hooking up HDTV

cyismydog · 03-12-2008, 02:32 PM

A family member of mine recently bought a 42" 1080p lg hdtv. However, he refuses to get an hd converter box. He is from the older generation, and is very stubborn. He says the games are in hd, but they're not. He won't listen to me when I tell him he needs a converter box.
So, my question is, what other packages do you have to get to get hdtv from mediacom, and how can I convince him to get a converter box? He won't listen to me.

jdoggivjc · 03-12-2008, 02:35 PM

Originally Posted by cyismydog

A family member of mine recently bought a 42" 1080p lg hdtv. However, he refuses to get an hd converter box. He is from the older generation, and is very stubborn. He says the games are in hd, but they're not. He won't listen to me when I tell him he needs a converter box.
So, my question is, what other packages do you have to get to get hdtv from mediacom, and how can I convince him to get a converter box? He won't listen to me.

Let him hook up his TV any way he wants.

Next, if you haven't done this already, go to the store and purchase your own HDTV and hook it up the proper way.

Next, invite said family member over for the game. Keep asking if his picture looks as good as yours.

Finally, when he finally admits that your picture is better than his and wants to know why your picture looks better, tell him. Or don't, and charge admission for the next event you invite him to

conmebol · 03-12-2008, 02:41 PM

you don't necessarily need to get a converter box. you can get over the air signal with just regular antenna. In fact I'm pretty sure Mediacom do not scramble their hdtv signal for kcci, and who, so if you have mediacom hookup, you pretty much get those for free. Pretty much the only media that can take advantage of the 1080p is blu-ray/hd-dvd, or gaming system anyway. For TV it will be either 1080i / 720p.

cyismydog · 03-12-2008, 02:42 PM

Sorry, I meant 1080i.

dmclone · 03-12-2008, 02:43 PM

Just tell him to get an HD-DVR from mediacom (of course Directv would be better). He'll thank you later. I don't know the name of there single tuner HD receivers.

I believe you can just pay $10/month for the HD package.

dmclone · 03-12-2008, 02:46 PM

He doesn't happen to have a built-in HD tuner in that TV does he? If he does, just hook HD antenna up and let him see the difference between 8.1 and 8.

keepngoal · 03-12-2008, 02:57 PM

It could be a vision thing...

before I got glasses, my HD wasn't so HD.

I say let it go.

-keep

benjay · 03-12-2008, 02:58 PM

the hd-dvr box is the same price as the normal i'm pretty sure. he's not even out anything to upgrade it.

pulse · 03-12-2008, 03:05 PM

I think all cable companies are required to carry the HD signal (unencrypted) from the local broadcast networks (NBC CBS, FOX, etc), so your family member probably does get local channels in HD. Cable companies sometimes put the signals in obscure spots. For example a regular channel 5 HD signal might be up on 108-1.

BigBake · 03-12-2008, 03:09 PM

Just show him 8 compared to 8.1 from an over the air antennae. Especially this weekend when the games are on CBS.

mike4cy · 03-12-2008, 03:17 PM

Originally Posted by jdoggivjc

Let him hook up his TV any way he wants.

Next, if you haven't done this already, go to the store and purchase your own HDTV and hook it up the proper way.

Next, invite said family member over for the game. Keep asking if his picture looks as good as yours.

Finally, when he finally admits that your picture is better than his and wants to know why your picture looks better, tell him. Or don't, and charge admission for the next event you invite him to

That is awesome!

superdorf · 03-12-2008, 08:30 PM

Originally Posted by BigBake

Just show him 8 compared to 8.1 from an over the air antennae. Especially this weekend when the games are on CBS.

Yes... Go to this website:
AntennaWeb

And make sure you have a decent antenna and show him the OTA hd.

SeattleClone · 03-12-2008, 08:36 PM

Originally Posted by pulse

I think all cable companies are required to carry the HD signal (unencrypted) from the local broadcast networks (NBC CBS, FOX, etc), so your family member probably does get local channels in HD. Cable companies sometimes put the signals in obscure spots. For example a regular channel 5 HD signal might be up on 108-1.

Don't the network OTA HD signals originate from the station's broadcast tower, just like the regular channels? I wouldn't think Mediacom has anything to do with it, but I could be wrong. I don't have an HD DVR box on the tv in my bedroom, but I can get WOI, KCCI, and WHO in HD just by using the cable wiring in my house as the antenna. Can't seem to find KDSM though.

DevilDog · 03-12-2008, 08:42 PM

I'm sure the tv has a quam tuner in it so u can receive any hd channels that are unencrypted thru the cable company. Depending on how the tv process the signal it will either be on like 7-1 or 106.1 which is kwwl on cfu cable in cedar falls. U only need a box for the hd channels that are encrypted.

Sousaclone · 03-12-2008, 09:03 PM

I had a 27" tube HDTV in Ames last semester and I got the basic channels in HD just by plugging into the wall. CBS, NBC, ABC, Fox, PBS (I though that was odd), and one or two others (odd channels). Here in Omaha, I'm at my parents and by plugging into the wall I've got all the basics, and free access to a bunch of peoples PPV channels. Was really, really weird the first time I was watching and the movie stopped and rewound itself.