HDTV source - is satallite or cable a better source?

[LINUS]

All you guys who know chime in here - I've had non-HD SAT tv & non-HD cable, and I think I had a far better pic on SAT with S-video as the connection.

Now that HD is affordable, what is really the better source, and the best possible hookup as well?

I see where HDMI is being debated in the other guys' thread (didn't want to hi-jack him) - Should I go HDMI or Component?

I plan to get this in time for either regular season or at the latest the playoffs of football this season, so tell me what you know as to the best source, best possible connection - 8ft. run on cord if that matters - , and if you have a favorite brand TV, post it and give a reason why.

I'm leaning towards either a Samsung, or a Pioneer Elite that is smaller but roughly the same total cost - but I know little, and I have had Elites and I like them real well, but I need to hear what other brands are really good & why.

[Jscotty]

The cable company is usually the way to go because they don't charge you extra for the local HD channels. The local NBC, ABC, CBS, and PBS affiliates all have an HDl channel that is carried by the cable company for no extra charge of you opt to do everything through your cable box and not have to adjust the TV separately to get the channels over the air.

I am a fan of the HDMI cable because the signal goes to the TV digitally, however I ended up doing the componet analog method instead because my cable box is 60 feet away from my plasma. I can tell a slight difference between using analog component and the digital HDMI cable but going analog is more reliable and does not pick up interence.

AS far as TV's go, I compared the Zenith to the Pioneer and it seems like the zenith has a richer image. The blacks are blacker and the whites are whiter and overall the picture looks more well defined. But when it comes to the most bang for the buck, I am a fan of VISIO. I have both a zenith and a visio and even though I can tell the difference between both TV sets, the VISIO does not leave anything to be desired.

[atomic]

I will be honest after being on HD for several years now. Simply lets say you are watching HBO HD and it was a movie that was filmed 10yrs ago. That movie even though you are watching a HD channel is NOT in HD !! Unless the program was filmed with HD equipment you will not see it in true HD probably at best 480p

HDMI is by far the best since it transmits the signal in digital and not analog

As far as TV's go it all depends on you budget and the needs for such tv. If you plan on doing any gaming with a console type system it has been highly advised NOT to use plasma tv's because of risk of burn in. The still images that all video games produce will harm the plasmas. Although I think they have made big strides to correct this in recent years there still is alot of advise still not to do it these days. Personally I believe that the Sony Bravia LCD's are some of the best looking tv's on the market these days. But that is what I think and others will think otherwise.

I am on currently on cable sevice and my brother is on sat service and honestly the picture on the sat service looks alot better no matter what type of programming you are watching.

[James Crivellone]

HDMI is the best for quality in terms of connection

In terms of HD broadcasts its in this order.

Best Quality = OTA (over the air) broadcast with an old fashioned antenna!
Good Quality = Satellite/Cable, I list both here due to different compression that companies use, so its a tossup really

[Jand3rson]

I will be honest after being on HD for several years now. Simply lets say you are watching HBO HD and it was a movie that was filmed 10yrs ago. That movie even though you are watching a HD channel is NOT in HD !! Unless the program was filmed with HD equipment you will not see it in true HD probably at best 480p

YES! Someone gets it. We have to explain that shit to our customers all the time.

They always just assume that since they bought an HDTV, that everything they watch is going to come out in crystal clear 1080p.

[LINUS]

YES! Someone gets it. We have to explain that shit to our customers all the time.

They always just assume that since they bought an HDTV, that everything they watch is going to come out in crystal clear 1080p.

That's part of why I waited this long, and in all reality could hold out another couple years - but after being @ other peoples houses, and seeing the blades of grass coming off Shaun Alexander's cleats I been spoiled, so since I plan to move shortly, I might as well get my TV feed setup for a new monitor.

I just figure the TV's are down to reasonable-ish prices, so why not?

Interesting that broadcast is the best signal, too bad I'm 75 miles North of Seattle, so we're lucky to get anything with a old school rotor. I had 3 channels of TV growing up at home with my parents, since we were out in the country. 1st time I had cable was after moving out of their place.

M&D got a dish once DirecTV made it free install, but that's only been about 10 years ago.

[europeanplates]

Hey there,

There is not a HD repeater in your area yet. At least our last customer out that way could not get off-air hd. It really depends on a few other things as well.

Comcast cable modem package for a discount
Dish on your home or not
Price of course

Sent you an email I can help you out!

Ty

[LINUS]

Got your PM Ty, I'll give you a ring in the morning.

[Jscotty]

YES! Someone gets it. We have to explain that shit to our customers all the time.

They always just assume that since they bought an HDTV, that everything they watch is going to come out in crystal clear 1080p.

What gets me all of the time is how people come to me wanting to convert their VHS tapes over to DVD thinking that they will improve the quality of the picture. After explaining why that does not work, somehow, they seem to think that it does. And one thing I always say is that you are only going to get a better copy of the same crappy video. And they say, "Yeah! That's what I want." But they never really understand what that means.

Its like they get the placebo effect- I do the conversion and then when they get the DVD back they say, "WOW! This is a 100% improvement!

[Kman]

my family just got a visio and i have to say, for the size and price its an amazing tv. so best bang for the buck i'd say get on of those. i am using an HDMI cable for hdtv but component for 360 and i do notice a difference between the two but it isn't terribly noticeable.

i heard somewhere i think to run HDMI over a certain number of feet, maybe someone can chime in here. i believe i heard it from a tech at bestbuy.

[SchnellerVert]

I have direct TV and for the price it's great.

[thull]

The cable providers can only use a limited amount of bandwidth for their channels, and they use more compression to fit their channels into the lineup.

Your best picture will be with DirecTV, as they use the least compression.

Of course, over the air is best cause its free and uncompressed