need help with connecting HD antenna & Cable [Text View]

kphan78

10-22-07, 11:49 PM

Hi guys,

I recently bought a new Sharp 52" LCD (LC-52D62U) and HD Antenna and I'm currently have Cable (analog & Digital) service with time warner cable.I'm having problem connecting the HD antenna on my TV so that I can use both HD & regular cable. I boght a switch from Radioshack where you can the input for both antenna & cable.I was thinking that if i switch to A, i will be able to view HD channels and if i switch to B, i will able to watch regular cable but that doesn't seem to work as expected. Can you please let me know if there's a way that I can connect to the LC-52D62U to use both HD & regular cable

Thanks a bunch.
Kenny

Rory Boyce

10-23-07, 01:25 AM

I looked at the specs on your set and it does receive ATSC and QAM but I assume it has only one antenna input connector because you bought a switch. There should be menu settings to tell the set whether you want to receive ATSC or QAM. You need to do a channel search for whatever mode you are using. Unfortunately virtually all manufacturers assume that you will use one or the other not switch back and forth between them. How hard it is to switch back and forth you will need to figure out from the menu choices available.

If it is a pain, one option would be to buy a set top box to be used for one or the other and just switch between the TV input the external box is connected to and the sets internal tuner to switch between cable and off air.

kphan78

10-23-07, 01:33 AM

Thanks Roy. I google the same thing and couples of the users also indicate something about the QAM and stuff. I even download the manual but couldn't find anything. Anyways,The split that i bought have both antenna output and cable.anyway..thanks for the info. I will try and will definately updated the result.

Kenny

mikemikeb

10-23-07, 02:00 AM

The TV can't "intelligently" switch between cable and OTA TV sources.

Do you get any local HD channels over cable that you can't get over antenna? If not, why not use an SD or HD cable box for cable, and use the Sharp's tuner just for the antenna?

RCbridge

10-23-07, 07:33 AM

Is there a STB or cable card installed?

kphan78

10-23-07, 12:39 PM

Hi guys,

I looked in the Manual for Sharp LCD (Model LC-5262U) but couldn't find any information on how to turn on the QAM in the setting. can someone help ?

Thanks,
Kenny

kphan78

10-23-07, 12:42 PM

kphan78

10-23-07, 12:44 PM

mikemikeb

10-23-07, 09:51 PM

kphan78

10-24-07, 04:18 PM

The only reason you'd want an HD cable box is if you can't get some HD channel over antenna, yet could with cable.

The only channels that usually broadcast over "clear" QAM are local affiliates that you'd get through antenna, anyway. What channels do you get with an antenna? What, if any, channels can't you get over antenna and want to get through cable? Any cable-only channels like Discovery or ESPNHD that you want to get?

You would connect an SD cable box over either composite/yellow RCA or S-Video connections, not the antenna input of the TV. To connect an HD cable box, use either component video or an HDMI connection (I prefer component), and again, not the antenna input. In either case, you'd need to use the cable box and supplied remote to receive and select cable channels, not the TV remote! And with an SD cable box, you won't be able to pick up HD channels. That might be a factor, but only if you want a cable-only HD channel. You may not need to get an HD box or pay for HD programming.

Channels from an antenna usually look better than (or the same as) those through the cable system.

Hi Mike,

Agains, thank you for following up with me on this but it appear that my cable company which is Time Warner Cable have both Diginal Cable and Analog cable. When I do a tuner set up for both Air & Cable (without the HD indoor antenna) , i can only find all for Cable only that's include Digital cable and Analog but none for HD. Same thing if i connect the HD Antenna to the TV, I can only find HD Channel and not Cable. Please help. I'm new to this whole LCD & HD..stuff..

Thanks again.

Ken

kphan78

10-24-07, 04:20 PM

Is there a STB or cable card installed?

Not sure what it is :))

Sorry..

davehancock

10-24-07, 09:06 PM

Not sure what it is :))

Sorry..Ken,
He didn't ask a good question. A STB is a set top box (cable box) and you clearly don't have one. A CableCard is a security device that plugs into your TV (most these days won't take them) that allows you to receive some premium channels (if you pay extra). I doubt if you have one, but if your set has a QAM tuner, then it doesn't matter (unless you want to pay for HBO HD and the like)

I don't have a Sharp, but what I have seen, just simply set the set for cable and then do a scan. It will probably scan ALL cable channels (analog and digital {QAM}). Now you will likely end up with a lot of JUNK that you will have to edit out. The local HD channels should be in there too.

mikemikeb

10-25-07, 04:33 AM

kphan78

10-25-07, 02:25 PM

TimeWarnerCable must be encrypting the HD channels that you want. They're often notorious for that. It happens. So, hook the antenna up, do a scan for Antenna only, and you should be able to get the local channels in HD just fine.

What non-HD cable channels (by name, like Lifetime or QVC; I know they're analog and digital channels in general) do you get over QAM? Do you want any of them? Are there any channels via antenna that you don't get, yet you want?

