A
afriedkin
Guest
Original poster
This is my first post on this forum, and I figure I'll just "lay it all out
there" and see if I get any replies...
Since I first saw HD at Good Guys back in 1998 (NFL game), I've been dreaming of
the day I'd actually have it in my home. Well, the day has come...but I'm officially
frustrated, and would like to hear people's take on what I should or shouldn't do.
Two weeks ago, I purchased a Sony 51 inch rear projection TV. It's the KP-51WS520. It's a
great set, gorgeous picture, with an HDMI port in the back. I have Comcast install their
HDTV receiver, and I'm all set. The first thing I do is go plunk down $125 on a DVI to HDMI
cord. I've heard the picture is outstanding using this connector, and I can't wait to take
advantage. I get home, plug it in, and see three distorted pictures on my tube. I call
Comcast and they tell me that the DVI port is not functional at this time and they have no
idea when it might be. So I consider returning the cable to Good Guys, but I've thrown
away they box and am stuck with it. Fine, no biggie. I suppose I'll wait until it's "enabled"
and use it then. Now, let me explain how I've set my TV up. I've kept my Comcast digital
cable non-HD box. I've got that attached to my TIVO. This enables me to watch an HD
show, or standard show on my HD box, while recording another show to my TIVO. Also
enables me to split screen PIP two football games at once, or whatever else I want to see.
What I don't like is watching an HDchannel like NBC, CBS, or ABC that's not in HD because
if I watch it with the bars, I've been told I'm risking "burn-in" and if i stretch it, I have to
use "wide zoom" and I lose some picture. Watching those channels on a standard channel
with my non-HD box alleviates that problem, but the quality is not as good.
Anyhow, so all is well, I'm watching my ESPN HD and LOVING IT. Discovery HD is amazing,
and I can't get enough of HD Net's show on baseball stadiums. College football Saturday
rolls around, and watching the Georgia - Tennessee game is mind boggling. I've never
seen colors that sharp, a picture so vivid. It's really like being there...no, it's BETTER than
being there. Then Sunday rolls around. I'm a huge NFL fan, but can't get Direct TV because
I live in a 24 story building and our condo's balcony faces east. So I'm stuck with NFL
programming on local channels. So I get the CBS game in HD, which is wonderful. BUT,
here is the big problem...NO FOX!! I'm in Oakland, CA and Comcast here has not been
able to strike a deal with the local Fox affiliate KTVU. I've spoken to both sides regarding
the problem and there's no solution in sight (makes the NHL lockout look promising!!) So
no NFL, no MLB playoffs....NO SUPERBOWL!!! Fine, very few things in life are perfect, so I
know what I have to do. I've got to get one of those Radio Shack antennas and I'll be able
to get KTVU over the air. I'm right in the heart of downtown Oakland, and so reception
shouldn't be a problem. I call Comcast just to verify I can do this, and my nightmare
continues, and they tell me that plugging the antenna into their cable box won't work. I'd
have to have an HDTV with a built in tuner to see KTVU in HD over the air.
Now what?
Will I just accept this? Yankees-Red Sox, in standard def? NO. So I start researching. I knew
about Voom but figured since I can't get Direct TV or Dish reception from my balcony, that
Voom won't work. But I decided to call and check, and to my delight, they need a sout east
view, as opposed to south west. Excellent, problem solved. Get Voom, ditch Comcast.
Life is good...right?...wrong.
I speak to a Voom rep to set up installation. After talking to this guy for 30 seconds, I
knew he had no clue what he was talking about. I was scrolling down the channel lineup
while talking to him and I saw a Fox Sports Florida channel. I asked him if I would be
receiving my RSN, which is Fox Sports Net Bay Area, and he told me...quote..."uh, well, I
live in Texas, and I get Fox Sports South West, so you should be receiving your local
channel too!". I asked him if he was sure, he said he was. So I proceeded with my order
and am scheduled for install this Monday 10/18. Yesterday I was reading up on Voom and
I saw that there actually was NOT any Fox Sports regional networks available except for
Florida right now. I called Voom to confirm, and that appears to me to be the case. This is
a very big deal as I'm a big Warriors (NBA), Giants, A's..etc..fan. Plus, Comcast has just
started broadcasting our local teams in HD.
So to sum up this rambling post....
#1. Should I be upset that Comcast does not have their DVI port functional? Does Voom
have one? If so, will there be a big difference?
