Quick question, OTA local HD VS local HD provided by cable company..

[HDTV-NUT]

While I was with Dish Network I went out and bought a Turk Amplified Antenna and got all my locals in HD perfect. I am now back with cable and they offer my locals in HD so there is no need for the antenna anymore. My question though is, do you guys think that the OTA HD or the local HD threw my cable company will have the same PQ or will one be better then the other? Trying to decide if I should return the antenna or keep it if it will provide a better HD picture for my locals. thanks

[bigbw]

PQ is in the eyes of the beholder.. Only you can make the decision.. Everybody is always talking about how bad directv's hd quality is, but I have both D* and cable HD and can't tell the difference..

[HDTV-NUT]

Well im not really talking about PQ between SAT and Cable, im talking about PQ between OTA local HD and Local HD provided from the cable company. Just wondering if there is some kind of processing that takes place when the cable company sends out the local HD signal that would make the PQ go down?

[mjones73]

Most cable companies pass the signal as is from the OTA source unless they don't have the bandwidth. Unless they are messing with it, the PQ should be the same between the two.

[HDTV-NUT]

ok thanks, i guess really the only thing to do is compare for myself and see if there is a difference at all.

[hammie]

You may also get more HD channles with your OTA versus cable. Most cable providers only pick one affiliate to broadcast in HD although there may be a couple available in your area, i.e., ABC 1 is only available via cable but you like ABC 2 and they can be seen via OTA.

Hope that makes sense. Sadly, in my head it makes perfect sense.

-Lou

[HDTV-NUT]

my cable company provides all locals in HD and Dolby 5.1. ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, PBS. i guess im lucky..

[badchad]

I'm with adelphia, and I don't get fox in HD :(

[HDTV-NUT]

have you tried to get it OTA?

[57U]

Sometimes, if there is a difference, it could be because the STB itself is better. It's rare that I've heard OTA is worse...when you can get it solidly.

[HDTV-NUT]

thanks 57U, once my girlfriend gets done watching her movie on my system i will go connect the OTA to my TV's tuner and see what it looks like. i will let you know.

[Telstar]

But some TV's would NOT be able to get OTA HD, right?

For example, my Mits WS-55807 is an "HD-Upgradeable" and would require an HDTV receiver or, in my case, the STB from Comcast (which is what I"ve always used) in order to convert and display HD.

Therefore, for this type of RPTV, an OTA antenna would serve no purpose in receiving HD programming?

:)

[abeas]

my cable company provides all locals in HD and Dolby 5.1. ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, PBS. i guess im lucky..

I get all those locals with comcast in Pittsburgh, in addition I also get WB in HD. Assumming you have a local WB in your area, you might be able to get that over the air. I guess with my one extra local channel, I'm a little luckier than you. :cheers: just kidding, just a thought though, maybe you have WB and even UPN in your area you could pick up.

[HDTV-NUT]

But some TV's would NOT be able to get OTA HD, right?

For example, my Mits WS-55807 is an "HD-Upgradeable" and would require an HDTV receiver or, in my case, the STB from Comcast (which is what I"ve always used) in order to convert and display HD.

Therefore, for this type of RPTV, an OTA antenna would serve no purpose in receiving HD programming?

:)
correct. if your tv dosent have a tuner then your STB box is what you need to use.

[HDTV-NUT]

I get all those locals with comcast in Pittsburgh, in addition I also get WB in HD. Assumming you have a local WB in your area, you might be able to get that over the air. I guess with my one extra local channel, I'm a little luckier than you. :cheers: just kidding, just a thought though, maybe you have WB and even UPN in your area you could pick up.
we have WB and UPN in our area but neither broadcast in HD. i never watch either of those channels and from what i have seen, they dont offer much in terms of HD content. but yes your right, if i had the choice, i would take the local WB and UPN in HD. :P

[hammie]

my cable company provides all locals in HD and Dolby 5.1. ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, PBS. i guess im lucky..

I guess what I mean is that I am between two markets, Baltimore, MD and Washington, DC. All my HD channels are out of DC, however, if I wanted Baltimore HD channels, the OTA would be the way to go.

That's what I meant.

-Lou

[badchad]

correct. if your tv dosent have a tuner then your STB box is what you need to use.

This is the reason I haven't tried to get anything OTA. I have no tuners on my TV. And I live in an apt. so I'm not going to raise an antenna and go to the effort just to get a single channel.

[HDTV-NUT]

Well I connected the OTA antenna and the PQ was the same as the STB. Both have a perfect picture.