DVR's, HD, & STB's

[Village Idiot]

Making the switch to digital cable. I have two HD sets. One has a tuner, one does not.

1. Do I have to get a STB for the TV with the tuner in order to receive the HD channels, or can I just plug the cable into the TV and still receive them?

2. With respect to the TV without a tuner, will a DVR work the same as a STB in terms of receiving the HD channels, or would you need both?

I have no desire to record in HD, for the record. Basically I just want to know if I definitely need two STB's, or, if I get a DVR, none at all.

Thanks in advance.

[aukevin]

Re: DVR's, HD, & STB's

For your TV without a HD tuner in it, yes you will need a box that has the HD tuner in it. If you're getting cable through a cable company they should be able to rent you a DVR that will get you the HD channels. For the TV with a HD tuner you should be able to connect the cable and receive some HD channels (more than likely ABC, NBC, FOX, CBS, and PBS) without having to pay for HD access. If you want the HD channels like ESPN, TNT, TBS and stuff, you'll need to get the HD package through the cable company which will come with a cable box or DVR.

So in my experience with cable, to get all the HD channels available to you through the cable company, yes you will need two cable boxes. But you will be able to get some HD channels just through the cable without a box on the TV with a tuner.

[Village Idiot]

Re: DVR's, HD, & STB's

Thanks, aukevin. You cleared it up a bit. However:

... which will come with a cable box or DVR.

They give you one box for free. That one, based on what you've said, I'll use with the TV that has a tuner. Fine. But for the other TV, can I use a DVR instead of a STB, or do I have to get both? From what you say here, it sounds like I wouldn't need both, and that's really the whole question.

I ask because they charge $10 per month for additional STB's, but only $8 a month for a DVR. Seems to me like I can use the free box on the upstairs TV and then just use a DVR for the downstairs TV, and all will be well. Is that correct?

Thanks again.

[aukevin]

Re: DVR's, HD, & STB's

You'll only have one box on a TV. The box will either get you digital cable or get you digital cable with DVR support. My cable company rents me a cable box that has the HD tuner in it and it has DVR functionality in it as well (dual tuner HD support). If I didn't want the DVR feature I could rent a cable box with the HD tuner in it for cheaper (about $7 less a month). So it's weird that they are telling you an additional STB is more expensive than an additional DVR.

Who's your cable company? Maybe things are different where you are than how they are in my parts. You might want to check and make sure with your cable company about the HD channels that you receive through the cable without a box. Around here all the cable company's must give you the local digital feeds through the cable even without a box(that's the HD ABC, NBC, FOX, CBS, and PBS that I get on my TVs with a HD tuner built in).

[Village Idiot]

Re: DVR's, HD, & STB's

I have Bright House, but really, you answered my question. If the TV with the tuner still needs a STB, then anything else is pretty much just details that I can discuss with the cable company. I just didn't want to get suckered into renting two boxes if one would do.

[GAMEC0CK2002]

Re: DVR's, HD, & STB's

For the TV with the tuner you can get HD channels OTA (over the air) with a regular tv antenna. I don't have cable but get all the major networks in HD without paying a dime.

Satellite (shameless DirectTV plug) would bring the best value in terms of HD programming.

If you've gotta go with cable, just make sure to get HD tier to take full advantage of your tv's capabilities.