HD rabbit ears?

[Chuck52]

You didn't mention football as being a necessary thing, but the NFL channel has Cheerleader tryouts in H.D.

I was just telling the wife that I wished we could get a discount by not getting any of the sports channels, since I don't watch that stuff, and now you've gone and ruined that argument!

Chuck

 

[Chuck52]

Chuck,
I envy you on the PBS HD programming. Our local station has gone digital but hasn't started doing HD yet.

I was really surprised that the local PBS not only had HD but also was my best signal, since I figured it was much farther away than the other channels I was getting. Then I went to that antenna site and found that it was actually only about 3 miles farther away than some of the others, though I think part of my relatively good PBS reception must be due to the topography between my location and the various towers. I do like the programs they have on the HD PBS. Unfortunately, my wife prefers #$%^& like "Dancing with the Stars" to shows about how dam-busting bombs were developed during WWII....go figure.

Chuck

 

[hwp]

Thanks for this thread folks. I have a number of questions about HDTV. First, is there enough programming on the major networks to make it worthwhile? Second, what format are the networks broadcasting in? Is going to native 1080p capabilty worthwhile? Third, what is the range of FTA HD reception? From previous comments it appears that 40-50 miles in possible.

The problem I have is that cable is not available in our area - too rural. Grey markert satellite reception is a hit and miss proposition - they keep rolling the keys so the cards have to be reprogammed every day or so. Sometimes it takes several days for new card programs to become available so FTA is our backbone. In our area we get about 10 channels FTA. I would really like to get a LCD HDTV but I'm concerned that it may be a waste of money at this time.

 

[MikePA]

First, is there enough programming on the major networks to make it worthwhile?

Given that 'worthwhile' is a subjective term, I think it is. My HD package offers the three mainstream media networks (NBC, ABC and CBS) in HD, FOX HD, DiscoveryHD, Comcast Sports HD, ESPNHD, NFL Channel HD, HDNET (carries their own programming plus HD versions of some old programs), HDNET Movies, and HDUniversal (Universal Studios programming). There are others they do not carry such as TNT HD. So, there's a number of choices. Also know that even if a channel is in HD it's not necessarily shown in wide screen, i.e., there are vertical bars on each side of the picture.

Second, what format are the networks broadcasting in? Is going to native 1080p capabilty worthwhile?

I use my DVR to up convert the signal to 1080i. If there's not a big premium to go 1080p, I'd buy it.

Third, what is the range of FTA HD reception? From previous comments it appears that 40-50 miles in possible.

Can't help you. I've never done OTA.

I would really like to get a LCD HDTV but I'm concerned that it may be a waste of money at this time.

Given your current situation, I'd say an LCD HDTV is a waste of money. However, considering the lifespan of an LCD TV, it'd be worthwhile investigating what, if anything is in the near future.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

First, is there enough programming on the major networks to make it worthwhile? Second, what format are the networks broadcasting in? Is going to native 1080p capabilty worthwhile? Third, what is the range of FTA HD reception? From previous comments it appears that 40-50 miles in possible.

I just bought my second HDTV, both of mine are 720p. 1080i not as good for sports as 720p because the progressive scan renders images a bit smoother for fast action scenes that the interlaced technology. 1080p is surperior to both, but my satellite company doesn't broadcast in 1080p so I see no reason for me to get it.

Here is a little explaination of 720p and 1080i from C|Net:

1080i - 1080 interlaced; one of two formats designated as high-definition television in the ATSC DTV standard, with 1,080 vertical pixels by 1,920 horizontal pixels. The i stands for interlaced, as opposed to progressive scanning, used in the second HDTV standard, 720p. Contrary to myth, 1080i is not superior to 720p; 1080i has more scanning lines but also suffers the disadvantages of interlaced scanning. . . 720p has fewer lines but also has the advantages of progressive scanning and a constant vertical resolution of 720 lines, making it better able to handle motion.

​

I live about 45 miles from Chicago and can pick up HDTV from the Chicago stations but need a very large antenna. After subscribing to DishNetwork, I actually discontinued using the antenna completely and and pick up my local Chicago stations from DishNetwork, it cost an extra $5 per month. I think I get all of my HD broadcasts in widescreen, the local stations are like NBC, CBS, ABC, and FOX broadcast some HD signals and some SD signals. When I get a SD signal then there are black bars on the sides of my widescreen HDTV sets so the image occupies a standard (4:3) aspect ratio. When the same station broadcasts a signal in HD, the screen shows a full widescreen (16:9) image. I am not aware of any HD broadcasts that are transmitted in 4:3 ratio, but perhaps they exist.

Like you, I cannot get cable in my area. I never considered "grey market" satellite and am not sure what it is, but it sounds like stealing the signal to me?

Bear in mind that if you watch a lot of DVDs you'll also want to buy a new DVD player. Progressive scan DVD players play in 480p mode, your new HDTV would be capable of 720p or 1080p depending on what you buy. If you want to use standard DVDs on an HDTV you should consider getting an "Upscaling" DVD player (can be had for as little as $100) that gives NEAR (or simulated) HDTV quality from standard DVDs.

For what it is worth, a Standard Definition digital TV is 480i, an Enhanced Definition digital TV is 480p. Regular DVD players play at 480i, "Progressive Scanning" DVD players play at 480p, "Upscaling" DVD players take the 480p signal and simulate 720p but are not actually up to HD standards.