HDTV and DVI output

bikezappa

Has anyone jumped into HDTV? I find it very difficult to get solid information regarding OTA, over the air, antenna requirements, and DSS programing. It looks like the cost of OTA is about $400 to $700 for the tuner and what ever for the antenna, $50 for indoor to $500 outside with rotor. The DSS cost is $11/month but you need a tuner and antenna. Has anyone got a good deal from Direct TV?

Also, has anyone used the DVI output from the DVD player into a projection TV with good results? I have a 8 foot screen with a NEC 1000 projector front.

This Club has helped me in the past with excellent suggestions.
Thanks in advance.

Frank Z

I'm using a Dishnetwork #6000 receiver with an OTA module for OTA-HDTV reception and DBS HDTV reception. Connections are component video and toslink. My antenna is a Terk TV55 that was originally purchased for NTSC reception, but now is used the 2 stations (so far) that are broacasting in HD. I plan on upgrading to the SuperDish and model 921 PVR when they become available in a month or two.

Your antenna needs will vary depending on how far away you are from the broadcast tower. Generally speaking you do not need to get a fancy antenna for OTA-HD reception if you are relatively close to the towers. a lot of people get results with a simple "Rabbit Ear" set top antenna. Specialty "HDTV" antennas are nothing more than a marketing gimic for the uninformed.

If you are going to make the jump from cable to DBS, then OTA-HD will be simple because most, if not all HD-DBS receivers can be used for OTA as well.

DirecTV seems to be heading the pack as far as HD is concerned, but that may change very soon. Charlie Ergen (CEO-EchoStar) is supposed to make some major announcements on the next "Charlie Chat" that is scheduled fot Sept. 8, 03. You mightwant to wait until then to make your decision about which service to sign up for.

Hope this helps.

WWW.DBSTalk.com is a great site for info regarding DBS and HD offerings from both DirecTV and Dishnetwork.

Frank Z

FYI - WWW.AntennaWeb.Org & WWW.TitanTV.Com are good sites for finding info about antenna needs in your area.

bikezappa

Frank

Thanks for the web site tips. They were very helpful. What are your impressions of HDTV? Is it worth it? I understand that people will watch the Discovery channel in HDTV regardless of the content, bugs, worms, scorpions, because the picture is that good.

I'm far from the Boston TV stations and will need a $500 antenna and rotor installed by professonals, no 50 foot ladder for me thank you. Tried that 6 months ago and broke the antenna, rotor and almost my head when it all came tumbling down.

Thanks again.

Frank Z

Well I'd like to say that you should spend every last dime cuz it's that good, but I'd be lieing to ya! Although I'm very happy to finally have a couple of locals that are broadcasting an HDTV signal, I would caution you not to get in debt just for an HDTV image. It really boils down to your budget. I've said it before and I guess it's worth repeating, there are more important things in life that A/V stuff. If you can swing it, get the satelite or cable service your the most comfortable with, and that offers the most HD options that are of interest to you. Again, I would not do anything until after the 8th of Sept. to see what Dishnetwork announces.

You might want to call DirecTV and Dishnetwork (1-800-333-DISH)and find out if you can get the CBS-HD feed or if you qualify for any local/distant channels.

polkatese

Bike,
great info there from Frank. If you have to go through a professional outdoor 50" tower installation, I don't know if I would do that, especially since most of them transmitting at less than consistent power output. I have DirecTV (HD HBO), and $35 Channel Master OTA antenna in the attic for HD (CBSDT, NBCDT, PBSDT, KCALDT and couple Hispanic channels) CBSDT and PBSDT are almost always on 1080i. The rest are more 720p. I live about 30 miles from antenna farm. HDTV Discovery is available thru DTV, but none of the DT locals.

bikezappa

Thanks Frank and Polkatese

I will call Direct TV and Dish for the best deals.

I think that there will be more HD TV avalable in the future. Can both of you be more specific with your happiness factor.

