HDTV for FREE

HDTV for FREE

by Philcokid Dec 6, 2005 7:16PM PST

If you're going to get an HDTV, you should know you can get HD broadcasts over the air (OTA) as well as through cable and dish. I just bought an HD antenna from Antennas Direct in anticipation of my LG 30FZ4D HDTV. My cable box also supplies HD but I want to have the choice. My understanding is that OTA provides an even better picture since the signal is not compressed as it is for cable and satellite. Does anyone have any information as to the validity of that statement; I'd appreciate your thoughts.

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A better picture is relative. . .

by Coryphaeus Dec 6, 2005 9:19PM PST

Since very few "broadcasters", cable, satellite, and OTA send a 1080i signal giving preference to 720, it depends.

If you have both, a OTA antenna and cable, use which looks best to you.

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OTA send a 1080i signal giving preference to 720, it depends

by jcrobso Dec 8, 2005 1:03AM PST

Most stations that broadcast OTA HD are 1080i/30, ABC is one of the few that uses 720p/60. The bandwidth for both is the same. Cable and Satilite do thier own thing to coanserve bandwidth,so it may be compessmore. John

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Good Question

by PerryZol Dec 8, 2005 7:48PM PST

Although OTA HD programming is great because it's free, your cable company may provide more HD programming than just from your local stations...like HBO-HD, DiscoveryHD, etc.

Another plus for cable HD service is that dealing with antennas isn't a guarantee you'll get anything at all. Although some may get every local channel without a hitch, you can very well pull all your hair out trying to make it work under your conditions if at all possible.

Also, don't be confused that just because your cable company offers ''digital cable'' that that means you're getting HD. You have to subscribe to their HD service, and you have to use their HD channels, and you have to be watching HD programming on an HD television set via DVI, HDMI or component cable connection to see real HD. Same goes with an antenna on an ATSC tuner. Most of that programming is still standard definition even if it is upconverted by your set top box or TV.

As far as compression goes, I don't know. It may be up to your individual cable tv provider, and it may not make much of a difference if they do. Some digital cable channels I've seen do look pretty horrible due to compression, but I've never actually seen cable HD programming...only OTA stuff that looks gorgeous.

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Cable HDTV

by Philcokid Dec 17, 2005 6:00PM PST

My cable box has an HD tuner and I do have to pay $8. more for the pleasure. Right now, everything is relative as I've not purchased the LG 30FZ4D; LG informed me they will discontinue the model in February but still provide service for it but will introduce at least two new direct view (CRT) HDTV's. That was all the information they gave me so I thought I would hold off until I see the new models. Does it make any sense to buy a set that will be discontinued? Would any of you do that? I fell in love with LG30 when I saw it in Best Buy next to the Sony's and Samsung's and it had the best picture.

I know flat panels and plasmas are the future but when I see the CRT's in the stores, their pictures look so much more substantial. The off axis drop that occurs with LCD's is a big deterrent and plasma's are just too expensive right now (haven't hit lotto yet).

My roof antenna has a direct line of sight with the Empire State Building which is the main transmitter since 9/11. I suspect I should get pretty good reception with it.

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