Honolulu, HI - HDTV - Page 180

Originally Posted by boneless6220

OT, the tv has an optical out. So can I use a PS3 or Xbox 360 with HDMI to tv and run the optical out to a receiver and still get surround sound? Or do I run the optical directly from the PS3/Xbox to the receiver?

Originally Posted by GregLee

Probably you can only get 2-channel sound if you send it through the TV, since most TVs will only do Dolby Digital 5.1 when the signal comes from their own digital tuner. So if possible, you want to run the optical directly from the game console to your receiver. (Unless your receiver has an HDMI input, in which case that might be better to use.)

However, "surround sound" can refer to Dolby ProLogic 5.1 sound derived from a 2-channel source, and I think you could get that through your TV from a game console signal. It can sound very good.

Originally Posted by boneless6220

I'm not sure what 2-channel means. I assume 5.1 is still surround not left and right sides of the room. So I should use HDMI directly into the receiver and then HDMI into the tv? This would eliminate the need for optical?

Originally Posted by zalmanavs

Anyone?

Originally Posted by higuy

it's never been a secret? always posted on this page, and updated when they switch around the channel assignments.

boneless, not sure if this is what youre asking about, but hopefully it is.

also, i dont know if any or all tv's have a pass-through on the optical out. meaning connecting the gaming device/or video player to the tv, then sending the optical cable to the receiver would output any audio. i think the optical audio is for the digital (QAM) tuner. So when you watch those digital broadcasts, you can output the full surround sound. These are awesome when watching sports broadcasts. I found that this is the way you need to watch them. It can get very loud and muddled when watching football games in stereo on the SD simulcast optimized for surround sound.

im curious to know what areas of Oahu are being offered Hawaiian Telcom's tv service. I like their lineup and price point. The website has all the information to get me interested, but nothing about availability. I dont watch too much primetime tv, but glued to the set during football season. When I'm not watching tv I could see some pretty blazing internet speeds. This seems to fit my needs...

Originally Posted by RustyC

Hadn't updated this post in years.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...postcount=2424

Originally Posted by 808vikingsfan

Any ideas how to mount the 2 big directv dishes other than penetrating the roof?

Originally Posted by GregLee

No -- I have both my DirecTV dishes on tripods which are screwed down, penetrating my roof. DirecTV did it that way because that's what I asked them to do. I never had any warranties from my roofers, so no problem there, for me. I've never had any leaks, since 10/2007 when the dishes were installed. You probably don't need 2 big (1.5m) dishes -- just one will do for everything except for a few Sonic Tap music channels.

Possibly you could get more information about dish mounting at the dbstalk forum on DirecTV installation issues: http://www.dbstalk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=113

Originally Posted by 808vikingsfan

I am currently trying out Hawaiian Tel's digital TV service. The deal is, I get DSL and TV service in exchange for filling out a weekly or monthly survey. I currently have my directv account suspended while I give this a test drive. From what I understand, the service is the same as ATT's digital TV service on the mainland.

What I like about it so far:

No lag when changing channels. With directv, I sometimes had to wait 5+ seconds between the time I press the channel # to when the channel actually changes. The way the guy explained it to me, it's IPTV so everythings fast.

Box set is small and doesn't get that hot.

Can use phone line or existing coax to setup. (not fiber)

Sharing the DVR with the other tuners is so convenient. Being able to watch or record from any TV is something I'll have to setup if I go back to Directv.

Don't have to worry about the weather for reception.

What I don't like so far:

Out of all your set boxes, you can only watch/record 2 SD and 2 HD channles. This means, if you're watching something in HD, and also recording another channel in HD, you can't watch HD on the other set boxes. It'll give you a message to interrupt another tv or cancel a recording.

Scheduling series recordings has glitches. For some reason, all my scheduled series recordings stopped on 3/23. Don't know why. Had to setup all over again. Who knows how long before I find out it stopped again.

HD quality is not as good as Directv. Compression artifact (i believe) is more visible and picture breakup and freezing happens occasionally (no issues with directv).

Sound. Whether it's from the tv speakers or thru optical. It just doesn't seem full and crisp. Could just be perception.

It takes 22 clicks on the remote to stumble through the menu and turn on CC. With directv, 3.

I haven't really tried the DSL yet since I still have my RR. I did try testing the download speed wired and it's almost the same as what I get with RR (8-10Mbps). I'm not sure what service they're letting me try though. Probably their most expensive package. The modem is also a 4 port (actually 3 since the dvr uses a port) wireless router (G not N).



The main reason I got Directv was because of the NFL Ticket. With the lockout pending, I could go a few years without it. Besides, Hawaiian Tel does carry the NFLC and I'm hoping they'll carry the Redzone channel too (att carries it).

Originally Posted by bueller555

Are you still using Hawaiian Tel's service? Has the service or your opions changed since you first posted? I just word that my neighborhood can receive HT's tv service and they're throwing a few incentives in. Free dvr for life and gift card. I'm seriously considering it, but wanted a little more feedback. Plus, I'm going to wait until the whole strike thing is settled before moving on anything.

Originally Posted by boneless6220

I was wondering if someone could help me out. I have Oceanic basic cable 13channels,etc... I have a direct cable into my Samsung tv and using the QAM tuner in it. I get most of the normal cable package in addition to what I pay for because it seems to be a glitch on their side that's passing the digital package to my house, except no HD other than the OTA local channels. The funny thing some channels come and go and some change channel/frequency so I re-scan and pick it up again. I even has syfy once and while watching it the signal cut out.

Is this a continuous feed from Oceanic except some signals are weak? Or can I use a booster to increase the amount of channels I receive if they are weak? I tried this but it doesn't really seem to help despite positive reviews.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...00_i00_details

Originally Posted by Charles O

Sounds like SDV....if that's the case, enjoy what you get.

Originally Posted by boneless6220

I have a direct cable into my Samsung tv and using the QAM tuner in it. I get most of the normal cable package in addition to what I pay for because it seems to be a glitch on their side that's passing the digital package to my house, except no HD other than the OTA local channels.

Originally Posted by GregLee

I believe I recall reading that cable companies are prohibited from blocking local channels on their cable, so my guess is that that is no glitch. Oceanic is obligated to pass you the local channels, but nothing else, so whatever else you can see on their cable, and which channel it's on, is an accident and will vary from time to time. If you want regular and convenient access, Oceanic would like you to pay for it.