Thanks Mike. I did the same thing that you told me but I can only get either HD Channel or Cable. I like to use both. Is there a way ? I even bought a AB Switch from RadioShack hoping that if i swith to A, i will be able to view HD channel and B to view regular cable but somehow it doesn't see the channel ? Another question is how do i turn on the QAM feature on my TV ? and how do you connect all the cable together ?

Thanks in advance,

Ken

davehancock

10-25-07, 05:55 PM

Thanks Mike. I did the same thing that you told me but I can only get either HD Channel or Cable. I like to use both. Is there a way ? I even bought a AB Switch from RadioShack hoping that if i swith to A, i will be able to view HD channel and B to view regular cable but somehow it doesn't see the channel ? Another question is how do i turn on the QAM feature on my TV ? and how do you connect all the cable together ?

Thanks in advance,

KenKen, Did you try what I suggested earlier?

I just downloaded the maual for your set. The directions to scan analog + digital cable are on page 22 - Item 6. Make sure you select "Analog & Digital Start Search". Usually the QAM tuner picks up lots of junk channels, so you will want to skip the junk channels using the Channel Memory Setting procedure on page 23.

Selecting Analog & Digital cable enables the QAM tuner.

The above is for cable only. If you are successful (and you should be) in getting the local HD stations on cable, having an antenna input is pointless.

chris8796

10-26-07, 10:02 AM

It won't work the way you are trying it. Broadcast(air) and cable channels have different frequencies (i.e. cable channel 40 is not the same frequency as "air" channel 40). So every time you switch from A to B (cable to Air), you also have to switch the TV tuner from cable to Air. The problem is with most TVs you'll have to rescan the channels every time you switch.

mikemikeb

10-27-07, 11:05 AM

What chris8796 said.

You'll need to get a seperate tuner for antenna channels and use the QAM tuner in the TV. You can connect the tuner to the TV by component video, and if you have a 5.1 AV receiver, have a seperate Toslink audio cable carry any 5.1 audio from the receiver to the AV Receiver.

As for an OTA tuner, I suggest the Samsung DTB-H260F (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=728392) or the PrimeDTV PHD-205 (http://www.epvision.com).

As for the cables, both the PrimeDTV and Samsung come with component cables in the box. If they're not long enough, try this 6-foot component cableset (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10235&cs_id=1023502&p_id=2769&seq=1&format=2).

if you don't have a Toslink audio cable around, I suggest Monoprice.com; their cables are great for the money.

3-foot Toslink optical audio cable -- $.96 (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10229&cs_id=1022901&p_id=1447&seq=1&format=2)

6-foot Toslink optical audio cable -- $3.27 (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10229&cs_id=1022901&p_id=1419&seq=1&format=2)

Wait, I want to add in the following: If you don't have a 5.1 AV receiver, you'll need white/red stereo audio cables to connect stereo audio to the TV. In such a case, get the above-linked component cableset (or, if applicable, use the included component cables in the box), then connect random red/white audio cables you have laying around from the antenna tuner box to the TV, or if you don't have a random cableset at home, buy a cheapo set from RadioShack.

candoan

11-06-07, 09:27 AM

chris8796

11-06-07, 01:43 PM

Hi,
I'm a new one here. After reading some thread on this forum and I decided to give it a shot. I bought this Samsung DTB-H260F from CC on last Sat. and I could not get any channel from my basic digital Comcast cable at all. I also tried to have a look on signal strength and what I got was notthing, no sinal?????
Any experts are able to help out?? Or I have to return to CC.

Thanks in advanve for your help,
CD
:)

What are you trying to accomplish?

This tuner appears to only be an ATSC (including QAM) tuner. So, you will not get the basic (analog) cable channels (needs NTSC tuner). If your cable company provides some unencrypted digitial channels (QAM tuner) you should get them, usually these just the local network channels. Apparently your cable co. doesn't provide these channels. It looks like you'll be making a trip back to CC to return this box or to buy an antenna to use with it.

good luck

davehancock

11-06-07, 06:50 PM

What are you trying to accomplish?

This tuner appears to only be an ATSC (including QAM) tuner. So, you will not get the basic (analog) cable channels (needs NTSC tuner). If your cable company provides some unencrypted digitial channels (QAM tuner) you should get them, usually these just the local network channels. Apparently your cable co. doesn't provide these channels. It looks like you'll be making a trip back to CC to return this box or to buy an antenna to use with it.

good luckIn addition: If you previously had limited basic cable (only a dozen or so channels for about $8/month) Comcast may have a filter on the pole to limit the analog channels that you get. This filter may be cutting out the QAM channels (that usually are on higher frequencies). I understand that our (TW) cable has been changing these filters, which still cut out analog channels above 14 or so, yet allow the QAM channels through.

