TH-37PD25U/P digital/HD programing/cableCards ?

[peter893]

With this Plasma TV do I need a Cable Card installed to have Digital TV and or HD programing.
the tv says:
Tuners : NTSC (Standard analog broadcasts) ATSC/QAM (SDTV and HDTV broadcasts)

With the standard Coaxial cable plugged in, and scan analog and digital channels, I seem to get digital channels and I do get PBS HD. But I cant find ABC HD, NBC HD, Animal Planet HD.

Whats the scoop? why do I get PBS HD without a cable card or cable box.
And how to get the other HD channels im seem to be missing?

any ideas.


Peter

[57U]

See the FAQ on this subject.

[peter893]

Ahh very sorry. I even run a phpboard, I should have known better.
I have looked through the FAQ before, just didnt notice the first FAQ i guess.

http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/showthread.php?t=16662

I think that answered it all for me.

Thanx 57U, its a great resource here.

Peter

[peter893]

ok, few more questions on this.

I found abc HD. Im watching the oscers right now. but when it goes to comercials it 4:3 w/ black side bars. is that right ?
if thats right I also found NBC HD, but have seen no hd shows yet. just 4:3 w/ black side bars.

I trying to figure out whether or not to get this CableCard 1.99 a month and then save on the $55.00 installation.
I don't care about:
payperview
and other movie channels

just basic digital cable

Im in Rhode Island and Cox is my cable provider. Any one know the scoop ?
57U if you think this topic would fair better in another forum, please move it to the appropriate forum.


thanks in advance everyone

Peter

[57U]

A lot of programming and almost all commercials on the HD channels consists of upconverted 4:3. See the FAQ on HD programming guides to see what's on in HD.

You may wish to consider an HD DVR, instead of CableCard.

[peter893]

A lot of programming and almost all commercials on the HD channels consists of upconverted 4:3

You may wish to consider an HD DVR, instead of CableCard.

does that mean I shouldn't see black bars on the sides ?


I take it people don't like the cable card ?

Why did you suggest to get an HD DVR? (that would be cool though)

Peter

[57U]

Yes, black bars on the side of upconverted 4:3.

HD DVR will change the way you watch TV. No commercials, no wasted time watching a programme that doesn't interest, no concerns about scheduling your time around the TV, just sit down and watch what you want, when you want. (as long as it's prerecorded or "pause live TV".)

[peter893]

I actually looked in to HD DVR this afternoon.

I thought the DVr would aslo be a self install, but they dont let you do it.
so back to the $50.00 install charge, when I know I could install it myself... argh.

My cable Company has a showroom/customer service store in the local mall. spoke with a guy about the dvr box and he set me up with free insallation :D nice guy to.
so I changed my installation from a cable card to a DVR. :cheers:

I have just always hated renting stuff from the cable co. I had even bought my on internet cable modem years ago. no sense in renting... but I see the dvr box is a little different.

So even when viewing HD programing I can just cut out the comercials and those evil black side bars.
:D

thanks as always for your input and ideas.

Peter