Looking to buy a TV

[DerianCypher]

If you mean digital broadcasting signals, they have to by 2009. I'm kinda worried that in my neck of the wood (i.e., the many islands that make up the State of Hawaii), digital signals won't be receptive in distant and remote areas, especially with a lot of terrains -- like former and active volcano mountains.

BTW, here's something I need to know: what's 480i/p, 720p, and 1080i/p?

those numbers are indications of resolution. and i is interlaced and p is progressive. Basically, 1080p is the best picture you can get b/c of how high the resolution is.

 

[Ranger REG]

those numbers are indications of resolution. and i is interlaced and p is progressive. Basically, 1080p is the best picture you can get b/c of how high the resolution is.

And what resolution is the most common for OTA station's broadcasting signal?

 

[jonathan swift]

Another quick, and probably dumb, question:

To get HD channels, do you need to sign up for your cable company's HD package? Or is that just extra HD channels and you get the basic HD offerings with the basic package?

 

[DerianCypher]

well.. I know direct tv broadcasts in 1080i. I'm not really sure what normal TV stations broadcast in. And to get HD channels at present, you have to sign up for your cable company's HD package, and only the HD channels are actually in HD

 

[Fiery James]

Another quick, and probably dumb, question:

To get HD channels, do you need to sign up for your cable company's HD package? Or is that just extra HD channels and you get the basic HD offerings with the basic package?

Some areas are broadcasting HD Channels, but you need an HD tuner in your TV to receive them.

Otherwise, you need a box from your cable company to receive MORE channels -- or if you don't have a built-in HD Tuner.

All of the TVs being sold in the US now have built-in HD Tuners, and for tag-along reasons, most in Canada will as well (though probably starting next year).

Unless you buy a Monitor instead of a Television, which is a whole other issue...

- JB

 

[LightPhoenix]

If you mean digital broadcasting signals, they have to by 2009. I'm kinda worried that in my neck of the wood (i.e., the many islands that make up the State of Hawaii), digital signals won't be receptive in distant and remote areas, especially with a lot of terrains -- like former and active volcano mountains.

Bah, they were supposed to do this years ago. I'll be pretty surprised if this actually happens by 2009, honestly. The date's been pushed back before, and the cynical side of me is beginning to think that "big electronics" lobbied for this law to sell HDTVs because average people weren't buying them fast enough for their tastes. Seriously, go into any electronics store, it's used as a total scare tactic.

 

[Ranger REG]

Bah, they were supposed to do this years ago. I'll be pretty surprised if this actually happens by 2009, honestly.

That's what the FCC mandated because those old analog frequencies that your local TV stations transmit will be reassigned for cell phone use. So blame your Motorola RAZR for shutting off your analog TV channels by 2009.

The date's been pushed back before, and the cynical side of me is beginning to think that "big electronics" lobbied for this law to sell HDTVs because average people weren't buying them fast enough for their tastes. Seriously, go into any electronics store, it's used as a total scare tactic.

Perhaps. Your other alternative is to wait for digital-to-analog converter box to go on sale that you may be able to qualify for a $40 rebate from FCC, so that your old analog TV can still receive OTA digital signals.