Receiving HDTV Broadcasts

[Ziploc]

We bought a widescreen (16:9) HDTV-ready projection TV a couple years ago. Our cable provider starting carrying HDTV broadcasts several months ago, so finally--with the aid of a set-top receiver issued by the cable company--we're able to view HDTV broadcasts.

I was curious how many of you are able to view HDTV....and whether you have 16:9 or 4:3 screens. Also, are you receiving signal via satellite, over-the-air, or by cable?

[Bill Balmer]

I got an HDTV ready tv last year, knowing that I couldn't yet receive HDTV without the additional hardware, but looking toward the future. I have "digital cable". I put that in quotes because it really isn't what it's cracked up to be - at least through my service (Comcast). Only channels higher than 100 actually have a digital picture, and none of them have digital sound. There's no digital audio output on the box, so the only surround I can get through my cable is pro-logic (matrix decoded).

I also bought the HDTV monitor for watching DVDs, and in that case it's great. Even on plain old non-HDTV broadcasts, the picture is substantially better than my old tv.

I'd like to hear more about your HDTV set-top box that was supplied by the cable company. This is the kind of thing I was hoping would come down the road when I bought my new tv. Does it really decode HDTV? The only decoders I've seen in the stores are pretty big money ($700 or more).

[kemosabe]

Ziploc: My cable provider is the same cable provider that you're using...!!!

No, we do not have any HDTV systems at the kemosabe household...

...but perhaps honda-pilot.org member HDTVEE has some thoughts on this...

[Res-Pilot]

I had mine four years ago HDTV 4:3 & can view 1080I in HDTV mode. I also have a sony HDTV receiver SAT-100 for Satellite (DirecTV). the only channel they have for HD was Channel 199, but now they have more with more of $. I just have basic.

[m-mmeyer]

This is the other subject i am very interested in! I have much of my hard earned dollars "invested" in my home theater. I currently run a Hitachi 57" 16:9 HDTV and a Samsung TS-160 set top box. I receive 6 HD channels from Directv and 8 HD channels from OTA antenna. I haven't looked back yet and despite being a early adopter and its problems I love HDTV!!!!


Matt

[TheWorm]

We just got HD via Comcast a couple of months ago. Love it. The channel lineup is somewhat limited (NBC, ABC, PBS, ESPN, SHO, HBO) right now but obviously they'll be adding more.

We're too far from the towers for OTA and I really didn't want the additional expense of satellite (any gear PLUS higher cablemodem fees).

Running a 43" Sony HD capable 4:3 with a Moto 5100 box.

Bill Balmer - here's info on the Moto5100 box Comcast is using: http://www.cjhengineering.com/5100faq.htm

[FLPilot]

Originally posted by Bill Balmer
I got an HDTV ready tv last year, knowing that I couldn't yet receive HDTV without the additional hardware, but looking toward the future. I have "digital cable". I put that in quotes because it really isn't what it's cracked up to be - at least through my service (Comcast). Only channels higher than 100 actually have a digital picture, and none of them have digital sound. There's no digital audio output on the box, so the only surround I can get through my cable is pro-logic (matrix decoded).

I don't have HDTV, but I just thought I would let you know what limited information I got from AT&T (taken over by Comcast recently). My buddy and I setup a dolby digital surround sound system for both of our houses. Since we both were paying for "digital cable" from AT&T, we wanted to know why it did not sound that good and also why it didn't have the digital out for audio. Long story short, the gentleman told us that it is not true digital picture/sound coming out of the digital box. The only reason I think he fessed up was because my buddy is totally into making these systems, but could not figure out the cable companies box and why it wasn't working. Of course everything the cable guy tried telling my buddy was a lie and he caught him in the lie. When my buddy told him everything he knew so far about the system and what he thought about the digital box, the guy fessed up. That's great, so if I called I would have been lied to and thought that I had digital cable. Oh well, just thought I would let you know my findings.

[Ziploc]

Originally posted by Bill Balmer
I got an HDTV ready tv last year, knowing that I couldn't yet receive HDTV without the additional hardware, but looking toward the future. I have "digital cable". I put that in quotes because it really isn't what it's cracked up to be - at least through my service (Comcast). Only channels higher than 100 actually have a digital picture, and none of them have digital sound. There's no digital audio output on the box, so the only surround I can get through my cable is pro-logic (matrix decoded).

I also bought the HDTV monitor for watching DVDs, and in that case it's great. Even on plain old non-HDTV broadcasts, the picture is substantially better than my old tv.

I'd like to hear more about your HDTV set-top box that was supplied by the cable company. This is the kind of thing I was hoping would come down the road when I bought my new tv. Does it really decode HDTV? The only decoders I've seen in the stores are pretty big money ($700 or more).

My HD situation seems to be similar to TheWorm's--same channel lineup (NBC, ABC, PBS, ESPN, SHO, HBO) and same set-top decoder (Motorola 5100 box) supplied by my cable company when I asked for HD access. I found the link provided by TheWorm describing this box (apparently intended for HD broadcasts via cable companies) VERY informative. In fact, it raised a couple questions in my mind that I'm going to check on with my unit.

