HD Channel Questions?

[SunDevilDon]

Hey everyone, I have had an HDTV for almost two years now. I have a 50inch Hitachi HD Projection and an Olevia 37" HDTV. I just switched over from a crappy 27" standard TV in my bedroom, and I've noticed that since then, I CANNOT WATCH NON HDTV CHANNELS NOW!!!

There are still some shows I like watching, but if I see something in non HD, I usually try to find something in HD to watch. Does anyone else do this?

I truly feel sorry for people who have to watch standard def TV, no one should have to suffer like that.

I currently have cox, although I used to have DTV, but plan on going back to DTV when I move in January and can get a line of sight.

Another question I have is I was wondering if anyone knew of a list of HD channels available for each cable provider and if there is a list somewhere of channels planning to go HD. I really don't get why MTV, for example, is not in HD and tried to find the answer on if there were any plans for the future, and I'm not referring to the MHD channel that is on 729 currently with COX.

How long do you guys think until EVERY program is in HD?

Any other comments on HD channels are welcome.

Don

 

[RON_IN_OC]

How do you have the tv hooked up? HDMI Cable, RGB, Components?

 

[Linderbee]

paging DCR...

 

[HeavyB3]

How do you have the tv hooked up? HDMI Cable, RGB, Components?

Uhm. I don't think the problem is that Standard Def channels aren't coming in, he just can't stand the quality.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Hey everyone, I have had an HDTV for almost two years now. I have a 50inch Hitachi HD Projection and an Olevia 37" HDTV. I just switched over from a crappy 27" standard TV in my bedroom, and I've noticed that since then, I CANNOT WATCH NON HDTV CHANNELS NOW!!!

There are still some shows I like watching, but if I see something in non HD, I usually try to find something in HD to watch. Does anyone else do this?

At times, I can't stand the quality either. I had to have two separate connections, one for standard definition TV (composite) and another for HD. (HDMI) With the two connections, you get less artifacts from the HDMI trying to upconvert every channel. I have the 8300HD DVR, that has duel tuners, allowing me to do this.

I truly feel sorry for people who have to watch standard def TV, no one should have to suffer like that.

Doing what I can do get the ones that I love in the HD world. Life is much better on this side.

I currently have cox, although I used to have DTV, but plan on going back to DTV when I move in January and can get a line of sight.

I have absolutely no line of sight from my apartment. I'd love to get DTV too, just can't here.

Another question I have is I was wondering if anyone knew of a list of HD channels available for each cable provider and if there is a list somewhere of channels planning to go HD. I really don't get why MTV, for example, is not in HD and tried to find the answer on if there were any plans for the future, and I'm not referring to the MHD channel that is on 729 currently with COX.

How long do you guys think until EVERY program is in HD?

Any other comments on HD channels are welcome.

Don

Cox is taking their sweet ass time with HD channels. Pisses me off. DTV is promising 100 channels by the end of the year, but that is an inflated number, (more like 65 or 70) but that is still about 40 more than Cox. Cox probably won't have that many for another couple of years at least.

I think that it will be 10+ years before every channel is in HD. 2009 is supposed to be the switch over to digital TV, but that doesn't necessarily mean HD.

HD is great. That is all for now.

 

[puckhead]

I feel the same way about HD. I rarely watch any SD programming other than Coyotes games when they are not in HD. (Which is way too often IMO!)

I do the same thing as DCR, except with the S-video out so I have a NTSC connection. Interestingly, I recently switched my Sat box to its "native output" setting, and this lets my tv do the scaling via a component connection and actually does a great job. SD only looks a little "soft" but very good contrast and color. This does, however, add the bars on the side to maintain the 4x3 aspect ratio. Some people hate this, but I prefer it. What I hate is the network "stretching and cropping" the programs for me. My tv can do all that, leave the program alone and let me decide if I want to distort the image.

SunDevilDon, it sounds like your suffering from "new tv reveals all flaws-itus". The original NTSC standard was designed for tv's 19 inches and smaller! Blow that up to 37 or even 50 inches and then stretch it horizontally as well, welcome to crap-tv.

I've had DirecTV since 2001, and the HD offerings are top notch, get a home with LOS ASAP!! (Although, I’m pretty sure cable will catch up next year using SDV technology)

I don't know how long until there is all HD on every channel, something tells me NTSC will be slow to disappear, but the digital transition is a big step. That and any of the big players will have to create content in HD if they want to compete. But at least the digital switch will give full resolution SD, which, believe it or not, is loads better than compressed-all-to-hell SD.

