Cable has changed the way television sets receive broadcasts transmissions. In order for this technology to work, the components of a television had to change, too. Cable not only affects the TV; the accessory devices must have the proper equipment as well. Breaking down the pieces that make up a DCR tuner will clarify its role in television and cable broadcasts.
Cable Ready
Cable ready is a label that manufacturers put on some electronic devices to indicate they do not require an external device for cable reception. The label applies to TVs, DVRs and any unit meant to receive a broadcast signal. An appliance earns the "cable ready" stamp if it is able to pick up transmitted radio signals via a coaxial cable or wireless technology. This differs from TVs that can only pick up signals with an antenna, which would require a separate cable ready unit to function.
DCR
Digital cable ready devices are a step up from the standard "cable ready" label. Digital technology provides a faster and smoother transmission then the old-fashion analog broadcasts. Digital television compresses the video so it takes up less room. This is a plus for cable services because it opens up space for more channels and provides better images at the user end. DCR devices have a distinct tuner card that is able to handle the compressed transmission.
Tuner
Without a proper tuner, your TV will not pick up a cable broadcast. The cable company has the equipment to receive the data from the stations. The communication is sent to your television via a coaxial cable, but first the company encodes it. This means only a television with a proper tuner can decode the transmission and display the broadcast. A DCR tuner is already cable- and digital-compliant.
External vs Integrated
A DCR tuner is an external device that hooks up a TV for digital cable service. Some televisions have internal components that make them cable and digital ready in which each piece is built into the circuitry of the TV. These units do not require a DCR tuner. Even if your television is cable ready it may still require a DCR tuner. Older televisions do not have digital tuners and still need a converter of some sort.
Tags: cable ready, coaxial cable, external device, proper tuner, ready label, require tuner, television cable