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HDTV and cabling question

charrison

Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
17,033
1
81
I have an hdtv and recently got digital cable(and cable broadband :) ), but it appears the digital cable box that we received lacks s-video or componet video out. Will composite video out be able to push a hdtv signal into the tv? Or do I need to have the cable company bring me a better cable box?
 

Mday

Lifer
Oct 14, 1999
18,647
1
81
since when is digital cable HDTV?

anyway, composite cannot handle the signals of HDTV.


hmm, you have HDTV, and got digital cable huh... so, um, charrison, do you need a new friend? =P
 

jeremy806

Senior member
May 10, 2000
647
0
0
It should be ok.

If you can get a STB with S-video or composite out for free, go for it.

It's not like there is really that much HDTV programming anyway.

Enjoy digital cable.

jeremy806
 

charrison

Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
17,033
1
81
That is what i thought. THere is currently not much HDTV programming, but it would be nice to be able to receive what is available.
 

Hayabusa Rider

Admin Emeritus & Elite Member
Jan 26, 2000
50,879
4,268
126
Oddly enough I learned the answer to this question a few hours ago. Had a talk with a rep from ATT broadband. Anyway, the short answer is no. Analog out, but with much improved quality. They are looking into upgrading, but that will require a new box with composite outs.
 

Nefrodite

Banned
Feb 15, 2001
7,931
0
0
can you pickup any signals with an external antenna? hdtv broadcasts aren't all that rare that way, cbs primetime shows are pretty much all hdtv simulcast. but cable is kinda iffy .. some do some don't:p satallite probabyl slightly better in that regard.
 

ScottMac

Moderator<br>Networking<br>Elite member
Mar 19, 2001
5,471
2
0
You wouldn't get HDTV out of the composite or S-video jacks anyhow.

Many cable companies offer cable feeds of the OTA HDTV broadcasts. Like, if the "regular" channel is Channel 5, the channel 5.1 (HD) would be on 65 (cable). It's gonna come in on the RF. You'll need an HDTV capable tuner to get it though.

Good Luck

Scott