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HDTV question

Y

yragha

Just bought a 42inch Widescreen because my 15yr old television went (or is about to) out. Now, my question...

I have a DTV Pal (DTV converter) because of course the 15yr old didn't have a digital tuner. I would like to keep this hooked up to the new TV if not for anything more than the extensive programming guide that the converter is known for.

Is this possible or will hooking up a DTV Converter to a tv already digitalized damage something?

Thank you.
 
If your TV is new it will have a built-in tuner with HD and most likely some type of program guide.

However, you can still use your converter box by connecting it to an unused composite (red/white/yellow) input. If this is a coupon box you will not get HD out of the converter - just standard definition digital.
 
So what's the point of hooking a tuner box to a TV that already has a tuner?

Any TV sold after 2006 should have a built-in digital tuner.
The TV's digital tuner will tune in the stations' main HDTV channel as well as the SD subchannels.
You don't need the converter box to pick them up.
Also remember the converter box may output in widescreen but it is not HD.
 
Fred, good point...Any TV sold after 2006 should have built in digital, converter boxes are mainly for people like my grandparents, who havent purchased a new TV in 15 years. The best work around for this is, of course, getting a cable/sat box

BTW fred, as a side note, you are truly one of the people in austin media I respect, as you know your stuff behind the anchor desk and with the technology that runs it....:)
 
If your new set has Picture-In-Picture (P-I-P) mode, you likely need a separate input for that video. The converter box is an excellent source for that purpose....multicast channels, keeping an eye on another station (maybe you want to watch sports or a movie on one station, but keep an eye on a station that's better equipped, meteorologically, during threatening weather), etc.

Of course, you can use it to record OTA on an older VCR or PVR.
 
Maybe I wasn't clear enough.

I haven't bought a new TV in several years, the new 42 inch hasn't arrived yet so my question is will it have some sort of program guide? This is what I'm wanting. The Dish Converter let's me scroll to see what's on several days in advance. "I only have broadcast TV".

I'm hoping that clears things up, will using a converter box (for the sole purpose of the guide) mess up the new TV?

Thanks
 
Right, understand.

The tuner in the new TV set will REPLACE the converter box. Just hook your outside antenna up to it, scan for new channels, and it will be all set. IF the station you are watching provides guide data, then you will see it in your new TV's own program guide. Here in Austin, I don't think all stations are sending data yet.

Do NOT use an over-the-air converter box on your new TV. You will have a BETTER tuner already in it, one that's ready for the same signals the converter box would enable you to receive on your old set.

Or if you continue to use the DishNetwork receiver, you may need to replace the DishNetwork receiver in order to get high definition programming on your new set.
 
yragha said:
Maybe I wasn't clear enough.

I haven't bought a new TV in several years, the new 42 inch hasn't arrived yet so my question is will it have some sort of program guide? This is what I'm wanting. The Dish Converter let's me scroll to see what's on several days in advance. "I only have broadcast TV".

I'm hoping that clears things up, will using a converter box (for the sole purpose of the guide) mess up the new TV?

Thanks
Click to expand...

Yes any new TV will have a DTV tuner built in, but depending on the brand and model, the guide may be as simple as what's on now and next, or it might have the "TV Guide On Screen" or TVGOS which is a more robust guide that can have listings up to several days ahead, but I have found out not very reliable here in the Dallas market anyway. (the TVGOS in my Sony TV gets confused with out of town stations hundreds of miles out of the area, but I digress.. ) So you will need to do come comparing of models and those features you are looking for.

No you won't "mess up" the new TV by plugging in a DTV converter box into one of the inputs. It will be an analog video source to the TV. Disadvantage is, you will be downconverting all the received DTV and HD to 480i standard definition SD analog video for display on a conventional TV, and your new TV will have to UP-convert that back in its own video processing to display it, adding a lot of unwanted conversion steps, and degrading the picture to upconverted 480i analog. Many TVs do not do particularly well in the analog SD upconversion process either. But you will certainly be able to use the guide in your DTV box without messing anything up.
 
Someone was metioning a while back on KDFW dallas picking up information for KAMR out of Amarillo is that still happening. I have a convertal box but will probably buy another TV with a built in HDTV tuner sometime mid next year like maybe June
 
DXER24 said:
Someone was metioning a while back on KDFW dallas picking up information for KAMR out of Amarillo is that still happening. I have a convertal box but will probably buy another TV with a built in HDTV tuner sometime mid next year like maybe June
Click to expand...

