I am curious about the difference. I understand that with a built-in Tuner, you can go for OTA signals. However, if you are just going to get your HD content from an STB, does it really offer any value? Doesn't the STB have HD hardware? I am not even sure we have any OTA HD content around here (Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada). Bell ExpressVU seems to have plenty of HD content for now.
Just wondering.
Shane D
HD-ready pretty much means that you have to supply an OTA tuner. If you have access to an external HD STB, that it doesn't matter much.
Shane, as Cesar indicated, you've pretty much got the right idea. An "HD-Ready" TV will display HD quality material, but it has to be fed it by some sort of tuner. It could be in the STB for cable or satellite transmissions, or in a separate tuner bought to receive OTA HD transmissions. If you buy an HDTV that already has a built-in tuner for OTA, then of course that's all you need, but if you have no OTA HD then it's of no immediate benefit.
That's what I figured. Thanks guys!
Shane D
For further confusion, can anyone give me a straight answer as to if the (US) Fed. Gov. is mandating the change to digital broadcast (in other words, new reciever needed for OTA, but the broadcasts will not be HDTV, necessarily) or if they're mandating the change to HDTV? In either case, will analog cable be affected?
Gawd, I feel like such a n00b with video stuff...
If my understanding is correct (questionable) the mandate is for digital broadcast. The digital signal could be either standard resolution (SDTV) or high definition (HDTV).
Yeah Ken, the FCC requirement is for over the air broadcasters to broadcast digitally and for manufacturers to provide sets that will receive the broadcasts. The digital transmissions don't necessarily have to be HD and can still be standard definition although digital. Since the requirement applies to over the air broadcasters it doesn't directly affect analog cable services, although there'll probably be some type of requirement for the cable companies to include the local digital station broadcasts in their coverage.
Here's a rather basic consumer-type info page from the FCC. Of course, if you should have a burning desire(highly unlikely)to study FCC rulings and regs in the area, the site has a lot more.
Not really. Just wanted to know how soon I had to buy a new TV and start paying more for cable.
Hi shaned,
Though I no longer reside in Canada, I don't think there is any terrestrial HD over-the-air transmission anywhere in Canada yet. No surprise there. The CBC-TV network was one of the very last to switch to MTS stereo sound with analog TV, although they were way ahead of the US with digital radio. Unfortunately, they decided to go with the European Musicam system, whose frequencies conflicted with Pentagon military frequencies, so that digital radio service was dead in the water (to mix metaphors) before it got any momentum.
If you do have access to a digital cable service that offers HD content, one other advantage of an HDTV with a built-in tuner is that you won't have to rent a digital HD cable box from the cable provider like I do. (My HD is HD-Ready).
The HD sets with a built-in tuner will accept a cable card for which there is monthly fee (like $2 or something) plus the cable services you want, but it should cost less over time. Also there is less hassle hooking it up.
Regards,
Thanks Alan. We can get digital cable, but only some of the channels are digital. With the satellite dish, they are all digital. Our local cable quality sucks, and so I am hoping to upgrade all the channels by going digital.
With satellite, you have to have a STB. I was wondering if there is an HD tuner inside of that, or do you have to have a tuner in your TV? I will have to do more homework, but I was hoping that some Canadians might be on this board and have a dish. Talking to the satellite company is less than
informative.
Thanks for your input!
Shane D
HD OTA tuner inside the STB depends on the box. Check w/ your provider, get the model number and research.
Some things you might want to note about going to a STB.
1. Yes, all the channels are digital, however flipping through them is a bit slower. It might not bother you, but it bothers me sometimes (not all pauses are created equil).
2. If you have an HD screen, but only regular satellite, you're not using the HD screen to its full capacity. You'd have to get HD satellite service for that. Even with HD satellite, not all the channels are HD.
3. Digital cable may be able to offer you more for less $. (The carrier in my old area did anyhow...) For example, Dish Network (my new service) does not offer HD DVR service. You can get a tv with HD service, but not with a DVR. My old carrier (Cox) did.
IMO HD technology is ready but not quite there as far as mainstream media is concerned. Even our DVDs' native resolution has to be upscaled to fit HD. I don't even think HD-DVDs exist yet (someone correct me if I'm wrong).
This is the reason why I went with a commercial model ED plasma (ordered yesterday) instead of an HD one.
Just my .02
Dish Network worked much better for me than cable. It was also much cheaper than cable for the amount of programming I get and other features, such as second room receiver, DVR, HDTV etc.
In reply to:
For example, Dish Network (my new service) does not offer HD DVR service. You can get a tv with HD service, but not with a DVR. My old carrier (Cox) did
Dish Network DOES offer HDTV DVR receiver:
DISH Player-DVR 942
The only difference is that you have to purchase it, compared to just having them for use for all other receivers. I paid nothing for HDTV receiver in the living room and DVR in my bedroom. I got them brand new installed free. They are not mine though, I have to turn them back once I don't have Dish anymore. I don't pay any monthly fee for usage either. I have not made up my mind yet for this HDTV DVR as it costs USD 500 for Dish Customers
You are right. Thanks for keeping me honest. It would cost me $699 plus $99 installation for the 942. Then another $10 a month for the HD service.
I wonder why the price difference?
Directv's HD Tivo has plummeted in pricing.
Weak Knees
Almost half what I paid last year. Less than half if you include my 300GB upgrade.
But it doesn't work with a bunch of DirecTV channels, from what I've read. Check out
this.
Not true. The "confusion" comes from the new MPEG4 sats that are going up. That will allow more bandwidth. But in order to broadcast, ALL HD equipment will need to be replaced. As a result, the street's guess is that the full roll out won't happen for about 2 years, if that. Plus, current equipment owners will get either free or highly discounted h/w upgrades according to most reports, including some of the Direct conf calls.
The current plan is in Nov 05, some of the new HD locals markets will open up using MPEG4. But no one has seen the new hardward, so that date still remains to be seen.
Despite all this confusion, I'm enjoying Tivo'ing all my HD content.
OK, that makes sense. Still, the bit I posted is an interesting read. TiVo better hurry up on those standalone HD boxes.