Is it worth to pay 7 more bucks to get 5 HD channels?

2678 Views 35 Replies 20 Participants Last post by QZ1, Dec 29, 2005

clickart

Discussion Starter · Dec 28, 2005

I think about returning my cable card and get a digital box to get 5 more HD channels. I just want to get ESPN HD. But it also comes with other HD channels like Discovery HD theater, Universal, and INHD (1 and 2). How are the quailty of those channels? Are there as good as ABC or CBS HD NFL games? Are those channels 24/7 broadcasting in HD?

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1 - 20 of 36 Posts

durl

· #2 · Dec 28, 2005

Those channels listed (other than ESPN-HD) are HD 24/7 and their quality can be very, very good. Not all shows look as good as others, in my opinion.

Regarding the title of your thread, "is it worth it?", that's completely up to you. Most of us think so, others do not. You'll get answers from both parties on this one. Like most new technologies, it's up to you to determine if the price is worth the benefit.

clickart

Discussion Starter · #3 · Dec 28, 2005

Are ESPN HD games as good as ABC or CSB HD games?

mx6bfast

· #4 · Dec 28, 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by clickart
Are ESPN HD games as good as ABC or CSB HD games?

yes.

Ken H

· #5 · Dec 28, 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by clickart
I think about returning my cable card and get a digital box to get 5 more HD channels. I just want to get ESPN HD. But it also comes with other HD channels like Discovery HD theater, Universal, and INHD (1 and 2). How are the quailty of those channels? Are there as good as ABC or CBS HD NFL games? Are those channels 24/7 broadcasting in HD?

Something is amiss here.

The whole point of a CableCARD is to allow you to receive all available HD channels, without a cable box. If you are referring to adding the additional channels for the additional price, you certainly don't need to get rid of the CableCARD.

Who is your provider?

mterzich

· #6 · Dec 28, 2005

And INHD2 has HD sports that come from FSN and OLN such as baseball, basketball and hockey.

nikeykid

· #7 · Dec 28, 2005

ESPNHD is the reason why i got my HD, they show many many more games in ESPNHD than they do on ABC or CBS. Plus, the only news show (albeit sports) that is produced in HD. That alone is well worth the 7 bucks you claim you have to pay to get. DiscoveryHD blows me away with a lot of their nature shows, and INHD has various NBA, NHL and possibly FOXSN HD games. The only real deficiency with ESPNHD is the lack of 5.1, but supposedly that will be added soon.

Xylon

· #8 · Dec 28, 2005

If you can record them hell yeah!!

clickart

Discussion Starter · #9 · Dec 28, 2005

no....I can't record them. I have to pay another 10 bucks to get a dvr. My provider is cox. Could I go on ebay and purchase the digital box to get the HD channels?

jagouar

· #10 · Dec 28, 2005

a cable card should be able to get all the hd channels.... is there something specific your company is doing?

clickart

Discussion Starter · #11 · Dec 28, 2005

I don't think cox let people get HD channels with the cable card. I have the motorola cable card and I could only get two free HD channels from cox. The person that I spoke with told me that I'm not suppose to get the HD channels with the cable card. I told him that I get two local HD channels. Then he said it's cool if i get it but i'm not suppose to. Anybody in here has cox and get all the HD channels with the cable card? If you do, than what ur card?

chitchatjf

· #12 · Dec 28, 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by clickart
I don't think cox let people get HD channels with the cable card. I have the motorola cable card and I could only get two free HD channels from cox. The person that I spoke with told me that I'm not suppose to get the HD channels with the cable card. I told him that I get two local HD channels. Then he said it's cool if i get it but i'm not suppose to. Anybody in here has cox and get all the HD channels with the cable card? If you do, than what ur card?

You are supposed to.

The cable card is supposed to decrypt all encrypted channels you receive and map them ot the same channe desination as a box.

For example Discovery HD theatre is on 839 on my box. If it wasn't encrypted a QAM tuner may get it on Ch 77-1 or something like that. The cable card would show it on ch 839.

HDTVFanAtic

· #13 · Dec 28, 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by clickart
I don't think cox let people get HD channels with the cable card. I have the motorola cable card and I could only get two free HD channels from cox. The person that I spoke with told me that I'm not suppose to get the HD channels with the cable card. I told him that I get two local HD channels. Then he said it's cool if i get it but i'm not suppose to. Anybody in here has cox and get all the HD channels with the cable card? If you do, than what ur card?

A CSR idiot.

Yes, you should get all the HD Channels with CableCard except PPV and Video on Demand.

brimorga

· #14 · Dec 28, 2005

with comcast I pay an extra $10/month for the HD package and an HD DVR. Maybe for a few bucks more you can get a DVR too. to me, paying $7 (or whatever it is) to comcast for a few HD channels seemed steep, but $10 for that plus a DVR seems like a steal. I watch those extra channels you were talking about, probably 30-40% of the time.

clickart

Discussion Starter · #15 · Dec 28, 2005

I just took my card out and installed again. Still, I only get two local HD channels. You think I should swap out for a different card? I'm currently using a motorola cable card with no problem except for getting HD channels. Does anybody in here have cox and get all HD channels with a cable card? You think I should call them and tell them to send out a signal? BTW, I have a sony sxrd. Thanks for all the help!

brimorga

· #16 · Dec 28, 2005

I got all the HD locals without using a cable card. How many do you get without it?

jagouar

· #17 · Dec 28, 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by clickart
I just took my card out and installed again. Still, I only get two local HD channels. You think I should swap out for a different card? I'm currently using a motorola cable card with no problem except for getting HD channels. Does anybody in here have cox and get all HD channels with a cable card? You think I should call them and tell them to send out a signal? BTW, I have a sony sxrd. Thanks for all the help!

you need to call cox and tell them to add the HD package to your account before you will see the HD channels. I know in my area it is included in the basic cable package (you just have to tell them you have hd) but i guess you have to pay the 7 bucks first.

I have cox but no cablecard but the same principle should apply.

squeak49

· #18 · Dec 28, 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by clickart
I think about returning my cable card and get a digital box to get 5 more HD channels. I just want to get ESPN HD. But it also comes with other HD channels like Discovery HD theater, Universal, and INHD (1 and 2). How are the quailty of those channels? Are there as good as ABC or CBS HD NFL games? Are those channels 24/7 broadcasting in HD?

My philosophy: If I can spend several thousand dollars (a few years ago) on an HDTV, I sure can splurge the extra $7 to get as much HD programming as possible.

Ken H

· #19 · Dec 28, 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by clickart
I just took my card out and installed again. Still, I only get two local HD channels. You think I should swap out for a different card? I'm currently using a motorola cable card with no problem except for getting HD channels. Does anybody in here have cox and get all HD channels with a cable card? You think I should call them and tell them to send out a signal? BTW, I have a sony sxrd. Thanks for all the help!

You need to talk with someone at Cox that knows about the CableCARD. When you call, you will probably need to speak with a supervisor, or at least get the number of the technical manager or main office. Verify what cable package you are currently subscribed to, and what the HD options are.

In most all areas, Cox encrypts all HD, so without the CableCARD you shouldn't get any HD or digital tier channels. To get other HD channels, you may need to change your subscription.

Also, go to the HDTV Locals Forum, find the topic for your area, and find out what HD channels Cox carries.

See less See more

Ken H

· #20 · Dec 28, 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by brimorga
I got all the HD locals without using a cable card. How many do you get without it?

Comcast is different, they pass local HD in the clear.

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