Dad using Coax on his new LCD HDTV

[marmasatt]

Hiya,

New to the HDTV game myself so not sure of the best way to do this. My dad got his brand new LCD HDTV and is going straight Coax into the back of it. I advised him that he is probably not really utilizing the benefits of the TV but I am unsure how to direct him.

For some reason, his podunk cable company doesn't have boxes. How does he utilize HDMI and the full effects? Do the digital converter boxes have an HDMI out or can he go through an upconverting VCR or something?

I haven't seen it yet but it's safe to say the quality is suffering, right?

 

[sivart]

depends on the cable company. If they have digital channels unencrypted and his TV has a QAM tuner then he may get some HD channels....saying that they don't have a digital service at all tells me that they don't offer HD programming.

Just have him hook up an antenna to the TV and he will see the locals in HD. Now if it only has one coax in (for cable and antenna) then there will be issues switching back and forth (mainly a new channel scan)....then again he might be okay with just an antenna and dump the cable company all together.

As far as the quality goes -- junk in = junk out.

 

[marmasatt]

Thanks. Sorry for the delayed response. This is the TV right Here - (42" 1080P from Wallyworld)

Just have him hook up an antenna to the TV and he will see the locals in HD

Why are you assuming he will see the locals in HD if you don't mind me asking?

Will there or will there not be any benefits to running the coaxial through an upconverting DVD player and then using HDMI to the set. I mean it can't hurt and might help right? Or you're saying it's no help whatsoever?

He thinks the only thing he is getting in HD is ESPN...

 

[ChaoZ]

It says the TV doesn't have a QAM tuner. You need it to watch unencrypted digital and HD channels by the cable company. I don't why his cable company don't provide cable boxes, you need it if they provide any type of premium digital or HD service.

One thing you can do is get an external device with a QAM tuner; DVD recorders and such. This will only get you the digital channels that are unencrypted by the cable company (ABC, NBC, FOX, etc).

If you want to dump the cable company and go full OTA, then you dad is set. The TV has an ATSC tuner so he will be able to receive free OTA digital channels.