Do you need to rent a cable box to get HDTV? Can anyone clear this up?
822833
Comcast here encrypts most of their HD content, so you'll need to pay extra rent for their box. QAM tuners like the ones in some TVs won't do the trick. Comcast also compress content. Comcast sux.
1000840
No. It just has a cable tv type F connector. If you connect an antenna to it and can receive local hd broadcasts, then you can see HD. Also, some cable systems have a "raw" digital HD feed that does not require a cable set top box, but will play HD thru the F connector.
822835
at best you'd get the local channels by plugging in a split coaxial cable without the cable-box to decode... if they are not encrypted.alternatively you can run a coaxial cable to a standard antenna (preferably external, but some internal rabbit-ears will do) to get local stations in HD over-the-air. fyi.. if you can receive them, over-the-air channels are actually of HIGHER quality than signals "passed through" by cable companies (who compress their signals)
126741
It doesn't substitute as an HD cable box. As the others have indicated it will transmit from your existing cable box to another TV. You will have the same show on both tvs, but you can use your cable remote to change channels from the room of the second tv. It works great for me- I am transmitting to a kitchen because why have a cable box where you don't watch tv that often, but when I am in there I can watch.
894249
1. You need to either buy a antennae or use a HD box from your cable company to actually pick up the signal. 2. While true the tv will automatically upscale the image projected through any source, It is best to purchase a dvd player with upscale capability. Also, when watching dvds, be sure to use movie mode on the settings for the clearest picture. Also, I would really recommend going to HD dvds or blu ray. Once you see a movie in HD, you will not want to watch a regular dvd again. I recommend testing HD movies at a retailer to see if it worth it to you.
1349808
You get the card from your cable company instead of a set-top box, and then plug it directly into the TV. However, what I've found is that there are restrictions that don't make CableCards that attractive (at least for now). For example, I have Comcast, and if you use a CableCard for their service you can't get On-Demand programming, any Pay-Per-View stuff, or their graphical program guide. To me, not being able to get this stuff kind of defeats the purpose of having digital cable nowadays.
247625
I have Comcast, and I wanted to not rent a box. I had to buy a cable modem and a router to do that. You will need a cable modem.
557577
No cables - you'll need at least 1 hdmi or composite to connect to cable box - others if additional device connections
781506
hi can u tell me if u need to get HD channels to appreciate the picture quality on this TV or will regular cable suffice? what abt playing DVDs do i need a HD dvd player or a reg player should do as well?Thanks
2035168
are you sure that the cable box is HD? kinda sounds like it is SD? the other thing to remember is that not all stations are being broadcast in HD and even then some local channels might not be broadcasting certain shows in HD. for example, my local stations might broadcast a golf game that is in HD, but the local news is broadcast in SD.As for the tv itself, i'm not sure. I'm waiting to get my 4053 delivered and i'm having a hard time waiting! you might want to check your connections again though.
61343
Phone and internet, yes. TV, you will still need to rent the Comcast HD box...
1793232
You may want to purchase an HDMI cable, which gives you the best image resolution on the HD TV, but I just have the regular coaxial cable straight from the cable company plugged in (not even using the box) and I get a great picture.
838843
I don't have cable and this TV was able to pull HD-quality channels "right off the air." Some of them aren't always in HD, the signal deteriorating from time to time. Others are more consistent.
1020346
Thank you for your response. So when I get my HD box from Comcast, I should get one of their HD cables also. Right? Should I also get a Comcast HD cable instead of one from some other source to hook up my upconverting DVD player? Kinda takes some of the fun out of researching the world of HD plasma tvs. :-)
1801442
Yes you need an HDTV, reception is good for me but all the stations I watch are within 20 miles.
61328
"Cable"? As in, pay a provider for TV? NO! A strong internet connection would be nice, but not necessary. Depends on how you wanna use it
1609408
just make sure you buy an HDMI cable. the expense for that is all up to you. they range in price from moderate to high end based on what you decide. i have direct TV as well. i like the TV. have no complaints. a good buy. this was a very easy hook up however you will need to make sure that Direct TV has provided you with the correct satellite box for an HD Television or it will not work. they are very good about doing so