What tuner is better - Silicon or Aluminum?

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I plan to purchase the Zinwell ZAT-950A or Zinwell ZAT-970A DTV
converter. This is the same as their original ZAT-970 except the "A"
is for analog passthru.

They're identical, except for this: (copied from advertisment)

"The difference between the ZAT970A and the ZAT950A is the 950 has a
Silicon tuner, and the 970 has a Aluminum or can tuner. Tuner
preference varies by user."

Great, but I have no clue what preference I have because I know
nothing about them. (And I know much more about electronics than the
average guy).

What is better?
How does each work?
Why is there a difference anyhow?

Before I order, I'd like to know this.

(From what I heard, the 950A is the newer one, even though the number
is lower).

Thanks

 

[Arfa Daily]

I plan to purchase the Zinwell ZAT-950A or Zinwell ZAT-970A DTV
converter. This is the same as their original ZAT-970 except the "A"
is for analog passthru.

They're identical, except for this: (copied from advertisment)

"The difference between the ZAT970A and the ZAT950A is the 950 has a
Silicon tuner, and the 970 has a Aluminum or can tuner. Tuner
preference varies by user."

Great, but I have no clue what preference I have because I know
nothing about them. (And I know much more about electronics than the
average guy).

What is better?
How does each work?
Why is there a difference anyhow?

Before I order, I'd like to know this.

(From what I heard, the 950A is the newer one, even though the number
is lower).

Thanks

I can only imagine that they mean that one has a conventional stand-alone
tuner module, which is fabricated in the normal way, using surface mount
components on a pcb, all jammed into the traditional ally can, and then
grafted into the rest of the unit, and the other uses the later tuner type
where everything is done on basically one IC. These are often known as ZIF
or zero IF tuners, and commonly appear in sat receivers and the like. As the
whole thing is nothing but an IC with a few general support components, I
suppose that may be grounds for referring to it as a "silicon" tuner ...

see for instance

http://eetimes.eu/products/rf_micro/199201073

Arfa

 

[Andy]

I plan to purchase the Zinwell ZAT-950A or Zinwell ZAT-970A DTV
converter. This is the same as their original ZAT-970 except the "A"
is for analog passthru.

They're identical, except for this: (copied from advertisment)

"The difference between the ZAT970A and the ZAT950A is the 950 has a
Silicon tuner, and the 970 has a Aluminum or can tuner. Tuner
preference varies by user."

Great, but I have no clue what preference I have because I know
nothing about them. (And I know much more about electronics than the
average guy).

What is better?

The silicon tuner should be better.
http://www.fusionhdtv.co.kr/ENG/products/FusionHDTV7RTGold.aspx
Can tuner
http://www.fusionhdtv.co.kr/eng/Products/RTGold.aspx

How does each work?

Their basic function is to receive and demodulate DTV signals.

Why is there a difference anyhow?

The march of technology results in higher integration of functions.

 

[Arfa Daily]

The silicon tuner should be better.
http://www.fusionhdtv.co.kr/ENG/products/FusionHDTV7RTGold.aspx
Can tuner
http://www.fusionhdtv.co.kr/eng/Products/RTGold.aspx

Their basic function is to receive and demodulate DTV signals.

The march of technology results in higher integration of functions.

Looking at the links that Andy has put up, it does appear to be exactly as I
said, and I would therefore agree with him that the 'silicon tuner' ie
chip-based product will provide the superior functionality / performance.

Arfa