Showtime HD on cable

[btbowen1]

Hi everyone,
I'm new here, great site!
Warner cable is going to install the hd cable box Wed. to my new Toshiba 50H81. I'm guessing its the new box since I had to wait over a month for it. I'm already a HBO subscriber and the rep. told me I will have to subscriber to Showtime and recieve all thirteen of those Showtime channels in order to get the Showtime HD channel which would cost $12.50 a month. Is it worth the extra cash? I believe I read something that said the Showtime HD channel is not all that great. I guess two HD channels would be better than one.

[RickNeff]

Well, all I can tell you is that I didn't think it was worth the money to subscribe to Showtime for the HD channel.  Like you, we were already subcribed to HBO and now get HBO HD.

I would suspect that the content has a lot to do with things.  I know for a while HBO wasn't exactly showing enough for me to watch a lot of HBO HD.  But, then I saw "Cast Away" and "The Patriot" on HBO HD and they looked simply fantastic.  Of course, I'll be watching "Band of Brothers" in a little while on HBO HD.  

Just my 2 cents,

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Richard Neff
Proud Toshiba 56x81 owner!

[Tom Snyder]

HD Galaxy has an HD program guide that puts it in perspective... It lists all HD content by Network in column format. Compare Showtime entries with HBO...
 http://www.hdtvgalaxy.com/broad.html

[Matt Heebner]

I was wondering if Directv was going to eventually get ShowtimeHD...but after seeing all the (UPCONV)upconverts on HDGalaxy for Showtime, I will not be getting it. Doesnt seem worth it even id Directv offers it. I know that Directv is supposed to offer another HD channel, but no word yet what it's going to be.
BTW...Band of Brothers was COMPLETELY AWESOME in HD and 5.1. Damn, isnt HD GREAT!!!
Shows like this are what HD was made for (besides football  )

Matt

[btbowen1]

Thanks for the replies.
The upcons. is what I was referring to about the quality of Showtime HD that I heard about, but content is important too. I think I'll pass on Showtime HD for now. Hopefully we'll get the local channel's HD feed soon.

[RickNeff]

Yeah, "Band of Brothers" was very cool in HD!  I enjoyed watching it last night.  Probably the best reason to have HBO in my opinion.

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Richard Neff
Proud Toshiba 56x81 owner!

[Got_HDTV?]

Greetings,

Even though I live in Appleton (hour and a half north of Milwaukee), I've been reading this site daily for the past two months.
Waiting patiently for HDTV to finally come here.

Well, this Friday, a TimeWarner rep is scheduled to come out and install a new HD STB to my Toshiba 42H81!  Currently only HBO HD and Showtime HD are available, with hopefully CBS to follow in May/June.

My question is how is the Showtime HD quality?  I've seen that their content is lacking compared to HBO, but is the pic and sound quality comparable?  I see that "The Gift" is on Showtime HD (1080i, DD5.1) this weekend.

My second question is there a big difference between the SA 2000 and 3000 series STBs?  I'm not sure what model I'll be receiving, and the TWC service reps couldn't tell me either (not surprised).

Anyway, thanks for a great site that is also beneficial to HD enthusiasts outside of the Milwaukee area.