HD and Video Sources

[Cmcl]

I have a basic cable plan with my cable provider. I have recently learned that I can receive an additional 15 HD channels if I get a digital receiver. Do I need to get a HD receiver to view these channels in HD or can I go with a basic digital receiver that uses a coax input? The reason why I ask is because, at the moment I receive 3 HD channels OTA using just an antenna and coax. cable. I'm led to assume I can receive these additional channels with a basic cable box connected through a coax. cable. Am I wrong?

[Juice0904 · Accepted solution]

You need a HD cable box in order to properly decode the HD cable/satellite signal. This cannot be achieved with a standard digital cable box and a coaxial cable plugged into your TV.  The HD signal is not coming from the coaxial cable itself, but rather is turned into an HD signal after it passs through the HD box.  If what you are seeing now makes you believe you have HD channels, just wait until you get a HD cable box and the right cables.

What is exactly required is:

1. Coax coming from where the cable signal enters your home to the HD cable box into the cable IN .

2. HDMI or component cable going from the receiver to the TV through the HDMI or component OUT (component is generally supplied with the HD box, but HDMI is recommended).

That's basically it unless you've got a home theatre system. Then the hookup depends entirely on what the home theatre receiver is.

Once you have the HD cable box, all it takes is a quick setup and then you gain access to all the free HD channels that your provider offers. I get about 35 HD channels free from Rogers. I did not have to change my plan at all.

Hope that helps!

JB

[jhamilto]

To clarify slightly, HD cable CAN come over a single coax connection, this is the ATSC format and is probably how your OTA HD is being encoded.  In Canada we don't have any cable providers using ATSC either over the air or via wire.

All new TVs support ATSC but as of yet Canadian TV providers do not.

Jesse

[XL]

While cable providers do not broadcast over the air, local stations do. In Vancouver, there is around a half-dozen stations sending out Free HD. I get my Olympic coverage that way. Reception can vary, having my antenna in a window facing the broadcast towers makes a huge difference.