[DominoGold]

Excuse my ignorance...


If you're planning on getting a dish is there ANY reason go look for this feature in a plasma? My local cable company does not offer cable cards I don't believe (Brighthouse Networks). Maybe they will down the road... but is there any benefit at all if not with a cable company?

 

[kelliot]

They are required to by law.

 

[blb]

the current cable cards are of little benefit. the cable companies charge about the same for them as a settop box, but they don't support any on demand programing like a settop box.

 

[amirm]

If you do not have cable, this option is of no value to you.


Amir

 

[babylou]

Quote:

Originally posted by blb the current cable cards are of little benefit. the cable companies charge about the same for them as a settop box...

In Houston, Time Warner charges $7.00/mo. for a set top box (HD or not) and only $1.75/mo. for a cable card. I do not consider a differential of $72/yr. after taxes "about the same".

 

[Digital Puppy]

Quote:

Originally posted by babylou In Houston, Time Warner charges $7.00/mo. for a set top box (HD or not) and only $1.75/mo. for a cable card. I do not consider a differential of $72/yr. after taxes "about the same".

Agreed.


Here, Comcast charges you nothing for the card so that's an immediate savings of $5/month....$10/month if you have an HD cable set-top box.


BUT, back to the original question...I have heard no advantage of having a card slot for your display if you plan to run satellite exclusively. Of course, if you plan on getting a newer model, you will probably be hard pressed to find one WITHOUT a CableCard slot.


'DP

 

[DominoGold]

I just found out my cable company charges $1.75 also for cable card -- I didn't think they offered it. This is compared to $8.45(!) for a box and remote.


So you're telling me if I did end up going with cable and an ED set, say the Panny 25U, I could get all HD channels broadcast with the use of a cable card without the use of a set top box -- just not ondemand stuff (which doesn't concern me since I never get that anyway). Everything else would be the same as having a set top box?


What about since this panny won't display 720P, will the use of a cable card cause problem with that?

 

[x-spyder-x]

I have the feeling the low cost of the cable card will go away once they become multi-directional.

 

[optivity]

If you can use the CableCARD slot, that would free up a component, DVI or HDMI interface to support some other HD/HT device.

 

[Hemi]

I thought that someone mentioned that the on-screen programming guide would not be available if you used the CableCard in its current format (one way communication)? Can anyone confirm this?


Dan

 

[babylou]

Quote:

Originally posted by DominoGold So you're telling me if I did end up going with cable and an ED set, say the Panny 25U, I could get all HD channels broadcast with the use of a cable card without the use of a set top box -- just not ondemand stuff (which doesn't concern me since I never get that anyway). Everything else would be the same as having a set top box?

No. You will also lose the interactive program guide. Without this one would need to buy a TV guide or something.

 

[TheSkeptiks]

FYI...

If you use a CableCARD, you will NOT be able to use your TiVo. Well, you won't be able to use the TiVo with the Cable Channels you subscribe to.


I started a thread about this a couple months ago. I HAVE to use my TiVo so I don't care about the CableCARD. I have to use a STB so I can send my cable signal through my TiVo.


Just throwing that out there for anyone considering using CableCARD that also uses a TiVo.

 

[donrussell]

On the other hand, a CableCard set is nifty for a bedroom TV or any set NOT connected to a Tivo or cable DVR. Not only do you eliminate the inconvenience of having an ugly STB, the TV remote can access all cable channels - you don't have to juggle a STB remote with your TV remote. The STB remote typically can't perform all TV functions, and may not even perform basic on/off/volume functions for new TV sets, like the Syntax Olevia.

