OT: HDTV antenna

[hemi68charger]

Does anyone use a HDTV antenna for local channels? I've been trying to figure out whether or not my new HDTV is getting proper HD signal from my cable company (AT&T), my Vizio sucks, my HDMI cable stinks or whatever........... I want to see if I'm placing too much expectation on the clarity and resolution on my new TV or if in fact, the signal is junk, "garbage in, garbage out" I do notice a difference in the SDTV signal for my local CBS channel versus the HD equivalent, both provided by my cable company... I've heard the difference should be awesome and like night and day.... I don't think the quality improvement is all that great.................  I read the airwave transmission, local broadcasting and Satellite, are the best HD signals.. So, I was thinking of getting a decent HD antenna and seeing for myself.....

AT&T HD versus DirectTv HD? Any input?

Troy

[0X01B8]

It all depends on the bandwidth devoted to the particular channel.  Generally, sat and cable will be worse than what you get over the air with an antenna.  Look for an OTA station that hasn't been split up into multiple channels.  Our local CBS affiliate runs just the one channel on their HD feed so they devote the full ~20 Mbps bandwidth to it.  I'm guessing the sat or cable bandwidth for the same channel would be in the 3-5 Mbps range.  Also, look for shows that use an HD camera as their source - it's a much different looking picture, better in some ways.  Leno, Letterman, and Conan all use HD cameras.  I think most live sports are using HD cameras but I don't watch much sports.

You can also use any old UHF antenna to pick up the locals if the transmission towers are are reasonably close and you're not blocked by geography or buildings too much, otherwise the good old rooftop antenna is the answer.  The special HD antennas they sell are generally over-priced crap.  Try an old UHF antenna (bowtie, rabbit ears, etc) first before you spend any money.  I'm using a $1 antenna (looks just like a collapsable car antenna) and I get everything just fine.  I have to move it around sometimes like the old days though.

-john

[Troy]

Did you ever figure out which one you have? A 42" screen realistically won't look any different at 720p/1080i than it will at 1080p but the 47" will. The reason I bring that up is because nothing (as far as I know) is broadcast at 1080p. If you have a larger screen that's trying to display a lower resolution picture it won't look that good. I think the only true 1080p source is either BluRay of HD DVD. So, an antenna may not help if you're battling format issues.

I am interested in the answers also as I just purchased  new 42" plasma (after Christmas sales are great!). So far I've only watched movies and I know the broadcast picture won't exactly be breathtaking.

Troy

[hemi68charger]

Did you ever figure out which one you have? A 42" screen realistically won't look any different at 720p/1080i than it will at 1080p but the 47" will. The reason I bring that up is because nothing (as far as I know) is broadcast at 1080p. If you have a larger screen that's trying to display a lower resolution picture it won't look that good. I think the only true 1080p source is either BluRay of HD DVD. So, an antenna may not help if you're battling format issues.

I am interested in the answers also as I just purchased  new 42" plasma (after Christmas sales are great!). So far I've only watched movies and I know the broadcast picture won't exactly be breathtaking.

Troy

I have the Vizio 47" LCD HDTV.. It's currently set for 1080i... The service provider is AT&T fiberoptics set at 1080i....... The have both SDTV and equivalent HDTV channels, both local and cable.. I'm subscribed to the HD option........ I may get a HDTV antenna anyways.. It'll help on those days I loose signal over the cable.......

Troy

[Ponch ®]

Did you ever figure out which one you have? A 42" screen realistically won't look any different at 720p/1080i than it will at 1080p but the 47" will. The reason I bring that up is because nothing (as far as I know) is broadcast at 1080p. If you have a larger screen that's trying to display a lower resolution picture it won't look that good. I think the only true 1080p source is either BluRay of HD DVD. So, an antenna may not help if you're battling format issues.

I am interested in the answers also as I just purchased  new 42" plasma (after Christmas sales are great!). So far I've only watched movies and I know the broadcast picture won't exactly be breathtaking.

Troy

I have the Vizio 47" LCD HDTV.. It's currently set for 1080i... The service provider is AT&T fiberoptics set at 1080i....... The have both SDTV and equivalent HDTV channels, both local and cable.. I'm subscribed to the HD option........ I may get a HDTV antenna anyways.. It'll help on those days I loose signal over the cable.......