Is the picture improvement worth the expense?

Is the lack of program options the problem?

Which would you rather watch a movie on: DSS HDTV or DVD?

Frank Z

Well I've an HDTV for about 3 years, and have been able to watch HDTV via OTA and DBS. There is a tremendous difference between an NTSC signal (480i) vs HD (720p, 1080i)! I would much rather see a movie in HD than on DVD, there really is no comparison. Even with a progressive scan DVD player and an HD tv you will only get 480p, basically that's the same quality that you can expect from FOX's "Enhanced DTV" oferings. FOX has said that they will go to a better resolution, propably 720p at some point, which is what ABC is offering (or so Ive read, no ABC-HD here yet!)

The down side to watching an HD movie on cable or DBS, is that as of right now, neither offers an HD-PVR, so starting/stopping the movie for bathroom breaks, or a "Food Run" is not an option. Again, expect to see Dishnetwork's HD-PVR release date to be announced soon.

I guess the short answer would have to be that for me the upgrade to HD was worth the money.

bikezappa

Frank

Well I think you have convinced me. I checked out your HT room so I now know you are a fanatic. That's a good sign and your opion is credible.

I can get the big three channels and PBS in HDTV with OTA from Boston. That's what the web site said anyway. So $550 for an antenna is ok. I will also get FM WGBH, the best PBS radio station ever, IMHO. Classical music, some live, on most afternoons and great jazz, some live and with interviews in the evening and NO ads. I really need an antenna to get the station cleanly.

I rememder taking apart the family TV in 1967 and soldering a RCA coax cable to the TV volume control pot and connecting it to my AR amp. WOW! That was the begining of my electronic heroin.

Thanks. Now to find a good deal on DSS HDTV.

Frank Z

Originally posted by bikezappa
...and your opinion is credible.

Thanks....now I'll never get a hat to fit!;)

fireshoes

I got my HD set in January but was unable to get a satellite because I didn't have a southern exposure. However in May my cable company because limited broadcasting and I've been able to get my local CBS, plus HBO and Showtime East and West feeds. It's awesome! The movies are unreal (ie Attack of the Clones). I also get my fix at work too, where I get to watch Directv.

I think ESPN, Discovery, and HDNet are all doing great, although more HD programming on ESPN would be nice. ESPN is doing HD 4 nights a week now I believe, with their series Playmakers, plus college football and NFL. HDNet is great because they offer a variety of programming and it seems they always have top notch production. Mark Cuban is really into it, which helps, and he even posts over on avsforum.com. They appear set to broadcast 3 NHL games a week this season, plus some college football for your sports fix. They also have documentaries, movies, classic tv shows, and interesting programs like Bikini Desitinations and the Dallas Maverick cheerleader tryouts.

I haven't had that much exposure to broadcast HD since I only have one channel and I don't watch much network tv, but I would highly recommend getting Directv, and if it's a good price then add on the antenna for locals too. Have fun!

scottvamp

Bikezappa - does your projector support DVI? I am interested in the the new DVI DVD players and the picture quality. Unfortunatly my projector does not have dvi connections. Sounds like the latest effort to get HD DVD. Having a 12 foot screen now I would like to have higher resolution. But I bet it looks amazing on the newer plasma and rear projection tv's.

fireshoes

Hey Vamp, good to see ya. I think DVI is nice and is an improvement over component video, but at least with dvd's, I didn't think it was a world changer. That's based off the Samsung player, anyway. Maybe it will be that much better when the new high end players hit.

scottvamp

Originally posted by fireshoes
Hey Vamp, good to see ya. I think DVI is nice and is an improvement over component video, but at least with dvd's, I didn't think it was a world changer. That's based off the Samsung player, anyway. Maybe it will be that much better when the new high end players hit.

