High Def... Rogers/Bell ...

[sobaka]

Some help please..... Which feed should I go for, Bell/ Rogers in regards to High def broadcasting. Is there really any difference? I presently have the Rogers reg. cable box, so far no problems.Also,in using a HDMI cable is it true that you will not get the full effects via the HDMI from the monopolisers
Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[golferboy]

I am definitely not 'techie' but my experience is with Cogeco and Bell HD and I can say that bell definitely had the better picture. I use hdmi cables.

[Fiji]

Some help please..... Which feed should I go for, Bell/ Rogers in regards to High def broadcasting. Is there really any difference? I presently have the Rogers reg. cable box, so far no problems.Also,in using a HDMI cable is it true that you will not get the full effects via the HDMI from the monopolisers
Any input would be greatly appreciated.

I would say Star Choice is better. I'm using DVI and HDMI cables on two separate TV's and I can't see any difference.

[Jaytee]

Bell only offers HD via Satellittes. If you already with Rogers then you just need to purchase a Rogers HD cable box and pay a little extra money. Rogers has Im guessing around 14 HD channels (some HD channels you have to pay a extra $ for). That said, just because they are HD channels doesnt mean they are always showing HD content. When you are watching sports broadcast in HD, the clarity is very impressive and makes non HD channel look really really bad in comparison. If you have a HD TV, then I strongly suggest trying out the Rogers HD.

Now HDMI isnt required to receive HD content. You can still use component cables to receive HD, but component is analog and HDMI is digital. Ive tried both connections and HDMI is definitely better. If you are using composite or s-video cables, then there isnt any point of getting HD as those connections suck.

I would say Star Choice is better. I'm using DVI and HDMI cables on two separate TV's and I can't see any difference.

DVI and HDMI are the same. HDMI is just DVI with audio.

[Fiji]

DVI and HDMI are the same. HDMI is just DVI with audio.

Good to know....I was with Rogers but switched with Star Choice and l like them better. Don't know about Bell...or Direct TV...or Dish Network:)

[nearace]

I have the bell express vu,hd box which is also a rental cost,I would imagine good quality on all the providers ,go with the best price.

[cldale]

First, Quality:

from what I've seen, Bell is a little clearer right now, however bell is heavily bandwidth limited and will eventually have to start compressing their HD more heavily or they won't have the space to add more channels. So in the future, I would bet my money on rogers have a quality and quantity advantage simply because they have a better/larger pipe to your house.

Because of this, I'd have to recommend Rogers. I will also mention that when I noticed some signal problems, Rogers guy came next day and spent 5 hours fixing/strengthening the signal to my home, including replacing all the wire from the post to the house and replacing (for free) most of the wire used between the wall and my TV's. Not sure if bell would do this (or could since cable wire isn't their main business).

Component vs. HDMI:
Honestly, if you see a difference I'd be surprised. The source material for HD-TV broadcasts is already noisy, so if you can pick up any additional noise which MAY be introduced by the component cables, you've got good eyes. I am a pretty heavy AV snob and pride myself on my setup, and I run component because I can't tell the difference, and HDMI input on my receiver are scarce and I have to run my HD-DVD and Blu-Ray players through them to get 1080p video and uncompressed PCM sound.

And no matter what happens, don't spend money on cables until you talk to me. A/V cables are today's snake oil, and you can get a better cable through the internet for $15 than you can buy from Futureshop for $100+. Trust me on this.

[Knockz]

I totally agree with what cldale has stated above. I've heard it all mentioned before about bandwidth, difference between component and HDMA and also the price of cables.

I'm currently using rogers for HD with a PVR and the quality compared to STD TV is very impressive. I do however notice pixelation in the picture most of the time when there is a lot of action on the screen. I don't know if you see that on bell at all.

One thing that did worry me is when I first moved to HD I was getting a lot of signal noise. I had the rogers tech come in and he was a little concerned that I had too much hooked up to the line coming in.

I only really have the rogers home phone, high speed internet and 3 TV's (2 with digital boxes) hooked up. He had to install an amplifier to boost the signal. Its a fairly new house so so there wasn't much more for him to do. I don't know if I will have problems putting in another TV or digital box. I'll have to see when I reach that hurdle.

[avidgolfer]

I always had this question.

Where does Rogers, Expressvu or Starchoice source their signals from? Do they get a direct wire feed from the broadcasters? Do they take it off the air? I ask this because the signal we get will only be as good as the signal they get.

I had the Rogers HD service for the past 2 years. I haven't tried Sattelite HD but on my analog projection tv, I'm pretty satisfied with the picture quality thus far. Especially after I spent an hour doing a manual convergence adjustment on my set.

Once you get used to HD, it's tough to go back to SD TV... Especially when it's 4:3 not 16:9.

