Why do TVs need tuners?

Newbie question. I understand the point of the tuner is to convert the analog signals into the display on the image. With the switch to digital, they still need digital tuners... But why arent tuners integrated into the cable set top boxes?

Why cant a monitor (with speakers) be used as the primary tv display and the remote controller is used for the cable box. Everyone i know always buys a TV (with built in tuner)... But it seems unnecessary.

TVs dont need tuners. My old TV was just a 37in monitor and it ran fine with a cable box. Most people never use the built in TV tuner if you have a cable or satelite box. The only thing you would use the built in tuner for is if you had like basic cable or something. When I had time warner cable I had one TV tuner DVR that I used on my 37in monitor and in my bedroom I had a regular 32in LDC TV with no box but I couldn't near as many channels on that TV, but I didn't have to pay for the extra box.

Newbie question. I understand the point of the tuner is to convert the analog signals into the display on the image. With the switch to digital, they still need digital tuners... But why arent tuners integrated into the cable set top boxes?

Why cant a monitor (with speakers) be used as the primary tv display and the remote controller is used for the cable box. Everyone i know always buys a TV (with built in tuner)... But it seems unnecessary.

XaosII

To your first question, the US Government required that ATSC tuners be installed in modern sets. To your second question a (PC) monitor can used as a television, but the cost of a monitor (per square inch of viewable area) typically exceeds that of a television, which is why it's pretty rare. It also needs to support the output format of your tuner or cable box, and not every PC monitor supports HDMI or component video inputs.

The only thing you would use the built in tuner for is if you had like basic cable or something.AutoPilotOn

There are many televisions without an ATSC OTA HD Tuner. These are designated as "HD Ready."

Happy gaming,

Boz

To your first question, the US Government required that ATSC tuners be installed in modern sets. To your second question a (PC) monitor can used as a television, but the cost of a monitor (per square inch of viewable area) typically exceeds that of a television, which is why it's pretty rare. It also needs to support the output format of your tuner or cable box, and not every PC monitor supports HDMI or component video inputs.

Bozanimal

Well, then im still somewhat confused. unfortunately i cant link as gamespot doesnt like complex HTML strings, but a list of cheap 19" LCD TV's from amazon are around $175. A list of 19" monitors (with speakers) from Newegg can be had for around $100. What is causing the $70+ dollar price difference?

[QUOTE="Bozanimal"]

To your first question, the US Government required that ATSC tuners be installed in modern sets. To your second question a (PC) monitor can used as a television, but the cost of a monitor (per square inch of viewable area) typically exceeds that of a television, which is why it's pretty rare. It also needs to support the output format of your tuner or cable box, and not every PC monitor supports HDMI or component video inputs.

XaosII

Well, then im still somewhat confused. unfortunately i cant link as gamespot doesnt like complex HTML strings, but a list of cheap 19" LCD TV's from amazon are around $175. A list of 19" monitors (with speakers) from Newegg can be had for around $100. What is causing the $70+ dollar price difference?

Well, then im still somewhat confused. unfortunately i cant link as gamespot doesnt like complex HTML strings, but a list of cheap 19" LCD TV's from amazon are around $175. A list of 19" monitors (with speakers) from Newegg can be had for around $100. What is causing the $70+ dollar price difference?

XaosII

Are you looking for a cheap 19" display, or is this just an academic inquiry? BozBozanimal

Thank you and AutoPilotOn. To an extent, both. A friend recently bought a defective 19" RCA LCD TV for around $165 and are looking to replace it. I think they can get a bigger screen for the same price, though.

They are not terribly concerned with image quality as price is their primary concern. I saw most low-end TV's are around $9 per inch and most monitors are closer to $6 per inch. Im still considering recommending them a regular TV as they are not very tech savvy themselves and will likely appreciate a remote controller to turn on/off the screen.

EDIT: They have a cable box for that tv.

I used to use this "monitor"

http://www.amazon.com/Westinghouse-LVM-37W3-37-Inch-1080p-Monitor/dp/B000EYZ994

Its basically the same as a TV but with no built in tuner. It was years ago and it was alot cheaper than buying the actual TV (a few hundred bucks)