Does my Zenith HDV420 have QAM tuner?

thoekstr · 09-02-2009, 07:05 AM

I bought an older Panasonic Tau CRT for my kids to play Wii on and the guy from whom I bought it threw in a Zenith HDV420 tuner box with it. I currently just receive basic (analog) cable through Comcast in MN and am wondering if I should be able to get the locals in HD using that box. I am finding conflicting information on-line as to whether or not that Zenith HDV420 has a QAM tuner or not. Can anyone speak to whether I should or should not be able to receive the local channels in HD using this box and the basic Comcast feed?

Bigloww · 09-02-2009, 07:53 AM

From the couple sites I looked at it does......
"Zenith's HDV430 terrestrial high-definition TV/digital TV receiver features a high-performance ATSC tuner for terrestrial HDTV reception--just hook up an aerial antenna and you're in business--as well as a QAM tuner for use with an unscrambled cable HDTV transmission using a direct digital DVI connection".

Not sure why you need to use the DVI connection though.
But the only way to know for sure is to hook your cable coax feed up to the TV and do a scan for digtial/analog channels and see what you get. .

thoekstr · 09-02-2009, 08:23 AM

I hooked up my coax analog cable line to the back of the Zenith box and the box to the TV with the component video cables and ran a scan; the result was "no signal". I'm fearing that this means that there is no QAM capabilities to the box, but wanted to check in with the experts on this site in hopes that I am just doing something wrong with the set up.
Also, the instructions for the Zenith box mention a 10db "attenuator" sometimes being needed.........would this make any difference relative to connecting to analog cable?
I am really not knowledgeable on this stuff, and basically was hoping to be able to get football in HD this fall without spending more money!

Loves2Watch · 09-02-2009, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thoekstr

I hooked up my coax analog cable line to the back of the Zenith box and the box to the TV with the component video cables and ran a scan; the result was "no signal". I'm fearing that this means that there is no QAM capabilities to the box, but wanted to check in with the experts on this site in hopes that I am just doing something wrong with the set up.
Also, the instructions for the Zenith box mention a 10db "attenuator" sometimes being needed.........would this make any difference relative to connecting to analog cable?
I am really not knowledgeable on this stuff, and basically was hoping to be able to get football in HD this fall without spending more money!

No, an attenuator reduces signal so it would be of no benefit. Evidently your Zenith does not have a QAM tuner.

Bigloww · 09-02-2009, 08:31 AM

I have checked a few sites on the HDV420 and it does state that it has a built in QAM tuner. But the strange thing is that quote next to it that you need to use a "a direct digital DVI connection". I guess that means that you need to use DVI/HDMI to the TV for the QAM to work.

Does you Panny TAU TV have a DVI or HDMI input or just component?

EDIT: You also stated you only receive analog cable service. You need digital cable service to receive "DIGITAL" channels via QAM..

Rick-F · 09-02-2009, 08:47 AM

As Bigglow said a "430" may have a QAM tuner the HDV420 does not.

http://www.audaud.com/audaud/SEP03/E...uip2SEP03.html

thoekstr · 09-02-2009, 08:56 AM

Thanks for the replies.
I guess I am screwed, as the TV only has component or S-video inputs.
As far as the cable, I am assuming that it is just basic analog cable, b/c I only pay $13 a month! (no converter box or anything)
I guess I will be picking up an HD-antenna and going that route.
Thanks for your input, though!

Loves2Watch · 09-02-2009, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thoekstr

Thanks for the replies.
I guess I am screwed, as the TV only has component or S-video inputs.
As far as the cable, I am assuming that it is just basic analog cable, b/c I only pay $13 a month! (no converter box or anything)
I guess I will be picking up an HD-antenna and going that route.
Thanks for your input, though!

There is really no such thing as a HD antenna, an antenna is an antenna. It's all just marketing hype to get you to spend more money.

09-02-2009, 07:05 AM	#1
thoekstr What is HD? Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 3	Does my Zenith HDV420 have QAM tuner? I bought an older Panasonic Tau CRT for my kids to play Wii on and the guy from whom I bought it threw in a Zenith HDV420 tuner box with it. I currently just receive basic (analog) cable through Comcast in MN and am wondering if I should be able to get the locals in HD using that box. I am finding conflicting information on-line as to whether or not that Zenith HDV420 has a QAM tuner or not. Can anyone speak to whether I should or should not be able to receive the local channels in HD using this box and the basic Comcast feed?

09-02-2009, 07:53 AM	#2
Bigloww "Shitter was Full" Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: In a van, down by the river. Posts: 8,118	From the couple sites I looked at it does...... "Zenith's HDV430 terrestrial high-definition TV/digital TV receiver features a high-performance ATSC tuner for terrestrial HDTV reception--just hook up an aerial antenna and you're in business--as well as a QAM tuner for use with an unscrambled cable HDTV transmission using a direct digital DVI connection". Not sure why you need to use the DVI connection though. But the only way to know for sure is to hook your cable coax feed up to the TV and do a scan for digtial/analog channels and see what you get. . __________________ Commit to the Indian.. "I don't get drunk, I get awesome".. Last edited by Bigloww; 09-02-2009 at 07:56 AM.

09-02-2009, 08:31 AM	#5
Bigloww "Shitter was Full" Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: In a van, down by the river. Posts: 8,118	I have checked a few sites on the HDV420 and it does state that it has a built in QAM tuner. But the strange thing is that quote next to it that you need to use a "a direct digital DVI connection". I guess that means that you need to use DVI/HDMI to the TV for the QAM to work. Does you Panny TAU TV have a DVI or HDMI input or just component? EDIT: You also stated you only receive analog cable service. You need digital cable service to receive "DIGITAL" channels via QAM.. __________________ Commit to the Indian.. "I don't get drunk, I get awesome".. Last edited by Bigloww; 09-02-2009 at 08:37 AM.

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09-02-2009, 08:23 AM	#3
thoekstr What is HD? Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 3	I hooked up my coax analog cable line to the back of the Zenith box and the box to the TV with the component video cables and ran a scan; the result was "no signal". I'm fearing that this means that there is no QAM capabilities to the box, but wanted to check in with the experts on this site in hopes that I am just doing something wrong with the set up. Also, the instructions for the Zenith box mention a 10db "attenuator" sometimes being needed.........would this make any difference relative to connecting to analog cable? I am really not knowledgeable on this stuff, and basically was hoping to be able to get football in HD this fall without spending more money!

09-02-2009, 08:47 AM	#6
Rick-F 58 + 50 in. PDP 32in LCD Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 2,914	As Bigglow said a "430" may have a QAM tuner the HDV420 does not. http://www.audaud.com/audaud/SEP03/E...uip2SEP03.html

09-02-2009, 08:56 AM	#7
thoekstr What is HD? Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 3	Thanks for the replies. I guess I am screwed, as the TV only has component or S-video inputs. As far as the cable, I am assuming that it is just basic analog cable, b/c I only pay $13 a month! (no converter box or anything) I guess I will be picking up an HD-antenna and going that route. Thanks for your input, though!