HDTV - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Eagle Eye · 07-05-2005, 04:12 PM

So I got my new HDTV and Shaw HD box on the weekend and all I can say is wow. The HD channel selections that you get from Shaw are ok (they could add a few more like TSN, and the Discovery Channel) but man do the shows and movies that come accross in HD format look absoulutley amazing. I watched Lord of the Rings, Blue Jay games and a couple of other shows.

The only problem that I see is that the regular analog channels look worse when I run them through my box, rather then straight to my TV. I have done a little research on the net and have found a few people mentioning that the Motorola box distorts the Analog signal (don't ask me why).

But overall I am very happy with my first HD experience.

Calgary Flames · 07-05-2005, 05:09 PM

Wait till football season starts... NFL that is. Un freaking real.

icarus · 07-05-2005, 05:23 PM

I can't wait to watch NHL hockey in HDTV... I hear it makes a huge difference in seeing the puck. Not that I have a problem, but you know what I mean!

Pagal4321 · 07-05-2005, 05:26 PM

I want to check out a football game in HDTV, i can only imagine how crazy it is.
Don't plan on forking over for the HDTV box from Shaw tho....my tv is HDTV ready(i'm pretty sure)

MolsonInBothHands · 07-05-2005, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pagal4321@Jul 5 2005, 04:42 PM
I want to check out a football game in HDTV, i can only imagine how crazy it is.
Don't plan on forking over for the HDTV box from Shaw tho....my tv is HDTV ready(i'm pretty sure)

I was of the understanding that HDTV ready simply means the television can handle the resolution of the HDTV format... but you still have to get an HDTV decoder, whether it be a cable box, or a satellite tuner that provides the HDTV signal for the shwanky TV. Is this correct?

I-Hate-Hulse · 07-05-2005, 06:25 PM

Yep, nothing beats an HDTV signal. I have an upconverting DVD player that will put out 1080i but it's still not as good as the PBS station on Shaw. That freaking public access channel has the best signal and quality by far!!! Why can't the CBC be like that?

The crappiness of the Motorola HD unit at handling SD signals is well known and not restricted to yours. I just kick back to direct cable on the TV if it's really p*ssing me off but it's typically not that big a deal.

I've heard that the CBC HD Truck was going to be ready but that was before the lockout. Damn thing was like 12 million to build! I sincerely hope it good to go for HNIC as unfortunately without ABC, I don't think we'll get many games in HD, not sure if NBC does a lot of it's sports in HD.

Remember, if it's not 1080i, it's crap!!!! Accept no others!

browna · 07-05-2005, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MolsonInBothHands+Jul 5 2005, 05:00 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (MolsonInBothHands @ Jul 5 2005, 05:00 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-Pagal4321@Jul 5 2005, 04:42 PM
I want to check out a football game in HDTV, i can only imagine how crazy it is.
Don't plan on forking over for the HDTV box from Shaw tho....my tv is HDTV ready(i'm pretty sure)

I was of the understanding that HDTV ready simply means the television can handle the resolution of the HDTV format... but you still have to get an HDTV decoder, whether it be a cable box, or a satellite tuner that provides the HDTV signal for the shwanky TV. Is this correct? [/b][/quote]
Yes.
Tv's can be HD ready, but need a HD capable box to get the signals.

Not sure about your distortion, the local/basic cable stations on Shaw are still analog based signal, so they're going to look much more grainy then the HD, and slightly more then digital signals (channel 60, and the specialty stations between 80-120). Of course, a bigger TV, you notice this more.

Shaw recently expanded HD, and Snet in HD is welcome. The elimination of the omnibus channel, which Shaw shifted hourly to get HD content from all over the place, TNT for NBA basket ball, then a CBS show the next hour etc, is gone now.

Not sure how it will work for regional broadcasts of Snet hockey games (although they may not be shot in HD either).
The lacking hole for HD is Fox, lets hope thats fixed before football (and S5 of 24!). HD content (for now) is still free with Shaw.

But you're right, the picture difference is fantastic, and those shows/event shot in HD with the widescreen etc is even better.

Mccree · 07-05-2005, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by browna@Jul 5 2005, 05:48 PM

Not sure how it will work for regional broadcasts of Snet hockey games (although they may not be shot in HD either).
The lacking hole for HD is Fox, lets hope thats fixed before football (and S5 of 24!). HD content (for now) is still free with Shaw.

