HDTV???

BIGMAC · Posted: Jan 04, 2005 2:25 pm Post subject: HDTV???

I am currently with Cox for cable tv. My tv is set up for HD and I would like to get some HD channels but Cox does'nt offer them so I am thinking of satellite. What are your opinions on the satellite services out there (Dish Network, Direct TV, Voom)? Does anyone have Voom?

Thanks for any help!

garveyj · Addict Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 877 City: Savage, MN

I have voom and I love it - they have the largest amount of HDTV available (currently 40 channels), and they are going to have even more soon (apparently 70 by March). I do not have much experience with the other providers, but from what I hear they do not have much in terms of HDTV offerings, and they are not planning on changing either.

WakeboardNebraska · Posted: Jan 04, 2005 10:20 pm Post subject:

Unfortunately Cox in your area isn't uploading an HD feed at this time ( I checked their site). Rather unfortunate since most of the country (major markets) are currently viewing networks in HD (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX), as well as ESPN, SHOW, HBO, DISC, TBS, HDNET, INHD, etc, all through their cable provider either QAM or descrambled by a digital box.

Both DirecTV and Dish offer the above channels (however, not local HD network feeds) in HD at this time that you can receive anywhere in the country.

Agreed... Voom is a great option if you are looking for alot more HD choices. They have alot of cool HD PVR and networked HD equipment coming soon , too. In my opinion, the content isn't quite there yet to justify an additional $40 a month. Cox in many areas around the country ARE doing HD, so I'm sure your market isn't too far from getting it. Not knowing your market at all, by the end of 2006 you WILL have HD signals from the major networks. It is mandated.

BIGMAC · Posted: Jan 05, 2005 10:08 am Post subject:

garveyj, and WakeboardNebraska, Thanks for the great information. I heard that Cox may be doing HD in our area sometime this year but it would be alot more expensive. I don't really know if that true or not. I quess I might wait around but I will do some more research. Thanks guys!

JR · Soul Rider Joined: 14 Dec 2003 Posts: 473 City: ATX

garveyj · Addict Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 877 City: Savage, MN

No - I usually have to wait about 1-2 seconds for the video to come through, but have never had to wait 5-9 before.

BIGMAC · Posted: Jan 23, 2005 10:02 am Post subject:

I went ahead and got dish network with the HD channels. It was very reasonable and even the regular channels are clearer. I didn't get to check out voom because they were located about 70 miles away. Thanks

garveyj · Addict Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 877 City: Savage, MN

good thing because on Friday Voom sold their satellite to Dish Network, so it looks like Voom will be going away...Not sure when though. The FCC needs to approve the sale.

ryanprouty · Newbie Joined: 16 Dec 2004 Posts: 36 City: San Francisco

I heard VOOM's quality is good, but their programming is crap; meaning, I like watching channels in HD (I have comcast in SF) but I'm not going to watch spanish soap operas just because they look good... well.. i take that back.. the girls are sometimes worth it.. bad example.. but you get my point? I get all local networks (which usually broadcast SD shot stuff in HD so you get letterboxes on the sides, plus quality is ehhh) but i do get discover hd and espn hd which are like WOW!

Intersing about VOOM though.. maybe dish will be the thing... I don't know.. i don't watch enough TV to care.. i just got an HDTV for Progressive Scan, XBOX, and for when HD-DVD's come out.

garveyj · Addict Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 877 City: Savage, MN

ryanprouty, Actually Voom has all of those things that you mention that you like - all of the locals in HD if available, otherwise it is in SD. They have Dicovery HD, TNT HD, Universal HD, ESPN HD, soon to have ESPN2 HD, plus they have 21 exclusive HD channels - I watch about 5 of them religously, but others are hit and miss.

As of this point the FCC has not approved the sale - and now the creator of Voom is trying to buy the Voom assets to keep Voom alive...We will see what happens.

ryanprouty · Newbie Joined: 16 Dec 2004 Posts: 36 City: San Francisco

yeah.. understood that.. just meant i'm not willing to pay extra for stuff i'm not going to watch...

VOOM sounds cool.. just not high on my priorities right now...

oshensurfer · Posted: Feb 25, 2005 5:17 pm Post subject:

I have Comcast HDTV with the HD DVR. It's decent, just not a whole lot of channels. I find that I hardly ever watch standard TV anymore, and wish there was more.... Maybe in couple of years there will be more....

MRAleader · Newbie Joined: 12 Feb 2005 Posts: 26 City: woodstock

You should have gotten Directv so you could get fuel. The best channel. Its not hd though.
Fuel is 24/7 action sports tv and they show a decent amount of wakeboarding.