The tuner is your TV is ONLY for OTA (over-the-air) or otherwise known a broadcast channels, such as NBC, ABC, CBS and so on. It can ONLY receive those channels in the digital format IF they are broacast in the digital/HD format in your DMA or in newbie terms your "area". if you would like to view digital or HD cable or digital or HD satellite on any system is the U.S you will REQUIRE a STB (Set-top-box) or external tuner. Your TV has no more ability to tune or process a digital/HD signal on cable or satellite then a computer monitor. with yours and most HDTV's (other then cableCARD/Qam HDTV's) you MUST have a STB to pre tune all digital or HD content on any pay service.