Talk me out of Satellite & HDTV???

Hank · Dec 12, 2004

I'm 20 -25 miles away from our "local" stations and still pic up HD broadcasts 

I am 70 miles from the Phoenix broadcast towers (they are all on one mountaintop). I even do not have direct line of sight, there is one mountain range in the way.

So, I have to use an outside antenna, one called "deep fringe", but it was less than $100 and I receive all of the Phoenix broadcast stations at 80-100% signal strength.

The digital broadcasts and HDTV programming all look great out here.

eee · Dec 12, 2004

( Almost forgot. What's a Betamax )

Its a VCR..a different format than a VHS....they came out the same time as the VHs recorders maybe earlier..( I think)........... Used a different size tape/cassette..........

EastTexFrank · Dec 12, 2004

( Is this just a big waste of money to keep the lovely Mrs_Bob from complaining )

Bob, the first thing is that it is never a waste of money to keep the wife from complaining. Secondly, the TV you are interested in isn't too big for the room.

We have Dish Network. When our old big screen gave up the ghost I replaced with a new HD Sony back projection set with the intention of having a HD satellite installed. When I got the set home and rigged up, the picture was so good, with the line doubling feature, that I never did have the HD dish installed. The picture is fantastic. With our old antenae , we can still pick up all the local channels (most of the time) and digital channels. Dish Network has just added local channels ... for an additional charge ofcourse, but I have trouble letting myself pay for something that I think should be free.

For as much TV as you and your family watch, I think I would have the satellite dish of you choice installed, get the new big screen TV and see what you think of it. You can always have the other bells and whistles added on later if you feel the need.

FL_Cracker · Dec 12, 2004

( QUESTION #1 : Is this just a big waste of money to keep the lovely Mrs_Bob from complaining about fuzzy reception or is TV really better with the high-tech equipment and HD satellite? )

No, it's really better on a big screen and with surround sound. Keep it mind all this will go through an AMP and then the whole remote control thing gets confusing. The lovely Mrs._Bob will need you to turn it on EVERY time.

( QUESTION #2 : Do DVD's look THAT much better on a HDTV set? )

Not too much but you can see the difference.

( QUESTION #3 : What do I do with my Betamax?)

Send it to the big electronic resting place in the sky.

Sat. TV is good, you should be happy.

texastomtom · Dec 13, 2004

I have dish network satellite
Sony HD big screen

I think even on non-hd channels it looks better
HD channells are better yet
Dish only has 10ish channels of hd - and I dont usually care for what is on those channells - so I've considered dropping the hd monthly fees for lack of programming that I enjoy. (I'll keep it if they get a channell like JohnDeereinHD /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

The HD tv is worth having even without hd channels if you watch movies from dvd

I sometimes use my big screen hd as a display for my computer.

You can use the beta player as ballast for your tractor, them old things where heavy as compared to the new stuff.....

CRJCaptain · Dec 13, 2004

Hi Bob:

Once you go hi-def, you'll never go back! There is absolutely no comparison in picture quality when you see a true high definition picture. (Contrary to popular belief, DVD's are not an HD format, although HD DVD's and players should start to appear next year.) The problem right now is that there's not much content on the satellite providers to justify the cost of subscribing to an HD service provider.

There is one high-definition service right now that is very cost effective...(free!) and that is over-the-air (OTA) broadcasting by the major networks. There's nothing like watching Monday Night Football in hi-def...Virtually all the network's primetime line-ups and major sports events are simulcast in hi-def. All you have to invest in is an OTA antenna, just like the good old days. We have a Stealth antenna that attaches to our existing Dish Network standard definition dish. The only other item you need is a hi-def tuner, which may be built in to your HD set, or you can purchase a stand-alone HD tuner for a couple hundred or so.

This is the set-up we have until more programming is available on the satellites.

For a list of free HD programming and broadcasters in your area, go to Titan TV and type in your address/zipcode.

Happy hi-def viewing!

v8dave · Dec 13, 2004

( . . .
OK seriously, do you think a 56" TV is too big, our living room is 20'x26'? As I sit here typing now, I've turned the TV on to catch the weather (the new TV would go in the same corner). The TV set is about 16' away diagonally across the rooom, it is an OLD 27" set and actually looks small sitting in a cabinet.
. . .)

A lot of response already on this subject.

No, I didn't mean it was too big. It just needs to be checked. Both my son-in-laws bought big screen TVs and they only work in a single spot in their respective rooms. Being placed in a corner gives the most viewing seating. Just place a tape on the floor and see if anything has to move. If not, go for it.

Bob_Skurka · Dec 14, 2004

OK here is what I have figured out so far.

IF I want to keep things simple, I can't. That alone is reason for me not to give up the old set and rabbit ears.

My dream system would include a large HDTV, a surround sound system with an "upconverted" DVD player to take advantage of the HD since DVDs are not HD. And a satellite box.

Simply put, that does not exist.

Every surround sound system I can find has either standard DVD or progressive scan DVD, none have the upconversion DVD players. So I figured I'd find a matching surround sound system with NO DVD player built in, and that is tough to find unless you go to component type systems. So I could go to Denon or Onkyo or similar brands for a receiver, then go with a Samsung or Sony upconversion DVD player, then add a TV and add a satellite box so now I am looking at 4 remotes just to watch a movie? Or I could buy a nice surround sound and get the old DVD technology (progressive scan) that is slowly being replaced by upconverted units, but that won't give me the picture quality that the set is capable of displaying. Or I could get both (more confusing remote issues).

Even if budget we no issue, the ideal set doesn't seem to be available. I already have a couple Harmony remotes in the house, they are supposed to be ultra programmable, ulta compatible, ultra easy . . . and to some extent they are, and they do replace about a dozen remotes simultaneously, but they are not perfect.

So now I am leaning on sticking with fuzzy tv reception and letting the lovely Mrs_Bob complain while she attempts to watch "COLD CASE"

fishman · Dec 14, 2004

Bob,

A component system is what I went with. I am reasonably competent at installing such things, but this stretched my abilities, such as they are.

However, the surround sound system I have is VERY nice, and really adds to your movie watching experience. Most of the time I can control everything with the master remote for the receiver. However, many specialty functions are found only on the component remotes. I've dreamed of a do-all remote, but the $20 one I tried wasn't all that great.

If I were to do it again, I'm pretty sure I would have a professional come in and put it together. Perhaps you should check around your area for a good installer. They should be able to provide you with what you want.

BLUEBONNET2 · Dec 14, 2004

good morning,
having recently move to my new "digs", i have directTV, a 32"flat screen tv from "wally world", and a small surround system from buy.com(two small tweeters, 1 subwoffer.....approx. $90...Altec XA3021), and it can blow me out of the room (24' x28"). directTv- $59.95/mo. 100 plus channels, lots of music(sirius music, plus directTV music) and RFD-TV) /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.giflocal channels also. haven't thought about HDTV yet, will wait a while /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
reception is great, except in very heavy rain storms, however, it only last a few minutes..
so having said all that, its your decision, since you don't watch much tv, you can save the money and but a new attachment for your "other" toy.... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

regards,
bluebonnet2