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HDTV through cable company....

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GregS

(A)

Hi, I recently ordered "Digital IO" through my local cable company. I wrongly assumed that I would receive the local stations HDTV broadcasts. i.e. NBC,CBS,ABC,PBS et.al. This is not the case, however. The stations that my company offers in HDTV are ShowtimeHD, HBOHD, MSGHD(Local sports) and FoxSportsHD(Sports). My question is as follows: Do you think it is possible to run an over the air antenna to the cable box that my Cable company provided, to receive and display the omitted HDTV channels? I would rather not have to buy another HDTV converter box so I strongly hope that a simple swap of the box's main input in is all that will be needed. After all, the box I now have is part the service and I will be paying for it monthly until.....
Best Regards
Greg

Follow Ups:

Won't Work... - ICI 23:50:25 07/28/03 (0)
The cable HD systems use QAM. OTA does not.
Re: HDTV through cable company.... - Tacodog 06:54:07 07/10/03 (3)
Another reason to avoid cable HD is that they don't have the bandwidth to provide 5.1 sound along with the HD! At least I think that's the case, at least it is for digital cable, not sure about HD. One reason to stay OTA or satellite for now!
- Re: HDTV through cable company.... - GregS 07:10:37 07/10/03 (2)
  This is not true in my case. I have watched several movies via the HBOHD channel and they had a DD 5.1 signal. As far as regular programming on HBO, some movies that you would think would have a DD signal don't, but others do. I'm not really sure of why this is.
  All the best
  Greg
  - Re: HDTV through cable company.... - Tacodog 12:52:47 07/14/03 (1)
    Maybe I was thinking of just regular digital cable, not HD. I know that was a factor when I got regular satellite vs. digital cable. No 5.1 sound on cable then.
    - Re: HDTV through cable company.... - ICI 23:49:07 07/28/03 (0)
      There IS 5.1 audio being broadcasted via cable, regardless of what STB you have. The HDTV STB's have it, as well as the standard Digital Cable boxes. But most of the standard Digital boxes don't come equipped with the digital audio output. But you will see some that do. You would have to request one.
Good question.... - AbeCollins 00:51:55 07/10/03 (6)
You might want to research the cable box to see if it can receive off-the-air HDTV broadcasts. I suspect that it cannot (why would the cable company want you to receive FREE tv) but I can't say for sure.
I believe Samsung makes a $300 HDTV tuner that is pretty good from what I've read up on Amazon.com
I just purchased an HDTV capable 16:9 TV a few months ago and I'm toying with the idea of upgrading to digital cable or satellite for HDTV. I'm presently running 'old fashion' analog cable. In general (HDTV aside), is your digital cable much clearer vs analog cable?
- Question for Abe re: Samsung HDTV tuner - Dalancroft 12:50:26 07/10/03 (4)
  Happen to have the model #? Thanks.
  - Samsung SIR-T151 I believe.... - AbeCollins 18:16:14 07/11/03 (3)
    Go to Amazon.com, search on 'Samsung HDTV'. $299
    - Try this link. If it doesn't work search Amazon
    - Thanks Abe! - Dalancroft 15:38:30 07/14/03 (2)
      Appreciate the help. Am considering an HDTV tuner and large roof-mounted antenna to dip my toe into HDTV, then see about either satellite or digital cable (which I already have and am not too impressed with) later ...
      - Re: Thanks Abe! - williak 06:49:32 07/15/03 (1)
        
        In Reply to: Thanks Abe! posted by Dalancroft on July 14, 2003 at 15:38:30:
        
        If you already have digital cable, you should check with your carrier to see about their HD offering. Typically, HD cable costs only about $5/month and the carrier will provide the STB. If you currently have HBO or Showtime, you will get the HD versions at no upcharge. You will also get NBC, ABC and PBS locals. CBS is iffier depending on whether your local affiliate is an O&O or not. Might be worth a try before going the OTA route. Good luck.
        Austin
        
        Thank you too Austin! - Dalancroft 14:56:14 07/16/03 (0)
        
        In Reply to: Re: Thanks Abe! posted by williak on July 15, 2003 at 06:49:32:
        
        nt
- Re: Good question.... - GregS 06:45:26 07/10/03 (0)
  Hi Abe, thank you for the reply! I tried an over the air antenna on the box the other day and was unsuccessful in my mission. The programming for the box stayed in memory and it only searched for its cable channels. There is a card that is inserted in the front of the machine and when it is removed the box becomes disabled. I wonder if I can get a different card that will reprogram the box to receive over the air HDTV? Do you think the manufacturer of this cable box (Scientific Atlanta) would be helpful with this endeavor? I know that this box is sold as an HDTV receiver to the general public as per web site ads. Perhaps I'll send them an E-mail..... I am running out of space, therefore I'm trying not to accumulate anymore boxes :-) These new machines are the size of a typical DVD player..
  As for the picture quality, well, it is only slightly better than the analog signal. It isn't a huge night and day thing with the video. The sound however is greatly improved, especially when watching movies that have been broadcast with a DD signal. My old cable box didn't make use of this and I was forced to watch in DPL or DPLII (as of late). HDTV, on the other hand, is simply amazing. It really makes a huge difference that is readily discernible. The other day "Beverly Hills Cop" was transmitted over the HBOHD channel. I could not believe the images I was seeing. The picture quality was truly a sight to behold!! WOW!!! So, now I'm enjoying watching my Mets again, even though they are a very poor ball club.
  Best
  Greg

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