There still seems to be a lot of misunderstanding about the whole digital/HD arena...and I've been told by others that I'm not the only one struggling with the technicalities to keep it all straight.

Re obtaining digital/HD broadcasts (if offered) from your cable company: Don't count on phone service representatives providing knowledgeable answers to your questions. When we heard our cable company--Comcast--was soon going to provide HD service, NOT ONE customer representative could answer our questions correctly. Some insisted that our existing cable decoder was all we needed for HD (not true), others tried to convince us that existing digital service was in fact HD (also not true).

One other sign that there's still a lot of adjusting to be done in transitioning to a digital/HD environment: I've found that TV guides that come in the newspaper are useless in trying to determine what programs will be broadcast in true HD. Even the big monthly channel guide issued by Comcast itself is not as clear as it could be on digital and HD matters. Just one of many examples: It took us several weeks to realize that ABC and NBC broadcast digitally on channels 180 and 181 concurrent with regular broadcasts on 27 and 24 over our cable service. The digital channels (100 and above) are more clear, albeit still at 4:3 (and I don't think they have digital audio).

But a true wide-screen HD broadcast--or wide-screen-format DVD--is a joy to watch. I'll be happier as programming continues to transition away from the 4:3 format. (I don't "Zoom" or "Stretch" the picture...just don't like the distortion.) And, a warning to those with 16:9 projection monitors who, like me, continue to watch much 4:3 programming. Yes, IT's TRUE what your instruction booklet says about "Shadowing" or "Ghosting" permanently etching on your screen if you watch much programming at 4:3 with the black "bars" on either side. Now, I can see permanent side "shadows" on the widescreen picture (though I've never had any problem with etching by station logos that stay on the screen, such as CNN's ).

Anyway, I'm enjoying what others have to say about HD in this thread! Since we're still in the small minority, I guess you could still call us "pioneers"!

[bigpuma]

hey Res-Pilot,

I recently purchased an HDTV with the idea that I would upgrade my other equipment over time. I also have DirecTV and am curious about HD content. I know I need a new dish and reciever but is that it? Would I also have to pay for a premium service to get HD content? Would I have to watch a different channel for ABC, NBC HD content?

TIA, BP

[hubby45251]

I am running a 51' Hitachi widescreen Projection with a Time Warner Cable supplied set top High definition box. Currently NBC, CBS, and ABC run simultaneosly on lower 5,9,12 and High definition 905,909,912. Discover runs in there somewhere. First off, let me say that the High definition is fantastic and makes it worth the money spent!!!! I find CBS is the best for broadcasting in high definition (Superbowl looked great!). As said earlier, I would like to see something that tells me what shows are in fact HD.

Now to get you really confused, I have two seperate hook ups for regular and HD. I have my HD running through Video2 and regular broadcast through AntA. We recently hooked up the DVR (digital video recorder) cable box. Currently they do not have a HD converter in there and not wanting to loose the HD capability to enjoy fast forwarding through commercials, I hooked the DVR cable box up to Video4. The funny thing is the tv has PIP as well as the DVR, so I now have picture in picture in picture! Makes it nice for the wife to watch a movie, the kid a cartoon and me to play video games!!!! Confused yet? no worry's, it's actually pretty easy!!!

[TheWorm]

I check the HD listings here: http://www.hdtvgalaxy.com/broad.html

You can also get there here: http://www.titantv.com/ttv/home/HDTVUpdate.aspx

[sfhondapilot]

to upgrade to digital cable.

We're still on Comcast's analog cable. Part of a dwindling population. They have taken most of the premium channels away from analog in an attempt to push an upgrade to digital - and we've resisted (much to my son's regret as he is longing for the cartoon channel).

Kinda strange that we haven't taken the leap. We've got our surround sound setup and a Panasonic PT-42PD3-P on a wall mount and the combination works simply great on DVD movies.

[TheWorm]

Originally posted by sfhondapilot
to upgrade to digital cable.

Ya don't need to subscribe to digital cable to receive HDTV from Comcast

$5 a month for the HD box and it's yours.

(we're the same way -- the co$t for their digital tiers is crazy)

[sfhondapilot]

Originally posted by TheWorm
Ya don't need to subscribe to digital cable to receive HDTV from Comcast

$5 a month for the HD box and it's yours.

(we're the same way -- the co$t for their digital tiers is crazy)

Gee, I didn't know that. Can you purchase the HD boxes instead of paying a monthly fee to Comcast?

From past experience the purchase option is usually much cheaper in the long run.

[m-mmeyer]

Originally posted by TheWorm
I check the HD listings here: http://www.hdtvgalaxy.com/broad.html

You can also get there here: http://www.titantv.com/ttv/home/HDTVUpdate.aspx

Keep in mind that you need to take these schedules with a grain of salt to, they have been known to be wrong quite a bit.

Matt