SDI, coax, rca-3, HDMI

[cassidyk]

Hi. To begin with I live in a remote area where distant OTA Broadcast or Satellite are the only options. We are not getting Satellite anytime soon. When the TV signal went digital we acquired a converter box with Coax in and 3-RCA + Coax out, and also what was claimed to be a "HDTV antenna"
I am fixin to buy a new TV and note they all seem to have HDMI in but do not accommodate coax or -RCA..
So I looked about for answers here and other places and keep coming across folks saying HD does not flow in coax cables. If this is true then why for the love of god does every single "HDTV" antenna sold only have coax cable? I am not able to find a single one that has HDMI cable.
So for the sake of awaiting that answer and asking another I will assume the HD signal is ok in the antennas coax cable and must be then altered by what is happening in the "converter box"
Now to my real question~ must I acquire a new converter box that has an HDMI output native like http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812510001&cm_re=hdmi_tv_conveter_box-_-12-510-001-_-Product or will simply using a cable such as http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA1341UP5568&cm_re=HDMI_to_3-RCA-_-9SIA1341UP5568-_-Product work the same with the converter box I have now?

Thank you so very much for your time and answers in advance.

 

[jsmithepa]

I don't know at what dark corner of the Internet are you getting all these but... (I've been doing this since Trinitrons):

ALL TV have coax input, that's REQUIRED for OTA, if TV has no coax then it's NOT a TV, it's simply a monitor that requires an external box to do the tuning (channel selection) and possible conversion.

If you are about to buy a (real) TV anyway, and not a monitor, that's all you need and a spiffy (roof-top?) antenna. Don't fall for expensive "HD ready" antennas. Your old antenna may work just fine for digital.

But in the per-chance that you are totally in love with this monitor at your local Best Buys... then you need add a set-top Tuner (converter), ideally box pieces will have HDMI connection, but if not second choice is component (5 RCA cables total), do not settle for anything less (3 cables RCA, technically called an S-VIDEO connection, not good enough for HD).

 

[cassidyk]

I don't know at what dark corner of the Internet are you getting all these but... (I've been doing this since Trinitrons):

ALL TV have coax input, that's REQUIRED for OTA, if TV has no coax then it's NOT a TV, it's simply a monitor that requires an external box to do the tuning (channel selection) and possible conversion.

If you are about to buy a (real) TV anyway, and not a monitor, that's all you need and a spiffy (roof-top?) antenna. Don't fall for expensive "HD ready" antennas. Your old antenna may work just fine for digital.

But in the per-chance that you are totally in love with this monitor at your local Best Buys... then you need add a set-top Tuner (converter), ideally box pieces will have HDMI connection, but if not second choice is component (5 RCA cables total), do not settle for anything less (3 cables RCA, technically called an S-VIDEO connection, not good enough for HD).

Ty for reply So yeah I looked around a bit more and discovered that both types are being sold as TVs, those with and without tuners and the devices with tuners do indeed have RF(terrestrial or coax) and -RCA input.
I am still very curious about the fact that OTA Broadcast "broadcasts" a HD signal, yet all of the "HDTV" antennas seem to have RF (coax) cable. So what's the deal?

 

[jsmithepa]

I am still very curious about the fact that OTA Broadcast "broadcasts" a HD signal,

That's not true. A smallish TV station may broadcast an old SD signal, but your HD TV can receive anyway.

yet all of the "HDTV" antennas seem to have RF (coax) cable. So what's the deal?

ALL TV (with tuner) regardless of HD or not MUST have RF, so I don't know what you are talking about.

 

[americanaudiophile]

Get a TV with a built in ATSC tuner and you won't need an external box unless you want one that has recording functions so you can record one program and watch another.
HD antennas pick up RF signals. That's why they have an RF connector. The tuner outputs a digital video signal so HDMI is used. That has digital audio too.
An ATSC over the air tuner (which outputs via HDMI) outputs an HD picture. A "digital converter box" (which outputs via RF channel 3/4 or AV) is meant for an older SD TVs that only have analog over the air tuners built in..
. Check with neighbors as to what kind of antenna works best in your area.