Hi, I plan on purchasing a TV, something like a 42" plasma or LCD with atleast 720p, but may find a 1080p.

The question is my current setup for my 27" Sony TV. I live in Canada, Ontario, Mississauga and have Rogers Cable, it comes from the ground then I used a splitter and then the coaxial cable goes to 3 TV's and my master bedroom where there is no TV hooked up.

I currently play $52 CAD per month and I get roughly 70 channels.

I currently like the channels I have, I don't need more, but I dislike paying this much for SDTV and on top of that once I get an HD TV, I know SDTV wouldn't look that great.

I am curious as to what are my options in terms of getting channels.

I have heard about:
OTA via antennas and in my local area I can get 3 HD channels I think, my friend told me. And this costs me nothing.

Using a Satellite, but I believe I would need a receiver for each TV in order to have different channels on each TV. Plus i don't know the costs.

Rogers states they would charge me $1 more per month and I would get another 20+ channel and a cable box (don't know what this is) and how this will affect my current 3 TV setup. I also don't know how this would affect the quality of my SDTV picture quality.

I also curious as to what others do with their channels and cable setup, I would love to reduce my cost per month, by using alternative methods if possible or does everyone dish out big bucks for HDTV?

Thanks,

MysticGolem

Ok well a cable box allows you to get encrypted digital channels, like channels that are above 100. It also allows you to get ALL HD channels that your cable provider has, as long as you order the right tier. From what it seems you would want only one HD STB (set top box) and keep the rest of the other TV's with the straight cable.

My setup as of now is one SD cable box for the TV in my room, one HD STB for the high def set I have in my living room, a straight cable going to a TV in my basement, and a cable going to my modem for internet. With the SD cable box I am able to get digital cable channels (channels 100+) but no HD channels. Your situation may be different because I am from the US and have Comcast, but it should be very similar. If you have any questions, just ask again.

Wow thanks so much, great info this is clearing up some questions that I have.

With Rogers we have 3 options for Digital Box:
1) Standard Digital Box, $99 - $4.50 per month
2) High Definition Digital Box, $300 - $13 per month
3 )HD PVR, $600 - $25 per month.

I am assuming I would need the HD Digital Box? To get HD channels to my anticpated new HD TV?

What is the role of the STB? And I see the prices range from $100-$1000 for a STB.

If you don't mind me asking, how much do you pay per month for cable tv? I currently pay $52 per month. :S

Is there some alternative method that is cheaper and gets good results like cable tv?


Thanks,

MysticGolem

just giving this a bump, if anyone can help me with the above post plz.

Thanks,

MysticGolem

Wow thanks so much, great info this is clearing up some questions that I have.

With Rogers we have 3 options for Digital Box:
1) Standard Digital Box, $99 - $4.50 per month
2) High Definition Digital Box, $300 - $13 per month
3 )HD PVR, $600 - $25 per month.

I am assuming I would need the HD Digital Box? To get HD channels to my anticpated new HD TV?

What is the role of the STB? And I see the prices range from $100-$1000 for a STB.

If you don't mind me asking, how much do you pay per month for cable tv? I currently pay $52 per month. :S

Is there some alternative method that is cheaper and gets good results like cable tv?


Thanks,

MysticGolem

Wait do you have to purchase the STB from Rogers or Best Buy-like stores? Or do you just pay the monthly fee? Because we just pay the monthly fee for the box with Comcast.

Now, check the TV that you are going to buy and see if it has a Cable Card slot in it. If it does, then ask Rogers whether they offer Cable Cards. If they do, then it is a less expensive way to go HD instead of getting an STB. You do lose PPV and On Demand if they offer it though.

The role of the STB is to give you permission to watch the channels in the package that you order. For example, with Comcast, if you have Basic Cable you can get your LOCAL channels only in HD. But, I have one of the Digital Cable plans, so I get all HD channels except for premium ones (HBO, Starz, etc.). And yes STB's do cost a lot.

I pay $150 USD per month, and that includes high speed internet, digital cable for 2 TV's (one SD, one HD). With Comcast, you also get an unlimited amount of basic cable jacks if you get digital cable. Please post again if you have ANY questions, or are confused by my post.