[bearauto]

Folks, like the subject says, I'm a newbie. Well, we just bought a Sony KP-65XBR10W (please no flaming!) and I haven't a clue to how to watch HDTV.


I've setup the audio, DVD, VCR, but I want to watch HDTV now. Here are my specs:


DVD Player = some crappy Samsung that doesn't read about half of the DVDs I stick in it. It seems as if DVDs with labels on them don't really play well...go figure. I do plan to get a Progressive Scan DVD player soon...prolly a Pioneer from Costco.


VCR = New Sony VCR...it's silver


Audio = All sony stuff...I think it has dolby dig...it's 5.1


TV signal = I have plugged in a coaxial cable into the TV, and am getting the basic channels...no cable TV though. When watching TV, I get some "ghosting."


That's my setup. I don't have an HDTV receiver, at least not that I know of...so where do I get one and what do they look like? Do I have to get DirecTV or Digital Cable? What channels are in HDTV? Anything would be appreciated at this point...and thanks in advance.

 

[Les_D]

What city do you live in?

That will make or break Network HDTV.


If you want HBO or Showtime HD you will have to check with your cable company, or invest in a Dishnetwork or DirectTV satellite receiver.


DirectTV has HBO-HD, a Demo Loop Channel and a Pay-Per-View HD channel.

Dishnetwork has HBO-HD, Showtime HD, the Demo channel and a PPV-HD


Besides HD content DirectTV offers more sports, Dish has more channels over all and more movie packages.


DirecTV has Set-Top-Boxes from Toshiba, RCA, Mitsubishi and Hughes (Others?) They are basically all the same equipment built by different companies. They all receive Over-the-Air HDTV.
[EDIT]

With Direct HD you use a single elliptical dish that looks at 3 satellite orbits.

With Dish you have 2 separate dishes, one that looks at 2 satellite orbits and one that looks at a 3rd orbit farther to the east (or West if you are west of the Rockies)
[/EDIT]

Dish offers the model 6000 with an expansion module that plugs in to receive OTA HDTV.


Cable...... Lets not go there....


Your Sony Audio system can probably decode the Dolby Digital signal from the HD stream, if it is 5.1


Welcome Aboard, Lock your wallet away http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/wink.gif

and with a better DVD player, you'll really enjoy your new TV even without HD!


Les_D


------------------

Les_D

DFAST = HD DiVX

DFAST has nothing to do with stopping piracy and every thing to do with making you pay EVERY TIME you watch a movie.


[This message has been edited by Les_D (edited 06-15-2001).]

 

[bearauto]

Well friend, that does help tremendously. I live in the Los Angeles area, and I'm pretty sure I'm ok...So DISH network it is then...are you a subscriber? If so, what are the costs for their service? Rather, what's a good deal for their services?


Thanks

 

[bearauto]

I was checking out www.dishnetwork.com and I found an HDTV link in their site. http://www.dishnetwork.com/content/p...fo/index.shtml


This quote is from that link:


"Price:

$299.00 (Requires Model 5000 receiver with dish antenna, an HDTV and HDTV decoder/tuner, not included.)"


I understand that the modulator is that extra dish you were talking about, but what's that decoder/tuner? Is that something I buy separately, or can I get that in the DISH receiver?


EDIT:


OK, I read the FAQ and I checked out their list of receivers. They say that the Model 6000:


"The Model 6000…our state of the art innovation that opens up a new world of entertainment! With this one sleek box, you can enjoy standard definition and high definition DISH Network satellite programming...You won't believe your eyes!"


So is this a decoder/tuner?



[This message has been edited by bearauto (edited 06-15-2001).]

 

[Homer J]

Since you are in the Los Angeles area, all the local stations broadcast digitally, so going with strictly an antenna is also an option. This is what I did since I don't want satellite service. Very little programming is actually in High-Def right now, so you may be disappointed, but the digital picture is far superior to regular TV.


First step would be to check your existing UHF channels. How is your reception? If it is poor, then you will have trouble with digital, since all are being broadcast on the UHF spectrum. Once you have a good UHF antenna, then you need the DTV decoder. You can do your own research here on this board, but I have the Samsung SIR-T150 which is designed for OTA only, no satellite.

 

[bearauto]

OK, about the antenna, I plugged in what I think is our aerial antenna, and the picture is pretty snowy. The coaxial cable provides a much better picture, but again, it's only the basic channels.


I am not sure however, if that coaxial cable is a cable TV line or is from the Satellite on the roof. It's one of those direcTV satellite things.


I hate that ghosting and I can't seem to get rid of it.

 

[Impala Bob]

The Dish 6000 will need the optional OTA (Over The Air) decoder module to decode your roof antenna signal. UHF digital channels will then decode to HD when it is an HD show. http://www.hdtvgalaxy will show you whats on in the "broadcast" section. The 6000 with 2 dishs can also receive the HD channels that DISH provides.


Dish 6000, 2 dishs, OTA module, good antenna for UHF and VHF, good cables, and an installer and you are in business.


Other good links: http://www.***************.com http://www.dbsforums.com http://www.dishdepot.com ask for Mark!


Impala Bob

Watching HDTV almost every day! http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

 

[dagman]

Quote:

Originally posted by bearauto: This quote is from that link: "Price: $299.00 (Requires Model 5000 receiver with dish antenna, an HDTV and HDTV decoder/tuner, not included.)"

Ignore all the info on the model 5000 . . . they won't sell one to you anyway. If you are going to go with Dish Network (be sure you compare DN & DirecTV, DirecTV is better if you are sports nut) then you want a model 6000 & the 8VSB module. Here are some places where you can buy it cheap: www.satelliteone.com www.dishdepot.com www.dishusa.com


If you are handy, you can do the install yourself. Or you can get someone else to do it for you.