Need help with the best hook-up!

[Woodycbs]

I just purchased the Comcast HD & Digital Cable. The Tech ran the wire to the Digital Box and then thru component 1 with the 5 HD cables (Comcast doesn't have DVI hook-up yet.). I had the TV for only 1 day before all this was installed so I just ran the cable wire to the TV to the RF. The picture was great but now I notice the non-HD channels (all 100+ of them) are much worse than just having it hooked to the TV with a basic cable wire. I split it prior to the box to double check and sure enough the channels are much clearer thru the RF coaxial.

So is it my cable provider, the longer feed, the box itself or the wiring that is causing the poorer signal via the digital cable box? Does anyone else have this issue with any cable company? I can keep the split and watch the TV with the analog cable if I am not watching HD but even then I am wondering what is the best wiring to get the best picture? I am willing to buy more expensive wiring to get it but I just thought the wiring Comcast brought would work well. Funny, huh?

Appreciate any feedback.

[BrianW]

I assume you got a Motorola DCT5100 (http://broadband.motorola.com/digital/dct5100.pdf) with your set up.

Technically only three of the cables apply as HD the other two are analog audio cables (left and right). The techinition should have hooked the coax cable from the STB to the TV as well as the Component cables (the 5 you mentioned). You should be able to switch inputs on you set to watch regular TV from the coax.

Now you also did not say what TV you have or what aspect ration your set is (4:3 or 16:9). If the set is 4:3 and you are watching through the HD input then regular TV should be in a 4:3 box inside the 16:9 box. On my set this picture looked very nice compare to the full screen on the coax input.

Also your set may need to be tweeked and there is good info in the FAQ messages area (http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=384).

[DALLAS-HD]

So what is the best connection to have from a HD Receiver to an HD ready TV -component or DVI?