HDTV Question

wodom1

I'm starting this thread to try and help out my Dad. He just bought a 50" Samsung DLP HD Monitor. He currently has service through DirecTV and would like to keep them as his provider. His satellite receiver is a Samsung as well with built in Tivo. What does he need to get HD service? He lives about 45 miles from New Orleans, which is too far to receiver over-the-air signals, I believe. He wants to keep using Tivo, but doesn't want to spend $1k on a new receiver with Tivo. Is it possible to purchase just the HD cabable receiver then connect that to his current receiver for the sole purpose of recording and watching regularly broadcasted programs, whilst using the the HD receiver for HD programming? What have any of you guys done? Any/all help would be much appreciated.

Thanks guys,

Josh

Here is the TV that he purchased.

racer4551

Greeting's,thats kinda what i did,i used a standard tivo for all the non-hd programing and used a hughes hd-htl receiver for the hd stuff.Couldnt record hd matierial though,but could tivo all the other channels.You also have to have the hd dish and the 3 lnb setup and the hd package from direct tv.They will also charge you 4.99 for the second box.P.S if interested i have a hd dish with a three unit lnb and also the hd receiver mentioned above for sale.Please email or pm if interested.

jrausch

He will have to purchase a standard HD box for $299 or below and keep his current box for an extra $5 a month. He cannot use his current TIVO box to record in HD. Your dad better make sure he really wants the few HD channels that are currently available. In the mean time make sure he's using an S-video cable from his current box to the DLP for the best picture. Composite or Component video cables do not work well on Samsung's digital picture with non HD signals. Also make sure his direcTv box is setup in 16:9 mode, this will help with picture stretch. Since Dish lowered their price on their HD recorder box's Direct may soon follow.

Good luck,
Jer

PolkThug

The DirectTV HD option is a complete ripoff. Look at other providers like Voom, etc.

Toxis

Voom is a complete joke. 1 satellite in the air vs. 13 for DishNet and 8-9 with DirectTV. Plus, all they did was upconvert all their channels while having the same true HD channels as the other providers. Saying Voom is a viable solution for HD is like saying Bose is a solution for a high end audio system.

PolkThug

Personally, I like good old fashioned land-based cable, like Time Warner, they pipe the local HD stuff, HBO's, etc.

AsSiMiLaTeD

If you're too far away now to receive your local HD channels over the air, then DirectTV isn't going to solve that, all you're going to get from them is like ESPN and Discovery. To get your your local channels, all they can do is put an OTA antenna up on your roof, which you can do yourself (but you'll still need an HD tuner if you don't have on built in your TV...

I have Dish Network now for TV service and am about to switch to cable becuase it's just too much of a pain and expense to get HD service through Dish...

I'd check your local cable guys and see if they offer HD service and see how much it costs...remember with cable you get all your locals and the stuff like ESPN and Dixcovery...

gmorris

I'm no expert here, but if your dad is 45 miles from New Orleans, he is well within range to pick up local, over the air HD signals. Have him throw an antena up on the roof, or even in the attic, and he'll get the local ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, PBS, WB and/or whatever is available in the area.

AsSiMiLaTeD

Originally posted by gmorris
I'm no expert here, but if your dad is 45 miles from New Orleans, he is well within range to pick up local, over the air HD signals. Have him throw an antena up on the roof, or even in the attic, and he'll get the local ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, PBS, WB and/or whatever is available in the area.

but remember you'll still need an HD tuner (either built in your TV or a separate box...

HBombToo

http://www.cmnc.com/home.htm

here is a very good link that shows different antennas and also a predictor tool of what you need for OTA. I own a Channel master and am very satisfied.

HBomb

wodom1

Thanks for all the help, guys. There is already a big-**** antenna in the attic that my folks put up when they first built the house 20 years ago. I'll have to get my brother-in-law to check it out and see if it will work. I suggested getting rid of the dish and going to cable, but he wants to stay with DirecTV. He already has the correct dish to receive HD. I think if he can pick up the local New Orleans (45 miles) and possibly Baton Rouge (70 miles) stations, then he may be pretty happy and not even worry about the DirecTV HD.

So to receive the OTA HD signals, all he needs to pick up is an HD tuner? What video connection would he use? Would it be the DVI or HDMI connections or would S-Video be preferable?

sowen010599

If the antenna in the attic has a UHF antenna, that should be good enough. And FWIW, the most all stations following FCC distance limits should be receivable for up to 65 miles.

Most any HD receiver will cost about $299. If you go the Directv route, it will cost about the same but you will get a receiver with both OTA and sat. capability. They will also give you HD service free for 6 months.

Most all provide DVI and component connections. HDMI is still pretty scarce expect for the HD Tivo's.

gmorris

Regarding the video connections, I know that Component, DVI & HDMI are all HD compatable, but what about S-video? From what I understand, S-video is not HD compatable. Does anyone know this for sure?

okiepolkie

S-video is not HD compatible. I don't have exact reasons why, but I assume it has something to do with not being able to carry the correct amount of information(i.e. bandwith).