HD TV is Here!

You've heard about it, you've been waiting for it, and now it's here. QC now has HDTV!

Here is a short Q&A about HDTV. If you got a new HDTV set for Christmas, this is for you.

Q: What do I need to do to get HDTV?

A: You need the QC SuperSize package. HDTV signals are in the SuperSize + HD package. While we launch the service, there will not be any charge for the + HD part of the SuperSize package.

We are projecting a final price for the + HD channels of $4.95 after we have completed the launch phase.

Q: I have a brand new HDTV set. What do I need to get HD programs?

A: QC is using the QAM (rhymes with calm, as in a calm morning). Many (but not all) sets made after August, 2006 have a digital QAM tuner built in. For these sets, you can get the HD channels by manually adding them or re-scanning the channels from the setup or channel menu on the set.

Some sets have a different type of tuner (called an ATSC tuner) built in, and some sets do not have a digital tuner of any kind. QC is using QAM, so these sets can not get the + HD channels without a set top box. More on this topic follows.

Q: OK, I have a new set we just got this Christmas. What do I do?

A: If you don't have the SuperSized programming package, give us a call.
Right now, you will need to add the SuperSized + HD package to your service.
If you already have the SuperSized package, then follow these steps:

Go to the setup or channel management menu on your TV set and scan for new channels. Your set will automatically add the HD channels. As we keep adding HD channels, you will need to re-scan for new channels to ensure you're getting all of them.

That's it. You're going to get all the major television networks in HD, and we are going to keep adding more and more HD channels in the next few weeks.

Q: I have an older HD set, and it doesn't have a QAM tuner, it doesn't even get HD right now.
How do I get HD channels?

A: We can still get you going. You will need to either rent or buy a HDTV tuner set top box. QC has standardized on the Samsung DTB-260F, which is an excellent set top HDTV tuner. It has a lot of features. You can buy this tuner for $179, or you can rent it for $5.25 a month. Call us on (574)831-2225 for the details.

Q: I have a really nice TV set, but I don't think it's HD. When we bought it, they told us it may be HD ready or HD capable, but I don't remember exactly what. What do I need to do?

A: Look on the set for the HDTV logo. If you see this logo, you have a set that can display HD content. Look at the back of the set. If you see either one of these connectors:

G R B HDMI
(referred to as composite signals)

This set is capable of displaying HDTV. When you add the Samsung set top box, you'll see the best picture you can get.

Q: Are all the channels going to go digital? When I got my TV, they told me at the store that analog TV is going away in 2007.

A: There is a lot of confusion about digital TV.

1). All HDTV signals are digital. HDTV signals can only be displayed on an HDTV set. High Definition has taken on a mysterious marketing meaning. TV's are now divided into two different screen formats:

4:3 (traditional TV format) 16:9 (letterbox or HD format)

Many times, HD is referred to by the screen resolution.
The table below shows what these resolutions look like:

resolution common abbreviation example 1
example 2
480 SD 4:3
4:3 inside a 16:9 screen
540 ED 4:3
720 HD 16:9
16:9, show 4:3 for reference
1080 HD 16:9
16:9, show 4:3 for reference

You will also hear terms like 720i and 720p and 1080i or 1080p. Interlaced or "i" is a particular method of putting the picture on the screen. "p"
means progressive scanning, which produces a higher quality picture. For content that you receive via QC, these two terms are not critical.

When the discussion involves a Blu-Ray or HD-DVD player and an HDTV set, "p"
or "i" may be important, but for the average person, this is a more technical discussion and more a matter of personal opinion.

The highest network broadcast resolution is 1800i, which is the signal quality QC provides. If you've just gotten a HDTV, or if you are reading this to find out more about HDTV before you purchase a new set, this is what you need to know:

Print this out, cut it out and give it to the salesman at the retailer where you shop:

I am interested in getting an HDTV set that will get service from Quality Cablevision. They use unencrypted QAM to deliver 1080i service.

Q: What about other digital channels?

A: Over the next few weeks, we will be working on converting more of our channel lineup. Not all channels will be digital, and not all the channels will be in HD format. Some cable channels will remain in Standard Definition (SDTV) for the foreseeable future.