Brighthouse HD Set-top Boxes

[marcuslaw]

I have a Sony Bravia XBR2 46" LCD TV, (http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=11040391) and recently switched from the Pace to the Scientific Atlanta Explorer 4250HDC set-top box (http://www.scientificatlanta.com/customers/Source/7008361.pdf) with the hope of improving the look of standard def channels. Unfortunately, there isn't much difference between the two. Has anyone found a solution to this problem?

[FTBoomerIII]

The only solution is to suffer through it or watch SD on an SD set. It's an inherent problem all HD owners deal with. It only gets worse as the screens get bigger.

[DSquare]

I have the XBR2 46in also using the 8300HD box and the SD picture is amazingly better than it was on my little 30in Philips HD set. I use the settings from petmic10 I found at http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=720727&page=6

On my old set I would actually download the tv shows like Nip/Tuck that were on FX for better quality than I was getting through the set top box.

[Dknow]

I've seen a lot of cable customers use a splitter before the set top box and run a line into to cable input of the tv and use it's tuner to watch cable analog sd and it does make an improvement.

[bdraw]

Or just stop watching SD.
I mean really, there isn't enough time to watch all the HD out there, when do you find the time to watch SD?

I guess some just can't give up BayNews9

[marcuslaw]

Actually bdraw, although I don't often watch it, BayNews9 is broadcast in HD . . . on channel 609.

[FTBoomerIII]

Actually bdraw, although I don't often watch it, BayNews9 is broadcast in HD . . . on channel 609.

haha, not quite. They broadcast in SD with sidecars to fill the screen. They plan on going to HD soon but the are definitely in SD now.

You'll learn who the players are after you stick around a while, and bdraw is one of the founding members here. His word is as close to HD gospel as it gets.

BTW, welcome to the boards, there is a lot of information here and some very informed contributors.

[marcuslaw]

Wow, Boomer. That's odd. Not only does the HDTV indicator activate on my set-top box when I click on Ch. 609, but Brighthouse lists it among their HD channels on their website. I guess they pulled a fast one on me. Of course, I suppose I shouldn't overlook the possibility that you "founding members" are pulling a fast one. Perhaps your or bdraws replies are based on a one organizations definition of HD over another in which Ch. 609 doesn't fit. Whatever the case, I don't care. Rather than a smug answer like the one he gave, or your stepping up to defend his time developed reputation as some HD royalty, a simple, courteous and straightforward reply such as the one DSquare gave earlier would have sufficed. I suppose this is how you "players" greet the new posters to the boards?

[Palmateer]

Yup, that's proof alright. You really caught those "founding members" in a big lie!

Not only does the HDTV indicator activate on my set-top box when I click on Ch. 609, but Brighthouse lists it among their HD channels on their website. I suppose I shouldn't overlook the possibility that you "founding members" are pulling a fast one.

[Bschneider]

Not only does the HDTV indicator activate on my set-top box when I click on Ch. 609, but Brighthouse lists it among their HD channels on their website.

Marculaw - Every provider's HD box is going to do that if you are watching their digital channel. For example, turn to 632 which is WMOR channel 32, they indicate HDTV but they have never shown anything remotely HD since they have been on the air. They do SD with grey sidebars exactly like BayNew9, 609.

Hope that explains it a little better.

[FTBoomerIII]

Wow, Boomer. That's odd. Not only does the HDTV indicator activate on my set-top box when I click on Ch. 609, but Brighthouse lists it among their HD channels on their website. I guess they pulled a fast one on me. Of course, I suppose I shouldn't overlook the possibility that you "founding members" are pulling a fast one. Perhaps your or bdraws replies are based on a one organizations definition of HD over another in which Ch. 609 doesn't fit. Whatever the case, I don't care. Rather than a smug answer like the one he gave, or your stepping up to defend his time developed reputation as some HD royalty, a simple, courteous and straightforward reply such as the one DSquare gave earlier would have sufficed. I suppose this is how you "players" greet the new posters to the boards?

Sorry you feel that way, I guess you neglected to read the last line of my post welcoming you. No problem.

BN9 is broadcast on an HD channel buyt the cameras are SD cameras. That's why the actual picture is in 4:3 and not 16:9. Then there is always the fact that the picture looks like crap. Flip back and forth from channel 628 to 609 during the 6 o'clock news and I believe you'll see a difference.

[bdraw]

Wow, Boomer. That's odd. Not only does the HDTV indicator activate on my set-top box when I click on Ch. 609, but Brighthouse lists it among their HD channels on their website. I guess they pulled a fast one on me. Of course, I suppose I shouldn't overlook the possibility that you "founding members" are pulling a fast one. Perhaps your or bdraws replies are based on a one organizations definition of HD over another in which Ch. 609 doesn't fit. Whatever the case, I don't care. Rather than a smug answer like the one he gave, or your stepping up to defend his time developed reputation as some HD royalty, a simple, courteous and straightforward reply such as the one DSquare gave earlier would have sufficed. I suppose this is how you "players" greet the new posters to the boards?

I like to apologize for being smug. Sometimes sarcasm doesn't come across. I meant it as a joke, perhaps a wink would have made it more clear.

Either way, the definition of High definition can be debated, but according to the ATSC standard, it is any video 720 lines and over. If you take a DVD and upconvert it, it will look better than SD, but technically it still isn't HD. This is basically what 609 is (and alot of HD channels unfortunately). It is nice that they take the time and the money (their upconverters cost like 50k) to improve their signal till they can go true HD, but it can be confusing.

In the end, you have to trust your eyes. Switch over to HD.net (always HD) and then back to the channel or program in question and if it doesn't look as good, it probably isn't really HD. Fox is probably the worst at claiming their SD is HD, shows like COPS and others are still not HD, but people get confused almost constantly.

[bdraw]

You'll learn who the players are after you stick around a while, and bdraw is one of the founding members here. His word is as close to HD gospel as it gets.


Haha! Thanks Boomer, but in other words Ben can be an ass, but we put up with him 'cause of his contributions. hehe.

[marcuslaw]

It does, thank you. For the record "founding members", the only SD programing I watch is an occasional rerun of Seinfeld.

[Bschneider]

It does, thank you. For the record "founding members", the only SD programing I watch is an occasional rerun of Seinfeld.

Which could be watched in HD but one particular station doesn't have the equipment to handle the distribution right now.

[bdraw]

I still can't believe Ch38 doesn't have the equipment to syndicate Seinfeld in HD, maybe WFTS will give them a good deal on one of their old D5 tape machines after they get their new server installed.

[marcuslaw]

I've read on threads elsewhere that some have purchased their own HD set-top boxes rather than used a refurbished one provided by the cable company. Anyone do this?

[bdraw]

I use a TiVo with CableCARDs instead of using the cable co's STB. Before with BHN and now with FIOS.

[vegolons73]

mainly after set top boxes around 2 to 10 per week. not interested in the really cheapo stuff. only after standard def. I use humax at the moment find them to be ok