Now, we just need all the HD-capable channels to fill their schedules with HD!!

 

[dreamcastrocks]

I feel the same way about HD. I rarely watch any SD programming other than Coyotes games when they are not in HD. (Which is way too often IMO!)

I do the same thing as DCR, except with the S-video out so I have a NTSC connection. Interestingly, I recently switched my Sat box to its "native output" setting, and this lets my tv do the scaling via a component connection and actually does a great job. SD only looks a little "soft" but very good contrast and color. This does, however, add the bars on the side to maintain the 4x3 aspect ratio. Some people hate this, but I prefer it. What I hate is the network "stretching and cropping" the programs for me. My tv can do all that, leave the program alone and let me decide if I want to distort the image.


SunDevilDon, it sounds like your suffering from "new tv reveals all flaws-itus". The original NTSC standard was designed for tv's 19 inches and smaller! Blow that up to 37 or even 50 inches and then stretch it horizontally as well, welcome to crap-tv.

I've had DirecTV since 2001, and the HD offerings are top notch, get a home with LOS ASAP!! (Although, I’m pretty sure cable will catch up next year using SDV technology)

I don't know how long until there is all HD on every channel, something tells me NTSC will be slow to disappear, but the digital transition is a big step. That and any of the big players will have to create content in HD if they want to compete. But at least the digital switch will give full resolution SD, which, believe it or not, is loads better than compressed-all-to-hell SD.

Now, we just need all the HD-capable channels to fill their schedules with HD!!

I don't mind it for most shows, but the kids and their cartoons mind. They want to use all of the 60 inches. I have also disabled the aspect ratio in the cox box, keeping it fixed.

 

[SunDevilDon]

At times, I can't stand the quality either. I had to have two separate connections, one for standard definition TV (composite) and another for HD. (HDMI) With the two connections, you get less artifacts from the HDMI trying to upconvert every channel. I have the 8300HD DVR, that has duel tuners, allowing me to do this.


Doing what I can do get the ones that I love in the HD world. Life is much better on this side.


I have absolutely no line of sight from my apartment. I'd love to get DTV too, just can't here.




Cox is taking their sweet ass time with HD channels. Pisses me off. DTV is promising 100 channels by the end of the year, but that is an inflated number, (more like 65 or 70) but that is still about 40 more than Cox. Cox probably won't have that many for another couple of years at least.

I think that it will be 10+ years before every channel is in HD. 2009 is supposed to be the switch over to digital TV, but that doesn't necessarily mean HD.

HD is great. That is all for now.

Really, 10 years, you think that long? I would think much sooner than that, but I guess since we are still watching major channels like MTV, FX and most of the FOX channels (except for some sporting events) in regular def, we are further out than I had thought. I just don't understand why they don't get their asses in gear and up the programs in HD (in production and the cable and TV companies), but I guess they just don't get it yet. TNT certainly does, and I wish COX would get moving.

Do you know what channels DTV offers in HD that COX currently does not???

 

[SunDevilDon]

How do you have the tv hooked up? HDMI Cable, RGB, Components?

HDMI, I wasn't referring to the quality of the cables, but the lack of HD offered shows and channels.

 

[puckhead]

Do you know what channels DTV offers in HD that COX currently does not???

I'll give this a try...

