SolveYourProblem
HDTV Article Series
Buying
a High Definition Television (HDTV)
Ask
Your Cable Provider
How To Get HDTV Programming
If
you already have digital cable, then it may be simpler
to get HDTV into your home than you think. Many
cable companies are now letting people switch to a different
kind of box which allows them to view HDTV channels. This switch
out is sometimes as low as $5 additional per month. If that
seems like a lot, you might not think so when you see the quality
of the high definition picture which HDTV provides. You will
get more of the picture, a wide screen effect, which will make
you feel like you are at the movies, and with the right connections,
5.1 surround sound quality or better. Keep in mind that if
you already receive digital cable, or a DTV transmission, that
does not necessarily mean that you have high definition capabilities
on your TV set. However, if you already have digital cable,
the chances are that you are only one or two steps away from
having HDTV in your very own living room. Here is what you
need to know and what you will need to find out from your provider.
The
first step is to make sure that you have the right kind
of TV set. Buying an HDTV-ready or HDTV-compatible TV will
be what the cable company asks you to do first. Do not feel
like you are being taken by some mysterious set-up between
your cable provider and the forces that be. Whether you were
going with satellite or an over-the-air pick-up of HDTV channels,
you would still need to get a TV set which has the right set-ups.
You will need to do a little research to find out which HDTV
you want. Some will offer a built-in tuner. Others will be
HD-capable, or HD-ready. HD-Ready and HD-capable usually mean
the same thing, which is that your TV set is ready to accept
whatever mode of HDTV signal you choose. However, do make sure
that you verify that you will be able to actually experience
HD on the TV you pick. Some HD-ready TVs only let your receive
the signal, rather than really see it.
After you get your new TV set, which should hopefully be your
biggest expense for getting HD programming, you can
find out how your cable provider will get the technology to
your home. Most cable providers are offering new ways to get your HDTV
set-up. An upgraded cable box is either rented or bought from
them, or they will give you a special Cable Card.
The
Cable Card is a new technology for HD-capable sets. The Cable Card will be inserted into the Cable Card
slot on your
TV. This of course means that you purchased a TV set which
has this technology. The benefit to getting this kind of HD-ready
TV is that it will allow for you to skip the set-top box all
together. These TVs are called "digital cable ready."
If
you go with the cable set-top box option, then you will
also receive all the same channels as you would with the cable
card set up. The cable provider will add a premium to your
monthly fee for having the HDTV service. Many people are finding
that satellite companies are requiring that one buys the set-box
top from them, rather than renting it. Be glad that you can
always give the cable box back to the cable provider when you
are ready to move onto the next technology, which is inevitable,
if one judges TV technology from the last 20 years.
Whatever you do, find out what your local cable provider recommends
first as far as purchasing a new TV goes. Find out
what they charge for purchasing or renting the HD set-top box
or for
the cable card. Also, learn about which stations and channels
they offer in high definition and whether you will be able
to record them onto your DVR or TIVO, if you want that option,
too. Asking a cable representative what they have, or asking
about what you would like to have in your home as far as HD
options, is sometimes the quickest way to find out which direction
to go. If you can afford to get a TV set with the majority
of options and capabilities, then you are more likely to be
able to upgrade in the future, too.
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SolveYourProblem.com : 2007
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