 

[dg1968]

Regarding cable card and TiVo, I'm planning on using a cable card and keeping TiVo. I will split the cable with one going to the cable card/plasma, and the other going to an SD set top box which will be connected to the TiVo (which will connect to the plasma via S-video). Since the TiVo can't record HD, I can use an SD STB instead of an HD ($5 vs. $10 per month with Comcast). The main advantage of this set-up will be that the TiVo will be able to record one thing while we watch another, dual tuners in effect. To watch TiVo, and use the TiVo program guide (because the cable card will not support a channel guide) we will just switch video inputs back and forth on the plasma. Another advantage will be not having to endure the painfully slow channel switching of the TiVo, which I assume will be much faster with the cable card. Obviously the disadvantage will be the inconvenience of switching inputs, and not having a truly live program guide. I see no reason why this will not work.


dave

 

[TheSkeptiks]

dg1968...

The point of using the CableCARD is to get rid of the STB. Why would you use a CableCARD and also use a STB??? Just use ONE HD capable STB and you have no problems with TiVo. You will still switch inputs...one input to watch the HD stuff and one input to use the TiVo with SD material.


Is the CableCARD Free in your area?? I have Comcast in Atlanta and the HD STB is only $5.00 per month. Not $10. And the CableCARD is not free through Comcast in Atlanta.

If it's free to use the CableCARD for you, then that is the only way I see it being worthwhile using the CableCARD AND a seperate SD STB.

You still have to pay for the SD STB also don't you??

 

[dg1968]

TheSkeptiks,


The point of using the cable card and the STB/TiVo is that the TiVo now has its own tuner, and we can watch anything without regard for what the TiVo is doing/recording. Also we will not have to use the TiVo for channel switching, which really is too slow for me. If you never have a problem with TiVo viewing/recording conflicts, then this setup is not needed for you.


And in our area with Comcast, CableCARD is no charge, HD STB is $10/month, and SD STB is $5. So we will still have to pay the $5 for the SD STB which is what we were doing anyway.


dave

 

[TheSkeptiks]

dg1968...

Gotcha. The prices are different here in Atlanta with Comcast. (I wonder why?) If the pricing was the same here as it is for you, then I could see what you are doing as an option for me. I will have to check again with Comcast. SD STB is included with the Digital Package. If Comcast doesn't charge for the CableCARD then I could do what your talking about (when I buy a TV with CableCARD) and save $5.00 per month = $60 per year. Not a big savings, but a savings.


I am currently doing what you are toalking about with my TiVo.

I actually have 3 Inputs I can watch TV on.

Ant A I have regualar cable channels.

Input 2 I have my HD channels and I use the Comcast remote to switch channels. No lag at all when changing channels.

Input 3 I have my TiVo signal.


When I want to record on TiVo and watch something else, I switch to Ant A. This does not disturb what the TiVo is recording.


I do like your idea though. I'm not concerned with getting rid of A/V equipment. All my electronics are hidden in a closet so it doesn't bother me to have 20 boxes of electronics.


later

 

[TheSkeptiks]

Just wondering...


Will the cable company give the customer BOTH a CableCARD and a STB if that's what they want??


Will they be weird about this??


Have you gotten the OK from Comcast??


I don't see a reason why they wouldn't allow it, but you never know.

 

[GFish4]

Why ever use a cable card? Currently my setup with Time Warner is using their TIVO system as the cable box. Would I still be able to do that if I buy an LCD that has a cable card? I think Time Warner now has an HD TIVO Cable Box, which is want I would want to use for the new LCD. This cable card stuff is kind of confusing, why did they ever make them one directional too?

 

[TheSkeptiks]

A STB with a Built in TiVo would be great. Not one with "TiVo Like" functions, but an actual TiVo. I like the TiVo guide and set up and ease of use. I know there are STB's out there with "TiVo like" functions.


What we need to happen is for a TiVo to be built into the TV. That way the CableCARD would be perfect (I would like the CableCARD to be 2-way also).


That way we could get rid of the Cable STB and the TiVo Box.


Wonder when this will happen??


I believe they are One-directional because of the New Technology they are testing out. Fear of people recording the programs, etc.

They will eventually be 2-way.


This was just a rant of mine. I wasn't specifically answering anyones question. Except for the One-direction question from GFISH.