As of 11.30.07

Current HD Channels by DirecTV Channel Number

• 74 - Universal HD
• 76 - HD Theater
• 78 - HDNet Movies
• 79 - HDNet
• 89 - FOX West - KTTV Los Angeles, CA
• 95 - Miscellaneous HD Events Channel
• 98 - PPV Events
• 99 - PPV Movies
• 101 - CD USA
• 135 - PPV Movies
• 136 - PPV Movies
• 137 - PPV Movies
• 138 - PPV Movies
• 145 - PPV Movies
• 146 - PPV Movies
• 147 - PPV Movies
• 202 - CNN HD
• 206 - ESPN HD
• 209 - ESPN2 HD
• 212 - NFL Network HD
• 215 - NHL Network HD
• 218-1 - Big Ten Network HD (Alternate)
• 219-1 - Big Ten Network HD (Alternate)
• 220 - Big Ten Network HD
• 229-1 - HGTV HD
• 231-1 - FOOD HD
• 242 - USA Network HD
• 244 - Sci Fi HD
• 245 - TNT HD
• 247 - TBS HD
• 248 - FX HD
• 255 - MGM HD
• 265 - A&E HD
• 266 - Biography HD
• 267 - Smithsonian HD
• 269 - History Channel HD
• 273 - Bravo HD
• 276 - National Geographic HD
• 278 - Discovery HD
• 280 - TLC HD
• 282 - Animal Planet HD
• 284 - Science Channel HD
• 296 - The Cartoon Network HD
• 299 - Nickelodeon HD East
• 325 - Spike HD
• 327 - CMT HD
• 331 - MTV HD
• 332 - MHD
• 335 - VH1 HD
• 355 - CNBC HD+
• 359 - FOX Business HD
• 362 - Weather Channel HD
• 501 - HBO HD East
• 504 - HBO HD West
• 509 - HBO HD East
• 512 - Cinemax HD East
• 514 - Cinemax HD West
• 518 - Starz Kids and Family HD
• 519 - Starz Comedy HD
• 520 - Starz HD East
• 521 - Starz HD West
• 522 - Starz Edge HD
• 537 - Showtime HD East
• 538 - SHO TOO HD East
• 540 - Showtime HD West
• 543 - Showtime HD East
• 544 - The Movie Channel HD East
• 601 - NBA HD
• 604 - Versus HD / Golf Channel HD
• 607 - SPEED HD
• 612 - FUEL HD

The following sports networks require a special sports tier subscription that I don’t have except for FSNAZ (649-1) which is included in a basic tier. Check with DirecTV for access to the out-of-market sports networks.

• 620-1 - Comcast SportsNet New England
• 622 - YES
• 623 - New England Sports Network
• 625 - SportsNet New York
• 628-1 - FSN Pittsburgh
• 629 - Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic
• 630-1 - FSN South
• 631-1 - SportSouth
• 632-1 - Sunshine Sports
• 634-1 - FSN Florida
• 635-1 - FSN Florida/Sunshine Sports Alternate
• 636 - FSN Detroit
• 637-1 - FSN Ohio
• 638-1 - FSN Cincinnati
• 639-1 - FSN Houston Alternate
• 639-1 - FSN Southwest Alternate
• 640 - Comcast SportsNet Chicago
• 641-1 - FSN North
• 642-1 - FSN Wisconsin Alternate
• 643 - FSN Southwest
• 644-1 - Altitude
• 645-1 - FSN Rocky Mountain
• 646-1 - FSN Utah
• 647-1 - FSN Midwest
• 648-1 - FSN Midwest Alternate
• 649-1 - FSN Arizona
• 651-1 - FSN Northwest
• 652 - FSN West
• 653 - FSN Prime Ticket
• 654-1 - FSN Bay Area
• 669-1 - FSN Detroit Alternate

Cox Cable HDTV Channel Lineup.

Channels are provided at no extra cost based upon level of service.

Local Channels available with a Cox-provided HD tuner:
703 KTVK (Ind-3)
705 KPHO (CBS-5)
706 KASW (CW-61)
708 KAET (PBS-8.1)
709 KUTP (MN45)
710 KSAZ (FOX-10)
712 KPNX (NBC-12)
715 KNXV (ABC-15)
080 KAET (PBS-8.2)
083 KPNX (NBC-12 W+)
094 KAET (SD Simulcast of PBS-8.1)
NOTE: 080/083/094 are also available to those with an SD tuner.

Additional Channels available with a Cox-provided tuner:
701 PPV HD
721 Mojo HD
722 NGC HD
723 Discovery HD
724 Universal HD
726 TNT HD
729 MHD
732 ESPN2 HD
733 ESPN HD
740 A&E HD
Note: Select Vs., NBA HD, NFL Network and FSN AZ HD games are available on Mojo.

Premium Channels available with a Cox-provided tuner and a subscription to the applicable premium package:
780 HBO HD
781 MAX HD
782 SHO HD
783 StarZ HD

I don’t have cable, and this is what I was able to find. Please correct me if I’ve left out any.

 

[SunDevilDon]

I'll give this a try...

