HDTV/ Comcast Questions

tb7

Hello,

I just purchased a Samsung LN-R269D tv and have some questions regarding getting HDTV reception on it. I have comcast digital cable with a set top box that says it is hdtv ready. I have been unable to get hd quality reception on any of the hd designated channels.

My questions are:
To receive hd, can I just run coax cables into the set top box and into the tv, or do I have to use something like a hdmi cable? If a coax cable would do, would a hdmi cable improve quality?
Does anyone know if the standard comcast hd package includes hd channels or not? I am a little confused from there website. I do get hd channels, there just not in high def. So I don't know if I need to pay extra to get the hd quality or if my equipment setup is wrong.

I also have some general hdtv questions:
What is the difference between a QAM and ATSC tuner? I believe my tv has a ATSC tuner, but I don't know about the QAM.

How exactly do hd antennas work? During the school year I live in a dorm with basic cable. Would I be able to get an antenna, put it in my room and get some hd channels?

Any help on any of these questions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Tim

deadhead68

You will not be able to run the coax from the cable box to the TV and get an HD signal. You will need to run either an HDMI or component cables for HD.

If you subscribe to the HD package, you will get all the HD channels Comcast offers in your area. Which is different depending on your area. The reason you are not seeing the HD channels in HD quality is the fact you are using the coax.

QAM is the format that cable uses to braodcast their signal. From looking at the specs on your set online, I could not find if it has a QAM tuner or not. ATSC is the format local network stations use to broadcast their signal. Your TV has an ATSC tuner.

Depending on where you are located at school and how close you are to the tranmitters, you may be able to receive the local HD channels with just an indoor antenna. What is the ZIP code of your dorm?

Hope this helps.

DeadHead68

tb7

Thanks for the response.

My dorm is in NYC, 10003. There are a lot of tall buildings around, I don't know if that would make it difficult to receive hd channels.

Also, when buying an hdmi cable, is there a substantial difference between the cheap cables and the expensive ones? I am seeing some listed for $100 and others on ebay for under $10.

Thanks, Tim

TurboDan

Buy the $10 cable. You probably would never see a difference.

When you're in NYC.. you'll get a bunch of HD channels with digital cable in the 700s. For $5 more, you can get a few more, including ESPNHD, 2 HDNet channels, and 2 INHD channels. ESPNHD alone is worth it for me. Just call Time Warner and have them add "HD tier" to your account if you want it.

Here's the thing with dorms: you have basic cable included with school, but you CAN go to the cable company and get an HD box and just pay for the digital cable and the box - in other words, you just pay for what you add onto the basic cable your school gives you. I have a cousin in college now who did this to get HBO so he could see the Sopranos. The office is on E 23rd. St., right up the block from the 6 train stop. Can't miss it.

Don't bother with an antenna if you have cable. Time Warner's feeds are very good, and antenna reception in Manhattan is annoying as hell.

tb7

I was just wondering what the approx cost of just getting an add-on to basic cable for the semester would be. I would be using it for four months. Will there be any installation costs? With just the minimum digital cable and a few HD cables, is it possible to keep the cost under $100 for the semester.

Thanks, Tim

HOWTOCOMCAST

Congrats on your new TV!!!!
_______________________
You should have HD channels in any one of your digital packages you have to choose from with comcast - you can get digital packages added onto your bulk services (bulk=paid for by school) for around 6 bucks a month for 6 months - 30+ HD channels
plus on demand has tons of HD Content

call 1-800-comcast ask what there best promotions are.

Let them know you need an HD-Box and they are priced right around 6.50 / month.
HD-DVR is around 15 bucks a month if ya wanna record.

Alot of times you can have them throw in premium channekls for free for a few months because you are a new comcast customer.

*****************************
IF YOU WANT MORE INFO ABOUT THE DIFFERENT HD-BOXES COMCAST OFFERS OR NEED CODES TO PROGRAM
THE REMOTE ETC CHECK OUT HowToComcast *dot* com

Also MonoPrice *dot* com is an awsome website to get some great HDMI cables @ low costs