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HDTV setup

386 Views 5 Replies 3 Participants Last post by  nasayin, 
N
Thank you mjones73 for all your help. I have a question with the HDTV setup now. You were right that I do not get HD channels when I connect it to my Motorola STB because I guess it is not a HD STB. So what is the benefit of having a HD STB compare to coaxial cable directly to my TV if I only watch mostly local channels. I don't want to pay a monthly fee for an HD STB if I don't get any benefit out of it. I am currently receiving local HD channels when I connect directly to my tv. If I do get a HD STB and use component/DVI/HDMI cables, does my picture quality get better than what I have now?


Also, in my tv manuel, it says that if I do have a HD STB to connect the coaxial cable to the STB. Then connect the component, composite, and coaxial from the STB to the TV??? My question is why does it state to connect all 3 kinds of cable to my tv? I would think to just use the best cable out of those 3 and it would be only connecting component cable. Are there benefits in connecting all 3 cables?


Thank you! I apologize if it I'm asking stupid questions, I'm such a noob wiht HDTV.
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M
1) To get premium HD channels you need an STB or cable card. Each has it's pros and cons, an STB can give you on-demand, PPV ordering through the remote and guide info where a cable card installed in the TV can give you possibly better PQ since you are using the tuner in the TV.


2) I think it's just showing all the possible connections, if you have an HD STB, you'd need to use component, DVI or HDMI.
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N
I do not really watch premium HD channels nor On-Demand nor PPV. But does the HD STB component/DVI/HDMI cable have better picture quality than having a RF(cable) connected from the wall to my tv?
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M
Ususally not.
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M
Quote:
Originally Posted by nasayin
I do not really watch premium HD channels nor On-Demand nor PPV. But does the HD STB component/DVI/HDMI cable have better picture quality than having a RF(cable) connected from the wall to my tv?
I have a Motorola HD STB connected via DVI/HDMI and the PQ is not as good as my cable connection directly to the tv. This depends on whether or not your tv has a good tuner, of course. I am still playing with the settings on my cable box, but, so far the RF connection provides a better picture.
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N
I have a Samsung HLR-4667W and the PQ already looks great when connected from the wall to my tv. Since I watch mostly local channels, I am going to opt out of getting a HD STB.


For some strange reason, some SD channels looks grainier or poorer than if it is connected with my Motorola STB (non HD STB). And vice versa. Is this because of the signal is weaker and location is further? Or is this because of my tv having 720p and the SD channels can only go up to 480i?
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