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Can you provide documentation for this? I’ve been researching this very point, because my cable provider *does* encrypt local stations in HD. Unfortunately I haven’t yet found a definitive reference that supports your statement (I wish I could!). The closest I’ve come is a statement that the cable provider must provide an unencrypted form for local stations, but that does not mean they must provide this in *digital* form (old analog form would be OK). Supposedly the FCC was going to vote on this exact issue in May, 2006 but that vote was put off. If you have a firm reference in support of your statement, I will bring that to the attention of my cable provider. Thanks.

Sorry, my error. I changed the passage

However, you have the first and only provider I am aware of that encrypts the local broadcasts.I have spoken to mgmt of 24 largest cable providers and none of them encrypt the local digital channels.

I would like to know the location and name of your cable company so I can ask them why they are encrypting local channels.

The HD Guru

Although cable companies do not encrypt local channels and you can watch them for free, it is still better to get those channels off-air.
Cables have bandwidth limitations, use high video compression ratios - hence, lower quality. Over-the-air broadcasts are alway the best

HD Guru:
Thanks for your response. My cable provider is Shrewsbury Cable (SELCO: Shrewsbury, Mass; 508-841-8500)– yes, my cable service is run by my town! This link should get you there:
http://www.shrewsbury-ma.gov/cable/index.asp

I’d be interested in hearing whatever you find out. And if your contacting them causes them to change this policy, that would be terrific.

Btw, thanks for your web site. Lots of good stuff!

Here in Toronto, Canada HD is broadcast in 720p by the satellite and cable providers. The only way to get 1080i is OTA with an antenna. If we weren’t addicted to those specialty channels, we wouldn’t have a monthly bill with OTA!

I am looking at buying either a Samsung HL-S6767W or a (Mitsubishi WD-73732 or the WD-73831) both are DLP. What I have been reading the Mitsubishi 73 inch DLPs do not use a color wheel. They use a Mitsubishi Exclusive 1080p DLP® High Output Light Engine. I have been searching the web looking for info on this Mitsubishi Exclusive 1080p DLP® High Output Light Engine. What is it?

What DLP should I buy The Samsung or one of the Mitsubishis. Have not found any reviews on these DPL. I currently Have a Mitsubishi 65″ Diamond series Rear projector about 5-6 years old in great condition. SHould have KEEPED it but promissed to sell to a friend.

All DLP rear projectors that are lamp driven (as opposed to LED) use a color wheel. The current 73″ Mitsubishi chassis is largerly carried over from last year (2005) and has a 3-color wheel (red, green and blue filters)

I am particularly partial to the  Mitsubishi WD-65831 ( I will be covering it and other rear projectors this week).  I uses a six-color wheel (red, blue green magenta cyan yellow) and tested well.

The HD Guru 

Thanks, I did it and it worked great for Comcast in NJ.

Another happy hdgru.com reader.

The HD Guru

Connecting my HDTV antenna connector directly to the cable (no Box) yields over 300 digital TV, HDTV and audio channels; however only some - mostly items in the basic package are viewable and they, my local Comcast Cable, constantly change the cable channel where the digital channels are located. Cable channels 75 thru 94 and some above 100 carry most of the stuff, some channels have as many as 12 tv or hdtv digital channels. Those channels carrying audio only may have as many as 19 digital audio channels. Many of the scanned digital (ATSC) channels show a signal strength indication that indicate a presence of signal but no video or audio. Those channels require decoding info aquired only from control signals sent to the box. Those signals are in addition to signals which control were an ATSC signal (like 76.2) is assigned on the box. They change locations often to discourage ATSC tuner use by “basic” subscribers.

Touche!

Most cable system use QAM not ATSC. Thanks for the report Mr. Magoo.

The HD Guru 

Basic package includes local channels and those that sell stuff>

pay for what you watch

I do, I rent the box and subscribe to Digital Classic, Digital Plus and Digital Music packages. Most HDTV programs 720p and 1080i are on Digital Basic Channels which are included with the box rental. Most other digital programs are 480i.

I read something disturbing that was very shocking to me. Guess what I am a cable guy. Yes I work for a local cable company and no I don’t hide our HD channels. Often people just need to reprogram their TVs. Once in a while our equipment may break and we are forced to change EIA’s, all a customer would have to do is reprogram their television. Please don’t think we hide our channels, and we only encrypt them if we have to pay for them. Our system is unique since the majority of our local HD service is far out of antenna range that is why we spend a considerable amount of money to bring the signal in. Why hide a good thing!!! Our compression rate is not a factor in picture quality, matter of fact we are of better quality with are local channnels than dish! (not 720p but 1080I). As far as I know the only companys’ that ecrypt their local service have to pay for it themselves! Yell at the channel not the provider.

You don’t mention which provider you are with. Image quality on cable varies greatly from (provider and loca)l system to system.

The HD Guru 

Hi, first of all thanks for all the importatn ifo about HDTV. I want to know what is the difference between HD-DVD Player and Blue-Ray Disc Player, Which one is better and why? Thanks a lot HD GURU.

For playing high def discs the top rated Blu-rays tested (Sony and Pioneer) have equal image quality to the HD DVDs when using the same high def movie content. As stated in the review of the HD-XA2, it exceed the Blu-ray in the upconversion of SD DVD. The other consideration is which movies do you prefer the ones on Blu-ray or HD DVD (for now)?

I predict the Total HD Discs (Blu-ray on one side and HD DVD on the other) wil eventually end the format war providing a one disc fits all solution. Look for a roll out in a few months. I believe a number of other studios will embrace the Total HD disc soon after Warner’s initial release of Total HD content.

The HD Guru   

Hi, I have a Panasonic 42″ Plasma HD. I use HDMI cable and signal is provided by Cablevision of Long Island (NY)
I notice when FOX (Ch 705) is telecasting an in HD the box indicates a 720p signal and the picture is not all that crisp.
ABC also indicates a 720p signal but the picture quality is much better.
Most other channels show as 1080i and the display is beautiful. What would the reason be for these discrepancies? Thank you

Different lighing, equipment, lenses, focus and other factors can greatly influence image quality. In addition Cablevision uses stat muxing to allocate bits . The may be delivering less bits to the fox program. That problem can be fixed by switching to verizon fios as you cable provider ( if available in you area.) They deliver all the bitsprovided from the broadcaster to your HDTV. 

The HD Guru 

I have the DVR HD ready cable box connected via HDMI cables to my Sony Bravia Full HD TV set. When I change the channels ( mostly the TV HD channels ) they do change but there is a disturbance each time when I change the channels ( 2 to 3 secs ) before the picture gets settled …. do you why this is ? Is there a problem with my cable box or cable ? Thanks, Mohal

^^

Lossy compression and poor signal strength… lol

480i channels are a joke. They should be broadcast in analog.

I just wish service providers were required to post their specifications (eg. IRC/HRC/Std, QAM256/64/8V) Its only fair to the consumer that wants the most for their money.

Yes I do pay for cable.