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So I now own an HDTV-ready boob tube.

F

Fausto

Elite Member
As per this thread, I just bought a new TV. I've got it all set up for cable and DVD, but I'd really like to get some HDTV programming.

I can do Comcast HDTV for an extra $5 per month. The only catch with this is that the picture quality doesn't seem to be as good as the OTA HDTV PQ (this is based on viewing them side-by-side over at mpitt's pad).

So, what's the cheapest option for me to get OTA signals? The TV is only HD-ready, so I'll need a receiver of some sort. Are there cheaper options for this than the $300+ boxes I'm seeing at various electronics stores? If not, do any of these boxes do both cable and OTA HDTV reception? Do I have to use a box supplied by Comcast to get their HDTV signal, or will the techs set up other brands (kinda how they have a list of "approved" modems for cable intarweb).

Other question: to view HDTV, do you have to use the DVI input on the back of the TV? If so, how do you utilize both a cable and OTA receiver (assuming you have both)?

Yes, I'm a raging n00b, but humor me okay? 😛
 
For the best picture quality, DVI would probably be your best bet. But you can still get a great HDTV signal using component...
 
1) To get OTA signals, you'll need an OTA receiver--unfortunately, most receivers are in that $300 price range you're talking about. If you're in the market for an upconverting DVD player (converts standard 480p DVD video to 720p or 1080i), the LG 3510a is a combo upconverting DVD player/OTA receiver. Oh, and also has QAM, so if Comcast broadcasts an unlocked QAM signal, you can use the 3510a as your cable box as well.

2) Most cable boxes provided by cable providers don't have OTA receivers, but I would call Comcast and ask their tech support if their HD boxes do.

3) You don't need to use the DVI (although it usually provides great PQ). You can also connect via component video (YPbPr). S-video, composite, and coax won't do it.

4) If you have both a cable box and an OTA receiver, it depends on the inputs you have at the back. For me, I use component for the cable box and DVI for the OTA receiver, but any combination will work. There are also DVI splitter boxes on the market, if you want to go that route as well.
 
You can use componenet or DVI...as for the actual receiver, I would keep an eye out around avsforum and hometheaterforum, as you can find a good deal every now and then (used, of course) for around $200, give or take.

Congrats...and enjoy!
 
In a related sort of way, what's the maximum resolution S-video can carry? 480p? Or just the old-school 320x240/640x480?
 
Originally posted by: yukichigai
In a related sort of way, what's the maximum resolution S-video can carry? 480p? Or just the old-school 320x240/640x480?
Click to expand...

It can't do 480p. I think it can do some kind of 1152x864 for some reason... but it's really blurry and flickery...
 
Originally posted by: Fausto
Originally posted by: K1052
I must say: This TV + progressive scan DVD player = :heart:
Click to expand...
Haven't tried that yet. Still finishing up my HTPC.
Click to expand...

It is a wold of difference.

Though, the great deal on the TV has resulted in other HT purchases becase the set is so nice and my other equipment is so crappy.
 
Originally posted by: K1052
Originally posted by: Fausto
Originally posted by: K1052
I must say: This TV + progressive scan DVD player = :heart:
Click to expand...
Haven't tried that yet. Still finishing up my HTPC.
Click to expand...

It is a wold of difference.

Though, the great deal on the TV has resulted in other HT purchases becase the set is so nice and my other equipment is so crappy.
Click to expand...
Funny how that works, eh? 😛

Currently reading up on cables I'll need, an OTA receiver, and a universal remote. I'm sure my wife will be thrilled I'm going to blow an extra few hundred $ on more stuff for the TV. 😀
 
Originally posted by: Fausto
Originally posted by: K1052
Originally posted by: Fausto
Originally posted by: K1052
I must say: This TV + progressive scan DVD player = :heart:
Click to expand...
Haven't tried that yet. Still finishing up my HTPC.
Click to expand...

It is a wold of difference.

