The digicable box that I have now does not have an outlet for HDMI, so is there some kind of adaptor or something that I can get for this so that I can run a HDMI from it to my HDTV, or am I just SOL with TWC digicable boxes.

2/25/2006 7:45:08 PM

do you have a explorer 8300hd?

2/25/2006 8:15:42 PM

Explorer 3250. Can I request that box from them? Is this their DVR box?

[Edited on February 25, 2006 at 8:32 PM. Reason : blah]

2/25/2006 8:32:07 PM

Just get the HD box.

2/25/2006 8:33:14 PM

i would i had an old one and called them and got an explorer 8300 which has an hdmi output

2/25/2006 8:34:14 PM

Do I just request this box from them? Also, does the HDMI offered markedly better resolution that the RF cable?

2/25/2006 8:34:29 PM

Do they charge for these boxes?

2/25/2006 8:34:57 PM

TWC doesn't charge anymore for the HDMI box than they do the regular HD box.

2/25/2006 9:17:38 PM

^^ Which is the best - the box that supports the HDMI or the HD box? So you are saying they actually charge for the boxes? Does the DVR box support the HDMI? Does the HDMI actually have better clarity than the RF?

[Edited on February 25, 2006 at 9:22 PM. Reason : blah]

2/25/2006 9:22:08 PM

Quote :

"Also, does the HDMI offered markedly better resolution that the RF cable?"

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAAAHAHA

2/25/2006 9:42:59 PM

coax is my choice for all tv's. why bother with multiple plugs when you don't have to. looks beautiful on the plasma.

2/25/2006 9:59:49 PM

artifacts love dots

[Edited on February 25, 2006 at 10:22 PM. Reason : s]

2/25/2006 10:21:54 PM

That is what I am trying to get at here - is it worth it to get the HDMI set-up, or is the RF just as good?

2/25/2006 10:26:22 PM

omfg.. this thread really supports the study that found 80% of HDTVs aren't hooked up correctly..

RF from a digital box will NOT give you HD resolutions.. everything you watch will be downconverted to 480i. Yes, the hd channels will look nicer compared to standard channels over RF, but it won't be true HD resolution. You NEED to use DVI, HDMI, or component!

If your tv only has HDMI inputs (read: no DVI or component), then call up TWC and ask them for a box that has an activated HDMI output.

All non-DVR digital cable boxes cost the same to rent from TWC. All DVR boxes cost the same as well, but are $7 more per month than the non-dvr models..

I am not sure if they have a non-DVR model HD box with HDMI, but I do know they do have DVR boxes with HDMI.

If they do indeed have a non-DVR HDMI-output HD box, then you can either have them deliver it for you, or you can stop by their service center and pick one up.. If you want to upgrade to a HD DVR model, they will have to deliver it for you as they are required to make sure you have an HDTV before releasing the box.

[Edited on February 26, 2006 at 1:16 AM. Reason : ]

2/26/2006 1:14:56 AM

the only box with hdmi is the dvr box which is the scientific atlantic 8300hd stated above. they do not offer another box yet that is a non-dvr.

2/26/2006 2:53:58 AM

while on the subject, and at the risk of sounding as woefully ignorant as I am, but what is the big difference between using the coaxial cabel that brings the signal into the box, and the hdmi that would go to the tv? It seems, as with most systems with multiple compoents, as though the quality would be only as good as the weakest part of the setup. I guess I'm having a hard time understanding how if a digital signal can come into the box on a coaxial cabel, and then be sent else where via another cabel, why is it necessary to have an HDMI cabel rather than another coaxial cabel. Is it just a matter of how the box processes the information vs the TV?

2/26/2006 2:55:49 AM

Quote :

" Is it just a matter of how the box processes the information vs the TV?"

Pretty much sums it up.

The cable box takes the digital signal that's delivered through the coax and then converts it to signal that passes through whatever cables you have.

If you only have a coax cable from the box to the TV, all your audio/video goes through that. However, if you have HDMI/component, the signal gets split as it should, resulting in images that look better to the human eye.

2/26/2006 3:14:09 AM

Thanks for the replies people. I had a feeling something was not right, because in the store the HDTV had crystal clear images, but at my apt the images on the HDTV are a little shabby. And, the funny thing is that I ordered DVR and the TWC customer service representative messed up my order, and all I got was the regular digicable box.

To wolfrules - yeah, that study may be inaccurate, because EVERYBODY that I know that owns a HDTV does not have the HDMI hook-up. It may be more like 90-95% HDTVs are not hooked-up correctly.

[Edited on February 26, 2006 at 8:21 AM. Reason : blah]

2/26/2006 8:19:05 AM

Some people have had compatability issues with the HDMI on the 8300HD and their specific TV. Check AVforums for more details. If nothing else, use the component output.

2/26/2006 8:24:22 AM

I have a HDMI input on the back of my HDTV. Would it be possible for me to have issues?

[Edited on February 26, 2006 at 8:32 AM. Reason : blah]

2/26/2006 8:31:38 AM

im too cheap to pay the 7 bux a month more to get the hd. xbox is lonely.

2/26/2006 8:51:29 AM

^^One issue IIRC was that the 8300HD was not outputing in 5.1 through the HDMI as it should. There was an issue with TWC in Greensboro using the HDMI since they did not have all digital channels and the there was no way to get the 8300HD to output analog using HDMI. That should not be an issue here in Raleigh. Either way, get the 8300HD. Just be aware that there are some issues with the HDMI depending on your setup. TWC should give you component cables anyway to hook it up to your TV. That's one less cable you need to buy.

