Part 2 is dedicated to some technical aspects and benefits brought by the DTV implementation.
DTV includes HDTV and SDTV, HDTV is a major improvement having 9 times the image quality of analog just in resolution terms, and SD is efficient enough to be able to broadcast 4-6 SD channels over the same bandwidth reserved for one HD channel (or one analog channel) in areas where that line up is needed.
DTV also allows for the simultaneous broadcasting of both HD and SD, whereby SD uses part of the bandwidth required for HD on the same channel slot, which could be a good benefit, but could possibly harm the quality of the parallel HD program if overused. DTV also has...
[url=http://www.hdtvmagazine.com/articles/2008/10/dtv_transition_-_can_you_help_part_2.php]Read Article[/url]
DTV Transition - Can YOU Help? (Part 2)
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Rodolfo
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kenrosyfinch
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Can the OTA digital box receive "open QAM" signals
I have two HDTV sets, only one of which uses the Comcast Set Top Box. The other gets excellent HDTV images right out of the wall without a box for those stations that are "Open QAM," meaning their signals are not scrambled. They include all of the local OTA digital stations and several of the "cable only" channels such as TWC, C-Span, etc. Of course, the channel orders are rather odd, with some in the 100 range having decimals, but not in the same order as OTA channels. I can put up with that for this particular set. Of course, there is no interactive menu, but, interestingly, evey now and then I seem to get unscrambled "on demand" movies popping up on various channels. They mus also be in the Open QAM format.
There is a third, older analog set that I use with a second Comcast digital STB. My question is whether I can attach the antenna input of the "government" OTA digital converter directly to the cable and be able to receive the "Open QAM" signals. If so, I could save the rental on the second Comcast digital STB. I know it will not receive the scrambled digital signals, but would the Open QAM channels come through the OTA digital box? If not, are there upgraded STBs that one can buy directly that would permit viewing of the unscrambled channels, just to bypass the rental fee from Comcast.?
There is a third, older analog set that I use with a second Comcast digital STB. My question is whether I can attach the antenna input of the "government" OTA digital converter directly to the cable and be able to receive the "Open QAM" signals. If so, I could save the rental on the second Comcast digital STB. I know it will not receive the scrambled digital signals, but would the Open QAM channels come through the OTA digital box? If not, are there upgraded STBs that one can buy directly that would permit viewing of the unscrambled channels, just to bypass the rental fee from Comcast.?
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eliwhitney
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Hi [email protected] -
No - no federal coupon Converter may be in any way connected to cable or satellite services ---
strictly involved w/ O.T.A.-digital signals.
That "strange" reception IS due to a nearby customer that bought that showing ... it comes into any near QAM tuner as well.
p.s.- - - edited (@ 1:44 CDT) to correct - misread -
Just keep that another box .... only $5 for a std digital !
eli
No - no federal coupon Converter may be in any way connected to cable or satellite services ---
strictly involved w/ O.T.A.-digital signals.
That "strange" reception IS due to a nearby customer that bought that showing ... it comes into any near QAM tuner as well.
p.s.- - - edited (@ 1:44 CDT) to correct - misread -
Just keep that another box .... only $5 for a std digital !
eli
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kenrosyfinch
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eli, you said "Just pay for another box & stop trying to "cheat." .... only $5 for a std digital !"
The truth is that the standard digital STB from Comcast does not display HDTV channels at all-- I get a blue screen and just the sound when I tune to the HDTV channels with my second HDTV set. That's why I skipped the box and plugged the set into the wall and at least get QAM HDTV content along with the usual analog and cable stations that I am paying for.
Comcast tells me the only way I can get HDTV through their boxes is to upgrade to HDTV programming (that is already coming into my home anyway as I have "Digital Plus" service," AND pay $12.00 monthly rental ($144.00 more annually) for an extra HDTV-DVR set-top box. I think it is me, as a customer, who is being cheated. Don't you agree?
