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I bypassed my analog cable box and hooked the cable directly to the new Panasonic 32 inch LCD panel. Then I told the Panasonic to go looking for digital channels. It took 20 minutes to complete the search and it found only three, and two were duplicates of the local abc and Fox networks. the third was a 24 hour local weather of all things run by the local abc channel. Not too impressive. BUT I did get to see a chunk of "American Idol" in HDTV. I noted the following:
1. oddly enough, commercials were 4:3 and the program itself was 16:9 and the TV automatically switched back and forth
2. The analog signal on the direct cable was inferior to the analog signal coming through the box (aka snow) BUT
3. the digital signal on the direct linkup was very crisp and clear.
4. Paula's complexion isn't as good as it is on the softer analog channel--I kept seeing blemishes and pimples
5. Simon seems to have a case of razor burn not apparent on the analog picture.
6 I found myself counting whiskers on the singers faces as opposed to listening to the music.
7. The sound seemed improved.
Broadcasting everything in HDTV will increase the demand for makeup people whose work can withstand the scrutiny of the high definition pictures.
The cable company is saying that there will be more soon.
D
Follow Ups:
You might try hooking up an antenna. I have a small antenna in the attic and I get over 20 digital stations. I'm just using a USB stick tuner and displaying the picture on my 20" widescreen monitor. The over the air HD broadcasts have a superb picture. I recorded a Nature program on PBS about the birds of Australia which I am keeping as a demo. I'm using the program "Beyond TV" on the computer and it handles the tuner interface (Pinnacle PCTV HD) and DVR functions really well. The program costs as much as the tuner ($70 each) but the combination of the two gives very good results - HDTV for $140 with a free program guide and DVR. The tuner came with its own DVR software but it would crash or lock up frequently. Beyond TV is worth the extra $70.
I've got my cable coax going directly to my TV. I get all of the analog station and only a few digital, but I do get my locals in digital/HD.
You stop counting whiskers after a while.
1) Yes, commercials are frequently in SD and the picture changes as needed.
2) I'm not sure about a worse picture with analog-they tend to be rather bad to start with.
3) Digital is more of an all or nothing deal, but sometimes instead of ghosts or snow, it has break-ups (blocking) and its own sets of artifacts.
4) Uhg
5) "
6) that will stop in time.
7) Yes.
I found, that at times you can also pick up some random VOD channels when you don't have a STB hooked up.
enjoy,
Jack
I don't know if the cable companies or satellite companies can give you more high def content. The issue is lack of bandwith. I believe satellite claims to offer 100 hi def channels which is actually bullsh*t if you define high def as a 1920 x 1080 picture. Satellite is actually providing hi def lite which is either 1440x1080 or 1280 x 1080.
It should also be noted that downloadable hi def content is years a way since nothing, not cable nor satellite, has the bandwidth.
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