Upgrading to Comcast HD, couple questions...

[techfuzz]

I just got a new Sony WEGA 32" HDTV this past weekend and I've got Comcast coming out on Friday to replace the old analog receiver with an HD receiver. Does anyone know what model Motorola (or SA?) receiver they use? If you had a choice between component outputs or DVI->HDMI to the TV, which one would you choose? Audio is a no brainer, either coax or optical depending on which outputs are available on the receiver.

techfuzz

 

[LarryS]

It depends on where you live as to what brand box you get. I would use DVI or HDMI over component although the difference is generally negligible. If you use DVI/HDMI use a cheap cable. If you use Component make sure you use quality cables.

 

[techfuzz]

I live in Norcross, GA (Atlanta area). All the DVI->HDMI cables I looked up at like ~$125 or more. Are they really that expensive? A decent set of component cables are 1/2 that!

techfuzz

 

[LarryS]

Look on Ebay. You should be able to get a cable for less than $20. All digital cables are the same. If the signal gets through it's 100% no matter what cable you use.

 

[Viper GTS]

There is NO reason to spend $125 on a DVI/HDMI cable.

http://www.pccables.com/cgi-bin/orders6...&search=HDMI&rsite=pccables.com&rcode=

PC Cables has tons of different DVI to HDMI cables, & nowhere near $125.

If you have DVI input you should use it, save your component inputs for something else (DVD or game console).

You don't need to wait for the install tech, you can just go to your local comcast office & pick the box up. Saves the "installation" fee and keeps their line techs from meddling with your system. It will be a very cold day in hell before I let a comcast tech touch my theater. Plus you get that wonderful instant gratification, you can have HD tonight if you want.

There are at least two HD set top boxes available, one with HD based recording & one without. I have the one without. I forget the model number it's the more recent Motorola. I'm not going to pull it out just to read the model number.

Also Comcast provides you with a pretty decent component + audio cable, so if you go that route you'll have cables provided.

Viper GTS

 

[jalaram]

Originally posted by: Viper GTS
There is NO reason to spend $125 on a DVI/HDMI cable.

http://www.pccables.com/cgi-bin/orders6...&search=HDMI&rsite=pccables.com&rcode=

PC Cables has tons of different DVI to HDMI cables, & nowhere near $125.

If you have DVI input you should use it, save your component inputs for something else (DVD or game console).

You don't need to wait for the install tech, you can just go to your local comcast office & pick the box up. Saves the "installation" fee and keeps their line techs from meddling with your system. It will be a very cold day in hell before I let a comcast tech touch my theater. Plus you get that wonderful instant gratification, you can have HD tonight if you want.

There are at least two HD set top boxes available, one with HD based recording & one without. I have the one without. I forget the model number it's the more recent Motorola. I'm not going to pull it out just to read the model number.

Also Comcast provides you with a pretty decent component + audio cable, so if you go that route you'll have cables provided.

Viper GTS

I think it's the 6200. I agree with picking it up if you know how to hook things up yourself.

 

[flot]

I'm not positive if it had DVI, but when I got the comcast HD DVR, it came with a ton of cables - even a 12' component set. I'd hold off until you get the box to figure out what you want to use.. it MIGHT just come with one.

When I unpacked all the crap I was like "wow, this would be $200 of cables at best buy..."

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: flot
I'm not positive if it had DVI, but when I got the comcast HD DVR, it came with a ton of cables - even a 12' component set. I'd hold off until you get the box to figure out what you want to use.. it MIGHT just come with one.

When I unpacked all the crap I was like "wow, this would be $200 of cables at best buy..."

I didn't get any DVI cables with mine, they just handed me the receiver + component cable + remote.

Carried it out of the store with no box, bag, or anything. Just loose pieces.

Viper GTS

 

[techfuzz]

You don't need to wait for the install tech, you can just go to your local comcast office & pick the box up. Saves the "installation" fee and keeps their line techs from meddling with your system. It will be a very cold day in hell before I let a comcast tech touch my theater. Plus you get that wonderful instant gratification, you can have HD tonight if you want.

