Standard Cable and HD

dels28 · 04-07-2005, 10:13 AM

I've noticed on Comcast's Website that certain HD channels in my area are available with basic or standard service providing certain equipment. I have a Sony (KDF-55WF655), does anyone know if I could get my local HD channels, FOX, WGN, ABC,NBC, CBS, with only these basic services, minus the cable card, stb, or digital service? I live in the Chicago area.
Oh, I hope they are not talking about using an ota, which i'm currently doing now.

RSawdey · 04-07-2005, 09:59 PM

Those HD channels are simply the OTA stations retransmitted over cable.

kdog044 · 04-08-2005, 07:29 AM

I have digital service but using the direct cable I only get the following local HD channels:

CBS
NBC
FOX

We don't have WGN in HD in my area and for some reason I've never been able to get ABC without the STB.

dels28 · 04-08-2005, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RSawdey

Those HD channels are simply the OTA stations retransmitted over cable.

Just wondering if those retransmitted stations are of lesser quality than regular ota with antenna?
When I called Comcast no one had an answer and I just realized I would lose an HD channel, UPN, if I didn't use the ota antenna since comcast here in Lake County,IN which is in the Chicago market doesn't carry UPN-HD.

cyclone 87 · 04-08-2005, 01:11 PM

I tried OTA in my building and barely got CBS digital. This was a digital channel 2.1. The signal would cut out alot, but the picture was great when it worked.

I then ordered the digital service and got a converter box. The picture wasn't so great with the box, and I couldn't get any HD channels even though the box was HD. I got rid of the box.

When I hooked up cable to my tv and scanned for channels I got the basic channels which included WGNHD, CBSHD, NBCHD, FOXHD, ABCHD and PBSHD. These were digital channel numbers like 192.21. My condo association got me basic service as a minimum. The picture was great.

I then had cablecard installed and got the same channels, but in the normal channel lineup CBSHD is channel 189. The picture was great.

I then ordered a package with lots of channels. The HD channels added were Discovery, ESPNHD, INHD, INHD2, COMCAST Sports HD.

kdog044 · 04-08-2005, 01:44 PM

I forgot to add that I also get ESPN-HD with the direct cable connection. I don't know if it is because I have the digital service or not but I definitely can get it without the STB.

dels28 · 04-08-2005, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kdog044

I forgot to add that I also get ESPN-HD with the direct cable connection. I don't know if it is because I have the digital service or not but I definitely can get it without the STB.

That's excellent news, I'm moving into a new construction area, and the local rep told me that only standard and basic cable will be available. The next street over which is in the section of my subdivision just finished last year has digital cable access. She told me that I would be able to subscribe to HD service which sounded wierd, becuase she said that would require a stb. I told her I thought HD receivers provided digital service as well, and she said no. All I truly understand is that I will receive 74 channels throught standard for 46.99, plus the HD locals, The big four, WGN/WB, and PBS.

RSawdey · 04-09-2005, 03:29 PM

Digital cable access will require an STB unless you have a digital tuner with CableCard. You need one to unscramble the digital cable signal, you get it from your Cable company. Without cablecard, you can only get the unscrambled digital channels... mostly just the local digital stations retransmitted over cable.

04-07-2005, 10:13 AM	#1
dels28 Hoosier Man Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: NW Indiana Posts: 687	Standard Cable and HD I've noticed on Comcast's Website that certain HD channels in my area are available with basic or standard service providing certain equipment. I have a Sony (KDF-55WF655), does anyone know if I could get my local HD channels, FOX, WGN, ABC,NBC, CBS, with only these basic services, minus the cable card, stb, or digital service? I live in the Chicago area. Oh, I hope they are not talking about using an ota, which i'm currently doing now.

04-08-2005, 07:29 AM	#3
kdog044 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 437	I have digital service but using the direct cable I only get the following local HD channels: CBS NBC FOX We don't have WGN in HD in my area and for some reason I've never been able to get ABC without the STB. __________________ Toshiba 62HMX94 Motorola DCT6412 and Motorola Cable Card Sony DVP-NS975V DVD Player Sony STR-DE935 Receiver

04-08-2005, 01:44 PM	#6
kdog044 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 437	I forgot to add that I also get ESPN-HD with the direct cable connection. I don't know if it is because I have the digital service or not but I definitely can get it without the STB. __________________ Toshiba 62HMX94 Motorola DCT6412 and Motorola Cable Card Sony DVP-NS975V DVD Player Sony STR-DE935 Receiver

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04-07-2005, 09:59 PM	#2
RSawdey Mr. Wizard Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Ferndale, Michigan Age: 61 Posts: 5,981	Those HD channels are simply the OTA stations retransmitted over cable.

04-08-2005, 01:11 PM	#5
cyclone 87 What is HD? Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 3	I tried OTA in my building and barely got CBS digital. This was a digital channel 2.1. The signal would cut out alot, but the picture was great when it worked. I then ordered the digital service and got a converter box. The picture wasn't so great with the box, and I couldn't get any HD channels even though the box was HD. I got rid of the box. When I hooked up cable to my tv and scanned for channels I got the basic channels which included WGNHD, CBSHD, NBCHD, FOXHD, ABCHD and PBSHD. These were digital channel numbers like 192.21. My condo association got me basic service as a minimum. The picture was great. I then had cablecard installed and got the same channels, but in the normal channel lineup CBSHD is channel 189. The picture was great. I then ordered a package with lots of channels. The HD channels added were Discovery, ESPNHD, INHD, INHD2, COMCAST Sports HD.

04-09-2005, 03:29 PM	#8
RSawdey Mr. Wizard Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Ferndale, Michigan Age: 61 Posts: 5,981	Digital cable access will require an STB unless you have a digital tuner with CableCard. You need one to unscramble the digital cable signal, you get it from your Cable company. Without cablecard, you can only get the unscrambled digital channels... mostly just the local digital stations retransmitted over cable.