How Built in HD Tuners Work

Technical Information

A built in HD (short for "high definition") TV tuner works in a very straightforward manner. When a television station broadcasts their programming, the audio and video information in condensed into one signal that is capable of being transmitted either over the air or to a cable or satellite provider. The signal then reaches your television via either a cable box or an antenna and the HD tuner converts it back into audio and video information that your television can understand and display.

Frequencies

Television stations all broadcast on different frequencies to keep their programming separate from their competitors. Your television refers to these separate frequencies as channels. The built in HD tuner can differentiate between and change back and forth from the different channels with the click of a button. When you press the "Channel" button on your remote control, what you are really doing is telling your built in HD tuner to start receiving broadcasts from a different frequency.

Sync Up

Because audio and video information is condensed into one signal at broadcast, and important job of the built in HD tuner is to reassemble that information properly. The tuner will sync up the audio and the video to make sure they are playing correctly and that there is no delay between either. If you ever watch a television program and the sound of someone talking comes before or after you actually see them talk, there is more than likely a problem with your built in HD tuner.