#2. "Burn-In". Is that a real possibility? Is watching channels with gray bars bad? How
about Black bars? Is there a way to watch an HD channel, that is not broadcast in HD, fill
the screen without going to "wide-zoom?" Like a setting I can tweak on my cable box, or
TV? Also, I've heard I should keep the brightness and picture levels below 50% all the time.
Is this true? I like those levels higher than 50%. That's too bad if that's the case.
#3. I'm switching to Voom for the local Fox channel. Well, all the other channels too, but if
Comcast had our Fox affiliate, I wouldn't be doing this. Is that a good move? Will I be
happy with over-the-air reception?
#4. I'm going to have to keep my Comcast HD Box because apparently Voom does not
have the Fox regional sports networks. So, the basic Voom package at $49.99 per month,
plus HBO at $19.99 per month, plus two Voom receivers at $19.99 per month, plus the
Comcast sports pack at $40.00 per month, plus one Comcast HD receiver at $5.00 per
month....equals an INSANE $135 per month for TV!!! and I'm not even getting all the
premium movie channels....or playboy!!! Is there any way around this? Do I have any
cheaper options?
#5. Does anyone have any idea if or when Voom will get all the local Fox Sports regional
channels? And if so, will it be HD? I'm worried that since the local HD Fox Sports
broadcasts are affiliated with Comcast, the broadcast may just be exclusive to Comcast
cable, and not be available to Voom.
(some other random questions...)
#6. 1080i or 720p? I've heard 720p is better. But the football game I saw on CBS looked
amazing, so I can't see how 720p can be better. A matter of personal preference?
#7. Video games bad for my TV? I have an Xbox and PS2. Can anyone recommend any
games that will look great on my TV? I've purchased the component cables for both
systems, now I just need some good HD games.
#8. DVD's. I've got an older Toshiba DVD player. It has the component blue and green
outputs on the back. Does that mean I'm getting the best quality for DVD playback? I've
heard that the best is 480i progressive scan. Is that true? Or, do I need to buy a newer
progressive scan DVD player? My current DVD player has a 16X9 option that fills the
entire screen (amazing!) but it doesn't say anything about prog scan. How about the Xbox?
Does that support prog scan playback?
#9. If you're still with me here, thanks! I appreciate it
NFL network. Does voom have it?
If so, will the Game of the Week be available in HD?
#10. NBA sports package? MLB sports package? Any news on these coming to Voom? I
know DirectTV has exclusive rights to NFL Ticket, but the others would be welcome.
#11. And this is a big one. I may, and I emphasize, may....need to have the Voom dish set
up on a tri pod. I'm waiting to hear back from condo association, but that's a possibility. If
so, I'll have to call Voom and hope that the installers can do that. Has anyone else gone
this route? Does it take up a lot of space? Any specific instructions I should give to the
installers. Actually, in general, is there anything I should check before the installers leave?
#12. Voom reception. I explained to the Voom rep that I don't think I've got a great south-
eastern view from my balcony. It's more east and actually north-east. He told me not to
worry, but I can't help it. Putting the equipment on the roof here is not an option, only the
balcony. For those of you that have a good sense of where the dish can and can't get
reception, here's a link to a map of where the dish will be. I'm on the 4th floor of a big 20
plus story building. If you look at the map, my balcony faces straight up Lakeside
Drive...and the farthest south I go, to the right, is straight to the "lake merrit" typing in the
middle of the lake.
(you may have to cut and paste this)
http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?
zoomin=yes&name=&ed=wwr10Op_0Tqjh6UANhoJCB5FRZxyXCad0jufdkdrIhL5d2mah8ZP
hGjRgLjaPd7awCAdDK.9CaFGOR_eBuk0FLBQvXX.5kyKWdEblJS3vUeb6w--
&state=CA&csz=Oakland%2C+CA+94612
-4620&ds=n&uzip=94612&mag=10&desc=&country=US&dma=807&cat=&resize=s&rez
oom=0&.intl=us&compass=&pan_x=0&pan_y=0
It looks like I face directly east, but not south. Is it still worth the installation attempt, or is
there no chance?
#13. Some of my symptoms are right upper quadrant pain, constipation,
nausea....
oops! I got confused. I thought I was in the irritable bowl syndrome forum.
Sorry!
Anyhow, that's about it. Thanks for taking the time to read this. Any feedback is greatly
appreciated.
Ari
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there" and see if I get any replies...
