Why are there so few high definition channels available?

KAH9158 · 03-06-2005, 07:30 AM

I currently have a standard definition TV and analog cable. I want to buy a high definition TV and get digital/high definition content. I see that my cable provider (Comcast N.J.) and the satellite providers have offer very few high definition channels. They only offer the local stations and Discovery and ESPN in high definition. I understand that the channels must create the high definition content and provide it to the cable/satellite companies before they can offer it. My questions are these. When will most of the channels offer high definition? As more channels offer high definition content will the cable/satellite companies offer it immediately, or do they have technical limitations?
In short when will most of the channels be available to me in high definition? I realize that television shows/movies that were produced in standard definition will never be high definition.

Thanks

Video Guy · 03-09-2005, 07:44 AM

It takes alot more space on the transponders to broadcast High-Def.
They cannot put as many channels on a transponder with High- Def .
DirecTV I believe just launched another satellite so they can add more channels in the next few months. VOOM right now offers the most true high-def channels. I think DISH NETWORK is trying to buy them out. The race is on, so you you are safe in going high-def. The channels are coming.

mshulman · 03-09-2005, 09:03 AM

"In short when will most of the channels be available to me in high definition?"

In answer to this, probably not for quite a while. Considering cable companies have upwards of 300 channels, I would consider "most" to be the majority of them. Currently at best it's close to 10. I expect in the next year or so, we could see this number double, but I don't think we'll see it go beyond that all that quickly. There are no mandates for broadcasters to broadcast in HD, just mandates for them to be digital.

Either way - I personally still think it's worth it. Most of my viewing is done at night on the major networks. Only thing I miss occasionally is the WB. TNT and TBS would be nice too. And SCFI. That would cover my needs

Battle Star Galactica in HD would be quite nice!

GRN · 03-09-2005, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Video Guy

DirecTV I believe just launched another satellite so they can add more channels in the next few months.

DirecTV will offer "hundreds" of HDTV channels, but the reality is this: The channels will be local HD channels for different markets.

Right now, if you want to watch your local HD channels through DirecTV, you either get a New York or Los Angeles feed. Which means that depending on your geographic location you either get KNBC or WNBC, KCBS or WCBS, KABC or WABC, and WNYW or KTTV. That's it.

What the new satellites and channels will provide is local chanels in HD so that different markets in different geographic locations can get their own local chanels and not have to get a distant feed from New York or Los Angeles.

So when the "hundreds" of new HD channels roll out, don't expect to turn on your TV and suddenly be inundated with HD.

riffell · 03-10-2005, 05:15 PM

Have you considered OTA? I too was miserable with Dish's 5 HDTV channels until I connected the crappy old antenna on the roof to the back of my Dish 811 tuner and VOILA! now I get all the locals plus two PBS channels in HD. And for free! Cheers.

RSawdey · 03-10-2005, 06:45 PM

I've got 13 channels here in Detroit, hoping they'll add the new TNT-HD soon. LOVE DiscoveryHD.

I wonder if it's just the oldsters like me that expect it to take a while for HD to completely take over... when color started there were like 3 shows on per WEEK at first... took 20 years before it was everywhere. We're only 7 years into this transition and already have 24 hour HD choice. There'll be lots more HD come the fall & the new network schedule... and with high def optical discs.

Robbiee19 · 03-11-2005, 08:46 AM

I have DirecTV HD package and love it. Yes just a few HD Channels, but I like them. With my OTA I have digital local channels that are far better to view even when they are not broadcasting HD. I live in Columbus, Oh and with the OTA I get way more channels from the local guys. PBS is a total of 5, NBC 2, so its slow but coming.

gordo150 · 03-11-2005, 03:28 PM

I love sports and I had sunday football ticket and 90% of the games where in HD I also have VOOM and its great I have about 39 HD channels its kind of pricey but its a way to go for now and there are about 20 new HD channels coming before the end of 05. by DIRECT TV and VOOM if it stays in on will carry about 70 when I know who will be in the lead I will cancel the other I HDTV I cant wait any longer for HD DVD then the picture will be completed.

dxjnorto · 03-20-2005, 03:11 PM

Get VOOM if you want to see what your TV can really do. I had no choice as it is the only option in the community where I live, besides Dish Network and DirectTV's paltry six channels through a composite or coax jack. That's no choice at all.

dvdslw · 03-21-2005, 04:15 PM

Just a response to RSawdy's thread about wanting TNT HD. I have it with my cable service and unless they are showing a movie in prime time, all of their programming is stretched to fill the screen. That drives me crazy.

RSawdey · 03-23-2005, 08:39 PM

Would bug me too... ESPN used to do that, until they got about a million complaints...

