View Full Version : Question about HD/HD cables
L8 Braker
03-11-2010, 06:02 PM
So I got a HD TV for the bedroom...There's no cable box or anything, just the standard wall connection for basic cable...If I buy the HD cables, they'll be nowhere to plug them in to...
So there's no reason to buy the cables, right?...Am I missing something?
Is there a way to get the HD benefits through the standard cable outlet?
Flexin
03-11-2010, 06:05 PM
So I got a HD TV for the bedroom...There's no cable box or anything, just the standard wall connection for basic cable...If I buy the HD cables, they'll be nowhere to plug them in to...
So there's no reason to buy the cables, right?...Am I missing something?
Is there a way to get the HD benefits through the standard cable outlet?
You can't have HDTV with out an HD source. You will just be able to watch standard def tv. Unless you are going to put in a Blu Ray player or a HD box you will not have a need for an HDMI cable.
What size/brand did you get? I need a new tv for my room. I will have to wait till I finish school and am working more again but I will get something.
James
goof2
03-11-2010, 06:38 PM
If you are just running the normal cable from the wall you need nothing else, but as has already been said you will most likely only have standard def TV available. There is also no need for additional cables.
There are a couple things that are possible to get an HD signal without an HD box. The first is you can use an HD antenna. You will not get a ton of channels with one and depending on your area you may only get a couple. The second is called, if I remember, "CableCard" but your TV probably doesn't have it while your cable provider probably doesn't support it.
An "HD antenna" is also called an "antenna". They just pick up RF waves - $10 rabbit ears often work as well or better than a $30 "HD antenna".
defector
03-11-2010, 07:06 PM
I don't even think you need an HD antenna. All of our llocal channels are broadcast in both 480p or 720p. The networks are in both.
Rangerscott
03-11-2010, 07:35 PM
If you want Hi-def tv channels then you have to have your cable/sat company set it up for you.
HDMI or component (yes component cables are HD, stfu) can be used to connect a blu-ray player, ps3/360, DVR, etc to your tv.
marko138
03-11-2010, 09:04 PM
Over the air HD is free from the networks. Get a 10 dollar set of rabbit ears. You'll tune them in and they will look better than cable, I promise you that.
Rangerscott
03-11-2010, 10:25 PM
Over the air HD is free from the networks. Get a 10 dollar set of rabbit ears. You'll tune them in and they will look better than cable, I promise you that.
Pretty much every HD tv built now has an HD antenna built in.
defector
03-12-2010, 09:52 AM
Over the air HD is free from the networks. Get a 10 dollar set of rabbit ears. You'll tune them in and they will look better than cable, I promise you that.
^^^That's what I should have said.
Pretty much every HD tv built now has an HD antenna built in.
I have a brand new LCD in the bedroom that would pick up the over the air channels, but the picture quality sucked. Rabbit ears, and problem solved.
My dad insisted I have an HD cable when I got my new TV. When the dish guy came to hook everything up he said I didn't need it.
Pretty much every HD tv built now has an HD antenna built in.
You can't get all the signals with built in antennas as you can with a exterior antenna.
I recommend homebuilding an antenna. It will save you a ton of money and you can get a ton of channels.
These work great
http://www.tvantennaplans.com/
Great thing is they don't need to be on the roof, mount them in your attic.
HD cable is worthless, it's like getting a ferrari and pulling the plugs out of half the cylinders.
HD satelite is the way to go. Uverse is still just at 1080i. Cable is compressed shit.
Rangerscott
03-12-2010, 02:15 PM
I get every hd channel over he air I my area so shuck it.
I get every hd channel over he air I my area so shuck it.
Have you researched it and found out everything in your area that is possible or do you just have enough channels to keep yourself occupied and not really looked into it. The receiving capability of an internal TV antenna is very very minimal.
Particle Man
03-12-2010, 02:35 PM
I don't even bother with cable or satellite for TV. All my channels come in quite well over the air (I, stupidly bought an antenna :wtfru:)
shmike
03-12-2010, 02:37 PM
Do you "over the air" guys have cable or satellite in addition to the broadcast stations?
I don't watch much TV but when I do, I try to avoid the networks whenever possible.
defector
03-12-2010, 03:22 PM
Do you "over the air" guys have cable or satellite in addition to the broadcast stations?
I don't watch much TV but when I do, I try to avoid the networks whenever possible.
Yes, I have satellite.
But I am kind of a nerd, and my local PBS station has 2 different channels that I can't get through the satellite that are usually playing some nature or space stuff in HD. (Plus one of my tv's is an older HD unit with PIP so I can watch both).
Rangerscott
03-12-2010, 05:30 PM
Have you researched it and found out everything in your area that is possible or do you just have enough channels to keep yourself occupied and not really looked into it. The receiving capability of an internal TV antenna is very very minimal.
Only the major channels in my area broadcast HD signal.
marko138
03-13-2010, 12:35 PM
Do you "over the air" guys have cable or satellite in addition to the broadcast stations?
I don't watch much TV but when I do, I try to avoid the networks whenever possible.
I do not. Just broadcast tv.
L8 Braker
03-15-2010, 05:33 PM
Forgot to ask...
There's no adaptor for the standard wall cable outlet to allow HD cables?
Flexin
03-15-2010, 06:00 PM
Forgot to ask...
There's no adaptor for the standard wall cable outlet to allow HD cables?
Yes. Its called a cable box. You don't need an HDMI cable if your just using the cable from the wall.
James
Rangerscott
03-15-2010, 06:29 PM
Yes. Its called a cable box. You don't need an HDMI cable if your just using the cable from the wall.
James
For standard (non-hd) cable, a box is not always required. Is calling your cable company out of the question?
marko138
03-15-2010, 06:38 PM
For standard (non-hd) cable, a box is not always required. Is calling your cable company out of the question?
It will be if it's Comcast. They are requiring boxes for all their cable services.
L8 Braker
03-15-2010, 07:32 PM
Is calling your cable company out of the question?Only if I want to sit on hold for hours at a time...
Anyway, I trust the replies in this thread much more than anyone at the cable company...
So thanks again to all the good info...
Flexin
03-15-2010, 08:49 PM
For standard (non-hd) cable, a box is not always required. Is calling your cable company out of the question?
I know. He asked for an adapter. That would be the only way to do it.
James
Rangerscott
03-15-2010, 08:57 PM
Just go with Dish. I've never seen a dish guy be an asshole. They setup everything for free.
Gas Man
03-16-2010, 06:02 AM
It will be if it's Comcast. They are requiring boxes for all their cable services.
Um... I think no. I run 2 HD boxes and many other tv's without.
Cutty72
03-16-2010, 06:29 AM
Um... I think no. I run 2 HD boxes and many other tv's without.
What the hell are you doing up so early?
marko138
03-16-2010, 08:14 AM
Um... I think no. I run 2 HD boxes and many other tv's without.
Well it's certainly the case around here. It was a huge news story locally a couple weeks ago.
Um... I think no. I run 2 HD boxes and many other tv's without.
depends on if the area has gone all digital or not, new TVs can pick up digital though, so you still don't need a box.
Gas Man
03-16-2010, 05:17 PM
What the hell are you doing up so early?
Working mid nights. i swing shift every week.
Well it's certainly the case around here. It was a huge news story locally a couple weeks ago.
Hmm
depends on if the area has gone all digital or not, new TVs can pick up digital though, so you still don't need a box.
hmmm
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