Just wondering if anyone knows when other networks are planning on starting their HD broadcasts. I know its up to the cable/satellite companies to decide when to carry them, but I wish some of the other networks would take a step forward before the mandatory date at the end of the year (assuming it hasnt been pushed back again). I cant find any information online at all.

 

I'm still waiting for SPEED channel to go HD. It would be nice to see F1 in HD.

 

It was on dateline a few weeks ago. It is set for 2009 I think.

 

No. There is no deadline for HD. Only digital broadcasting instead of analog. The FCC is only (slowly) moving the broadcasters to digital so they can license the analog spectrum for other uses. It has nothing to do with picture quality.

I've had HD cable for 2 years and I'm almost ready to cancel it and HBO. Besides the fact that HBO has shit for movies, and I'm never home, HBO HD looks like crap unless it is live. I don't watch sit-coms so my local HD channels are worthless too.

 

^^^ Do you watch PBS?

They have some awesome shows in HD plus some really good concerts. I find myself watching the concerts ALOT as well as Travelling with Rudy Maxa".

Discovery HD is kickass too. PLus CSI Miami is really worth a look.

 

my cable bill is $100 a month.

i think it is $60 base, 8 x2= $16 for the HD box, $12 for SHOWTIME which sux, i was thinking of switching to HBO, but after reading your post, maybe not. the shame of it is i got a big ass hd tv in my room for all this and i am about to switch back to the nonHD dvr box. upside of it is dvd's look good on the screen even tho they are not HD, and games look awesome too.

not enough current channels on my cable company to make me keep HD. plus i don't have a choice, there are no other cable companies around my area, and i cannot set up a satellite(condo).

ya, i think 2009 the over the air signals go digital. that is what that ATSC tuner crap is all about on the new tv's. that just means your tv is ready for 2009 in case you were wondering.

 

You guys with HD capabilities should dump cable and go Dish Network or DirectTV. HD pictures via satallite is much better and you'll get much more selections of HD channels (ESPN HD, ESPN2 HD, TNT HD, etc.)

 

[QUOTE=Nimbus,Mar 1 2006, 02:34 PM]You guys with HD capabilities should dump cable and go Dish Network or DirectTV.

 

^^^ Cable does the same, there's an INCREDIBLE amount of bandwith needed to transmit HD 1080i or 720p and cable needs to compress as well. There really isn't much of a discernable difference between cable/sat.

Verizon FIOS may be able to change things with their end to end fiber optics. Still, the best way to receive HDTV is OTA (can you believe we're still using rabbit years? ). For those premium channels however, the best bet is to go with a service that offer the best bang for your buck.

 

I refuse to pay for the HDTV satellite equipment only to have them change formats on me a year or so down the road and I would need a 30' antenna to get OTA where I live...

I do have my house wired for Directv and even have the triple-lnb dish just not an HD STB.