I want to use an RCA F27645 for OTA channels only. What type of converter/antenna do I need?

No, the Ematic AT103B is an over-the-air digital ATSC tuner and will also can convert the digital signal to analog NTSC for older TV tuners. It will not work with any cable service and is for "cord-cutters". The AT103B requires an antenna to receive your local OTA channels. Depending on where you live, you may get some channels with an indoor antenna. You will get better reception with an outdoor antenna. See http://www.tvfool.com or http://www.antennaweb.org for details on the channels you can receive with an antenna pointed in a particular direction.

The Ematic set top box does provide an HD signal output and a DVR (time-shift function) so it is more advanced than the first generation OTA converter boxes. The original (available with the government coupon) converter boxes only gave an SD output.

I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells
(antennaweb.org gives a very conservative list of available channels but assumes an external antenna. tvfool.com lists the channels that are likely to be received with a variety of antenna strengths. An antenna signal amplifier can improve the reception. (Digital stations will not be seen if the tuner can't lock onto the signal.) However, when the amplifier fails, you may find some channels will not be received at all.)

Not sure this set has a built-in digital tuner. if not, you will need a digital tv converter.

This is an analog tuner tv there are no analog transmissions you need a digital to analog converter box to use this tv OTA. As tv transmissions are now digital.

You will need that converter box for the digital to analog system plus a out odf door antenna...radio shack is good place to ck...also ck out Amazon.com & eBAY
ck this outat Amazon.com http://tinyurl.com/m7xo528 for box
antenna here http://tinyurl.com/p2tsbra

This is an analog tuner tv,there are no OTA analog tv transmissions you need a digital converter box btween your antenna & tv

HDTV indicates the number of lines that are shown by the TV. (HD means that at least 720 lines can be displayed in a given picture.) To receive OTA signals, you need an ATSC tuner (digital) of sufficient power (with a clear path to the transmitter) these days. The RCA D52W20 was released in 2002 and only has an NTSC (analog tuner). You will need a digital-to-analog converter to receive OTA TV (unless any low power analog stations remain in your area).

Please note that the basic digital-to-analog converters that were available with the government coupon back in 2009 were SD (480i lines of pixels used) units. HD d-t-a converters exist but are more expensive.

I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells
(the phrase "digital antenna" is meaningless; check with tvfool.com or antennaweb.org for the direction of local transmitters. TVfool.com will give more information on the type of antenna (indoor, outdoor, amplifier) that you will need to receive channels in your area. Antennaweb assumes an external antenna but is very conservative in the stations that it will indicate that you can receive. Antennas are given a color rating based on how far away the transmitter can be to get a watchable signal. Since digital signals are either enough for the tuner to interpret or you get a "no signal" message, you often need a stronger signal than was needed to receive a watchable analog channel.)

You need to find out what antenna you need and the direction it should point to get your local stations. Antennas are given a color rating based on how far away the transmitter is that can still provide a good signal. The actual results may vary due to trees, hills and buildings.

antennaweb.org and tvfool.com are good starting points; just type in your address. Antennaweb.org is very conservative in the available channel list even with assuming you have an external antenna. Get the appropriate antenna and point it in the best direction for the channels you want. Connect it to the TV (coax) and set the TV to scan for OTA channels. (Usually the source or input must be TV and then enter the menu to set the TV to OTA signal and scan for all channels.) You do need an ATSC tuner these days.

If you are splitting the antenna signal to several TVs, you probably should add an amplifier to the setup.

I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells

What is your signal source, OTA or cable? Did lightning or another type of power surge recently hit? Make sure you have the TV on the desired input.

If OTA check your antenna direction and that you have the Channel Setup (from the menu) set to Antenna. Also check if you have the right antenna to get stations in your area. Antennaweb.org gives the most likely channels and directions. tvfool.com will give more detailed information and more stations. Both sites assume outdoor antennas but the direction information is always good. Look for new construction or big trees that might block the signal. Do you have multiple TVs sharing the same antenna? You might need an amplifier.

If cable, check the Channel setup. Check for someone recently damaging your cable installation (cutting the wires, trying to split the signal to get it for free) Splitting the signal to multiple TVs may also be an issue, get an amplifier of the correct type. Some cable systems may require a bidirectional amplifier.

If you recently had a power surge, see if the TV works with other inputs.
Tuners can be replaced if the TV is worth the labor costs for you.

I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells
( My household had three tvs and a digital to analog converter that lost their tuners after a nearby lightning strike. We chose to replace the TVs since two were over 15 years old and the third was also out of warranty.)

This set was made before it was required to have digital tuning built in. You would need a digital converter box if you want off-the-air reception. (The federal program at www.dtv2009.gov that is giving $40 coupons toward purchasing a converter is out of money right now and is only putting people on a waiting list. It also looks like the changeover to digital is going to be delayed again, so you might not need to worry about it for a while longer.)

I have a similar tv. Its specs. aren't clear about that point. It can get OTA digital via antenna, but my component connectors show no picture when hooked up. I guess if your cable co. sends digital signal it should work in the digital antenna input. Same one as for the OTA signals, and they claim no cable box is required.
I am awaiting any help and it may also apply to your situation.
Take care, breezelow