I have a Samsung LN52A750 LCD that has only one coaxial input. My dilemma is that I will be installing an over-the-air antenna and presently also have analog cable service. Since both sources use a coaxial cable (RG6), is there any way to combine the two signals into one coaxial cable that would go into the single input on the HDTV?

I'm sure this has been done countless times and in different ways, but I'm somewhat technically impaired!

Thanks for your help, guys.:)

No. Analog cable and OTA TV use overlapping frequencies.

Got to agree with arwax, But why would you need over-air-antenna when you got cable?

http://m08u1212ewbf192.imageshacknow.info/img/1800/i08c1214cvzz/icon10.gif

Got to agree with arwax, But why would you need over-air-antenna when you got cable?

http://m08u1212ewbf192.imageshacknow.info/img/1800/i08c1214cvzz/icon10.gif

Basically because I've read that HD quality OTA is superior to cable due to transmissions without compression. Also, because my cable suscription service does NOT include HD channels (I have analog, not digital cable).

Thanks.

fpcross,
Unless you have really basic analog cable (with filters on your line to block higher channels), all of your local digital broadcast channels will usually not be scrambled. Just run a scan with your TV for digital cable channels. The local channels often appear on odd channel numbers - often in the high 90s or 100s, and you have to look for them. YMMV, depending on your cable system.

But you're right. OTA DTV nearly always has better picture quality than compressed cable. And you may get sub channels OTA that aren't on cable. OTA also makes a good backup when your cable craps out.

fpcross,
Unless you have really basic analog cable (with filters on your line to block higher channels), all of your local digital broadcast channels will usually not be scrambled. Just run a scan with your TV for digital cable channels. The local channels often appear on odd channel numbers - often in the high 90s or 100s, and you have to look for them. YMMV, depending on your cable system.

But you're right. OTA DTV nearly always has better picture quality than compressed cable. And you may get sub channels OTA that aren't on cable. OTA also makes a good backup when your cable craps out.

Arxwax, thanks for your comments. Actually, I will be receiving my HDTV next week, so until then I won't know what the outcome of scanning my analog cable will be. Maybe I'll get lucky and get those high DTV channels you speak of, but... what I can tell you is that I pay the lowest rate available for cable TV right now. As to the better quality of OTA for HDTV, I'm glad you agree this is a correct assessment. Also, it is indeed a good backup for cable outages.
Thanks again:D

Unless you have really basic analog cable (with filters on your line to block higher channels), all of your local digital broadcast channels will usually not be scrambled.

In most cases, even WITH filters, the filters normally ONLY filter out the analog &/or encrypted digital channels - the HD/SD OTA locals are usually outside the filter range & normally come thru the line anyway. (but there are always exceptions... ;) )

eg: down here, even if you have a "modem only" trap, you can pull in ALL our locals HD's & subs.

In most cases, even WITH filters, the filters normally ONLY filter out the analog &/or encrypted digital channels - the HD/SD OTA locals are usually outside the filter range & normally come thru the line anyway. (but there are always exceptions... ;) )

eg: down here, even if you have a "modem only" trap, you can pull in ALL our locals HD's & subs.We have an analog-only tier called "broadcast basic" and all you get is local broadcast digital channels, center cropped to 4:3 and sent as 480i NTSC analog. Plus a smattering of shopping/religious channels. The filters they use block out everything else.

Don't do it. Merging your cable t.v. signal and your receiving antenna together makes your receiving antenna into a transmitting antenna and the Cable Police will hunt you down when local cable signals float around your neighborhood and interfere with aircraft navigation and other frequencies.

Basically because I've read that HD quality OTA is superior to cable due to transmissions without compression.
Which in general is correct. Some providers do not additionally compress local HD, but getting it OTA is always guaranteed being as good as possible.

If you only have one RF input, use a simple A/B switch.

If the antenna is going to be a cable backup, I'd go with an A/B switch.

There's the deluxe model (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2049643) from RatShack, to quote one of its reviewers: "Here in Nebraska we use it on game day. It says to our loved ones: "I'm so lazy, I wouldn't even get off the couch to switch from A to B. I don't even care what A or B is. I'm just not going to do it. You do it." "

Or the more aerobic model (http://www.cablestogo.com/product.asp?cat_id=2405&sku=41015&cm_mmc=AdWords-_-Audio+Video+Devices-_-a+b+switch_2464634541-_-a+b+switch_Broad_%7C-%7C100000000000000148592&cm_guid=1-_-100000000000000148592-_-2464634541&gclid=CMT4s_D5-pcCFQsQagodYlCDBw)...and it's only about 25% of the cost of "Go Big Red's"

ROFL, great post iowegian! LOL! So, do you catch bullheads too, ya know, the iowegian walleye? ;-)

I have OTA for backup purposes only. My cableco sends out a high quality HD picture for the locals, very similar to OTA. In the spring, I say bye bye to cable and go satellite for lots more HD!

ROFL, great post iowegian! LOL!

It's called Google for Giggles!

So, do you catch bullheads too, ya know, the iowegian walleye? ;-)

To put it delicately, they are not a delicacy. Between farm chemicals and hog confinements, if I were to fish back there, it would strictly be catch and release!:o

If the antenna is going to be a cable backup, I'd go with an A/B switch.

I was going to suggest this, but the problem is that most TV's with ONLY a single RF input, will only scan either OTA or cable digital signals, & usually can't keep both sets of channels in memory at the same time. In this case, the user would then have to rescan the TV tuner EVERY time he switched between OTA & cable signals w/the A-B switch.

I was going to suggest this, but the problem is that most TV's with ONLY a single RF input, will only scan either OTA or cable digital signals, & usually can't keep both sets of channels in memory at the same time. In this case, the user would then have to rescan the TV tuner EVERY time he switched between OTA & cable signals w/the A-B switch.

