Here we go again! Broadcasting in HD

[OSUFan]

I'm not really concerned about converters for old tvs because I think we will replace our pink-tinted 25-yr old tv with a HDTV tv this weekend. I still don't understand how the broadcasting of the stations is going to happen. Next year, will Channel 4 be broadcast in HD or will Channel 4 be in HD on like Channel 200?

[FalseGod]

They are already broadcasting in HD. You just need a tuner capable of tuning to it. The difference will be instead of broadcasting over the air in analog and digital, they will now be all digital. Analog tuners need a converter to tune the broadcast. If you get an HDTV it will already have this tuner. The antenna does not matter, you keep the same method of receiving the signal no matter what TV you go with.

[OSUFan]

They are already broadcasting in HD. You just need a tuner capable of tuning to it. The difference will be instead of broadcasting over the air in analog and digital, they will now be all digital. Analog tuners need a converter to tune the broadcast. If you get an HDTV it will already have this tuner. The antenna does not matter, you keep the same method of receiving the signal no matter what TV you go with.

Interesting what you say because we have a HDTV in the living room and I have never noticed a change in the picture when a game or television program says it is in HD. Is it because I am receiving the signal through a DVD-R which is NOT HD? This stuff is so confusing. Do they sell HD DVD-R's, if that's my problem?

[Ivan]

Interesting what you say because we have a HDTV in the living room and I have never noticed a change in the picture when a game or television program says it is in HD. Is it because I am receiving the signal through a DVD-R which is NOT HD? This stuff is so confusing. Do they sell HD DVD-R's, if that's my problem?

You have Cox or ?

[wickerbill]

Yeah, we need to know how you're watching TV. Do you have a DVR or are you watching stuff through a DVD burner like your post said? HD broadcasts are on different channels from the old SD broadcasts you're used to watching.

[OSUFan]

HD broadcasts are on different channels from the old SD broadcasts you're used to watching.

That was my original question. I'm just wondering if I will need a converter box in 2009 if everything is going to be broadcast in HD and will Channel 4 HD be on Channel 4 or say Channel 234?

Right now, I am on Suddenlink and am carrying the standard package of channels (up to 78, I believe). I'm not paying extra for any digital channels. I have a HDTV but my DVD-R is not to my knowledge HD ready.

[GoPokes83]

Ok here's the skinny. To receive "Antenna" reception after 2009 you will need a DIGITAL tv or a digital converter for your analog TV. Digital is the way your TV reception is received. Digital reception is more consistant, and can receive much more data than analog. This isn't a very accurate analogy, but it's kind of like static sounding AM vs FM radio. It' just means the way your TV reads incoming signals. The change from analog to digital will in no way affect cable or satellite subscribers with older televisions because you're already getting the digital signal from your provider. It will only effect those who get their TV "over the airwaves".

As far as getting HD. Cable and satellite subscribers will need an HDTV Receiver, instead of the regular box you get with basic or digital service. And you have to pay extra for the HD service. But you can go to Wal Mart and buy a set of rabbit ears and get HD channels that are broadcast locally. Before my cable was installed in our new house I used rabbit ears and got 5 HD channels from Austin, and my Sister in Law gets over 20 HD channels over the air in Houston. The way it works is you get two say, ABC's one in analog, and one in HD. It's the same station, just broadcasting on two different frequencies. Most modern TV's have a couple of input's in the back. You can use one for your cable and the other for an antenna and just use your remote to switch between the two.

[OSUFan]

Ok here's the skinny. To receive "Antenna" reception after 2009 you will need a DIGITAL tv or a digital converter for your analog TV. Digital is the way your TV reception is received. Digital reception is more consistant, and can receive much more data than analog. This isn't a very accurate analogy, but it's kind of like static sounding AM vs FM radio. It' just means the way your TV reads incoming signals. The change from analog to digital will in no way affect cable or satellite subscribers with older televisions because you're already getting the digital signal from your provider. It will only effect those who get their TV "over the airwaves".

As far as getting HD. Cable and satellite subscribers will need an HDTV Receiver, instead of the regular box you get with basic or digital service. And you have to pay extra for the HD service. But you can go to Wal Mart and buy a set of rabbit ears and get HD channels that are broadcast locally. Before my cable was installed in our new house I used rabbit ears and got 5 HD channels from Austin, and my Sister in Law gets over 20 HD channels over the air in Houston. The way it works is you get two say, ABC's one in analog, and one in HD. It's the same station, just broadcasting on two different frequencies. Most modern TV's have a couple of input's in the back. You can use one for your cable and the other for an antenna and just use your remote to switch between the two.

Well, that makes sense. Thanks! I think I am getting digital mixed up with HD. Like I said, after this weekend, we will not have to worry about analog television. We just need to decide if we want to go to the expense of getting HD channels.

[OSUFan]

Well, we got a new tv and wow! I am using some old cable connections that I push on. I will get some that screw on to make sure the connection is perfect. Anyway, no pink hues anymore. I have to laugh. My wife and I think the old tv was 26 yrs old. The new tv is a 26" Insignia (made by LG). When I set it up and it started running through the cable channels, it began reading analog channels and then digital. It said it would take about 25 minutes to set up so I went away and then came back. When I came back in, I ran through the channels and found out there about 40 digital music channels and about seven digital channels including Channels 4, 5 and 9 among some others. So I'm here watching the Memphis-UCLA game on Channel 101-1 (Channel 9 HD). The picture is so sharp and pure it almost doesn't look real like high-quality video graphics. So I have a few things to do... like find out why the tv in the living room doesn't have those other digital channels and re-connect the tv in the study with a new cable. Later and have a great weekend! I'm going too!