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06/11/2006 07:55:07 PM · #1 |
My wife and I are in the process of buying a condo in Carlsbad, CA. This will be a big move for us. We watch what I would consider an average amount of TV each day...so signing up for a decent cable/satellite channel package is worth it to us (120-150 channels).
We're also buying a new HDTV...probably a 60" Samsung DLP. The concern we have is whether or not there are enough channels broadcast in HD to make the extra $30-40/month worth it? I realize that "worth is in the eye of the beholder," but nevertheless, I was curious what DP users think about HD. Is the overall HD experience SO unbelievable that even though it's broadcast on a very limited basis, it's absolutely worth it!? I've heard some say it is...and some say it isn't.
Just curious what you guys think. Thanks.
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06/11/2006 07:57:33 PM · #2 |
Have you seen HD on a DLP, specially 60"--?
Stunning, and a huge yes for me-- I dont have HD yet, but I drool ever time I see it.
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06/11/2006 08:02:24 PM · #3 |
If you are already purchasing a HD tv, then you have to get the hd service. Only reason to get the tv. And when I used it for 4 months earlier this year (I was very skeptical), after about 3 days, I ONLY, ONLY ONLY used HD channels. Didn't even use the other 200. There were about 15 channels plus the premium channels in HD, but I could spend hours learning about the Equator on Discovery HD or watching the sports on ESPN HD, or watching the broadcasts on abc, cbs etc on HD.
So, with a resounding yes, it is worth it. But for me it was only 15 dollars a month more for service in HD plus maybe a $5 rental a month for the box. It really is amazing. No joke. But don't get the tv without the service. No point.
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06/11/2006 08:09:06 PM · #4 |
I appreciate the comments. I know a lot of people are saying, "If you're buying an HD TV, you better get the HD service!" More than anything, we're wanting a BIGGER TV. Right now, we just have a small 24" screen...not exactly a great thing to watch a movie on. My parents have a big screen TV, and they don't have any HD channels. It's still more fun to watch stuff on a big screen...regardless of whether it has HD channels coming through or not. For us, it's a tough decision.
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06/11/2006 08:12:12 PM · #5 |
If you wanch a lot of tv it's definitely worth it. I don't watch enough so even upgrading my 13" television isn't even worth it.
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06/11/2006 08:15:04 PM · #6 |
If you don't get the HD service, having a HD tv is of no real value other than the large screen. You'll love the samsung dlp....a great set. As others have said...plenty of things to watch in hd. And the movies!!!!!!
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06/11/2006 08:15:09 PM · #7 |
Is this tv "HD-Ready" or HD compatible-- If it has the HD tuner built in-- then you can access the local HD feeds for free I think, just with simple rabbit ears..
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06/11/2006 08:23:49 PM · #8 |
Here's a link to the TV we're thinking about buying: //www.dbldistributing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=11&products_id=45250. To answer Buzzrock's question...I'm pretty sure it has HD built in. What kind of rabbit ears does it need to get HD reception?
We currently have a DVR (through DirecTV)...but I know you need to get an HD DVR to record HD shows/movies.
Too many decisions!
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06/11/2006 08:29:00 PM · #9 |
Chafer-- heres a nifty guide-- still not sure if the set your looking at has the tuner built in-- say Digital Cable ready--
but have a look at this link
HD signal guide
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06/11/2006 08:56:19 PM · #10 |
i agree a big screen is always better. but don't get an hd unless you want the service. get another one or a medium set, because over the next two years until HD broadcast becomes standard and absolute, the prices are only gonna drop. And in two years, the prices will really fall when all people must have hd. you know what I mean?
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06/11/2006 09:04:26 PM · #11 |
If you are a sports fan, yes it's worth it. I can not watch football without HD now and it's tough watching other sports without HD.
Other then that though, it's nice but I could live without it.
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06/11/2006 10:49:13 PM · #12 |
You guys on Adephia or is it Rogers over there in Carlsbad?
I got Roadrunner over in Mira Mesa and the all the regular channels are Digital (like difference between VHS and CD) around here the Analog regular cable sucked so bad.
The HD package here is for 12 channels (ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, Padres, Several PBS, and my favorite Discovery HD which is one of the only True Filmed for HD all HD channels around, and the Pay-per-View HD channels that we use all the time now .
Are they worth it...If you like Dave Letterman (some of the best HD filming I have seen), CSI, House, Survivor etc etc... You haven't really seen then until you watched them in HD.
Side Note: Over here in Mira Mesa we live on, well, a mesa so I can pick up most of the HD channels (no Discovery HD, no Padres :{) free off the air. I also get several of the Digital Channels as well. Channel Master UHF antenna just of the roof does fine here.
Carlsbad would be a little tougher as the towers are all over here... FOX6 is out of TJ, Several are from Mt. Soledad and the rest are Mt Palomar. You have some hills in the way and would only be able to pick up off air:
KGTV-DT 10.1 ABC SAN DIEGO CA 155° 22.2 25
KFMB-DT 8.1 CBS SAN DIEGO CA 156° 22.3 55
KSWB-DT 5.1 WB SAN DIEGO CA 131° 38.8 19
KPBS-DT 15.1 PBS SAN DIEGO CA 131° 38.7 30
KNSD-DT 39.1 NBC SAN DIEGO CA 131° 38.8 40
KVMD-DT 23.1 IND TWENTYNINE PALMS
To answer your question once you go HD/Digital you will never be able to back. Besides 2009 will be the death of analog... They have already started selling off the analog frequencies.