As of 11.30.07

Current HD Channels by DirecTV Channel Number

• 70 - HBO HD East
• 71 - Showtime HD East
• 72 - ESPN2 HD
• 73 - ESPN HD
• 74 - Universal HD
• 75 - TNT HD
• 76 - HD Theater
• 78 - HDNet Movies
• 79 - HDNet
• 89 - FOX West - KTTV Los Angeles, CA
• 95 - Miscellaneous HD Events Channel
• 98 - PPV Events
• 99 - PPV Movies
• 101 - CD USA
• 135 - PPV Movies
• 136 - PPV Movies
• 137 - PPV Movies
• 138 - PPV Movies
• 145 - PPV Movies
• 146 - PPV Movies
• 147 - PPV Movies
• 202 - CNN HD
• 206 - ESPN HD
• 209 - ESPN2 HD
• 212 - NFL Network HD
• 215 - NHL Network HD
• 218-1 - Big Ten Network HD (Alternate)
• 219-1 - Big Ten Network HD (Alternate)
• 220 - Big Ten Network HD
• 229-1 - HGTV HD
• 231-1 - FOOD HD
• 242 - USA Network HD
• 244 - Sci Fi HD
• 245 - TNT HD
• 247 - TBS HD
• 248 - FX HD
• 255 - MGM HD
• 265 - A&E HD
• 266 - Biography HD
• 267 - Smithsonian HD
• 269 - History Channel HD
• 273 - Bravo HD
• 276 - National Geographic HD
• 278 - Discovery HD
• 280 - TLC HD
• 282 - Animal Planet HD
• 284 - Science Channel HD
• 296 - The Cartoon Network HD
• 299 - Nickelodeon HD East
• 325 - Spike HD
• 327 - CMT HD
• 331 - MTV HD
• 332 - MHD
• 335 - VH1 HD
• 355 - CNBC HD+
• 359 - FOX Business HD
• 362 - Weather Channel HD
• 501 - HBO HD East
• 504 - HBO HD West
• 509 - HBO HD East
• 512 - Cinemax HD East
• 514 - Cinemax HD West
• 518 - Starz Kids and Family HD
• 519 - Starz Comedy HD
• 520 - Starz HD East
• 521 - Starz HD West
• 522 - Starz Edge HD
• 537 - Showtime HD East
• 538 - SHO TOO HD East
• 540 - Showtime HD West
• 543 - Showtime HD East
• 544 - The Movie Channel HD East
• 601 - NBA HD
• 604 - Versus HD / Golf Channel HD
• 607 - SPEED HD
• 612 - FUEL HD

The following sports networks require a special sports tier subscription that I don’t have except for FSNAZ (649-1) which is included in a basic tier. Check with DirecTV for access to the out-of-market sports networks.

• 620-1 - Comcast SportsNet New England
• 622 - YES
• 623 - New England Sports Network
• 625 - SportsNet New York
• 628-1 - FSN Pittsburgh
• 629 - Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic
• 630-1 - FSN South
• 631-1 - SportSouth
• 632-1 - Sunshine Sports
• 634-1 - FSN Florida
• 635-1 - FSN Florida/Sunshine Sports Alternate
• 636 - FSN Detroit
• 637-1 - FSN Ohio
• 638-1 - FSN Cincinnati
• 639-1 - FSN Houston Alternate
• 639-1 - FSN Southwest Alternate
• 640 - Comcast SportsNet Chicago
• 641-1 - FSN North
• 642-1 - FSN Wisconsin Alternate
• 643 - FSN Southwest
• 644-1 - Altitude
• 645-1 - FSN Rocky Mountain
• 646-1 - FSN Utah
• 647-1 - FSN Midwest
• 648-1 - FSN Midwest Alternate
• 649-1 - FSN Arizona
• 651-1 - FSN Northwest
• 652 - FSN West
• 653 - FSN Prime Ticket
• 654-1 - FSN Bay Area
• 669-1 - FSN Detroit Alternate

Cox Cable HDTV Channel Lineup.

Channels are provided at no extra cost based upon level of service.

Local Channels available with a Cox-provided HD tuner:
703 KTVK (Ind-3)
705 KPHO (CBS-5)
706 KASW (CW-61)
708 KAET (PBS-8.1)
709 KUTP (MN45)
710 KSAZ (FOX-10)
712 KPNX (NBC-12)
715 KNXV (ABC-15)
080 KAET (PBS-8.2)
083 KPNX (NBC-12 W+)
094 KAET (SD Simulcast of PBS-8.1)
NOTE: 080/083/094 are also available to those with an SD tuner.

Additional Channels available with a Cox-provided tuner:
701 PPV HD
721 Mojo HD
722 NGC HD
723 Discovery HD
724 Universal HD
726 TNT HD
729 MHD
732 ESPN2 HD
733 ESPN HD
740 A&E HD
Note: Select Vs., NBA HD, NFL Network and FSN AZ HD games are available on Mojo.

