• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

What is the deal with HDTV?

K

Kryhs

Member
Ok, I know that sometime "soon" cable broadcasts have to be HD. Does that mean my current crappy standard TV will not be able to be used for cable at all? Or will I just get a non HD version of whatever the broadcast is? Also, is there an official date for when the change is happening?
 
Basically you'll need a cable box - you won't be able to get cable broadcasts straight from coax anymore. At least that's my impression of what gov't-mandated digital TV will mean. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Also, the date keeps getting pushed back. I think it's currently 2009, so you've got a while.
 
They don't have to be HD, they have to be digital. That doesn't mean they'll automaticallly stop sending out analog signals. most major networks already are sending both signals out. Digital is not the same as HD. There is standard defintition digital and high definition digital
 
So all the networks will be required to have at least both? So they'll most likely still use analog as well? (For the time being anyway...)
 
1. Analog signals over the air will cease to be transmitted early in 2009, so you will only be affected if you watch television using bunny ears/antenna without a digital tuner. If you rely on bunny ears, you will need to purchase (a) a converter box to hook up to your TV or (b) a new TV.

2. Cable does not, if I recall correctly, have to stop analog tranmission at this date. The legislation is specifically for analog broadcast over the air - cable is exempt, obviously, because their signal comes into your house via wire. However, you can count on some cable providers cutting analog service just to get people to upgrade to digital.

3. All over the air signal will be digital. This does not necessarily mean the broadcast will be in high-definition.


edit: changed 2008 to 2009 in #1 above
 
Originally posted by: KnightBreed
1. Analog signals over the air will cease to be transmitted early in 2008 (?), so you will only .
Click to expand...

Feb of 2009 but there is a problem with the bill
 
A single analog channel uses 168 megabits where as the new Digital channel uses 12 to 20 megabits. This means that turning off the analog signal could save a lot of space and the extra spectrum can be resold for billions for other services.

The fg will offer 2 vouchers per household worth $80 for anybody thats still recieves the analog signal and needs a digital convertor box for older TV's. People with Cable and Satellite already get digital signals which are then converted to analog by the cable or satellite box.
 
Sometime in 2009 I may resubscribe to HDTV. I had HDTV, a couple of DVR boxes, and all the channels you could get for a year or so. Don't get me wrong, I really liked it. I was already paying a small fortune to my local cable company for all of this along with my cable internet connection. All the channels was $59.99 a month and each HDTV PVR box was $14 each month so I was forking out $84 a month for TV. And then they decided to go up $8 a month. It kind of ticked me off. Paying all that money and getting all those crappy analog channels that are really hard to watch on a big screen TV or a projector screen. And no SciFi Channel in digital. So I can get satellite and get everything in digital and get HDTV as well but it will end up costing at least as much, and they may have local channels available, but I don't think they have them in HD. The long and short of it is that I'm going to wait, maybe years before making a change again. I reduced to basic cable for $11.50 a month simply because you have to get at least it to avoid paying an extra $15 a month surcharge if you have cable Internet and don't also get television cable. I wonder why someone hasn't come up with television over the Internet. I don't mean the junk you can get now, I'm talking about regualr digital cable. Well enough of my rant.
 
Aren't cable companies required to give you all your locally broadcast channels on the "basic" service level? The local cable co's (Charter) ads indicate that they won't give subscribers access to ANY HDTV unless they're already paying for digital service. That strikes me as illegal. Does anyone know definitively about that?
 
Originally posted by: 13Gigatons
The fg will offer 2 vouchers per household worth $80 for anybody thats still recieves the analog signal and needs a digital convertor box for older TV's. People with Cable and Satellite already get digital signals which are then converted to analog by the cable or satellite box.
Click to expand...

What's the source on that?
 
Originally posted by: Kryhs
Originally posted by: 13Gigatons
The fg will offer 2 vouchers per household worth $80 for anybody thats still recieves the analog signal and needs a digital convertor box for older TV's. People with Cable and Satellite already get digital signals which are then converted to analog by the cable or satellite box.
Click to expand...

What's the source on that?
Click to expand...

Under the legislation, people who want to keep their analog sets will be able to apply to the government for subsidies. Each household can get up to two vouchers, worth $40 apiece, that can help pay for boxes that convert digital signals to analog. The bill sets $1.5 billion aside for that purpose.
Click to expand...

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/techpolicy/2005-12-19-dtv-deadline_x.htm
 
Originally posted by: KnightBreed
Originally posted by: woowoo
Originally posted by: KnightBreed
1. Analog signals over the air will cease to be transmitted early in 2008 (?), so you will only .
Click to expand...

Feb of 2009 but there is a problem with the bill
Click to expand...
Can you expand on this "problem"?
Click to expand...

It was a typo that was not cought.
It should not kill the bill
 
I haven't paid for cable since 1998. No, I haven't stolen it, I just don't see the value in shelling it $40+ a month for something I barely use anyway. I miss being able to watch Smallville, as the only channels I get that are watchable are FOX, ABC, and a PBS system, but I can live with that.
 
Originally posted by: Alkaline5
Aren't cable companies required to give you all your locally broadcast channels on the "basic" service level? The local cable co's (Charter) ads indicate that they won't give subscribers access to ANY HDTV unless they're already paying for digital service. That strikes me as illegal. Does anyone know definitively about that?
Click to expand...



digital cable box is needed for the hdtv b/c the cable companies have the ability to use their own compression for the digital. therefore you need a box for digital. Since HDTV is a type of digital signal, its encrypted in the cable companies secret ways. The good old coax COULD handle the signal, but then you need to have a set that accepts a 'Cable Card' which decodes the encrypted digital signal. The cable cards usually ends up being slow and not as nice as the digital cable box though and you don't have all the features available yet, like the 2 way system to use VOD, and interactive tv menu.

some of that may change once all tvs are supposed to be digital.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top