HDTV Help Needed

[Alpha_Geek]

If you're on cable and seeing both curtains and shutters on a widescreen image, , then you can use the different aspect ratio settings of the set to compensate for this (usually called "zoom"). While nearly all broadcasters did transition to digital transmission, that doesn't guarantee all content being broadcast is HD. For example if a stations commercial playback system does only 4:3 video, and a commercial is send to them widescreen, playback would have both shutters and curtains.

Comcast often has digital avaliable without using their box. Try connecting the cable directly and rescan for digital (QAM) cable and see what you get. Channel numbers may look funny though, but you'lll get the picture.

 

[Kryton]

Our local Comcast allows reception of basics via HDTV (ClearQAM). I get maybe 8 or 10 channels digitally, 7 of which are in True HD.

I'm upgrading with DirecTV once the snow melts and gives easy access to the dish we have (they have to change dishes and I'm not willing to risk liability if he falls and breaks his neck). But the basics are all clear for the nonce, so I live with them. Can't wait to get real HD service.

 

[hamudm]

OK.
Although if you don't notice a picture difference, despite a 26" set, you should just shoot yourself, because you're blind in your early 20s.

I really don't notice a difference. I think this is due to having a crappy brand/smaller set but honestly HD has never looked that much better to me...[/quote]

Actually, Vizios are getting great reviews for the most part. I've seen a few in action and they look great!

 

[Spot's Meow]

Update for anyone who's interested.

Tested the HD over antenna and it's working fine. Hooked up the proper cables, can't see any HD over cable, but we expected this. I have a question though. I know that unless we subscribe to Comcast's HD service we can't watch the HD channels such as ESPN HD, Discovery HD, etc. But if a regular channel, say NBC, is playing a certain show in HD, will we be able to see it that way? Or will it remain SD until we subscribe to Comcast's HD service?

 

[Kryton]

All I have is Comcast's most basic of basic service (comes with the cable modem) and it gives me all the locals in Digital/HDTV plus 4 or 5 other niche channels I'll probably never really watch anyway.

 

[dkehler]

Update for anyone who's interested.

Tested the HD over antenna and it's working fine. Hooked up the proper cables, can't see any HD over cable, but we expected this. I have a question though. I know that unless we subscribe to Comcast's HD service we can't watch the HD channels such as ESPN HD, Discovery HD, etc. But if a regular channel, say NBC, is playing a certain show in HD, will we be able to see it that way? Or will it remain SD until we subscribe to Comcast's HD service?

If you're watching it on a standard definition channel, it will always be standard definition, no matter if the program guide says "HD". The only way you'll be seeing high definition is if you are watching a HD channel that is showing an HD program.

 

[Alpha_Geek]

dkehler is right.

Further, if you do subscribe to their HD service and connect the new set to it with anything other than an HDMI cable, you won't be getting the best picture possible since S-Video and Composite video don't give HD quality. Get an HDMI cable, but don't worry about Monster cable. The signal is digital so all that has to get to the other end of the short cable is "ON" or "OFF".

(Yes, there are other options that DO, but I'm keeping the stuff simple for the people that are having trouble. HDMI is about as easy as HD hookup gets!)

AG