Premium Channels available with a Cox-provided tuner and a subscription to the applicable premium package:
780 HBO HD
781 MAX HD
782 SHO HD
783 StarZ HD

I don’t have cable, and this is what I was able to find. Please correct me if I’ve left out any.

Jesus, when you see it like that, it really says a lot. I really need to get back to DTV!!!

 

[phxrising]

I'll give this a try...

As of 11.30.07

Current HD Channels by DirecTV Channel Number

• 70 - HBO HD East
• 71 - Showtime HD East
• 72 - ESPN2 HD
• 73 - ESPN HD
• 74 - Universal HD
• 75 - TNT HD
• 76 - HD Theater
• 78 - HDNet Movies
• 79 - HDNet
• 89 - FOX West - KTTV Los Angeles, CA
• 95 - Miscellaneous HD Events Channel
• 98 - PPV Events
• 99 - PPV Movies
• 101 - CD USA
• 135 - PPV Movies
• 136 - PPV Movies
• 137 - PPV Movies
• 138 - PPV Movies
• 145 - PPV Movies
• 146 - PPV Movies
• 147 - PPV Movies
• 202 - CNN HD
• 206 - ESPN HD
• 209 - ESPN2 HD
• 212 - NFL Network HD
• 215 - NHL Network HD
• 218-1 - Big Ten Network HD (Alternate)
• 219-1 - Big Ten Network HD (Alternate)
• 220 - Big Ten Network HD
• 229-1 - HGTV HD
• 231-1 - FOOD HD
• 242 - USA Network HD
• 244 - Sci Fi HD
• 245 - TNT HD
• 247 - TBS HD
• 248 - FX HD
• 255 - MGM HD
• 265 - A&E HD
• 266 - Biography HD
• 267 - Smithsonian HD
• 269 - History Channel HD
• 273 - Bravo HD
• 276 - National Geographic HD
• 278 - Discovery HD
• 280 - TLC HD
• 282 - Animal Planet HD
• 284 - Science Channel HD
• 296 - The Cartoon Network HD
• 299 - Nickelodeon HD East
• 325 - Spike HD
• 327 - CMT HD
• 331 - MTV HD
• 332 - MHD
• 335 - VH1 HD
• 355 - CNBC HD+
• 359 - FOX Business HD
• 362 - Weather Channel HD
• 501 - HBO HD East
• 504 - HBO HD West
• 509 - HBO HD East
• 512 - Cinemax HD East
• 514 - Cinemax HD West
• 518 - Starz Kids and Family HD
• 519 - Starz Comedy HD
• 520 - Starz HD East
• 521 - Starz HD West
• 522 - Starz Edge HD
• 537 - Showtime HD East
• 538 - SHO TOO HD East
• 540 - Showtime HD West
• 543 - Showtime HD East
• 544 - The Movie Channel HD East
• 601 - NBA HD
• 604 - Versus HD / Golf Channel HD
• 607 - SPEED HD
• 612 - FUEL HD

So these ALL come with Direct TV or are you paying extra for the HBO's and Showtime like channels?

Also the ESPN and ESPN2 are listed twice?

 

[puckhead]

So these ALL come with Direct TV or are you paying extra for the HBO's and Showtime like channels?

Also the ESPN and ESPN2 are listed twice?

Ok, sorry about that, I forgot when the Mpeg-4 channels went live, they duplicated the HD channels with their old SD counterpart for the Espn's and TNT. Those channels in the 70's were all we had for a looooong time!

If you subscribe to a premium channel, you will receive all the HD channels associated with that channel as part of your subscription.

I edited the original channel list I posted, let me know of any other mistakes.

 

[puckhead]

It's important to note that most of these channels don't broadcast HD content 24/7, far from it in fact. But many have newer/prime time/special events in HD. And some have tons of HD content.

Some "upconvert" standard def. programming by stretching and cropping (Stretch-O-Vision) which can look pretty stupid to me. I prefer the channels that offer a full bandwidth SD version and leave me the choice of stretching with my TV's scaler. Either way does look better than heavily compressed SD which has always been lame on big screens or even widescreen TV's.

 

[puckhead]

Oh yeah,

Local channels 3, 5, 10, 12, and 15 are part of the "HD local package".

8, 45, and 61 would require an off-the-air antenna to receive the digital versions as they have not been added.