HDTV disappointment

[T64]

I just purchased a sharp aquious 52 in HDTV and set up my HDPVR service from Rogers. First off, I am very disappointed with the lack of channels that are offering HDTV. Secondly, the picture quality on my HDTV looks nowhere near the quality that I saw at Best buy where I purchased the set. By the way I am using good quality HDMI cables. Where am I going wrong?

 

[Tangwhich]

Are you sure you're actually watching something that's in HD? Not everything being broadcast on an "HD" channel is in HD. Typically only newer stuff is in HD. A lot of older standard definition stuff can look poor on an HD tv, especially large ones.
I'm not familiar with the rogers boxes, but do you have it outputting in 1080i? Perhaps you've got it on 480i or something like that?

 

[canucklehead]

Is your HDPVR setup for 1080?
My late wife's brother had his setup for 480 and even the HD channels looked crap...... as far as good or bad cables it does not matter .....

 

[Sexy_Dave]

I am in agreement with T64. I find the lack of HD channels disappointing but this will improve as more get added. I have a 52" and am positive I set it for 1080i as I noticed it right away when watching, and changed from 480 to 720 and then 1080. I find I get the best picture on live events eg sports. When I am watching a football game it is crystal clear, however if I am watching a show sometimes the picture can be fuzzy or off somehow. I attribute this to lenses and filters being used when filming. I don't know if that has anything to do with it but it is a rationalization I can live with. lol

 

[Radio_Shack]

You don't need an HDMI cable to display the HD. The cable that comes with yur Rogers HD box is sufficient.

I noticed that the HD channels have a mix of HD programming and non HD. When they are showing HD programming it is very sharp and very nice. ie CNNHD is HD most of the time.

In the store they typically will be piping a blue ray disc to the tvs which is HD content.

 

[my2cents]

Try free off air hd

So you have everything connected to rogers. If you have an ATSC tuner built in give over the air HD a try. Simply get a basic UHF antenna, connet to your ATSC tuner and depending upon your area tune in some HD channels. AS some have noted Rogers compresses their HD signal while over the air HD is less compressed.

 

[Mao Tse Tongue]

Go here!

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/index.php

Everything you need is here, including all the things that Rogers, the company of idiots, doesn't tell you.

I had the same experience as you, then figured it out and the picture looks fantastic. Depends on which box Rogers gave you (ie explorer 3250 does component video and not direct hdmi) etc etc.

Type in the make and number of your box into the forum's search and you'll get what you need.

 

[T64]

HD disappointment

Thanks to all for your wonderful information. It was very appreciated. After talking to a Rogers technician, they will be coming to my house to analyze the possible cause of the problem. Over the phone they hinted that the source of my problem could possibly be because I have several tv's running from a splitter from my main cable line. By the way I just finished watching a show aired by CBC about HDMI cables and apparently after testing by Audio technicians, there is absolutely no difference in picture quality between expensive HDMI cables and cheap ones!!!!!