I feel so stupid in this forum. (Digital signal question)

[phillycard]

Guys, I'm almost embarassed to ask, but how do you get the digital channels to come in on a HD tv? I have Direct TV, but all the channels are just regular. Knowing as little as I know, I'm lucky to even have a picture. I just want to know how to connect it so that I pull in the regular channels at least. Can someone help?

 

[AZZenny]

Did you order the HD channel package from DTV? You can't get satellite HD channels at all without getting an HD dish and receiver and HD channel package from them (which includes all non-premium HD channels.)

I think there are ways to get local HD channels over the air w/o satellite, but I have no idea how. Someone here will know.

 

[Mike Olbinski]

1. Do you have an HD Receiver?

2. If you do, do you have it hooked up with Component or HDMI?

3. If you have that, do you have the HD package?

4. If you have the HD package, are you using like Favorite Channels where you just aren't seeing the HD versions?

 

[Chaz]

Guys, I'm almost embarassed to ask, but how do you get the digital channels to come in on a HD tv? I have Direct TV, but all the channels are just regular. Knowing as little as I know, I'm lucky to even have a picture. I just want to know how to connect it so that I pull in the regular channels at least. Can someone help?

You need a HD tuner.
If you have an HDTV it will have an ATSC tuner built in that will allow you to get the digital broadcast channels. NBC, CBS, ABC, PBS
You will need a UHF antenna and then just switch the input on your TV to the antenna. Some TV's are "HDTV ready" which means you don't have the tuner. In that case you can get a set top box ATSC tuner.


If you have direcTV you will need a DirecTV HDTV box to get the subscription HD channels like ESPN, Discovery, HBO etc..

 

[Sandan]

Beware though, one you do there is no turning back.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

There is a difference between digital, and HD. You can have a digital signal, on a standard def channel.

Which are you asking about?

 

[phillycard]

Thanks for the responses everyone. I have a Direct TV box that does have the HDMI hookup to it. (does that mean I just need the flat looking connectors to connect to the tv?) I thought that there was a way to at least get the regular channels (Fox, etc) without too much hassle. I guess I need to check with Direct TV to see what the full package runs.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Thanks for the responses everyone. I have a Direct TV box that does have the HDMI hookup to it. (does that mean I just need the flat looking connectors to connect to the tv?) I thought that there was a way to at least get the regular channels (Fox, etc) without too much hassle. I guess I need to check with Direct TV to see what the full package runs.

You need an antenna to pick up the local channels.

 

[Mulli]

You need an antenna to pick up the local channels.

Is that true for all Direct TV's nationwide?

Guess I am forced to stick to comcast.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Is that true for all Direct TV's nationwide?

Guess I am forced to stick to comcast.

Not sure. Don't some of the latest models include an over the air tuner?

 

[Chaz]

I think DirecTV has some local HD over the satellite now if you can't get it OTA but I am not sure.

 

[Linderbee]

Guys, I'm almost embarassed to ask, but how do you get the digital channels to come in on a HD tv? I have Direct TV, but all the channels are just regular. Knowing as little as I know, I'm lucky to even have a picture. I just want to know how to connect it so that I pull in the regular channels at least. Can someone help?

Don't feel bad, philly. All I ever see (or hear when dcr is talking about it) is:

***** *** **** acronym ****, ****** **** ** ***** *** acronym.

 

[Sandan]

I get local channels from DTV inc HD.

I get to watch NFL in HD now from local Fox.

 

[Covert Rain]

My HDDVR's both have the ability to get OTA signals for locals if I wanted. So even though I get High Def local channels via my current package, I could hook up my OTA. Just too much hassle for me and not enough return. I have seen the uncompressed signal at my neighbors...I was like ehhh.