Though, the great deal on the TV has resulted in other HT purchases becase the set is so nice and my other equipment is so crappy.
Click to expand...
Funny how that works, eh? 😛

Currently reading up on cables I'll need, an OTA receiver, and a universal remote. I'm sure my wife will be thrilled I'm going to blow an extra few hundred $ on more stuff for the TV. 😀
Click to expand...

Just tell her that you need them, otherwise the TV is useless.😀
 
Originally posted by: Shelly21
D@MN YOU! You're taunting me with your quality viewing experience. I must not give in to this temptation. 😛
Click to expand...

We are the Sears 0% financing, resistance is futile.
 
Originally posted by: K1052
Originally posted by: Shelly21
D@MN YOU! You're taunting me with your quality viewing experience. I must not give in to this temptation. 😛
Click to expand...

We are the Sears 0% financing, resistance is futile.
Click to expand...
Yep. Almost 40% off retail plus 0% financing for a year was too much for even my notoriously frugal wife to pass up. 😛
 
I have the Comcast HDTV package.

For $5 a month I get the HDTV decoder. I also subscribe to the digital cable package and get more than just the local stations in HD. I looked into getting and OTA decoder, but the cost of the decoder, having to put an attena in, and general hastle vs. simply paying $60 over a year made the Comcast solution more appealing.

Comcast will be rolling out PVR HD as well which is an additional bonus.

Michael
 
Originally posted by: Michael
I have the Comcast HDTV package.

For $5 a month I get the HDTV decoder. I also subscribe to the digital cable package and get more than just the local stations in HD. I looked into getting and OTA decoder, but the cost of the decoder, having to put an attena in, and general hastle vs. simply paying $60 over a year made the Comcast solution more appealing.

Comcast will be rolling out PVR HD as well which is an additional bonus.

Michael
Click to expand...
I'm in the same boat, although I won't be getting the HD-PVR. I'm just not enough of a TV junkie to justify the expense.
 
Regular TV (digital or not) looks OK, but you can see the imprefections a lot more because the picture is bigger and the screen resolution is better. After a while you get used to it, but it looks bad when you first see it.

I had analog cable for a while (until the HDTV service was offered) and it did take getting used to.

Digital cable has compression artifacts that you can see more on the bigger screen.

Michael
 
Originally posted by: Michael
Regular TV (digital or not) looks OK, but you can see the imprefections a lot more because the picture is bigger and the screen resolution is better. After a while you get used to it, but it looks bad when you first see it.

I had analog cable for a while (until the HDTV service was offered) and it did take getting used to.

Digital cable has compression artifacts that you can see more on the bigger screen.

Michael
Click to expand...
The compression artifacts on the higher channels make me fscking nuts. "Crystal Clear Picture!!!" my ass. :|
 
trust me when i tell you this, OTA is a painin the ass, all my friends who "thought" this would be a better way to go regret spending any money on OTA euipment and their own tuner.

Just get the comcast HD, all the primetime shows are all shown with less cpmpression so they look a lot better.

We have two bigscreen hdtvs in the house and 3 of my friends have it, my roomate and I are the only people who didnt waste money buying OTA crap. All of us are now using comcast HDTV, its way more convenient and we get channels like hbo and such in hdtv as well.
 
Originally posted by: Fausto
Originally posted by: K1052
Originally posted by: Fausto
Originally posted by: K1052
I must say: This TV + progressive scan DVD player = :heart:
Click to expand...
Haven't tried that yet. Still finishing up my HTPC.
Click to expand...

It is a wold of difference.

Though, the great deal on the TV has resulted in other HT purchases becase the set is so nice and my other equipment is so crappy.
Click to expand...
Funny how that works, eh? 😛

Currently reading up on cables I'll need, an OTA receiver, and a universal remote. I'm sure my wife will be thrilled I'm going to blow an extra few hundred $ on more stuff for the TV. 😀
Click to expand...

I was looking into univeral remotes and just got the Home Theater Master MX-700 man thats a sweet remote id recommend that or the MX-500 after programmign them u can reire all the rest of yoru remotes.
 
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