That was me. My Sony TV I bought last May has the TV Guide On Screen "TVGOS" as the guide that overrides the regular PSIP guide info. I have not tried TVGOS lately as it requires a full reset of the TV to disable the TVGOS if it is still giving false info and when you do that the TV loses all of your custom picture and sound settings. I did find a tech support email address for TV Guide (owned by Macrovision these days) and told them about my problems. I got the following reply:

"Thank you for the information.
You live in an area that has lineup information from five broadcast regions. These regions include Dallas-Fort Worth, Longview, Wichita Falls, Abilene to name a few. All the channels are included in the OTA lineup.

We are working on changing our database to only supply the lineup for the stations you receive. We have no estimated time for completion. Unfortunately, due to the addition of many digital channels, the problem will get worse before it gets better. Bottom line is: this is normal product behavior."

Not very reassuring!
 
Don't forget you'll need a converter box for your VCR especially if you want to record one off-air channel while you're watching another on your HDTV. The VHS recordings may end up looking look better since you're feeding it a clearer picture.
 
fredcantu said:
Don't forget you'll need a converter box for your VCR especially if you want to record one off-air channel while you're watching another on your HDTV. The VHS recordings may end up looking look better since you're feeding it a clearer picture.
Click to expand...

I'm gonna ask, I got my LCD today but can only record analog from the DVD/VCR Recorder. What type of setup would I need to be able to record digital channels?

I'm gathering my DVD/ VCR will be pretty useless after Feb 17?

Thanks
 
yragha said:
I'm gonna ask, I got my LCD today but can only record analog from the DVD/VCR Recorder. What type of setup would I need to be able to record digital channels?

I'm gathering my DVD/ VCR will be pretty useless after Feb 17?

Thanks
Click to expand...

Not useless at all. Just run the composite outputs (red/black/yellow) of the converter box to the inputs of the VCR. Voila - you are able to record standard definition digital tv.
 
Ok, help me out here -

This is how my current setup is,

-DB2 hooked to the antenna in on the DVD/VCR
-Coaxial from DVD/VCR out to the "TV"
-A/V out on DVD/ VCR to A/V in on "TV"
-A/V in on the DVD/VCR to A/V out on "TV".

This is per my owners manual. I'm not real good at these things.

Could you explain further?

Thanks
 
here is my set up I also have verizon fios cable in my bed room

1) I connect the Coax cable coming from my antenna and connect it to my HD convertal box

2) connect the Coax cable from verizon to the cable box

3) connect the cable box to line 1 input of my dvd recorder using composite A/V cables

4) connect my HD convertal box to the Line 2 input of the DVD recorder using A/V cables

5) then I conncect from the DVD recorder out to the TV in everything using A/V cables
 
Here is how I would connect:

First question - is your converter box one of the coupon boxes, or is it an actual HD set top box? If it is a coupon box, it is just a digital to analog converter that is not HD capable and will only have RF and composite outputs. If it is an HD set top box, it will most likely have some combination of S-video, component, and DVI/HDMI outputs, along with some type of digital audio output, either fiber or coax.

1. Assuming the converter box is just a SD coupon box, add a splitter to the coax cable from the DB8. Run one lead to the converter box, the other directly to the TV. This will allow you to watch HD directly using the HD tuner in the tv, and will also allow you to record a different program in standard def digital on the VCR.

2. Connect the A/V outputs of the converter box to an input on the VCR.

3. Connect the A/V outputs of the VCR to an A/V input of the TV.

4. Get rid of the RF coax (channel 3/4) connection between the VCR and TV. It will have the poorest possible signal.
 
Greg,

I have one more question...

I have the DB2 and a preamp. I noticed the preamp states "if splitting the signal to multiple TV's OR combining with another signal source, it is strongly recommended that the power injector be installed between the preamp and the splitter/combiner input.

Should I do this in this situation? Brand new TV ya know. :)

Thanks for all your help.

EDIT: I have a splitter from Channel Master says "two way power divider, 950 - 2100 MHZ. Will that work cause it says use 54-806 Mhz or wider bandwidth in the preamp manual.
 
4. Get rid of the RF coax (channel 3/4) connection between the VCR and TV. It will have the poorest possible signal.


[/quote]

that is why I use red yellow and white composite A/V cables since the signal will be cleaner using other cables then RF coax ! !
 
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