if you needed another excuse, right?

ReplayTV launches Personal HD tuner kit, plays nice with iPod / iPhone

by Darren Murph, posted Sep 19th 2007 at 5:21PM

We've seen a number of USB tuners that make converting files for handheld viewing a lesson in simplicity, but ReplayTV is givin' you one more alternative. The Personal HD kit includes a USB 2.0 ATSC / NTSC hybrid tuner, an antenna, wireless remote (which fits nicely in a spare PCMCIA slot), a free year of ReplayTV Electronic Program Guide (EPG), and bundled software that features native iPod, Apple TV and iPhone support. This "all-in-one" solution for getting OTA content on your device of choice is set to ship this November for $99.95.

Saber's DA-1N1-I analog / digital combo PCI TV tuner

by Darren Murph, posted Jul 13th 2007 at 10:20PM


While most of the hybrid tuners we see 'round these parts are of the USB variety, Saber's DA-1N1-I is looking out for those of us needing a new occupant in a lonely PCI slot -- but we'd be careful calling it a "hybrid." This low-profile "combo" card should be ideal for HTPCs, and offers up an analog NTSC tuner with hardware decoding as well as a QAM-capable ATSC tuner for grabbing those high-definition OTA broadcasts. Meant to operate in Windows Vista and MCE scenarios, this sucka can even be installed beside a clone of itself for freaks that would actually use a dual analog / dual digital tuner setup, and the low, low price of around $99 ought to garner quite a bit of attention.

Zatz gets cozy with Moxi's forthcoming DVRs

by Darren Murph, posted Jul 6th 2007 at 11:24AM


Unfortunately, we can't fill you in on hard pricing or availability information on Moxi's impending DVR lineup just yet, but Mr. Dave Zatz was able to get a feel for what they'll be like when that time finally comes. Swinging through Digeo's office, he was able to spend a little time with the firm's Home Cinema HD DMR -- which sports both ATSC and NTSC tuners, an integrated 5.1 audio amplifier, and strangely lacks CableCARD support -- and the Multi-Room HD DMR (read: the impressive one). The latter unit is CableCARD-friendly, comes bundled with a Moxi Mate extender for multi-room viewing, and will support HD streaming via 1394 over coax. Both devices include a built-in CD / DVD drive (no high-definition options?), can interface with networked PCs, and even feature eSATA expansion ports for upping the storage. Of course, nothing official has been leaked, but Zatz got the impression that a "fall release" was in the realm of possibility. Tag the read link for more of the hands-on goodness.

Pinnacle kicks out $100 PCTV HD Stick USB tuner

by Darren Murph, posted Jun 6th 2007 at 2:53AM


The Pinnacle PCTV USB Stick that you may have grown quite fond of over the past year has finally decided to get with the times, as the newest iteration throws HD capability into the minuscule tuner while still ringing up a penny under a Benjamin. The Pinnacle PCTV HD Stick steps it down a notch from its Professional sibling, but still allows users to "view live television on their PC with pause, rewind, and fast-forward timeshifting functionality." Pinnacle's latest USB 2.0 tuner is "about the size of a key," gets all the necessary juice right from the USB port, supports NTSC and ATSC broadcasts, and comes bundled with the firm's TVCenter Pro software. Best of all, this no frills portable TV tuner can get live programming on your laptop or desktop right now for a mere $99.99.

JVC intros High Speed 2 1080p LCD TVs with 120Hz refresh

by Darren Murph, posted May 18th 2007 at 8:31AM


Just about a year ago, JVC introduced its first lineup of quickly refreshing LCD TVs, and now the company is reinstating its support by offering up adequate replacements. The forthcoming High Speed 2 series of sets will sport a second-generation version of its Clear Motion Drive technology, which enables a 120Hz refresh rate that was "designed specifically for Full HD (1,920 x 1,080) displays" and is said to "improve motion detection fivefold compared to the original high speed driver." Essentially, CMD II will offer up reduced blurring, flickering, and motion interpolation, and it will work side by side with the fifth-generation D.I.S.T. (Digital Image Scaling Technology) engine on the "JVC-exclusive" 32-bit Genessa chip. Additionally, the trio will sport three HDMI 1.3 ports apiece, a slimmer bezel around the display, and a whole lot less plastic compared to previous iterations. While there's no word on price just yet, the 37-inch LT-37X898, 42-inch LT-42X898, and 47-inch LT-47X898 should hit US shores sometime this fall.

[Via Electronista]

ACOGITO's Roaming Machine handles placeshifting, DVR duties

by Evan Blass, posted Apr 16th 2007 at 9:36PM


Hot on the heels of two other placeshifting technologies comes ACOGITO's Roaming Machine, which reportedly does quite a bit more than similar alternatives that port your television shows to wherever you may roam. In addition to being a self-proclaimed "HD set-top-box" that pulls double duty as a DVR, this dashing thin device can channel your programs to your laptop or mobile through MPEG4 / H.264 encoding, and relies on the firm's "patented Remote Control eXtensible Mark-up Language (RCXML) technology for a set of command protocols for remote viewing." Additionally, you'll find a trio of units to handle ATSC / NTSC, DVB-S / DVB-T / PAL, and of course, an IP rendition for the unbiased set. Notably, the company also brags about its LCD HDTV (affectionately dubbed the RoamingTV) which touts a built-in placeshifter, and while pricing and availability deets aren't available for either, you can purportedly catch both of these technologies at this year's NAB event.

[Via MobileMag]

AVerMedia intros AVerTV Hybrid USB analog / digital HD tuner

by Darren Murph, posted Apr 11th 2007 at 10:22AM


AVerMedia's no stranger to taking brave new steps in the TV tuning arena, and this time around its delving into high-definition with the AVerTV Hybrid Ultra USB. This USB-based breakout tuner handles both analog (NTSC) and digital (ATSC) HD OTA broadcasts, is compatible with Windows XP, XP Media Center Edition 2005, and Windows Vista Premium, and touts its very own MPEG-2 hardware encoding solution to boot. Additionally, the device is bundled with an MCE-compatible remote to control the action from afar, and it also enables the obligatory PVR action whilst supporting resolutions up to 1080i and both 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios. Furthermore, users can expect to pull in FM radio transmissions when not tuning into televised programming, and while we've certainly seen more compact ways to deliver a USB 2.0 tuner before, AVerMedia's latest is available nevertheless for $129.99.

Are there any analog TVs left at the store?

by Ben Drawbaugh, posted Mar 14th 2007 at 5:25PM

Analog TVWow that was fast, we didn't think it would happen that fast, but we stopped by a big box retailer to find that they didn't have any analog TVs on the shelves. In fact they only had three CRT TVs under 20-inches and they all included ATSC tuners. Did the manufacturers really just stop making these things before the deadline or did the store just not expect the old sets to sell through so fast and failed to order ATSC equipped replacements? We're pretty sure this isn't the end of CRT TVs as LCD models under 20 inches are still pretty pricey. Either way there is no doubt that we are moving in the right direction; towards the end of analog TV.




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