[ForeontheFloor]

Component vs. HDMI:
Honestly, if you see a difference I'd be surprised. The source material for HD-TV broadcasts is already noisy, so if you can pick up any additional noise which MAY be introduced by the component cables, you've got good eyes. I am a pretty heavy AV snob and pride myself on my setup, and I run component because I can't tell the difference, and HDMI input on my receiver are scarce and I have to run my HD-DVD and Blu-Ray players through them to get 1080p video and uncompressed PCM sound.


WOW I am definitely not a AV snob and I see a HUGE difference between comp and DVI. When I first set up my HD I just had a component set up, but when I went to DVI it was like day and night.

[Section ThirtyOne]

Starchoice has the best HD signal quality in Canada.

[skt07]

WOW I am definitely not a AV snob and I see a HUGE difference between comp and DVI. When I first set up my HD I just had a component set up, but when I went to DVI it was like day and night.

When you say comp, do you mean component (3 video wires) or composite (1 video wire). Because I have to agree with cldale that there is not a huge difference between component and HDMI. I used HDMI when I was with Cogeco and I now use component with Rogers. Looks the same.

And if anyone is buying any type of wires (component, digital coax, optical, HDMI, DVI etc.), do yourself a favor and check out www.monoprice.com. I've ordered a bunch of different cables from them and have never been disappointed. Check out the prices, you'll be pleasantly surprised when you compare to Future Shop and the Monster Cables they're always pushing.

[golfnguru]

When you say comp, do you mean component (3 video wires) or composite (1 video wire). Because I have to agree with cldale that there is not a huge difference between component and HDMI. I used HDMI when I was with Cogeco and I now use component with Rogers. Looks the same.

And if anyone is buying any type of wires (component, digital coax, optical, HDMI, DVI etc.), do yourself a favor and check out www.monoprice.com (http://www.monoprice.com). I've ordered a bunch of different cables from them and have never been disappointed. Check out the prices, you'll be pleasantly surprised when you compare to Future Shop and the Monster Cables they're always pushing.

I second the monoprice recommendation.

I just ordered another HDMI cable as I get faint scan lines when connected through my Component cables. I used two different sets, and the thicker set reduced the intensity of the lines. I don't seen any scan lines with the HDMI. Anyone have any advice on locating the problem.

Also, I found that my SD picture is better when I use the the composite output (1 wire)from my digital box (Motorola 6412). The Leaf channel through the component cable was almost unwatchable although I am not sure whether it was the TV picture or the play of the Leafs that made it that way.http://www.torontogolfnuts.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

[ForeontheFloor]

When you say comp, do you mean component (3 video wires) or composite (1 video wire). Because I have to agree with cldale that there is not a huge difference between component and HDMI. I used HDMI when I was with Cogeco and I now use component with Rogers. Looks the same.


Yes component (Y, Pb, Pr) I saw a huge difference. Maybe it's just me and I just wanted to see a difference.:confused:

[ontario]

I'm on Bell Expressvu and my satellite signal is out. I have no idea why. It just happened two days ago. The receivers just can't find the satellite. I called Bell and they tell me it's my equipment. So, I have to either troubleshoot this myself or hire someone.

My decision? Cancel it. Not even bother with cable or satellite and see how it feels. Maybe come back in 6 months as a new customer and Bell probably will re-install my dish for free.

My point to this post is that if a technical issue happens with Bell, you are pretty much on your own. A lot can go wrong - wiring in the house, wiring outside the house, dish movement (wind or just gravity), tree growth, bad weather, sun spots. While cable is not 100% reliable, it seems to have less points of failure. Something to consider.

[cldale]

Yes component (Y, Pb, Pr) I saw a huge difference. Maybe it's just me and I just wanted to see a difference.:confused:

Fore: it could be that your component (Y,Pb,Pr) cable is damaged or just not high enough quality. And by high quality I don't mean 100 dollars. I buy my stuff through bluejeanscable.com.

And yeah, don't discount that your ears/eyes might deceive you. I get into this argument with people all the time who think they can tell the difference between $3000/ft speaker cable and my 10 gauge Belden cables. If you know which cable is being used, amazingly people tell a difference, if you don't people can't tell.

But I am not claiming there is no difference between Component vs. DVI/HDMI, just that for the majority, there won't be a percetible difference, and due to differences in the cables and chipsets being used in differing equipment, some will see a better picture through component, while their neighbor might see the opposite.

Then again, I don't see the DLP rainbow, and some people do, so maybe I have lousy eyes :)

[ForeontheFloor]

I know it's not my eyes just got checked out at 20/15 (and got 3 letters in the 10 line).
Either way I am happy with the DVI.

[skt07]

Yes component (Y, Pb, Pr) I saw a huge difference. Maybe it's just me and I just wanted to see a difference.:confused:

Everyone's equipment is different too. Sounds like your gear works better with HDMI.

[Hork42]

I have both the HDMI and Component cables plugged into my Expressvu and I can toggle back and forth between inputs really quickly. I can't tell the diff. I end up using the Component connection because it's easier for my sound setup to do it that way.

[Fiji]

Starchoice has the best HD signal quality in Canada.

I tried to tell him but... :rolleyes: