When is HDTV REALLY coming?

[DSMCasey]

Hi everyone,

Just like most people I would need to buy an ugly antenna and stick it up on my roof to get an HD signal from my local stations (cbs, etc.). I have Dish Network w/HD package but I really miss HD, especially for things like the superbowl. Any idea when there will be MORE channels in HD, and the ones that are available in HD will actually be broadcast over cable lines and sat. lines? I know that comcast cable does but when will everyone else get on the ball? In my area (just north of Denton, in the Dallas,TX area) I think I would need a MASSIVE antenna just to get HD because the broadcasts are coming from 90 miles or so away. So when is HD "REALLY" coming?

-Case

 

[Leprkon]

In Oklahoma City, I can already get NBC, CBS, FOX, UPN, PBS, Faith, Worship, and the WB on HD broadcast.

 

[calgarianperson]

i'm in canada and i can only get 6 channels currently but they promise more in the future. 2 canadian networks, nbc, abc, and i think fox and pbs.

what does it mean on discovery channel when it says "available in High Definition" where available?

 

[MDS]

what does it mean on discovery channel when it says "available in High Definition" where available?

It means discovery is broadcasting the show in HD (in addition to a SD feed), but your cable/sat/etc provider may not be offering the HD feed. The same thing applies when they say "In Dolby Digital 5.1 where available".

 

[DSMCasey]

With Dish Network with the HD package I get Discovery in HD, as well as ESPN HD, and a couple others, but I would trade all those for locals in HD without the ugly Antenna!! Not to mention not everything they show on discovery channel HD is actually in HD, same thing on ESPN HD, not all of it is in HD. Sometimes they show game clips and stuff that are in Standard Def.

-Casey

P.S.- There IS an actual Discovery HD channel. It is called "Discovery HD" if you don't get the channel then you won't get Discovery HD.

 

[Leprkon]

I just use rabbit ears on the TV for my antenna.

 

[Francious70]

Here in Murfreesboro TN, just south of Nashville, Comcast delivers all the regular network channels along with many other HD channels.

Paul

 

[hopjohn]

I'm in the Dallas area as well and only about 35 miles from your location. Anyway I use a uhf antenna inside my attic, and i have no trouble receiving the four main networks, plus i get many others...wb, pax, independents etc... You should be closer to sherman/denison transmitters as well so you might even get the cbs station that broadcasts hd from there. For 35 bucks from rat shack i'd put that "ugly" thing up in a heartbeat, besides when you are watching football you won't see it anyway.

 

[Swerd]

Don't give up entirely on the idea of receiving local HD broadcasts. Have a look at this website. http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/Address.aspx

Enter your address and zipcode (you might also want to uncheck the marketing survey check boxes ) and you will get a list of HD broadcasters in your local area along with their distance and direction from your home. You also get some general guidance about the size (small, mediium, or large) of antenna that you would need.

 

[BMXTRIX]

Most cable companies that have HD send your local channels to you over HD directly. That is the cleanest, cheapest way to have guaranteed local channels in HD. Check with your local cable company.

I definitely view DirecTV and Dish as seriously having a problem because they can't deliver my local channels in HD. For that matter, I remember when they couldn't deliver ANY local channels at all. I won't even consider DSS until they get more satellites up and are able to give me my locals in HD and still have room for more HD channels.

It is possible to use an antenna in your attic, but depending on your location, you may not receive the channels by doing that. Heck, depending on your location you may not receive the channels even if you put an antenna on top of a 20 foot pole on top of your roof.

 

[wafflebird]

2 cents

I am sure most of you already know this and I apologize for that but I have Comcast, I get about 10 HD channels, which include local channels, football in HD is amazing as I am sure all of you know. Look into your cable company, it was only $4.99 more a month. Yes I had to get the cable box for it but that was "No Charge" hooked it up myself. What a difference.

 

[DSMCasey]

Unfortunately I don't have comcast in my area However, I do see that I am 55 miles away from the HD signal...which is a LOT. But I'm wondering if the $99 radio shack antenna will get HD for me...it says 140 miles...hmm....I wish I could put it in my attic to keep people from seeing the thing but I don't know if it is possible for me to still get reception with it in the attic.

-Case

 

[sjdgpt]

Both local channels ( I am in backwater USA, aka Mississippi) broadcast in HD. Cable One, bless their hearts, carries only has those two channels in HD. I am told HD will be coming "soon".

I can't wait.

 

[BMXTRIX]

Unfortunately I don't have comcast in my area

Do you not have any cable TV provider in your area? Almost all cable providers in the US are now offering HDTV to try to compete with DSS.

 

[thanh.dang]

HDTV in Oklahoma city

What kind of HDTV antenna do you have? I live in Oklahoma City and just bought a HDTB set. Just wonder what would be the good antenna to buy...

In Oklahoma City, I can already get NBC, CBS, FOX, UPN, PBS, Faith, Worship, and the WB on HD broadcast.

 

[thanh.dang]

HDTV antenna in Oklahoma City

Leprkon, I live in Oklahoma City area also and just bought a HDTV set. I wonder what kind of HDTV antenna do you have and what antenna would you recommend?

 

[Leprkon]

I use a $ 30 Terk indoor antenna (looks like a figure 8) for the Misubishi in the main room and a pair of rabbit ears off an old 20 inch RCA TV for the Sony in the bedroom. Both pick up everything in HD except Channel 5 (ABC), which I never really picked up in a non-HD broadcast either. I think they only cater to the rich people in Edmund !!!

I have the Terk TV-4

http://www.terk.com/products.html#

 

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

Since I only watch the Food Network and Cartoon Network, I'm guessing it'll be a long wait for HD.

 

[thanh.dang]

HDTV antenna in Oklahoma City

Leprkon, do you have to have a HDTV receiver to integrate with the Terk TV-4? I have the 50" Sony LCD with built-in turner, subscribed witth DirectTV and wonder if I have to buy the HD Receiver to get the OTA antenna to work.

 

[aarond]

Leprkon, do you have to have a HDTV receiver to integrate with the Terk TV-4? I have the 50" Sony LCD with built-in turner, subscribed witth DirectTV and wonder if I have to buy the HD Receiver to get the OTA antenna to work.

if your sony has a built in atsc tuner you only need to add an antenna to get local hd broadcasts