PM's list of the 10 ten HDTV myths..

paulc

Funny, never heard of that. I suspect it would be impossible to enforce. Although not germane to me, I do know of "local home association" rules that totally curdle my blood, but apparently can NOT be gotten around. A guy that worked for me lived in such a community and get this... the "rules" were that NOBODY could own a boat that was kept on their property. Not just because they didn't want boats sitting on stands or a trailer in the driveway (private property) but he could NOT keep it in his garage. On a west coast trip a few years ago, there was a big to do because one of these outfits out there had forced a homeowner to sell their property because they refused to adhere to the rule that said your grass could only be of a certain height above ground level ( I think it was 1 1/2 inches). Imagine trying to attach a dish onto your house in such communities?

50ul }{4ck3r

yes

fmw

Not true. You don't need an "HD" antenna. You just need an antenna capable of delivering a quiet enough signal to avoid losing data. Get close enough to the broadcast antenna and strip of wire will work. My outside antenna was installed in 1982 before HD or digital television even existed. I get excellent HD from the networks on antenna. I wasn't aware something called an "HD" antenna even existed.

RegMH

Not sure if this is the right place to ask. My TV has the option of viewing 720p or 1080i. Do you have a view as to which picture quality should be better. Since the 1080i refreshes alternate lines does that make it equivalent to 540p? I think the best signal I am able to get is currently 720p, so I am presuming I might as well have it set to 720p rather than 1080i.

BrianO

No. 1080i has twice the vertical spatial resolution that 540p would have, if it existed. 540p would refresh the same 540 lines over and over. 1080i refreshes 1080 lines in 2 passes over and over: 540 lines in the first pass and a different set of 540 lines in the second pass.

paulc

And let us not forget that this happens as the signal is delivered to the TV... the TV then combines both frames and display them in what amounts to progressive format (i.e. the TV deinterlaces the signal). This is an inherent "feature" in all fixed pixel displays (typically LCD or PDP).

Gilbert-Martin

Still, isn't it better to provide the LCD with a correct progressive format, in order to not have it upconverted later within the LCD? Especially with a moving scenery it seems, its better to start off with progressive right from the start.

Loves2Watch

FCC rules are quite specific and state that you can have an exterior antenna or satellite dish on your home or apartment (as long as it is not on common property so it would have to be a balcony) and that no homeowners association can write a regulation to prohibit such use on your owned home.

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Anthem, Conrad Johnson, Dish Network/JVC, Dynaudio, Infinity, Integra, JL Audio, Klipsch, Magnepan, Marantz, Martin Logan, Onkyo, Panasonic, Paradigm, REL, Sumiko and Toshiba are the brands equipment I currently use. Have owned/used and tested equipment made by just about any manufacturer you can name. How can you have any pudding if you don't eat your meat?

Mike in Philly

Regarding myth #3 - quote -"New blue-laser discs such as Blu-ray and HD-DVD have high capacities". HD-DVD is old school red laser.

Mike in Philly

I stand corrected..."hd-dvd" can use "blue" laser.

Loves2Watch

Some people have read this and don't think this rule applies to them because their HOA has a ban on outdoor TV antennas. Well your HOA can not ban an outdoor TV antenna if you live in the USA.
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

FACT SHEET

May 2001
Over-the-Air Reception Devices Rule

Quote:
Exerpt:
As directed by Congress in Section 207 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, the Federal Communications Commission adopted the Over-the-Air Reception Devices Rule concerning governmental and nongovernmental restrictions on viewers' ability to receive video programming signals from direct broadcast satellites ("DBS"), multichannel multipoint distribution (wireless cable) providers ("MMDS"), and television broadcast stations ("TVBS").

The rule is cited as 47 C.F.R. Section 1.4000 and has been in effect since October 14, 1996. It prohibits restrictions that impair the installation, maintenance or use of antennas used to receive video programming. The rule applies to video antennas including direct-to- home satellite dishes that are less than one meter (39.37") in diameter (or of any size in Alaska), TV antennas, and wireless cable antennas. The rule prohibits most restrictions that: (1) unreasonably delay or prevent installation, maintenance or use; (2) unreasonably increase the cost of installation, maintenance or use; or (3) preclude reception of an acceptable quality signal.

Effective January 22, 1999, the Commission amended the rule so that it also applies to rental property where the renter has an exclusive use area, such as a balcony or patio.

__________________
Anthem, Conrad Johnson, Dish Network/JVC, Dynaudio, Infinity, Integra, JL Audio, Klipsch, Magnepan, Marantz, Martin Logan, Onkyo, Panasonic, Paradigm, REL, Sumiko and Toshiba are the brands equipment I currently use. Have owned/used and tested equipment made by just about any manufacturer you can name. How can you have any pudding if you don't eat your meat?

BobY

Uhmm, HD DVD *does* use a blue laser (actually ultra-violet--same one as Blu-Ray).

edders

Thanks for posting the particular rule. I was aware of this and tried to pass it on earlier but did not go back and look up the FCC ruling.

We purchased a nice new home in Vegas about seven years ago. The HOA claimed we could put up a Sat Dish ONLY if it was out of sight and that no other antennas at all were allowed. I was mostly interested in a good long range FM antenna, their attorney interpreted the rule to mean that we were allowed a TV antenna but not a FM antenna...like there is really a difference there. We pointed out that many of the Sat Dish's installed in that development had the ubiquitous little radio shack loop antennas at the top which could be used for receiving TV AND FM. They had to concede the point and while we won the battle it stirred up such a fuss in the community we wound up dropping the idea and getting Satellite Radio. It's not pleasant to have people claim their property will fall 50k because I put up a single FM antenna. Some people hollered that we were trying to drive the property values down...reason unstated! The darned part of it is ... that there are NO, I repeat, NO new developments in Vegas without the exact same HOA ban on antennas, legal or not! And in our case, due to a bad title company, we were not given the HOA rules until the hour of signing...OK I RANTED ENOUGH

Anyway...it is hard to deal with HOA's even when the rules are on the books. It takes a lot of work to win. You might have to develop a very hard shell.

Ed

deadhead68

Yes, it takes some work, but in my case it was well worth it. I enjoyed watching the looks on the HOA members faces when THEIR lawyer told them I was 100% in the right. And then I really enjoyed putting a copy of the FCC ruling, with a brief explination, in everyone's mailbox. I had so many people in the neighborhood drop by to thank me after getting their FREE HD. Plus most that knew me already, thanked me with a case of beer.

DeadHead68

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Orange County

WOW, thanks. Within the first 10 minutes of my membership you answered the question which prompted me to join.

But I'm finding a lot of other interesting stuff too.

Thanks for taking the time to write or copy all that.

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Keep it simple please I'm not a geek.