Hey Fire - I agree with ya - its a step forward atleast. But it seems mostly "newer" monitors and projectors are just now supporting the DVI connections. Good stuff though.

bikezappa

Scottvamp

Yes, my NEC 1000 DLP projector ( 8 foot to 10 foot picture) has a DVI connection. I just ordered a Bravo D1 DVD player for $200 plus the DVI cable for $60. I'll test it by Thursday. From what I have read this combination will beat any DVD player connected to the projector by component cable. You eliminate the two analog to digital conversions with the DVI cable.

I hope this works.

Keep you posted.

HBombToo

I have been **** around on the forum all weekend and this is the first time I saw this thread. HBomb, Beer and HDTV are probably the cause.

I just stepped into an HDTV receiver and have kicked myself since for not jumping in sooner. I am a Direct TV subscriber and I finally ended up with the Zenith HD SAT 520. This box seems to have been designed for my Sony 57" HDTV. For example I tried the Hughes E86 and its only output was 480 or 1080 where the Zenith is controllable and upscales 480i to 480p, 720p or 1080i so I now exactly what the Sony is receiving via component vidio connections. The Zenith also receiver over the air, "OTA", and the receiver sensitivity is simply supurb. If you receive a channel in analog which is fuzzy and has the either verticle or horizontal line rolling through the digital image will lock in and is outstanding. OTA HDTV either plays or not. I just am a little pissed ant NBC for not sending DD yet but dolby pro does good enough I guess.

For OTA I have played with 720p or upscaled to 1080i and really can't see a difference whether the twin or the HBomb is at the helm. At least I know if I'm receiving 720p I can switch the Zenith to 720p and alls good for the mini-pureist in me.

I'm really not sure why you need a 50ft tower and antenna unless you are dealing with obstructions from mountains and the like. Terrain is a pain in the **** when it comes to rf broadcasts. From a convenience and asthetic standpoint I think that putting a high efficiency OTA antenna in the attic is a GREAT idea as long as terrain is not the limiting factor.

HBomb

scottvamp

Originally posted by bikezappa
Scottvamp
Yes, my NEC 1000 DLP projector ( 8 foot to 10 foot picture) has a DVI connection. I just ordered a Bravo D1 DVD player for $200 plus the DVI cable for $60. I'll test it by Thursday. From what I have read this combination will beat any DVD player connected to the projector by component cable. You eliminate the two analog to digital conversions with the DVI cable.
I hope this works.
Keep you posted.

Thanks for the reply - I am running progressive with Monsters top of the line component cable. Very interested in the difference in quality. Hope it works out for ya - you should see a considerable difference. Let me know how it goes!!!!!

dlew308

hdtv is great altho lacking in programming.
Football looks so good on it! I just got into HDTV and use a zenith silver indoor antenna to a samsung ota box for my local hdtv channels and my cable box for discovery, hbo & showtime hdtv channels..

bikezappa

Well I bought a Bravo D1 DVD player with the DVI output, and the DVI cable.

This machine is not user friendly. I think you need to be a computor geek to really enjoy it. Or make it work.

With the DVI connected only, the picture looked the same as the component output of my Sony 200 DVD jukebox. I had other people come on down and check it out. SAME, SAME, SAME.

Oh well, I called the company and they said send it back. No questions. I tried to play around with the different settings possible: 400, 720, 1020. They all looked the same. My computor friend said he would come out and try to play with it. We'll see.

As I understand it you can't do many modifications with a DVD loaded! Anyway while watching a movie and trying to see any differance it stopped working. WTF! I tried many links that deal with my exact combo: NEC HT1000 and Bravo D1. They want you to down load new updates from Bravo on a CD and then load this into the D!. Then change things. NOT ME. Not yet anyway.

Someone said on one of the links that you still may not get a DVI output even with the DVI cable only. Why I ask would anyone or a manufacturer do that???

To bad because the Bravo costs only $200. The remote is a unqualified POS.

Back to the Sony for now. HDTV here I come.

dlew308

get your read on here
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