what do I need to have HDTV viewing ?

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

Hi:

I have Comcast analog cable service, I just bought a HD-ready TV (Samsung
HLP-5063W). What do I need more in order to be able to get true HDTV
viewing? I prefer not to spend any more on subscribing anything from
Comcast.

Will a HD receiver on the market (or something called HD converter ?) get HD
signal from the analog cable?

Asking Comcast customer supports those questions, they give opposite answers
each time I called or just going in circles.

Thanks in Advance!
Polaris

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

"Polaris" <etpolaris@hotmail.com> wrote (in part):

>I have Comcast analog cable service, I just bought a HD-ready TV (Samsung
>HLP-5063W). What do I need more in order to be able to get true HDTV
>viewing? I prefer not to spend any more on subscribing anything from
>Comcast.
>
>Will a HD receiver on the market (or something called HD converter ?) get HD
>signal from the analog cable?

The only way to get HD programming from cable without subscribing to
more than the analog service you have now is to buy an STB that
handles unscrambled QAM (cable's digital format). You'll be limited
to whatever your cable company doesn't scramble, which is probably
just the local broadcast stations. Some people have reported getting
more, so you might get lucky, but don't count on it.

Or you could buy an STB with a CableCard slot and rent a CableCard
from Comcast, or just rent their digital STB. In either case you
could then subscribe to whatever you're willing to pay for.

But don't dismiss the idea of getting locals with an antenna unless
you're sure you can't. Go to www.antennaweb.org and plug in your
ZIP+4 to see what's available in your area and what sort of antenna
you'll likely need to receive it.

Del Mibbler