According to the Consumer Electronics Association's latest consumer survey regarding the digital television transition, nine million households are likely to purchase HDTV products over the next 18 months and another 30 million consumers consider themselves likely purchasers within the next three years.

ViewSonic Corp. today announced the NextVision HD10, a high-definition television (HDTV) tuner that allows users to view over-the-air digital programming on HDTV-ready televisions. The HD10 provides clear reception of the growing number of high definition, enhanced and standard TV signals available on local broadcast stations.

Compatible with any display that features component, composite or S-video inputs, the HD10 high definition tuner is designed for VHF, UHF and all 18 ATSC signal formats. With Dolby AC-3 digital and MPEG audio decoding, it connects digital audio to surround sound home entertainment systems. The HD10 supports all TV scanning formats (480i, 480p, 720p and 1080i) and displays content in both 16:9 widescreen and 4:3 aspect ratios. An electronic programming guide is available in the HDTV channel range for the users convenience.

According to the Consumer Electronics Association's latest consumer survey regarding the digital television transition, nine million households are likely to purchase HDTV products over the next 18 months and another 30 million consumers consider themselves likely purchasers within the next three years. The HD10 offers consumers the ability to view all HD content available from their local, free over-the-air broadcast stations.

U.S. consumers spend millions of dollars a year on televisions that are capable of displaying digital resolutions, but most are not receiving HDTV content because of the extra fees associated with the process, said Gene Ornstead, director, Advanced TV Products, ViewSonic. The HD10 allows them to take full advantage of their advanced televisions without paying extra subscription fees for local HD programming.

The HD10 will be available in April through authorized ViewSonic resellers, distributors, mail order and retail outlets for an estimated street price of $399.