How do I still get standard def picture after digital switch?

Meatpopsicle · 08-12-2009, 02:50 PM

I have been thinking about something. The digital conversion just happened so everything is being broadcast in digital.

How is it then that my cable company still sends me a standard def picture for my local channels on my non HD boxes? (All the TVs in my house can receive digital signal / 1080i and up)

I have also come to the conclusion that the need for my $200 high def box must be BS. with my OTA antenna in the garage I get about 15 hd channels just fine. Why can't the cable company send these hd channels over the cables? why need the box to plug into the TV?

DoctorCAD · 08-12-2009, 03:18 PM

Digital signals do not mean High Def signals.

Digital ONLY means 1's and 0's.

High Def signals are digital, the antenna is tuning in those digital signals, the TV is decoding those digital signals and showing a High Def picture. Same thing with a cable box, cable carries a digital high def signal, needs a box to decode it to a high def picture. TV cannot do that by itself, only on antenna signals. Their box will also decode other High Def signals that they send to you (like ESPN, TNT, FOOD etc.) that you cannot get with an antenna, so that s why they rent them.

Your TV MAY be able to decode the High Def signals directly from the cable if your TV has a QAM tuner, sse your owners manual. That would only happen IF your cable company was sending QAM signals, and most do.

I know, its clear as mud now!

oblioman · 08-12-2009, 03:32 PM

Not to mention that the digital conversion mainly affected OTA signals - not cable.

Meatpopsicle · 08-12-2009, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoctorCAD

Digital signals do not mean High Def signals.

Digital ONLY means 1's and 0's.

High Def signals are digital, the antenna is tuning in those digital signals, the TV is decoding those digital signals and showing a High Def picture. Same thing with a cable box, cable carries a digital high def signal, needs a box to decode it to a high def picture. TV cannot do that by itself, only on antenna signals. Their box will also decode other High Def signals that they send to you (like ESPN, TNT, FOOD etc.) that you cannot get with an antenna, so that s why they rent them.

Your TV MAY be able to decode the High Def signals directly from the cable if your TV has a QAM tuner, sse your owners manual. That would only happen IF your cable company was sending QAM signals, and most do.

I know, its clear as mud now!

I am going to look into that QAM signal thing.
I guess that makes a little more sense. Thanks.

oblioman · 08-12-2009, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meatpopsicle

I am going to look into that QAM signal thing.
I guess that makes a little more sense. Thanks.

All you have to do is hook the cable directly to your TV, do a channel scan and see what comes up. You might really be surprised.

08-12-2009, 02:50 PM	#1
Meatpopsicle High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 72	How do I still get standard def picture after digital switch? I have been thinking about something. The digital conversion just happened so everything is being broadcast in digital. How is it then that my cable company still sends me a standard def picture for my local channels on my non HD boxes? (All the TVs in my house can receive digital signal / 1080i and up) I have also come to the conclusion that the need for my $200 high def box must be BS. with my OTA antenna in the garage I get about 15 hd channels just fine. Why can't the cable company send these hd channels over the cables? why need the box to plug into the TV?

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08-12-2009, 03:18 PM	#2
DoctorCAD Direct TV Fresh Meat Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 805	Digital signals do not mean High Def signals. Digital ONLY means 1's and 0's. High Def signals are digital, the antenna is tuning in those digital signals, the TV is decoding those digital signals and showing a High Def picture. Same thing with a cable box, cable carries a digital high def signal, needs a box to decode it to a high def picture. TV cannot do that by itself, only on antenna signals. Their box will also decode other High Def signals that they send to you (like ESPN, TNT, FOOD etc.) that you cannot get with an antenna, so that s why they rent them. Your TV MAY be able to decode the High Def signals directly from the cable if your TV has a QAM tuner, sse your owners manual. That would only happen IF your cable company was sending QAM signals, and most do. I know, its clear as mud now!

08-12-2009, 03:32 PM	#3
oblioman OTIS,,me hero Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Someville TN Posts: 4,558	Not to mention that the digital conversion mainly affected OTA signals - not cable.