HD Broadcast vs HD Channel

[Cesna172]

I hope this isn't a silly question, but I just got an HD receiver today, (505), and the hockey game on CBCHD looks great, but if I switch to the regular CBC station on channel 301, it looks horrendous. (even worse than before).

I thought that if a station broadcast a game or a show in HD, you would be able to view it in HD regardless of whether you were viewing one of the official "HD" channels.

Same as RDS, I thought since RDS broadcasts games in HD, I would be able to view them in HD, but the picture is certainly not very clear. If I watch the actual RDS HD station, then it looks clear.

Does this mean if I am watching a show on one of the "regular stations" and they say it is broadcast in HD, I will not actually be able to view it in HD unless I switch to an HD station???

Like I said, I apologize if this is a stupid question!

[Tanta]

Yes, the standard definition channels (SD) do not have the bandwidth to accomodate an HD signal. You can only watch HD on an HD channel, since it has the required bandwidth, or capture it over the air, if you have an HD TV with a built in ASTC tuner. With respect to HD programming, SD signals are often 'upconverted' to HD, which is not really 'true' HD. If you look closely at facial features, you can usually tell if a signal is upconverted or true HD, especially after watching some true HD content on the CBC.
All of this info is very well explained in the HD FAQ section of Digitalhome, so you might want to browse around.

[57]

Please see: http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=76068

And the following post useful for newbies, please read the post and the links therein:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=57741

[Cesna172]

Thks, much appreciated

[gmd]

Originally Posted by Cesna172

I hope this isn't a silly question, but I just got an HD receiver today, (505), and the hockey game on CBCHD looks great, but if I switch to the regular CBC station on channel 301, it looks horrendous. (even worse than before).

Join the club of the few that see a degradation of SD picture quality when you get a 500/505. You will find that the picture quality is dependant on the bandwidth.

For CBC, watch CBLT (302) or CBOT (303) not CBMT (301).
For CTV, watch CFTO (313), and definitively not CJOH (311).

What kind of TV do you have?

-gmd

[biggyk]

does this work with regular cable (no cable box). I have a ViewSonic n3235w lcd; can anyone tell me if mine has the astc?

[jbracing24]

I have a ViewSonic n3235w lcd; can anyone tell me if mine has the astc?

• Resolution: 1360 x 768
• Signal Compatibility: 480i
• Signal Compatibility: 480p
• Signal Compatibility: 1080i
• Signal Compatibility: 720p
• Input Video Signal: ATSC
• Input Video Signal: NTSC
• Speakers: 2
• Inputs: S-Video
• Inputs: Audio
• Inputs: RGB
• Inputs: HDMI In
• Inputs: RCA
• Inputs: VGA
• Inputs: YPbPr
• Inputs: YCbCr

It is ATSC capable, if you provide it a digital signal, either HD digital cable or HD satellite. If you have regular cable, you're only getting up to 480.

[57]

Originally Posted by biggyk

does this work with regular cable (no cable box). I have a ViewSonic n3235w lcd; can anyone tell me if mine has the astc?

You're perhaps confusing ATSC (OTA) and QAM (Cable). See the following regarding QAM on Cable:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=32271

Then please read the following useful post for newbies to the forum:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=57741

[biggyk]

okay thank you. So then mine doesnt have it then