Since I first saw HD at Good Guys back in 1998 (NFL game), I've been dreaming of
the day I'd actually have it in my home. Well, the day has come...but I'm officially
frustrated, and would like to hear people's take on what I should or shouldn't do.
Two weeks ago, I purchased a Sony 51 inch rear projection TV. It's the KP-51WS520. It's a
great set, gorgeous picture, with an HDMI port in the back. I have Comcast install their
HDTV receiver, and I'm all set. The first thing I do is go plunk down $125 on a DVI to HDMI
cord. I've heard the picture is outstanding using this connector, and I can't wait to take
advantage. I get home, plug it in, and see three distorted pictures on my tube. I call
Comcast and they tell me that the DVI port is not functional at this time and they have no
idea when it might be. So I consider returning the cable to Good Guys, but I've thrown
away they box and am stuck with it. Fine, no biggie. I suppose I'll wait until it's "enabled"
and use it then. Now, let me explain how I've set my TV up. I've kept my Comcast digital
cable non-HD box. I've got that attached to my TIVO. This enables me to watch an HD
show, or standard show on my HD box, while recording another show to my TIVO. Also
enables me to split screen PIP two football games at once, or whatever else I want to see.
What I don't like is watching an HDchannel like NBC, CBS, or ABC that's not in HD because
if I watch it with the bars, I've been told I'm risking "burn-in" and if i stretch it, I have to
use "wide zoom" and I lose some picture. Watching those channels on a standard channel
with my non-HD box alleviates that problem, but the quality is not as good.
Anyhow, so all is well, I'm watching my ESPN HD and LOVING IT. Discovery HD is amazing,
and I can't get enough of HD Net's show on baseball stadiums. College football Saturday
rolls around, and watching the Georgia - Tennessee game is mind boggling. I've never
seen colors that sharp, a picture so vivid. It's really like being there...no, it's BETTER than
being there. Then Sunday rolls around. I'm a huge NFL fan, but can't get Direct TV because
I live in a 24 story building and our condo's balcony faces east. So I'm stuck with NFL
programming on local channels. So I get the CBS game in HD, which is wonderful. BUT,
here is the big problem...NO FOX!! I'm in Oakland, CA and Comcast here has not been
able to strike a deal with the local Fox affiliate KTVU. I've spoken to both sides regarding
the problem and there's no solution in sight (makes the NHL lockout look promising!!) So
no NFL, no MLB playoffs....NO SUPERBOWL!!! Fine, very few things in life are perfect, so I
know what I have to do. I've got to get one of those Radio Shack antennas and I'll be able
to get KTVU over the air. I'm right in the heart of downtown Oakland, and so reception
shouldn't be a problem. I call Comcast just to verify I can do this, and my nightmare
continues, and they tell me that plugging the antenna into their cable box won't work. I'd
have to have an HDTV with a built in tuner to see KTVU in HD over the air.
Now what?
Will I just accept this? Yankees-Red Sox, in standard def? NO. So I start researching. I knew
about Voom but figured since I can't get Direct TV or Dish reception from my balcony, that
Voom won't work. But I decided to call and check, and to my delight, they need a sout east
view, as opposed to south west. Excellent, problem solved. Get Voom, ditch Comcast.
Life is good...right?...wrong.
I speak to a Voom rep to set up installation. After talking to this guy for 30 seconds, I
knew he had no clue what he was talking about. I was scrolling down the channel lineup
while talking to him and I saw a Fox Sports Florida channel. I asked him if I would be
receiving my RSN, which is Fox Sports Net Bay Area, and he told me...quote..."uh, well, I
live in Texas, and I get Fox Sports South West, so you should be receiving your local
channel too!". I asked him if he was sure, he said he was. So I proceeded with my order
and am scheduled for install this Monday 10/18. Yesterday I was reading up on Voom and
I saw that there actually was NOT any Fox Sports regional networks available except for
Florida right now. I called Voom to confirm, and that appears to me to be the case. This is
a very big deal as I'm a big Warriors (NBA), Giants, A's..etc..fan. Plus, Comcast has just
started broadcasting our local teams in HD.
So to sum up this rambling post....
#1. Should I be upset that Comcast does not have their DVI port functional? Does Voom
have one? If so, will there be a big difference?
#2. "Burn-In". Is that a real possibility? Is watching channels with gray bars bad? How
about Black bars? Is there a way to watch an HD channel, that is not broadcast in HD, fill
the screen without going to "wide-zoom?" Like a setting I can tweak on my cable box, or
TV? Also, I've heard I should keep the brightness and picture levels below 50% all the time.
