HD from Cable for a novice (1 Viewer)

[Brian Sharp]

I am thinking of getting a Samsung LCD TV Model: LN32A330. In the description it says "optional set top box required for High Definition cable programming". I am not too familiar with how HD works in the States so, is this box provided by the cable company (Verizon) or, is it someting I have to buy separately?

 

[Brian^K]

Yes.

A set-top box may be necessary, depending on which service provider you choose, and what services you choose. Verizon FiOS, specifically, is going all-digital, but there is a digital tuner in the LN32A330, so you should be able to receive all the local broadcast channels via in-the-clear QAM without any set-top box.

If you want a higher level of cable service than that, you still have choices. You can secure a set-top box from Verizon, but you also could purchase your own, as long as it supports CableCARD, and get FiOS to rent you a CableCARD. Currently, there are very few choices along these lines, because there isn't much profit to be made, so manufacturers don't feel inclined to offer many choices. I can only think of one, off the top of my head, and it is a DVR (a set-top box that records programming for playback later).

 

[Brian Sharp]

Thanks for the info.

Brian