Looking at the manual for this particular TV, it appears that it has the capability to memorize separate OTA and cable channels, so they could set the A-B to the cable, scan the cable, then switch the AB to OTA and scan those.

Two solutions:

1) If your TV can hold both cable and OTA in memory, use an A/B switch.

2) If your TV can't hold cable and OTA in memory, hook up the antenna directly to the TV's coax in and the cable into a VCR/DVD recorder/Tivo/etc.

I'm just wondering, if you are only getting the basic broadcast networks with cable, why not go OTA only and save some money?

Two solutions:

1) If your TV can hold both cable and OTA in memory, use an A/B switch.

2) If your TV can't hold cable and OTA in memory, hook up the antenna directly to the TV's coax in and the cable into a VCR/DVD recorder/Tivo/etc.

I'm just wondering, if you are only getting the basic broadcast networks with cable, why not go OTA only and save some money?

Thanks to everyone for the very useful comments and suggestions, and Iowegian3 for the A-B links!

To answer your question, with basic cable I still get quite a few more channels than strictly OTA. But, as others have mentioned I, too, may behead Comcast and go for HD satellite... real soon!

Looking at the manual for this particular TV, it appears that it has the capability to memorize separate OTA and cable channels, so they could set the A-B to the cable, scan the cable, then switch the AB to OTA and scan those.

Good luck finding a manual that actually says that.

My $110 Dynex 13" CRT portable stores both the cable and off-air channel line-ups, and it only takes me four keystrokes to change from one to the other, but I'd bet that most TVs don't have that capabillity, and most take more than four keystrokes to change from cable to antenna or back.

Man, Im struggling with the same issue. I just got an Emerson 32" HDTV from Walmart, and got the internet and basic cable from Comcast. I had the OTA channels until now, but today I plugged the cable in, and the quality is horrible. NO HD on cable. So I was wandering what to do, seems like the AB switch is the only way out if it works. The cable channels come with the Economy package, so I cant cancel them and save more money

Man, Im struggling with the same issue. I just got an Emerson 32" HDTV from Walmart, and got the internet and basic cable from Comcast. I had the OTA channels until now, but today I plugged the cable in, and the quality is horrible. NO HD on cable. So I was wandering what to do, seems like the AB switch is the only way out if it works. The cable channels come with the Economy package, so I cant cancel them and save more money

I started this thread and also have Comcast's very basic cable. That's why I want an OTA for great HDTV, even if only on the networks and a few other channels.
From the suggestions I've received, it looks like the A-B switch is the best way to go; considering, of course, that your TV is able to store both sets of channel scans. In my case, I'll know on 1/14 after I set up my new Samsung LN52A750 and scan OTA & Comcast!

Looking at the manual for this particular TV, it appears that it has the capability to memorize separate OTA and cable channels, so they could set the A-B to the cable, scan the cable, then switch the AB to OTA and scan those.

Bluejayrock, I downloaded the manual for the Samsung LN52A750. Can you please tell us on what page you found the information you refer to in your post above?

Many thanks!

I started this thread and also have Comcast's very basic cable. That's why I want an OTA for great HDTV, even if only on the networks and a few other channels.
From the suggestions I've received, it looks like the A-B switch is the best way to go; considering, of course, that your TV is able to store both sets of channel scans. In my case, I'll know on 1/14 after I set up my new Samsung LN52A750 and scan OTA & Comcast!

First of all, I'm so relieved to finally find a message thread that discusses this topic!

I have the same issue: wanting to receive OTA digital + analog cable. Some say A/B switch, which requires the TV to memorize channel settings. Call me paranoid, but I don't want to put my brand-new baby through that kind of wear and tear and risk ruining the tube.

I'm more inclined to feed the analog via the DVD recorder and the OTA antenna directly to the flat panel. Only potential drawbacks are that I cannot record programs any higher than 480p (since the source is analog cable), plus I probably can't record any high-def programming because it's being fed directly to the tv set. The overall plus obvioulsy is that I have more than one source for TV.

But, best of all: since my analog is free "building cable" (network + C-SPAN, FX and the building's lobby cam), I am not a slave to Comcast!!! :D

you could split the cable and run it to the DVD recorder and the TV. Then you could record the HD channels. Of course they will not record in HD but they will give you another option.

Just got my new HDTV connected comcast (yuck) cable, I don't subscribe to HD, to it and scanned all of the channels. When I called comcast about why sometimes one of my HD channels would sometimes get choppy they asked what channel it was. I said 11-1 and there reply was they don't broadcast that channel frequency and that I must be being received from OTA being picked buy the cable wiring.
How would this be different than combining an OTA antenna to improve my reception with the comcast cable?
Everything I read says do not combine the two.

fpcross,
Unless you have really basic analog cable (with filters on your line to block higher channels), all of your local digital broadcast channels will usually not be scrambled.

Not always true. For example Charter and WKRN( ABC Nashville, TN ) can't come to a carriage agreement so the only way to get it in HD is through OTA. Also Charter stop carring WJTK( FOX Jackson, TN) in ANY format over a year ago so OTA is need for that. Yes there is FOX out of Nashville we get, but they don't always carry the same stuff. Also Charter has never carried WNPT ( PBS Nashville ). Yes we get the PBS out of Lexington TN, but WNPT 8.2 has the Documentary Channel which the Lexington PBS station doesn't carry. Also WTVF 5.3 subchannel is ThisTV which Charter doesn't carry. Also while Charter does carry WBBJ in HD it doesn't carry it's 7.3 weather radar subchannel. So there are plenty of reasons to have OTA even with cable.