BeachBum

So James, are you saying that I can just rent the PVR box for the $25/month and I get ALL the HD channels? (does that include movie network HD too?)

BioBanker

Wing, is there such a thing as non widescreen HD? Ive thought that those shows are just being broadcast on HD channels during non-HD timeslots (primetime being the only timeslot for most stations).
That said, they are way better picture, but Ive thought that is because they're coming in through component 1 instead of Video? No?

BTW, my HD 32" Panasonic widescreen in my bedroom will not change aspect for anything that comes in on component. I want to rid my life of those bars on the side of the screen for non HD shows! I cannot stand watching TV through video anymore, but Im worried that Im damaging the tube with the bars....Is this normal?

Is there a better input than component 1 for Rogers HD? S Video?

BioBanker

I bought a HD box and pay $1.50 more per month and get all of those channels, I think.

Look at 277 to 299ish (or all the way to pay per view). You'd get all those.

wing

Well the deal I have is if I rent the box for $25 a month I get all the channels on the HD stuff for free. Which rocks because I get the discovery and TSN and TMN without paying for it I'm sure eventually they will change this though.

Bio: The difference between the HD non-widescreen shows and the widescreen is that they aren't TRUE HD but they are better quality. Basically all the non-HD channels are upconverted by the box when output over the component cables. But that means it is upconverting crap. The HD channels are being upconverted at the broadcast station and not by your box. So even though they are not true HD content, it looks pretty darn good because they are taking film and upconverting at it's origin which is WAY better than analog crap being sent out.

As far as the TV having those bars, most early HD tv's did that. Component input would do what they call an anamorphic lock, they lock into the widescreen mode on a 480p, 720p or 1080i input signal. I'm lucky that my TV allows me to stretch. If your TV is tube based and not projection I wouldn't worry about the bars.

Jasonoff

Those boxes are pricy tho.

wing

Well I traded my starchoice dish in for a lifetime free rental of the PVR