Videophiles unite to raise the bar

GrayhawkJW ) wrote in alt.tv.tech.hdtv:
A "decent cable company?" Is there such a thing?

Yes, even in a small area (Lehigh Valley, PA): http://www.sectv.com/

Their HD channel lineup:

501 HBO Hi Definition
502 Showtime Hi Definition
503 3 - KYW Hi Definition
504 WB-17 Hi Definition
505 WTXF-29 Hi Definition
506 6 - WPVI Hi Definition
507 UPN-57 Phila. Hi Def.
508 HD Net Movies
509 HD Net Sports
510 10 - WCAU Hi Definition
512 PBS National Feed Hi Definition
516 ESPN Hi Definition
517 Discovery HD Theater

--
Jeff Rife |
301-916-8131 | http://www.nabs.net/Cartoons/RhymesW...ge/BigDogs.gif

A "decent cable company?" Is there such a thing?

Yes, even in a small area (Lehigh Valley, PA): http://www.sectv.com/

Their HD channel lineup:

501 HBO Hi Definition
502 Showtime Hi Definition
503 3 - KYW Hi Definition
504 WB-17 Hi Definition
505 WTXF-29 Hi Definition
506 6 - WPVI Hi Definition
507 UPN-57 Phila. Hi Def.
508 HD Net Movies
509 HD Net Sports
510 10 - WCAU Hi Definition
512 PBS National Feed Hi Definition
516 ESPN Hi Definition
517 Discovery HD Theater


Wow- that sounds more than decent- it sounds great. KYW, PVI and CAU are the
three major networks, right (its been a long time since I lived in the Philly
area)? it seems this cable co. has all the bases covered. They carry
everything that is broadcast in HD- yes? How unusual is this kind of cable
co.? If this were the norm, there wouldn't seem to be much of a problem(except
for the time-shifting issue). If my cable co. offered this lineup, I'd be
shopping for an HDTV right now!

Jeff, what is the cost to receive all of the above? What kind of stb do they
offer and how much (can you buy it or does it have to be leased)? What kind of
connections does the stb offer?

Its nice to know that there are some who are doing HDTV right.

I am waiting for the technology to mature a
bit so that the hardware prices come down, standards are developed and the
kinks get worked out more.

The standards have been worked out. We have the 8VSB technology in place for
OTA HD, we have the cable technology worked out for cable HD delivery and
we've
had the satellite technology for some time now.

What about the standards for connectivity? What about the standards for
recording?

I guess the bottom line is that I want HD to be a more user-friendly
experience.

There are some things that are SO good, they are worth the hassle. In my
mind,
HD is one of them.

I can understand your point, but its not just the hassle- its also the cost.
Not only the possibility of buying something that may become obsolete in the
near future, but also the cost associated with early adoption. For what I
would pay for a nice 60" RPT today, what kind of value will I be able to get
for that much money by merely waiting two years? If I was a high-salaried
exec, I wouldn't worry too much, but as a lowly school teacher, I have to
invest my money wisely...

GrayhawkJW ) wrote in alt.tv.tech.hdtv:
Wow- that sounds more than decent- it sounds great. KYW, PVI and CAU are the
three major networks, right (its been a long time since I lived in the Philly
area)?

I don't know...I don't live there. I just know the company because they
were the only one to have ESPN-HD from minute one.

it seems this cable co. has all the bases covered. They carry
everything that is broadcast in HD- yes?

No. They don't carry plain old HDNet, and Comcast SportsNet HD is listed
as "coming soon".

How unusual is this kind of cable
co.?

They are the oldest cable company in the U.S., and they are very unusual.
Since they aren't part of a MSO, they don't have to deal with all the
issues that come up there (no CBS on some, etc.).

Jeff, what is the cost to receive all of the above? What kind of stb do they
offer and how much (can you buy it or does it have to be leased)? What kind of
connections does the stb offer?

Again, I don't live there, but the web page has prices, and it is
$9.95/month for the HDTV STB (I think this is only a little more than the
SD STB), and you get ABC, NBC, CBS, WB, Fox, UPN, and PBS with no other
charges. Discovery HD Theater, ESPN HD, HDNet Sports, HDNet Movies, and
Comcast SportsNet HD are in a package that is $11.99/month more. HBO-HD and
Showtime-HD require you to subscribe to HBO and Showtime packages, just like
everywhere else.

--
Jeff Rife | "Women...can't live with 'em...can't explain to
301-916-8131 | the desk clerk why you only need one bed."
|
| -- Ellen

$9.95/month for the HDTV STB (I think this is only a little more than the
SD STB), and you get ABC, NBC, CBS, WB, Fox, UPN, and PBS with no other
charges. Discovery HD Theater, ESPN HD, HDNet Sports, HDNet Movies, and
Comcast SportsNet HD are in a package that is $11.99/month more. HBO-HD and
Showtime-HD require you to subscribe to HBO and Showtime packages, just like
everywhere else.

this sounds great- too bad more cable co.'s can,t be like this.

GrayhawkJW ) wrote in alt.tv.tech.hdtv:
$9.95/month for the HDTV STB (I think this is only a little more than the
SD STB), and you get ABC, NBC, CBS, WB, Fox, UPN, and PBS with no other
charges. Discovery HD Theater, ESPN HD, HDNet Sports, HDNet Movies, and
Comcast SportsNet HD are in a package that is $11.99/month more. HBO-HD and
Showtime-HD require you to subscribe to HBO and Showtime packages, just like
everywhere else.

this sounds great- too bad more cable co.'s can,t be like this.

Yeah, when a HD-cable DVR comes out, it would almost be worth moving there
for all the shows.

--
Jeff Rife | "_Grease_ is one of my favorite movies. A
301-916-8131 | sociopathic greaser in a leather jacket turns an
| innocent high school girl into a slut.
|
| Kind of like _My Fair Lady_ in reverse."
|
| -- Scot Gardner, in alt.video.dvd

"GrayhawkJW" wrote in message
...
: Waiting is foolish.
: HD is here now and it is here to stay.
:
: I am waiting for the technology to mature a
: bit so that the hardware prices come down, standards are developed and the
: kinks get worked out more

=================
Just so you know, standards are developed and being used.
Prices are coming way down...................