random tv question

[MonsieurFish]

alright. let me once again clarify this. the only way ill be able to get an hdtv signal is by having digital cable or satellite and using those to get HDTV? an antennae or tuner will not reach from calgary? are you sure about this and how long until calgary will have hdtv signals?

[ken0042]

Yes, you are understanding us correctly.

As for when, I wouldn't be holding my breath. Nobody is in a big hurry to add OTA HD- and I can understand it from a broadcaster's perspective. How many people are going to spend several thousands of dollars on hardware, but refuse to spend money on programming?

I would guess you will be well into your 2nd HDTV before there are OTA signals in Calgary. And keep in mind that the second that there are OTA HD signals here, Shaw will be carrying them.

IMHO the only reason to worry about it is if you plan on living near the US border; like in Toronto.

Worst case scenario, seperate OTA set top boxes are only a couple of hundred dollars. If you need one later on you can just buy one.

I was actually quite shocked that the Sony was $600 between the two units. My guess is nobody is buying these in the States, and Sony needs to get rid of them.

[MonsieurFish]

awesome, thanks ken

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by ken0042

Yes, you are understanding us correctly.

As for when, I wouldn't be holding my breath. Nobody is in a big hurry to add OTA HD- and I can understand it from a broadcaster's perspective. How many people are going to spend several thousands of dollars on hardware, but refuse to spend money on programming?

I would guess you will be well into your 2nd HDTV before there are OTA signals in Calgary. And keep in mind that the second that there are OTA HD signals here, Shaw will be carrying them.

IMHO the only reason to worry about it is if you plan on living near the US border; like in Toronto.

Worst case scenario, seperate OTA set top boxes are only a couple of hundred dollars. If you need one later on you can just buy one.

I was actually quite shocked that the Sony was $600 between the two units. My guess is nobody is buying these in the States, and Sony needs to get rid of them.

I'm hoping OTA comes a little quicker than you suggest. From what I hear OTA has a much better picture than an over compressed Shaw or Bell and it's free. CBC Vancouver has been up and running for almost a year now and they still don't have it on Bell. Shaw is even slower to bring in HD stations. Calgary doesn't have any stations yet so I wouldn't pay the extra for a tuner but if I was chooosing betweeen two TVs of equal price and one had the tuner. I'd take the one with the tuner.

[HOOT]

You will also need to subscribe to HD Channels from a provider.

Each company offers different ones:

Bell = 30
Shaw = 7
Star Choice = 11

[HOOT]

Also that is nuts how they can say to everyone you have until 2009 to get an HDTV else you aint watching!

[HOOT]

Been great for me! Not to big not to small....awesome HD.

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...10074699&catid=

[nfotiu]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

I'm hoping OTA comes a little quicker than you suggest. From what I hear OTA has a much better picture than an over compressed Shaw or Bell and it's free. CBC Vancouver has been up and running for almost a year now and they still don't have it on Bell. Shaw is even slower to bring in HD stations. Calgary doesn't have any stations yet so I wouldn't pay the extra for a tuner but if I was chooosing betweeen two TVs of equal price and one had the tuner. I'd take the one with the tuner.

As someone with lots of experience trying to get OTA channels, when that was the only way to get network HD, I have to add that OTA is a big pain in the ass. It may not even provide a better picture as many broadcasters opt to compromise the quality by adding subchannels.

If you don't get a perfect signal, it is completely unwatchable with sound and picture breakups. It is nearly impossible to find an antenna direction where you can pick up all the channels you want to find, even by installing one on the roof. It is also very tough to avoid multipath (which completely ruins the signal), if you have any hills, trees, tall buildings around.

With all the hills in Calgary, I doubt there is any where you could get very good reception. I don't remember ever being able to get a clear picture with rabbit ears in any of the areas I lived in in Calgary. OTA ATSC would be far tougher to get a watchable signal.

I was so thankful when Comcast started offering locals in HD a couple years ago. I think my wife was ready to leave me after the amount of time I spent on the roof trying to find the perfect antenna position and the perfect antenna.