03-06-2005, 07:30 AM	#1
KAH9158 A couch and an HDTV to go please. Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Springfield, N.J. Age: 51 Posts: 14	Why are there so few high definition channels available? I currently have a standard definition TV and analog cable. I want to buy a high definition TV and get digital/high definition content. I see that my cable provider (Comcast N.J.) and the satellite providers have offer very few high definition channels. They only offer the local stations and Discovery and ESPN in high definition. I understand that the channels must create the high definition content and provide it to the cable/satellite companies before they can offer it. My questions are these. When will most of the channels offer high definition? As more channels offer high definition content will the cable/satellite companies offer it immediately, or do they have technical limitations? In short when will most of the channels be available to me in high definition? I realize that television shows/movies that were produced in standard definition will never be high definition. Thanks

03-09-2005, 07:44 AM	#2
Video Guy My plasma is High Def. Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 8	High Def Channels It takes alot more space on the transponders to broadcast High-Def. They cannot put as many channels on a transponder with High- Def . DirecTV I believe just launched another satellite so they can add more channels in the next few months. VOOM right now offers the most true high-def channels. I think DISH NETWORK is trying to buy them out. The race is on, so you you are safe in going high-def. The channels are coming.

03-10-2005, 05:15 PM	#5
riffell This is some broo-haha! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 21	Have you considered OTA? I too was miserable with Dish's 5 HDTV channels until I connected the crappy old antenna on the roof to the back of my Dish 811 tuner and VOILA! now I get all the locals plus two PBS channels in HD. And for free! Cheers. __________________ [size=1]Dish/RCA 34" HD monitor Dish 811 HDTV/OTA receiver Sony STR-DB930 JVC DR-MV1S Polk R30/CS300/FX500/PSW100 XBox/PS2 SIZE]

03-11-2005, 03:28 PM	#8
gordo150 The Sickness Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: New Jersey Age: 30 Posts: 20	39 HD channels or 7HD channels. I love sports and I had sunday football ticket and 90% of the games where in HD I also have VOOM and its great I have about 39 HD channels its kind of pricey but its a way to go for now and there are about 20 new HD channels coming before the end of 05. by DIRECT TV and VOOM if it stays in on will carry about 70 when I know who will be in the lead I will cancel the other I HDTV I cant wait any longer for HD DVD then the picture will be completed.

03-20-2005, 03:11 PM	#9
dxjnorto My HDTV is 3LCD Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Saint George, UT Age: 47 Posts: 17	Voom Get VOOM if you want to see what your TV can really do. I had no choice as it is the only option in the community where I live, besides Dish Network and DirectTV's paltry six channels through a composite or coax jack. That's no choice at all.

03-09-2005, 09:03 AM	#3
mshulman My Projector is High Def. Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Marlborough, MA Age: 35 Posts: 6,571	"In short when will most of the channels be available to me in high definition?" In answer to this, probably not for quite a while. Considering cable companies have upwards of 300 channels, I would consider "most" to be the majority of them. Currently at best it's close to 10. I expect in the next year or so, we could see this number double, but I don't think we'll see it go beyond that all that quickly. There are no mandates for broadcasters to broadcast in HD, just mandates for them to be digital. Either way - I personally still think it's worth it. Most of my viewing is done at night on the major networks. Only thing I miss occasionally is the WB. TNT and TBS would be nice too. And SCFI. That would cover my needs Battle Star Galactica in HD would be quite nice!

03-10-2005, 06:45 PM	#6
RSawdey Mr. Wizard Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Ferndale, Michigan Age: 61 Posts: 5,981	I've got 13 channels here in Detroit, hoping they'll add the new TNT-HD soon. LOVE DiscoveryHD. I wonder if it's just the oldsters like me that expect it to take a while for HD to completely take over... when color started there were like 3 shows on per WEEK at first... took 20 years before it was everywhere. We're only 7 years into this transition and already have 24 hour HD choice. There'll be lots more HD come the fall & the new network schedule... and with high def optical discs.

03-11-2005, 08:46 AM	#7
Robbiee19 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 51	I have DirecTV HD package and love it. Yes just a few HD Channels, but I like them. With my OTA I have digital local channels that are far better to view even when they are not broadcasting HD. I live in Columbus, Oh and with the OTA I get way more channels from the local guys. PBS is a total of 5, NBC 2, so its slow but coming.

03-21-2005, 04:15 PM	#10
dvdslw Sony XBR2 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Orlando, Florida Posts: 388	Tnt Hd Just a response to RSawdy's thread about wanting TNT HD. I have it with my cable service and unless they are showing a movie in prime time, all of their programming is stretched to fill the screen. That drives me crazy.

03-23-2005, 08:39 PM	#11
RSawdey Mr. Wizard Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Ferndale, Michigan Age: 61 Posts: 5,981	Would bug me too... ESPN used to do that, until they got about a million complaints...