Troy

Try setting the TV to 720p. There should also be an option under your cable box's settings to choose what definition you want - also set it at 720p. It looks better than 1080i (at least in my opinion). Besides, as Troy said, all the HD channels are broadcasting at 720p anyway.

[hemi68charger]

Did you ever figure out which one you have? A 42" screen realistically won't look any different at 720p/1080i than it will at 1080p but the 47" will. The reason I bring that up is because nothing (as far as I know) is broadcast at 1080p. If you have a larger screen that's trying to display a lower resolution picture it won't look that good. I think the only true 1080p source is either BluRay of HD DVD. So, an antenna may not help if you're battling format issues.

I am interested in the answers also as I just purchased  new 42" plasma (after Christmas sales are great!). So far I've only watched movies and I know the broadcast picture won't exactly be breathtaking.

Troy

I have the Vizio 47" LCD HDTV.. It's currently set for 1080i... The service provider is AT&T fiberoptics set at 1080i....... The have both SDTV and equivalent HDTV channels, both local and cable.. I'm subscribed to the HD option........ I may get a HDTV antenna anyways.. It'll help on those days I loose signal over the cable.......

Troy

Try setting the TV to 720p. There should also be an option under your cable box's settings to choose what definition you want - also set it at 720p. It looks better than 1080i (at least in my opinion). Besides, as Troy said, all the HD channels are broadcasting at 720p anyway.

I did notice that as well.... Guess I should put it back to 720............ Maybe the HD and BlueRay DVD's are really meant for 1080i?

[Ponch ®]

Did you ever figure out which one you have? A 42" screen realistically won't look any different at 720p/1080i than it will at 1080p but the 47" will. The reason I bring that up is because nothing (as far as I know) is broadcast at 1080p. If you have a larger screen that's trying to display a lower resolution picture it won't look that good. I think the only true 1080p source is either BluRay of HD DVD. So, an antenna may not help if you're battling format issues.

I am interested in the answers also as I just purchased  new 42" plasma (after Christmas sales are great!). So far I've only watched movies and I know the broadcast picture won't exactly be breathtaking.

Troy

I have the Vizio 47" LCD HDTV.. It's currently set for 1080i... The service provider is AT&T fiberoptics set at 1080i....... The have both SDTV and equivalent HDTV channels, both local and cable.. I'm subscribed to the HD option........ I may get a HDTV antenna anyways.. It'll help on those days I loose signal over the cable.......

Troy

Try setting the TV to 720p. There should also be an option under your cable box's settings to choose what definition you want - also set it at 720p. It looks better than 1080i (at least in my opinion). Besides, as Troy said, all the HD channels are broadcasting at 720p anyway.

I did notice that as well.... Guess I should put it back to 720............ Maybe the HD and BlueRay DVD's are really meant for 1080i?

HD DVD,  BluRay, and systems like the Playstation 3 (which has a BluRay player built in, BTW) are 1080p. 1080p is better than 1080i, though I really don't know the technical "why".  As far as TV is concerned, although no one is broadcasting in 1080p yet, they will soon. That's why I plunked down the extra cash (which really wasn't that much over a 720p tv) for a 1080p TV.

[Manfred318]

HD DVD,  BluRay, and systems like the Playstation 3 (which has a BluRay player built in, BTW) are 1080p. 1080p is better than 1080i, though I really don't know the technical "why".  As far as TV is concerned, although no one is broadcasting in 1080p yet, they will soon. That's why I plunked down the extra cash (which really wasn't that much over a 720p tv) for a 1080p TV.

The number 1080 stands for 1080 lines of vertical resolution.The term usually assumes a widescreen aspect ratio of 16:9, implying a horizontal resolution of 1920 pixels and a frame resolution of 1920 × 1080 or about 2.07 million pixels.
1080p Is a Progressive scan format.
1080i Is an Interlaced format.
And whats the difference?
In an interlaced format the picture is composed of of two different scanned images. One image is composed of the even lines of pixels going from top left to bottom right. The other image is the odd lines of pixels going the same direction. Then they are interlaced togather to form one complete image. An Interlaced Television scans 60 fields per second (30 odd and 30 even) and displays one frame every 1/30th of a sceond or 30fps.
In a Progressive scan format the lines of pixels are drawn in sequence from left to right across the screen. Instead of even and odd lines drawn diagionally. Resulting in a less jagged looking clearer image. A Progressive scan Television displays one frame every 1/60th of a second or 60fps.