I would go pick the equipment up and install it myself, but I doubt the Comcast offices are open after 6PM which is when I get home from work. I do plan on "preparing" everything for the Comcast tech by pulling out the TV, connecting the cables I already have, and then leaving written instructions for him. My fiance is going to be there for the install to "supervise" them.

There are at least two HD set top boxes available, one with HD based recording & one without. I have the one without. I forget the model number it's the more recent Motorola. I'm not going to pull it out just to read the model number.

I didn't request DVR so it's likely I will get the one without recording.

I'm not positive if it had DVI, but when I got the comcast HD DVR, it came with a ton of cables - even a 12' component set. I'd hold off until you get the box to figure out what you want to use.. it MIGHT just come with one.

flot, did you pick yours up or have the Comcast tech people come out?

techfuzz

 

[trinketsummoner]

I have a Motorola 6200 hooked up to my Toshiba 46" DLP HDTV. I bought a DVI-HDMI cable from radioshack for $49 (rip off, i know) and i thought the picture quality was actually better with component cables. My local provider (Armstrong) actually used some monster cable component cables to connect by box up. The other problem i found annoying with HDMI is if you turn your TV off, you have to turn the cable box off too, else they dont sync up when you turn the TV on again.

 

[techfuzz]

Originally posted by: trinketsummoner
I have a Motorola 6200 hooked up to my Toshiba 46" DLP HDTV. I bought a DVI-HDMI cable from radioshack for $49 (rip off, i know) and i thought the picture quality was actually better with component cables. My local provider (Armstrong) actually used some monster cable component cables to connect by box up. The other problem i found annoying with HDMI is if you turn your TV off, you have to turn the cable box off too, else they dont sync up when you turn the TV on again.

That would be really annoying to me if I had to turn off the cable box too. Every time we turn off the cable box it looses its programming guide and takes forever to resync! Sounds like a plus for going with component cables.

techfuzz

 

[SLCentral]

I use DVI to DVI for my Comcast Motorola HD box. Went from Component cables (which the Comcast people provided me with), because the DVI cable is smaller and I was looking to reduce cable clutter. Looks the same, maybe slightly better, but like people are saying, negligible.

 

[trinketsummoner]

Originally posted by: techfuzz

Originally posted by: trinketsummoner
I have a Motorola 6200 hooked up to my Toshiba 46" DLP HDTV. I bought a DVI-HDMI cable from radioshack for $49 (rip off, i know) and i thought the picture quality was actually better with component cables. My local provider (Armstrong) actually used some monster cable component cables to connect by box up. The other problem i found annoying with HDMI is if you turn your TV off, you have to turn the cable box off too, else they dont sync up when you turn the TV on again.

That would be really annoying to me if I had to turn off the cable box too. Every time we turn off the cable box it looses its programming guide and takes forever to resync! Sounds like a plus for going with component cables.

techfuzz

You shouldnt be losing the cable guide, hopefully the new box will fix that for you. The only time mine needs to redo the guide is if i pull the power from the back of the box.

 

[techfuzz]

Originally posted by: SLCentral
I use DVI to DVI for my Comcast Motorola HD box. Went from Component cables (which the Comcast people provided me with), because the DVI cable is smaller and I was looking to reduce cable clutter. Looks the same, maybe slightly better, but like people are saying, negligible.

I'm not really concerned about cable clutter, it's already cluttered enough that adding a couple more cables isn't going to make much of a difference.

From the sound of it, I should probably just try it with both component and DVI->HDMI cables and see which one looks letter to me. Although, having to turn off the cable box to get it to resync with the TV using the DVI is kind of annoying. I'll have to see if mine does it too.

techfuzz

 

[royaldank]

Properly calibrating your set some would probably be recommended as well. You can get cheap calibration discs around (stores, ebay,etc.) and get it looking better to your eye from where you are normally sitting. Avia and Digital Essentials are the 2 most recommended calibration discs.

I personally didn't see any difference in DVI versus component. I wouldn't worry about it until you run across a real cheap DVI cable since it's probably not going to make much difference.

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: techfuzz
I'll have to see if mine does it too.

techfuzz

AFAIK it's pretty much a given that it will.

As for the image quality debate I wouldn't worry about it. IMO the primary advantage of using DVI would be to free up the component inputs. UNLESS of course you want to use a HTPC in which case I'd put the cable box on component.

