Who knows about HDTV?

[kellyinkc]

OK, We Finally broke down and got a 37" 1080p LCD TV.
We will soon change over to Turbo HD.
We have Dish but the local channels are not HD. So I need an antenna. Which kind?

I am also looking at ATT uverse.
This is an experience!

Kelly

[Mr Miyagi]

Re: Who knows about HDTV?

Yes you will need an antenna.. not sure of what kind, but you most likely will have to have a roof top one to get best reception.

Before Dish HD I put a roof top antenna in the attic in my garage and got OK reception..but sometimes it wouldn't find all channels..I live in an area with lots of hills so over the air TV is dicey..Depending on where you live 'your results may vary'.

Some of the HD channels on Dish will promote themselves as HD but infact many of the programs aren't HD, or are stretched 4:3 format to 16:9 making everything short and fat..Its becoming less of an issue but still happens.

http://www.satelliteguys.us/dish-network-forum/

This link has lots of info on Dish and HD.

[RacerX88]

Re: Who knows about HDTV?

For the local channels I use a $5 indoor antenna I bought at Big Lots. But, we subscribe to Direct for other non HD programming after switching from Dish.

You'll always get full HD over the air via an antenna but, satellite and cable both compress the signal just a bit to push it down to you including the HD channels.

I watched the Super Bowl in HD via a local channel and it was AWESOME... even if we lost.

Seems like we're going backwards to go forwards sometimes. Time to get out all the old ChannelMaster gear!

[Mr Miyagi]

Re: Who knows about HDTV?

For the local channels I use a $5 indoor antenna I bought at Big Lots. But, we subscribe to Direct for other non HD programming after switching from Dish.

You'll always get full HD over the air via an antenna but, satellite and cable both compress the signal just a bit to push it down to you including the HD channels.

I watched the Super Bowl in HD via a local channel and it was AWESOME... even if we lost.

Seems like we're going backwards to go forwards sometimes. Time to get out all the old ChannelMaster gear!

Yeah..whip out the old turntable while you area at it Vinyl LIVES!

[BlueZero]

Re: Who knows about HDTV?

I don't know much but, Crutchfield always has good articles that explain stuff so even I can even understand it.

Choosing and Installing an Antenna for HDTV

[Jeepster04]

Re: Who knows about HDTV?

Not sure where you all live but I live in the woods. No antenna is going to pick up **** around here.

You said you have Dish, why not just get HD through them? We have Direct Tv on a house boat and HD is not much more at all. You will need a different(bigger) satellite though.

Currently at the house we have Suddenlink cable service. We have the HD DVR box but they do not provide very many HD channels at the moment(less than 10). That DVR is pretty dang addictive though! Its pretty nice to watch nascar in HD.

[Poki]

Re: Who knows about HDTV?

If you are on cable, you'll get the HD channels they provide. Satellite is another animal. Both Dish and Direct are constantly upgrading their systems. I have Direct TV in my motorhome and 2 years ago upgraded to a HD dish since I got a new HD TV. At that time, it was necessary to lock onto 3 satellites at once for HD. Well, less than a year ago...I think...Direct launched 2 more HD satellites and now you have to lock onto all 5 if you want all the available HD channels. This required another new dish that can lock onto all 5 sats. Supposedly Dish TV will or already has done similar upgrades. I can't afford a new dish everytime they upgrade. With a real good HD TV the regular channels are so good a quality....lots of folks can't see the difference anyway.

[kellyinkc]

Re: Who knows about HDTV?

Thanks guys. Still studying. Looks like Dish HD with local channels by antenna.
I heard of the 3 sats and was curious about the future.
I can't wait to see Nascar in HD!!

Kelly

[Mr Miyagi]

Re: Who knows about HDTV?

You do realize that now you have started down the home theater path you could end up here:

http://blog.audiovideointeriors.com/208great/

[Andy M.]

Re: Who knows about HDTV?

You do realize that now you have started down the home theater path you could end up here:

http://blog.audiovideointeriors.com/208great/

Has anyone mentioned about the AV cables you will also need for true HD? You will be at Radio Shack or Curcuit City soon.

Andy

[RacerX88]

Re: Who knows about HDTV?

Has anyone mentioned about the AV cables you will also need for true HD? You will be at Radio Shack or Curcuit City soon.

ANdy

Target and Mall*Wart sell AV cables that will work too. (S-Video, HDMI)

[kellyinkc]

Re: Who knows about HDTV?

[Andy M.]

Re: Who knows about HDTV?

Target and Mall*Wart sell AV cables that will work too. (S-Video, HDMI)

Yes they do. I have used HDMI before but tend to like the video response better from component for video and fibre optic for audio.

Andy

[pwaug]

Re: Who knows about HDTV?

Here is a great place to buy cables--high quality at a reasonable cost-- http://www.monoprice.com/home/index.asp

[RogueGypsy]

Re: Who knows about HDTV?

You are going to like HD, the pic is smokin'. I chose directv HD over Dish, it was cheaper and has more channels (including locals in HD). The Olympics look stellar in HD.

Someone above pointed out the compression used by cable and sattelite. Cable is really bad, not even true HD unless you have fiber optic running into your house. Sattelite is not as bad but there is still some loss from compression. The best signal will be 'over the air' from an antenna. Here's a review sight for HD antennas.

http://www.hdtvantennalabs.com/hdtv-antenna-reviews.php

If you still have and old antenna, they will work too.

Enjoy

Oh, yeah. Go Hdmi for best pic, Component video for very good pic. S-video is ok. Nothing else will give you HD.