I could be wrong but channel 307 is new and it is a fox channel.

Winsor_Pilates · 07-05-2005, 07:48 PM

How much is the shaw HD box going for?
Also, I've heard it is also a PVR unit. Any reactions about that feature?

browna · 07-05-2005, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mccree+Jul 5 2005, 06:59 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Mccree @ Jul 5 2005, 06:59 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-browna@Jul 5 2005, 05:48 PM

Not sure how it will work for regional broadcasts of Snet hockey games (although they may not be shot in HD either).
The lacking hole for HD is Fox, lets hope thats fixed before football (and S5 of 24!). HD content (for now) is still free with Shaw.

I could be wrong but channel 307 is new and it is a fox channel. [/b][/quote]
Nice find.
Looks like they added Fox late last week.

Other then the odd CBC HD (if its working yet) or TSN HD when hockey starts (not sure if they do CFL in HD), I'm pleased now with a full HD american station setup.

Pagal4321 · 07-05-2005, 08:38 PM

Somes CFL games are HD......the Stamps one was allegedly that way on friday.

Yes, I'd be curious to know how much a Shaw HD box runs for? I recall checking awhile back and it was uber expensive.

Calgary Flames · 07-05-2005, 08:49 PM

I got my HD-PVR at XMas for about $450 from Futureshop. They have the new Dual PVR (Record a show while watching another) for like $800.

Also a big WOOHOO! to Shaw for putting Fox on HD... would've been nice to have 24 in HD though.,... Greaaaaat timing.

browna · 07-05-2005, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pagal4321@Jul 5 2005, 07:54 PM
Somes CFL games are HD......the Stamps one was allegedly that way on friday.

Yes, I'd be curious to know how much a Shaw HD box runs for? I recall checking awhile back and it was uber expensive.

Can't remember...$300 or $400.

If you have a non HD box, you can usually convince Shaw to give you $100 back on a credit.

Calgary Flames · 07-05-2005, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by browna+Jul 5 2005, 08:09 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (browna @ Jul 5 2005, 08:09 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-Pagal4321@Jul 5 2005, 07:54 PM
Somes CFL games are HD......the Stamps one was allegedly that way on friday.

Yes, I'd be curious to know how much a Shaw HD box runs for? I recall checking awhile back and it was uber expensive.

Can't remember...$300 or $400.

If you have a non HD box, you can usually convince Shaw to give you $100 back on a credit. [/b][/quote]
The non PVR one's are $400, But once you can pause live TV you can never go back

Winsor_Pilates · 07-05-2005, 11:41 PM

How much storage is on the PVRs?
I've heard you get about an hour/GB
Just wondering how many GBs?

photon · 07-06-2005, 01:25 AM

The newest 2 tuner one I think is a Motorola DCT 6412 and has 120GB of space.

Shaw claims 15 hours of HD recording.

Eagle Eye · 07-06-2005, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pagal4321@Jul 5 2005, 06:54 PM
Somes CFL games are HD......the Stamps one was allegedly that way on friday.

Yes, I'd be curious to know how much a Shaw HD box runs for? I recall checking awhile back and it was uber expensive.

The box was $399, but I think cost is something like $350 (if you buy a TV you could get it lower).

If you haven't had Shaw Digital before you get a $10/mnth credit for 10 months and I think 12 free movies. The HD channels do not cost you anymore a month then Digital.

Shaw now has 7 HD channels (SN, ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS, MC, and FOX)

Last night I watched 'My wife and Kids' and 'George Lopez' in HD (I think they were as they were very good quality plus they were widescreen).

I would recomend getting HD to anyone out there, wether it be Shaw, Bell or whomever.

Regulator75 · 07-06-2005, 09:12 AM

Welcome to the club!

I love HD too, can't get enough of it. Watching the Memorial Cup in HD was mind blowing. I can't wait until the NHL season starts.

I-Hate-Hulse · 07-06-2005, 10:28 AM

The Big4 Soundsaround sale in Sept is where I got mine last year. It was substantially cheaper as typically they get cranky with existing subscribers upgrading their hardware but thye waived all that at the sale.

dustygoon · 07-06-2005, 10:50 AM

I saw some ESPN hockey last year on HD....it was pretty good. Still not the rebirth that people are saying but good. Camera men still need to zoom out/widen the shot a bit more.....we can't see facial expressions but you can see the play develop.

Best thing i have seen on HD is the masters. incredible.