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If you mean free Over the Air (OTA) TV using an antenna:
1) If you have an HD TV set, you don't need any kind of special box.
2) If you don't have an HD TV set, but your TV set has a digital tuner, you don't need a special box, but you will see the HD picture converted to a Standard Definition (SD) picture.
3) If you don't have an HD TV set and your TV set does not have a digital tuner, you will need a converter box. The converter box will convert the HD broadcasts to SD so your TV can display them.
If you mean cable TV, it depends on your cable provider and your TV.
If you don't have an HD TV, at best you will see an HD signal converted to SD.
If your TV has a digital tuner and it is also a QAM tuner, you might be able to receive some HD channels without a box if your cable company chooses to provide unscrambled HD channels. If your TV has an analog tuner or a digital tuner without QAM, you will need some sort of box.
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoThere are several alternatives to cable for HD television. They are dependant on the television and also the location.
Terrestrial broadcasts are now being offered in HD. A television with an HD tuner needs no other equipment to receive HD terrestrial broadcasts but a digital HD terrestrial receiver box may be needed.
Most areas have satellite coverage. Sky in the UK and Dish Network in the US are two examples. The UK also has the Freesat service - a free satellite service that includes SD and HD broadcasts. A suitable satellite receiver is needed but there is no subscription to be paid.
Cable providers provide competitive services to terrestrial and satellite broadcasts but almost all demand a monthly subscription. Depending on the location, satellite and terrestrial broadcasts offer free to air services as well as subscription channels.
Local television retailers will be able to advise on the availability of broadcasts in your area but be aware that their intention is to sell equipment and sesrvices to you so their advice may be biased towards subscription based solutions.
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Can you connect a non HD television to a HD cable box?
no
Do you need a high definition TV if you have digital cable?
Using HD TVSome satellite and cable networks do broadcast 720p HD, at this stage there are no full 1080 HD broadcasts. You need to live in an area where this service is provded and you'll need to pay a subscription fee and you will need a digital receiver with an HDMI output to your TV. Also, you can watch analog or non-HD digital programing on a HDTV. To enjoy the better resolution that HD offers, you need to get HD signals from somewere: Free HD broadcasts with an antenna, HD cable, HD satellite, HD/BluRay DVDs...
What is the difference in picture using a HD box compared to basic cable with no box?
A TV with basic cable will not have the same quality as a TV with a HD box. HD stands for high definition and improves the sharpness and clearness of the program.
Can you watch HD TV from Time Warner Cable without a cable box?
yes
What does a Sky Digital box do?
A Sky Digital box is a type of cable box. It is an HD cable box that records television shows that you set for it to record. It can hold up to 60 hours of HD shows.
If you have a HD TV do you need HD Cable?
no it just means its capable of HD old TVs cant do that
Does the Xbox 360 elite need an HD tv to play?
no, the 360 elite come with standard definition cable if you want to play in HD then you will need an HDMI cable for the xbox and a HD tv unless you using a standard cable
Does HDMI cable fit in dish network box?
To use an HDMI cable for your receiver, you need a VIP receiver.. Each of these receivers have an HDMI port you can use to connect to your TV. You also need HD programming to take full advantage of the HD receiver and HDMI cable.
Do all television stations go high definition?
No. they have to transmit in HD as well. You will also need to make sure that your TV is HD capeable, cable box or satellite has HD service, as well as HDMI cables to connect everything to watch in HD.
How do you get the best reception from your tv?
From a very good antenna or HD sat or HD cable co. converter box.
Why is my new HD cable box malfunctioning?
Sometimes a cable box malfunctions because of a power surge that consequently fries the box, unfortunately. Other times the cable box is not compatible with the TV.
Can you use an HD cable box with a non-HD TV?
This depends on the cable box. Most HD cable receivers have not only an HDMI output for use with HD televisions but also feature analog connections that can be used with non HD televisions. The analog outputs will only deliver SD quality so the benefits of an HD receiver won't be seen, but the receiver most certainly can be used and will display HD quality whenever an HD television is connected to it.
