Few Questions Here

[crocker84]

Ok, I have a HD ready television. It doesn't have a dvi connection on it, only component. I understand that if i get a HD reciever i can get hd broadcasts by using an antenna and my component inputs. However, i have regular old cable, only it is digital cable. If i hook the hd reciever up to my digital cable will it recieve the hd broadcasts when it says it on the tv like the antenna would. also the reciever i am looking at is the ustv from walmart, does it upconvert all television content. I am curious if it would take the cable signal and upconvert it too, i know it wouldn't be hd but it would look better.

[DoubleDAZ]

Since you already have digital cable from your cableco, why not just rent the HD receiver that your cableco offers? If you try this, there is no equipment to buy and you can return it anytime if you don't like it or the cost. Oftentimes your cableco will offer a DVR and recording service at added cost, but it is well worth the price if you watch a lot of TV and would like to make your own schedule vs being a slave to the networks schedule.

If you want to get any HD through your cable without renting their receiver, you need to get a receiver that is QAM-capable, I don't believe the USTV receiver is. Then, you can most likely get your local digital/HD channels through the cable, but you will not get any other HD channels they may offer.

If all you want is the local OTA channels, the USTV receiver should work, but you will need an antenna and usually a pretty direct line of sight to the digital transmission towers in your area. Depending on your location, you may have to experiment with different antennas and mounting locations. Sometimes a simple indoor antenna like the Zenith Silver Sensor from Sears will work just fine. Other times you need something larger in the attic or on the roof.

Since you neglected to add a "real" location to your profile (for no good reason I might add), it's impossible to tell just what you might get, either through your cable or OTA.

[crocker84]

well i just tried out the reciever, with the cable, and with an indoor antenna. Neither one worked. So i guess i am sol unless i wanna rent a reciever and pay the demons money for service.

[Ratman]

Did you check www.antennaweb.org for x-mitter direction/distance/etc.?

Just hooking up an indoor antenna doesn't mean that you'll get digital reception.

What kind of indoor antenna did you try?

Cut and paste your antennaweb results and perhaps we can help. Also... adding your location to your profile (other than "Here") would be helpful.

[DoubleDAZ]

You mentioned that you already have digital cable, so the only cost you would incur is whatever they charge to rent the HD tuner, usually just $5-$10. This also usually gets you more HD channels than just the locals you would receive with an antenna. I apologize if I misunderstood your comment about having digital cable.

As for not getting any channels, I don't understand. Usually you simply point the antenna in the direction of the towers and then scan for digial channels. Sometimes you have to experiment a little to get a good signal for all channels and you may need a different antenna than what you were using for analog, if that's what you had.

As ratman pointed out, if you post a bit more info (TV model, antenna, HD tuner, cable provider, etc.), we might be able to help you out a bit more.