TWC HD? Is it worth it?

[asr2k]

I am a DirecTV subscriber, but TWC is coming on Friday to hook up an HD box so I can recieve local channels.  I am much too lazy to try to figure out how to hook up an OTA (plus the better half quickly rejected the idea), so for an additional $10 month I decided on TWC for local HD.  Are there any issues (programming, equipment, techincal) I should know before installation?  I am looking for feedback, to make sure this will be a decent short term investment.  Thanks all!

[Skipjack]

I'm happy with my TWC HD box... now that all of the local networks are on-line with it, that is.

The cable guy should hook everything up for you (you may want to go out and get a decent component cable for the connection, the one they gave me was pretty crappy).

The OTA'ers may tell you differently, but you can't beat the price if you're planning on having cable anyway.

I'm on the $39.99 plan which gets me NBC, ABC, CBS, PBS, and now FOX widescreen.   HBO & SHOWTIME are also available in HD for extra $$.

I just wish TWC would pick up Discovery HD and HDNET (and ESPN HD when they come on line).  It does seem like they are working to add HD programming (they've added 3 local networks, I believe, in the past 6 mos).  So, who's to say what you'll see showing up later this year.

[wibr]

One thing- make sure the cable guy checks for a strong signal to the digital box. When mine was installed, the guy did not check this and when the office sent the setup signal to the box it shut it down. I had to exchange the box for another and TWC was so short on HD boxes I had to settle for a regular box until a new shipment came in!:bang:

[drgingras]

Typically, the average TWC installer will just want to swap boxes, activate the new one, and leave. Even though it's an el-cheapo, insist that the installer supplies and installs the component cable. Without it, you will not be able to get the local digital stations.

Also, be sure to have a pair of RCA composite audio cables on hand ( 3' or longer, depending on what the distance will be between the cable box and the audio inputs on your TV. TWC installers don't always provide these, although they're supposed to.  
The HD box also has digital audio out - in the form of coax, not optical.  If you intend to hook up to a digital receiver, you might consider picking up an audio coax, so you can check that too while the installer's there.

And, like wibr said, make sure the installer tests reception on the local digital stations (through the component hookup) before he/she leaves. Nothing more frustrating than waiting for someone to come back to replace a broken new toy !

Then be prepared - to be blown away by HDTV

Dave

[asr2k]

The TWC guy came this morning.  I was hoping to run my cable through my sattelitte box (which has a "IN" jack for Local ANT?CABLE), and ditch the Scientific Atlanta box TWC gave me.  But it seems like that won't work, unless anyone has any tips out there.  

My more important question is regarding screen format and picture.  I was browsing sthrough some of the local HD channels (500's) this morning and the ONLY channel that comes in great is PBS.  The other locals (ABC,CBS,NBC) have an OK picture and letterboxes on the sides, tops and bottoms.  Is this because the programming I am watching is not in HD?  Should I expect a picture format like PBS if the broadcast is in HD?

[syrett4]

I have the same problem.  The only HD channel in the 500's from TWC is PBS.  I am new to HDTV and this forum.  Any answers would be helpful.

[Onanboy]

What you are watching is SD programming (standard digital).  It sometimes seems to be better than the equivalent analog channel but not much better.  When a HD show comes on (like "Mister Sterling" on ch. 504 tonight) the picture will be much better and will fill any widescreen TV.  On top of that, ABC HD will also have DD5.1 as well.  

Enjoy!

Paul

HDTV Guide

[mr_yeti]

Uh, SD = 'standard definition.' The only place to turn and be guaranteed an HD feed is 510. The other stations only pass through HD when it is available from the network. Any HD content you see should be full screen, but don't expect it to look as crisp as the PBS loop, which is filled with lots of brightly-lit, near-static images.