RF Modulator for HD Signal?

[BG3]

Here's the situation:

My wonderful cable company doesn't offer HD programming! Yes, we're pretty much out in the sticks. I'm not a big fan of satellite so, I'm to put off that option as long as possible. Or, at least until I can see how well IP TV works when our cable company begins that offering soon.

In the mean time, I purchased a Phillips HD antenna. Amazingly, we're picking up over 40 channels with over 20 of them being HD via the new antenna. I think we only get 60-70 channels with cable. However, I have to run the coax (RF Signal) straight to the TV, thus, averting my new home theater system.

Is there any way to convert an RF signal from a coax connection to one that would convert the HD signal to a component or HDMI connection?

 

[MDS]

You don't need to do any kind of converting. You just need to get the audio portion to the receiver. If the TV has a digital output use that; if not use analog audio cables. If you have to use analog audio outs of the TV you won't get DD sound from the over the air antenna but you can turn it into pseudo-surround by using a matrix decoder on the receiver (like PLII).

It's not clear to me if you also have a cable box with basic service but if you do it's audio outputs go to the receiver and it's video outputs go to an input on the TV. You switch the input on the TV when you want to watch what's coming from the cable box vs what's coming from the antenna.

 

[jonnythan]

Your TV might have a digital audio output that you can run to your receiver, negating the need for that kind of thing. At the very least it should have analog audio out.

Otherwise, you would need a separate HD tuner box, which aren't easy to come by at the moment. Something like this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/OTA-HDTV-ATSC-Receiver-Tuner-Samsung-SIR-T451-Tested_W0QQitemZ280200863924QQihZ018QQcategoryZ67888QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8102796&type=product&id=1161734592183

 

[BG3]

You don't need to do any kind of converting. You just need to get the audio portion to the receiver. If the TV has a digital output use that; if not use analog audio cables. If you have to use analog audio outs of the TV you won't get DD sound from the over the air antenna but you can turn it into pseudo-surround by using a matrix decoder on the receiver (like PLII).

It's not clear to me if you also have a cable box with basic service but if you do it's audio outputs go to the receiver and it's video outputs go to an input on the TV. You switch the input on the TV when you want to watch what's coming from the cable box vs what's coming from the antenna.

It's a Samsung LCD so, all I currently have to do is hit the antenna button to switch from Antenna to Cable and vice versa.

I didn't think of that idea. I have a Toslink/optical out on the TV. However, my receiver is 15 foot away. I assume the optical audio cable will carry the signal over that distance?

I was trying to get away with running a single HDMI cable from the receiver to the TV. Yes, the video and audio outs from the cable box are currently hooked up to the receiver.

 

[MDS]

15 feet shouldn't be a problem for optical. I think the spec requires a minimum of 5 meters.

 

[BG3]

15 feet shouldn't be a problem for optical. I think the spec requires a minimum of 5 meters.

Cool. Blue Jeans Cable says it's ok up to 50 ft. but, more lossy than coax digital cable. That's definitey a cheaper option than an HDTV tuner since my TV has one built in.

Is there any advantage to having a separate HDTV tuner i'm not aware of?

 

[MDS]

You would only need an external HDTV tuner if your TV were 'HD Ready' which means it doesn't have its own tuner. The fact that you get a picture using the antenna means the TV has a built-in ATSC tuner.

 

[jonnythan]

Cool. Blue Jeans Cable says it's ok up to 50 ft. but, more lossy than coax digital cable. That's definitey a cheaper option than an HDTV tuner since my TV has one built in.

Is there any advantage to having a separate HDTV tuner i'm not aware of?

The external tuner might have better/different guide features, faster changing channels, etc. Or not. Won't get you a better picture or sound.

I say stick with what you have and get a nice optical cable from Monoprice to run to the receiver. Monoprice's optical cables are seriously heavy duty and excellent for a fraction of Blue Jeans'.

 

[matthd1]

HD Modulator

Hi everyone
i am in the need to distribute my satellite HD set top box to all my DVB-T HD TVs in every room, without the need of new wires or adapters.
So i am looking for a kind of HDMI to DVBT HD Modulator to convert the HD video to a standard DVB-T RF.
Is there any suggestion about a product to use ?
I've googled around and found PRO VIDEO INSTRUMENTS site that seems to sell a box called VECOAX-T1 HD MODULATOR.
Has anyone tested it, or pricing idea ?
Please any suggestion is very welcome
Thanks !
Matt