Andy |
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06/11/2006 11:00:35 PM · #13 |
Is High Definition (HD) TV worth the extra cost?
Yes. |
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06/11/2006 11:16:20 PM · #14 |
Lots of good feedback. Along the same lines, what is the difference between digital and analog? That was thrown out there a couple times in this thread. Also, how does cable (like Adelphia or Cox) compare to DirecTV or Dish Network? I need a fast internet connection, so I'm going to be getting Adelphia high speed internet, so I thought I would just go with their cable service also...but I don't know how it compares to DirecTV (that's what we've got right now)...with regards to normal, non-HD channels.
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06/11/2006 11:17:52 PM · #15 |
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06/11/2006 11:18:45 PM · #16 |
All programming is supposedly going to be done in HD by April 2007 so if you DONT have HD, you'll have to buy a convertor for your non-HD set. The kits can run $150-$200 so I would say buy HD.
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06/11/2006 11:19:13 PM · #17 |
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06/11/2006 11:48:21 PM · #18 |
Originally posted by chafer:
Lots of good feedback. Along the same lines, what is the difference between digital and analog? That was thrown out there a couple times in this thread. Also, how does cable (like Adelphia or Cox) compare to DirecTV or Dish Network? I need a fast internet connection, so I'm going to be getting Adelphia high speed internet, so I thought I would just go with their cable service also...but I don't know how it compares to DirecTV (that's what we've got right now)...with regards to normal, non-HD channels. |
If you can get a package deal it is usually cheaper in the long run. Might even want to query them as to what a VOIP (voice over IP) phone in the package would cost. At first it seems crazy to have a 110 bucks a month bill to one company... But Highspeed Internet, Digital Cable/HD and free US/Canada calling anytime all the time (and rid yourself of SBC/ATT) It's like 40 bucks a month to even have a (SBC affiliated) phone without even making a call.
Adelphia should give you a price break on Cable/Internet...I got a bud over in Olivenheim that got a sweet deal a couple years back.
Digital Cable and Dish/Direct are the same.
Edit: When purchasing your TV check for connections (and pleny of them) like HDMI and Component in and out, Composite (single jack RCA connector) and S Video are on their way out but still usable. Always nice to have a digital audio fiber or otherwise out to the A/V reciever. If you go HD/Digital you will be getting a set top box and you will be hooking it up with HDMI or Component.
Message edited by author 2006-06-11 23:55:08. |
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06/12/2006 12:53:14 PM · #19 |
Any more opinions out there?
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06/12/2006 01:22:47 PM · #20 |
we have a 57 inch HDTV and when we watch basketball its like being on the court. The picture is amazing. I cant wait till they switch all of the channels to HD.
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06/12/2006 01:44:57 PM · #21 |
Don't forget that a digital HDTV typically has:
a) Better connectivity for other sources like DVD players and computers. This often includes one or more HDMI (or DVI) inputs, an RGB computer input, several Component (RGB analog) inputs, and often digital audio pass throughs. Do yourself a favor and get a DVD player that upscales to 720p or 1080i, like my Oppo 971H.
b) Improved image scaling for non-HD material. This can also be a hindrance if the TV has particularly bad scaling. This is the process that the TV will go through to display basic cable, satellite on your screen. Good scalers will enlarge the image will minimal artifacts. Bad scalers will turn a mediocre, small image into a large, terrible one.
Some things to keep in mind though...
a) Not all HD is created equal. I often am disappointed with HBO's HD signal via DirecTV, for instance. Often, over-the-air HD via an antenna exceeds satellite and digital cable signals due to increased compression in those signals.
b) Your chosen HDTV contains a light bulb to create that image on screen. It will, after a certain length of time, dim and eventually burn out. Manufacturers rarely publish expected life of bulbs, but you can expect 2000-3000 hours of usable life. These bulbs are commonly $200-450, so factor that into the cost of maintenance.
c) DLP TVs contain what is called a "color wheel". Amazingly, a spinning wheel is constantly in motion to produce the image on screen. If you can locate this information about your desired TV, it's best to find a color wheel that has a combination of a fast multiplier (4x) and a large number of segments (6 segment). These factors will combine to aleviate the "rainbow effect" that people with certain sensibilities can see in DLP TVs. This is more pronounced in Front Projected DLPs, but is an issue in Rear projection as well.
Message edited by author 2006-06-12 13:45:33. |
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06/12/2006 02:54:17 PM · #22 |
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06/12/2006 02:58:11 PM · #23 |
lol I'd like to think yes but after my wife bought our HUGE HD capable TV we realized there is only ONE (1) HD station in our area...and it's sports. (I don't get a lot of time to watch much TV when I'm home but when I do I'm not gonna sit and watch sports)
I guess eventually more will hit the area but what do I expect in little ole Georgetown, KY. |
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06/12/2006 03:00:34 PM · #24 |
Others have already mentioned it but Analog is dead.
If you are in the market for a new television you will be throwing money away if you do not buy a HDTV.
I was explaining this to my girlfriend recently and even though we don't watch tv very often we feel sort of stuck into having to buy one which is why we have decided to wait as long as possible before doing so. |
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06/12/2006 03:12:29 PM · #25 |
I would say no...
Cable is too expensive already. In my area they want about $50/mo for standard cable with only about 70 channels.
I refuse to pay that much... I don't have tv anymore. |
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