Having a TV combined with an ATSC tuner is a very good option for cord-cutters looking to get free over-the-air TV stations.
Most TVs have a built-in tuner, but some displays, projectors, and computer monitors do not have a built-in converter.
External TV tuners are a good option and often have many more features such as recording live TV for later play-back.
Most low-cost units need an external hard drive or flash drive added for recording shows.
An antenna will also be needed to pick up the most stations with many options available.
Read Here To See Our Picks for Best Antennas
ATSC 1.0 vs ATSC 3.0 (NextGen TV)
Over-the-air TV in the US is slowly moving from the current ATSC 1.0 standard to the newer ATSC 3.0, also called NextGen TV.
ATSC 3.0 can deliver 4K HDR and better sound, but it is not backward compatible, so an ATSC 1.0 tuner cannot pick up those signals.
Most low-cost converter boxes, including most of those below, are ATSC 1.0 only.
This is still fine for now, as stations broadcasting in ATSC 3.0 are currently required to also send out their main channel in ATSC 1.0.
The FCC has proposed rules that would let stations choose when to turn off the older ATSC 1.0 signal, but no firm shut-off date has been set.
Broadcasters are also working on a program for low-cost NextGen TV converter boxes at around $60 or less, with the first units expected sometime late in 2026.
Some ATSC 3.0 channels are also encrypted, so be sure any NextGen TV box supports DRM channels.
There is no doubt many good units available with those below simply some of our favorite options.
As always, be sure to read the reviews on Amazon, forums, or elsewhere to be sure a unit is a good fit for you.
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Our Picks for Best External TV Tuner With HDMI Output
- Mediasonic HOMEWORX HW250STB
- iView 3300STB
- ViewTV AT-263
- ZJBOX ATSC Converter Box
- ADTH NextGen TV Box Gen 2 (ATSC 3.0)
Mediasonic is a well-known name making many good TV products, including the HomeWorx HW250STB which is the newest version of their popular converter box.
The back of the unit has a coaxial connector from an antenna and outputs 1080p HDMI to a TV, along with Composite and Channel 3/4 for older TVs.
It also has a metal case, a front display that shows the channel and clock, and Clear QAM for watching unscrambled cable channels.
Recording features are built-in but will need an external hard drive added to save TV shows or movies.
The Mediasonic HomeWorx is a low-cost unit that converts an over-the-air signal and outputs HDMI, but does not support ATSC 3.0.
The iView 3300STB is a very popular converter box that takes an HD over-the-air broadcast and sends it to a TV via HDMI.
It can also record and pause live TV once set up with a USB storage device which is not included.
Other features include a built-in digital clock, program guide, media player, and Clear QAM for unscrambled cable channels.
It is a low-cost unit that is simple to set up and a good option for anyone wanting basic DVR features.
ViewTV makes the AT-263 which converts an OTA signal and outputs via HDMI, YPbPr, or Coaxial.
A lot of features are programmed into the box, such as Auto Tuning, Program guide, Recording PVR, Closed Caption, Favorite Channels List, and Parental Control options.
The USB port is on the front of the unit, which makes it easy to plug in a flash drive or hard drive for recording.
The ZJBOX is a good simple unit that can convert an over-the-air TV signal and output 1080p via HDMI.
It also has a USB slot for a hard drive or flash drive to be used for recording, along with timer settings for scheduled recording.
It is one of the best selling converter boxes on Amazon and is a very low-cost option.
The ADTH NextGen TV Box Gen 2 is a good option for anyone wanting to pick up both ATSC 1.0 and the newer ATSC 3.0 NextGen TV signals.
It outputs up to 4K HDR via HDMI when a station is broadcasting in 4K, and supports Dolby audio.
It can also play encrypted DRM channels without an internet connection and has built-in DVR recording with more storage added by USB or microSD card.
It does cost more than a standard ATSC 1.0 box, so it is mainly worth it if local stations in your area are already broadcasting NextGen TV.
Summary
Most TVs already have a TV tuner and only need an antenna to start picking up free OTA TV.
Many people still buy a dedicated box as they are low-cost and have many more features such as recording shows.
The DVR features usually require a device to record to, such as a flash drive or external hard drive, which are not included with most boxes.
External USB hard drives are usually the best option for recording as many boxes do not recommend flash drives for recording.
USB flash drives are low-cost and can still work well for light recording or playing back media files.
An external antenna will also be needed for the best results with many options available.
Keep in mind most low-cost boxes are ATSC 1.0 only, so a NextGen TV box may be needed down the road as stations move to ATSC 3.0.
Dedicated High Definition TV tuner boxes are low-cost units that are almost a must-have for any cord cutter.
Hey I m looking for a solution I want to install the Phillips hue lighting system to my tv the only problem
is the system needs to plugged into a HDMI input output to the television. I only watch over the air , no cable ect.
How can I accomplish this problem? any ideas?