You might try getting them to change this filter, though the CSRs usually only know to PUSH digital cable and HD boxes. You could try to convince them that you should be able to receive local OTA HD stations (legally you are). If nothing else succeeds you could go for their digital cable pitch, have that installed so they change the filter, then cancel the digital cable (take the box back).

mikemikeb

11-07-07, 02:04 PM

Hi,
I'm a new one here. After reading some thread on this forum and I decided to give it a shot. I bought this Samsung DTB-H260F from CC on last Sat. and I could not get any channel from my basic digital Comcast cable at all. I also tried to have a look on signal strength and what I got was notthing, no sinal?????
Any experts are able to help out?? Or I have to return to CC.The channels are either encrypted or there's a block on your house by the cable company. Either way, if you want local channels in HD and you're close enough to the towers, you could get the channels by antenna for free. If you don't mind posting your zipcode, I can help you find a good antenna. Do you have attic space? Do you mind a roof install? Do you have a window nearby to the TV, and if so, what direction does it face?

candoan

11-07-07, 03:32 PM

The channels are either encrypted or there's a block on your house by the cable company. Either way, if you want local channels in HD and you're close enough to the towers, you could get the channels by antenna for free. If you don't mind posting your zipcode, I can help you find a good antenna. Do you have attic space? Do you mind a roof install? Do you have a window nearby to the TV, and if so, what direction does it face?
Thanks for youe reply. I do have HD OTA, the problem is I try to have some more HD channel from comcast such as HD-ESPN... and I thought I could get them with Concast basic digital cable and the sammy 260. If you have any idea, please let me know.
Thanks.

davehancock

11-07-07, 04:51 PM

Thanks for youe reply. I do have HD OTA, the problem is I try to have some more HD channel from comcast such as HD-ESPN... and I thought I could get them with Concast basic digital cable and the sammy 260. If you have any idea, please let me know.
Thanks.Usually the only HD channels that cable will give you for free are the local OTA stations. Extras, such as ESPN-HD, are usually encrypted.

mikemikeb

11-07-07, 07:27 PM

Yeah, candoan, you'll need a Comcast HD set-top box for ESPN-HD and other non-local HD channels.

ftaok

11-07-07, 08:01 PM

If you are successful (and you should be) in getting the local HD stations on cable, having an antenna input is pointless.Not necessarily. In my area, Comcast does not carry all of the subchannels available OTA. There's a "cartoon" network available in my area with an antenna (qubo or something liket that), but not with Comcast.

It won't work the way you are trying it. Broadcast(air) and cable channels have different frequencies (i.e. cable channel 40 is not the same frequency as "air" channel 40). So every time you switch from A to B (cable to Air), you also have to switch the TV tuner from cable to Air. The problem is with most TVs you'll have to rescan the channels every time you switch.With the Sharp 62U sets, you can switch the input type from Cable to Air by getting into the Menu from the remote. I forget which 'tab' it's on, but it's pretty easy. Also, the Sharp 62U's are smart enough to keep both sets of channels in memory. No rescan needed when switching from Cable to Air.

Thanks Mike. I did the same thing that you told me but I can only get either HD Channel or Cable. I like to use both. Is there a way ? I even bought a AB Switch from RadioShack hoping that if i swith to A, i will be able to view HD channel and B to view regular cable but somehow it doesn't see the channel ? Another question is how do i turn on the QAM feature on my TV ? and how do you connect all the cable together ?
Your A/B switch should work fine. Like Chris8796 mentioned, you need to switch the input type on the TV whenever you switch from A to B. Not difficult. Just make sure you do both scans, Cable and Air. When your TV is set to Cable, the channel numbers are yellow. When you're on Air, the channel numbers are blue.

As for QAM, you don't need to "turn it on". QAM is part of the Cable input type. If your cableco passes digital channels in clearQAM, you'll get the channel. Check your local thread to get an idea as to what channels you should expect and what channel they're on. It'll likely be something cryptic, like 110.2 .

elorimer

11-25-07, 06:10 PM

Also, the Sharp 62U's are smart enough to keep both sets of channels in memory. No rescan needed when switching from Cable to Air.

Is there a way of telling which TVs need a rescan and which don't? I have basic cable that also carries some clear-QAM HD stations, and several over the air HD stations as well. Some manuals I have looked at suggest you have to rescan each time you switch an AB switch from cable to air. I tried this with my sister's low end Polaroid LCD (with a manual that wasn't clear on this subject) and found that it retained the channel scans, so it was easy to switch the AB switch, then change the setup from air to cable. But the only TVs that seem sure to do this at the moment are the Samsungs with two RF inputs.

I'm going to upgrade to an HDTV but it would be a pain to cart one home to find out...

davehancock

11-28-07, 03:52 PM

Is there a way of telling which TVs need a rescan and which don't? I have basic cable that also carries some clear-QAM HD stations, and several over the air HD stations as well. Some manuals I have looked at suggest you have to rescan each time you switch an AB switch from cable to air. I tried this with my sister's low end Polaroid LCD (with a manual that wasn't clear on this subject) and found that it retained the channel scans, so it was easy to switch the AB switch, then change the setup from air to cable. But the only TVs that seem sure to do this at the moment are the Samsungs with two RF inputs.

I'm going to upgrade to an HDTV but it would be a pain to cart one home to find out...It is real difficult. All too often the user manuals are poor translations. I've checked the Sharp manuals and could only conclude: "well, maybe".