Is this true? I like those levels higher than 50%. That's too bad if that's the case.
#3. I'm switching to Voom for the local Fox channel. Well, all the other channels too, but if
Comcast had our Fox affiliate, I wouldn't be doing this. Is that a good move? Will I be
happy with over-the-air reception?
#4. I'm going to have to keep my Comcast HD Box because apparently Voom does not
have the Fox regional sports networks. So, the basic Voom package at $49.99 per month,
plus HBO at $19.99 per month, plus two Voom receivers at $19.99 per month, plus the
Comcast sports pack at $40.00 per month, plus one Comcast HD receiver at $5.00 per
month....equals an INSANE $135 per month for TV!!! and I'm not even getting all the
premium movie channels....or playboy!!! Is there any way around this? Do I have any
cheaper options?
#5. Does anyone have any idea if or when Voom will get all the local Fox Sports regional
channels? And if so, will it be HD? I'm worried that since the local HD Fox Sports
broadcasts are affiliated with Comcast, the broadcast may just be exclusive to Comcast
cable, and not be available to Voom.
(some other random questions...)
#6. 1080i or 720p? I've heard 720p is better. But the football game I saw on CBS looked
amazing, so I can't see how 720p can be better. A matter of personal preference?
#7. Video games bad for my TV? I have an Xbox and PS2. Can anyone recommend any
games that will look great on my TV? I've purchased the component cables for both
systems, now I just need some good HD games.
#8. DVD's. I've got an older Toshiba DVD player. It has the component blue and green
outputs on the back. Does that mean I'm getting the best quality for DVD playback? I've
heard that the best is 480i progressive scan. Is that true? Or, do I need to buy a newer
progressive scan DVD player? My current DVD player has a 16X9 option that fills the
entire screen (amazing!) but it doesn't say anything about prog scan. How about the Xbox?
Does that support prog scan playback?
#9. If you're still with me here, thanks! I appreciate it
NFL network. Does voom have it? If so, will the Game of the Week be available in HD?
#10. NBA sports package? MLB sports package? Any news on these coming to Voom? I
know DirectTV has exclusive rights to NFL Ticket, but the others would be welcome.
#11. And this is a big one. I may, and I emphasize, may....need to have the Voom dish set
up on a tri pod. I'm waiting to hear back from condo association, but that's a possibility. If
so, I'll have to call Voom and hope that the installers can do that. Has anyone else gone
this route? Does it take up a lot of space? Any specific instructions I should give to the
installers. Actually, in general, is there anything I should check before the installers leave?
#12. Voom reception. I explained to the Voom rep that I don't think I've got a great south-
eastern view from my balcony. It's more east and actually north-east. He told me not to
worry, but I can't help it. Putting the equipment on the roof here is not an option, only the
balcony. For those of you that have a good sense of where the dish can and can't get
reception, here's a link to a map of where the dish will be. I'm on the 4th floor of a big 20
plus story building. If you look at the map, my balcony faces straight up Lakeside
Drive...and the farthest south I go, to the right, is straight to the "lake merrit" typing in the
middle of the lake.
(you may have to cut and paste this)
http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?
zoomin=yes&name=&ed=wwr10Op_0Tqjh6UANhoJCB5FRZxyXCad0jufdkdrIhL5d2mah8ZP
hGjRgLjaPd7awCAdDK.9CaFGOR_eBuk0FLBQvXX.5kyKWdEblJS3vUeb6w--
&state=CA&csz=Oakland%2C+CA+94612
-4620&ds=n&uzip=94612&mag=10&desc=&country=US&dma=807&cat=&resize=s&rez
oom=0&.intl=us&compass=&pan_x=0&pan_y=0
It looks like I face directly east, but not south. Is it still worth the installation attempt, or is
there no chance?
#13. Some of my symptoms are right upper quadrant pain, constipation,
nausea....
oops! I got confused. I thought I was in the irritable bowl syndrome forum.
Sorry!
Anyhow, that's about it. Thanks for taking the time to read this. Any feedback is greatly
appreciated.
Ari
------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~-->
Make a clean sweep of pop-up ads. Yahoo! Companion Toolbar.
Now with Pop-Up Blocker. Get it for free!
http://us.click.yahoo.com/L5YrjA/eSIIAA/yQLSAA/EyMolB/TM
--------------------------------------------------------------------~->
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VOOM/
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
VOOM-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