The truth is that the standard digital STB from Comcast does not display HDTV channels at all-- I get a blue screen and just the sound when I tune to the HDTV channels with my second HDTV set. That's why I skipped the box and plugged the set into the wall and at least get QAM HDTV content along with the usual analog and cable stations that I am paying for.
Comcast tells me the only way I can get HDTV through their boxes is to upgrade to HDTV programming (that is already coming into my home anyway as I have "Digital Plus" service," AND pay $12.00 monthly rental ($144.00 more annually) for an extra HDTV-DVR set-top box. I think it is me, as a customer, who is being cheated. Don't you agree?
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eliwhitney
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Hi -
I apologize about misreading the original reply re: "... already having second box ! .."
But - Other than a "QAM" tuner situation as you described, no one may have "HD" channels until / unless that "HD" box has been arranged.
No - standard digital or "plus" is STILL not "HD!" That is a premium service only, other than an outside antenna for sets w/ the ATSC tuner.
eli
P.S. - Usually, as with COX & COMCAST, etc., there ARE two different "HD" boxes, one for straight HD & the other for HD Recording, each with a different fee.
I apologize about misreading the original reply re: "... already having second box ! .."
But - Other than a "QAM" tuner situation as you described, no one may have "HD" channels until / unless that "HD" box has been arranged.
No - standard digital or "plus" is STILL not "HD!" That is a premium service only, other than an outside antenna for sets w/ the ATSC tuner.
eli
P.S. - Usually, as with COX & COMCAST, etc., there ARE two different "HD" boxes, one for straight HD & the other for HD Recording, each with a different fee.
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kenrosyfinch
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Eli, Thanks--
Is it considered theft of services if I receive the HD cable signal directly from the wall (as Open QAM) into my HDTV set without renting the HD set top box? That is what I can do with my second HDTV set, which is in an extra bedroom that we rarely use anyway. It seems that if they pipe it into my home I should not be obliged to uplug the set.
Before Comcast switched to "all digital," the HDTV set received the analog signals just fine without a STB, and all are still there out of the wall, with 15 or 20 additional HD channels now also available. If I had not re-run channel setup I probably still would not have known they were there! I also have an A-B switch to an indoor OTA antenna which, for several broadcast channels, actually provides an even better HDTV display, after adjusting the direction it points.
Is it considered theft of services if I receive the HD cable signal directly from the wall (as Open QAM) into my HDTV set without renting the HD set top box? That is what I can do with my second HDTV set, which is in an extra bedroom that we rarely use anyway. It seems that if they pipe it into my home I should not be obliged to uplug the set.
Before Comcast switched to "all digital," the HDTV set received the analog signals just fine without a STB, and all are still there out of the wall, with 15 or 20 additional HD channels now also available. If I had not re-run channel setup I probably still would not have known they were there! I also have an A-B switch to an indoor OTA antenna which, for several broadcast channels, actually provides an even better HDTV display, after adjusting the direction it points.
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eliwhitney
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- Location: Oklahoma
Hi -
By many very " technically-knowledgeable " about this HDTV, free, OTA-HD actually IS the best available picture quality, particularly on channels without subs - i.e.- 9.1, 9.2 & 9.3 all from the very same master channel.
That HD signal Is only a part of the entire feed sent to our houses ... also available is "ON-Demand", "Pay-For-View", etc., each one being a Premium, separate fee service.
That we may get some "HD" channels - customarily the locals - in the clear via "QAM" is a benefit.
By many very " technically-knowledgeable " about this HDTV, free, OTA-HD actually IS the best available picture quality, particularly on channels without subs - i.e.- 9.1, 9.2 & 9.3 all from the very same master channel.
That HD signal Is only a part of the entire feed sent to our houses ... also available is "ON-Demand", "Pay-For-View", etc., each one being a Premium, separate fee service.
That we may get some "HD" channels - customarily the locals - in the clear via "QAM" is a benefit.