Your TV doesn't happen to have firewire does it? That's an option too if your TV supports it (passes the transport stream directly to the TV).

Viper GTS

 

[jondercik]

Comcast offices are open pretty late, at least 9pm. Give them a call and find out.

 

[techfuzz]

Your TV doesn't happen to have firewire does it? That's an option too if your TV supports it (passes the transport stream directly to the TV).

Nope

Comcast offices are open pretty late, at least 9pm. Give them a call and find out.

I'll call and see if there is one around me that is open where I can pickup the equipment. I figured they all closed at like 5PM.

EDIT: Offices are in fact open only until 5PM and you CAN NOT pickup equipment there, only drop it off.

techfuzz

 

[techfuzz]

Originally posted by: royaldank
Properly calibrating your set some would probably be recommended as well. You can get cheap calibration discs around (stores, ebay,etc.) and get it looking better to your eye from where you are normally sitting. Avia and Digital Essentials are the 2 most recommended calibration discs.

I'll get a copy of DE and pop it in. Thanks for the tip!

techfuzz

 

[edmicman]

my fiancee currently have comcast digital cable and once i move with her i was going to look into upgrading to comcast hd. does the hd box replace the regular digital cable box, or do you have to use both at the same time? what HD channels do you get? the lineup where we are (south bend, IN) doesn't seem that impressive....like just PBS and CBS for local stations, ESPN, Discovery, and if you have a premium channel then that, too. Is that normal for comcast? How can I get all (most?) of the major tv networks?

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: edmicman
my fiancee currently have comcast digital cable and once i move with her i was going to look into upgrading to comcast hd. does the hd box replace the regular digital cable box, or do you have to use both at the same time? what HD channels do you get? the lineup where we are (south bend, IN) doesn't seem that impressive....like just PBS and CBS for local stations, ESPN, Discovery, and if you have a premium channel then that, too. Is that normal for comcast? How can I get all (most?) of the major tv networks?

Comcast has to negotiate licensing for each local channel they carry in HD. Since the owner of a given network's distribution rights varies by region some regions have channels that others don't & vice versa.

Check out the HD section of avs you should be able to get an accurate list of what's in your area.

Viper GTS

 

[royaldank]

Originally posted by: edmicman
my fiancee currently have comcast digital cable and once i move with her i was going to look into upgrading to comcast hd. does the hd box replace the regular digital cable box, or do you have to use both at the same time? what HD channels do you get? the lineup where we are (south bend, IN) doesn't seem that impressive....like just PBS and CBS for local stations, ESPN, Discovery, and if you have a premium channel then that, too. Is that normal for comcast? How can I get all (most?) of the major tv networks?

Just one box. HD content varies by location. If you have an HD set and no HD feeding into it then I would highly suggest getting HD programming. You'll start watching different stuff just because it's in HD. And some of it is fascinating (ex. Lots of IMAX nature/animals films, etc.).

 

[SLCentral]

Originally posted by: edmicman
my fiancee currently have comcast digital cable and once i move with her i was going to look into upgrading to comcast hd. does the hd box replace the regular digital cable box, or do you have to use both at the same time? what HD channels do you get? the lineup where we are (south bend, IN) doesn't seem that impressive....like just PBS and CBS for local stations, ESPN, Discovery, and if you have a premium channel then that, too. Is that normal for comcast? How can I get all (most?) of the major tv networks?

You only use one box, it replaces the normal box.
Here, in Princeton, NJ, I get CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX, PBS, ESPN, InHD 1, InHD 2, and Discovery.

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: royaldank
If you have an HD set and no HD feeding into it then I would highly suggest getting HD programming. You'll start watching different stuff just because it's in HD. And some of it is fascinating (ex. Lots of IMAX nature/animals films, etc.).

Translation:

You'll be watching all kinds of useless crap you'd have never watched before just because it looks pretty now.

It's amazing the stuff I'll watch just because it's HD.

Viper GTS

 

[techfuzz]

Hey, the main reason behind my desire for HD was so I could watch ESPN's SportsCenter in HD

There's that and all the sports events that I wouldn't mind watching in HD either! I've heard cool things about DiscoveryHD though, I'll defintely be checking it out.

techfuzz