Question on JVC HD52G786 resolution

[baheck]

My parents just bought this tv and it sounds nice. I have a couple of questions though? How can we run the satellite without using a video input? I don't want to have to switch from "tv" to "video 3" anytime I go from an OTA HD channel to a Dishnet channel. Seems like the built in tuner should know how to do this on its own. The second question I have is, how can I pick my resolution, or does the tv just use native automatically and take the decision away from me.

Sorry, I don't have a built in tv so I don't really understand how these work.

Thanks in advance.

[57U]

This TV will take any incoming signal and convert it to its native resolution, which is 720P.

http://www.tvauthority.com/DILA-and-LCOS-TVs/JVC-HD-52G786.asp

If the Sat receiver can also tune OTA as well as SAT, you should not need to change inputs, just leave it on the input for the Sat receiver. You won't use the internal tuner.

If you want to use the internal tuner, you'll need to change inputs.

[baheck]

Thanks for the response. I understand how the STB handles OTA & satellite. Since I don't have a built in I don't really understand these. For now, and I think the satellite STB my dad has is too old, he has the OTA going into the ATSC/Cable input and the sat. STB going into video1 by S-video. The STB doens't have component/hdmi/dvi anything. Again, it sounds as though the STB is too old.

Here is another question. Currently, he is only picking up the PBS digital stations even though antennaweb says that abc, nbc, fox, cbs are not only available, but are at the same 68 degrees. Sounds like a bad antenna (the terk look-a-like to the silver sensor). Does that sound right to you?

Thanks again.

[57U]

Since he has an expensive HDTV now, isn't it time he upgraded to an HD Sat receiver? Perhaps he should get the DVR - most people love their DVRs.

There are lots of reasons not to get channels - I'll let others more familiar with the issues respond though...

[baheck]

Yes he should upgrade the STB. No question about it. He didn't know that though and now he believes that they won't give him one. He doesn't want to have to buy one. I don't use Dish so I don't really know how they work things. I didn't think they were like D* since you "rent" not buy their STBs. Since he has 6 months on his dish contract he is thinking they won't give him the time of day, let alone a new STB.

I told him to call today to see what happens.

[beeheck]

Thanks for your input into my JVC TV. My son is baheck and is trying to help with this installation as he is much more knowledgeable about HD TVs than I am, but I'm learning. In response to your suggestion of upgrading to a HD receiver from Dish, I'm not sure that I want to stay with Dish for 2 more years just to get their HD receiver. Dish proclaims to be the highest in customer satisfaction but I can't believe they have ever surveyed their customers as I go on about the problems with them all day. My question is two fold, first, if I did get a HD receiver would the picture be any better quality than it is now? Up close shots are crystal clear but, for example, a football game the far shots of the two teams lining up are blurry and not sharp. Would this improve? Secondly, would I be able to hook my OTA antenna to the back of the HD receiver and then eliminate the having to switch inputs by hand?

[57U]

Welcome beeheck.

Yes HD is "even better" than what you're seeing now, if what you're seeing now is SD.

I'll let someone else answer your Sat questions, but I'm pretty sure that you can hook the OTA antenna into the back of the STB and get both SAT and OTA "Seamlessly". It may depend on the STB you get.

On another note, are you in an area where you can get cable? If you are, then you may be able to subscribe to basic cable and get the unencyrpted HD cable channels with your internal tuner, if it has QAM capabilities. If you want the specialty channels (premium), you would have to pay for those and get a STB or "CablCard" if your TV has a CableCard slot. An alternative would be to rent the STB from the cable company. Many people now are getting DVRs - people love their DVRs. Cable companies typically have no "time commitment".

Check out the HDTV FAQ section. Lots of answers to "newbie" type questions in there...

[WeAreNotAlone69]

beeheck,

Ran accross this:
HDTV Receiver with HDMI Output Jack $89.98

I saw this in anandtech.com hot deal forums

http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F003%5F006%5F000%5F000&product%5Fid=16%2D3499

And note it has FREE shipping.

And here is the owner's manual.

http://support.radioshack.com/manuals/ome16-3499.pdf