2/26/2006 10:53:17 AM

Quote :

"To wolfrules - yeah, that study may be inaccurate, because EVERYBODY that I know that owns a HDTV does not have the HDMI hook-up. It may be more like 90-95% HDTVs are not hooked-up correctly."

Tell all of your stupid rich friends to give some money to people who actually have the mental capacity to hook up a goddamn TV.

2/26/2006 12:09:12 PM

I went to best buy and got myself the Monster 800 cable, now all I have to do is get my HD-DVR box, and I will be set

2/26/2006 1:03:54 PM

component cables, DVI, or HDMI. there really is NO other option to hook up ur HDTV correctly.

[Edited on February 26, 2006 at 7:48 PM. Reason : forgot DVI]

2/26/2006 7:46:19 PM

Quote :

"coax is my choice for all tv's. why bother with multiple plugs when you don't have to. looks beautiful on the plasma."

That's the whole point of HDMI; you have digital video all the way up to 1080p, digital audio, and control signals all in one plug. Using coax would be especially dumb if you're paying to have a digital video signal sent to your house. Sorry if someone already adressed this, I stopped reading when I read it.

Back to the original issue, if your box has DVI out that should give you the same video quality. You can find adaptors, but you loose the audio portion of HDMI that way so you'd have to have some other wires from your cable box to whatever's processing your audio. If it doesn't even have that, keep bugging time warner; HD shouldn't stop at their box.

2/26/2006 8:01:19 PM

thnx captain obvious, but coax is working for me just fine in sexy HD. i liken the graininess of my picture to the soothing sound of a vinyl. oldies but goodies.

2/26/2006 8:24:02 PM

Quote :

"Some people have had compatability issues with the HDMI on the 8300HD and their specific TV. Check AVforums for more details. If nothing else, use the component output."

Exactly my problem on my 26" Dell. Using HDMI I have artifacts at the top of the screen. I can't really tell any difference between HDMI and component (I'm no videophile), but I can tell it's better than friggin RF.

2/26/2006 8:52:26 PM

What is the brand of HDMI cable that you are using? I have a Monster 800.

2/26/2006 8:55:59 PM

brand doesn't matter. If it passed compliance (allowing it to be sold as HDMI), then you will not loose digital data because of your cable.

2/26/2006 8:59:16 PM

Yes, brand does matter. You need to do your research. There is no way that a $50 cable will have the quality of a $120 cable.

2/26/2006 10:32:46 PM

...said the man who didn't know the $3 coax was a step down.

2/26/2006 10:36:16 PM

You need to look up the Monster brand.

2/26/2006 10:38:16 PM

nearly negligible differences a lot of times. that 20 dollar cat5 cable at radioshack is no better than a decently crafted home-made one, but that doesnt make it 10x better.

2/26/2006 10:38:29 PM

The Monster brand? What's that?

Also, what is a TV?

2/26/2006 10:39:21 PM

Quote :

"Yes, brand does matter. You need to do your research. There is no way that a $50 cable will have the quality of a $120 cable."

I'm sorry, and no offense.. but HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

the difference between the $50 cable and the $100 cable is the brand name.. when quality changes is when you have a $5 off-brand cheap wire(the thin Radioshack crap) against a $50 quality cable(Acoustic Research, Monster, installer-grade(Carol, etc.))..

2/26/2006 10:39:57 PM

Don't get an attitude because you can't afford a good cable.

2/26/2006 10:42:33 PM

This guy's trolling right?

Does he think that monster ethernet cables are faster too?

[Edited on February 26, 2006 at 10:43 PM. Reason : ]

2/26/2006 10:43:05 PM

i hope so, cuz i love the "you cant afford it so you hate it" argument.

2/26/2006 10:44:10 PM

Maybe he's just mad he can't get the extra 100 bucks the floor worker at bestbuy tricked him into blowing on a "branded" HDMI cable.

Cables-to-go through a wholesale distrubuter all the way!

http://www.cablestogo.com/product.asp?cat%5Fid=2815&sku=40281

can order that for about 53 wholesale

or...

http://www.pcnation.com/web/details.asp?affid=306&item=E80956

or if you want to go really cheap (probably get the exact same quality since it's HDMI compliant...)

http://www.batesdirect.com/ProductDetail/proid,10245571/ProInfo/

[Edited on February 26, 2006 at 10:51 PM. Reason : ]

2/26/2006 10:45:34 PM

Well, I started this thread asking questions about HDMI, not to be critiqued about what I buy, or what I think. If you cannot offer any good commentary here, why post? Most of you guys are just bitter because you cannot buy what you want. Whether what I bought works no better than anything else, I am satisfied, so why should you care? I am quite sure one (or two ro three) of you guys will think of some someting to say to justify making ignorant posts.

BTW, I researched this cables on my own, walked into Best Buy, and purchased the cable.

[Edited on February 26, 2006 at 10:52 PM. Reason : blah]

2/26/2006 10:49:31 PM

well you didnt just say "i have this brand, will it work well....if so im happy." you went into a rant about how your cable was better and we were jealous.

this comes after you seemed to previously have no clue what you were talking about, thus giving you slim if any credibility to be arguing, especially with some of the tech talk regulars.


[Edited on February 26, 2006 at 10:53 PM. Reason : .]

2/26/2006 10:51:57 PM

Ahahaha, ignorant posts?

Quote :

"Yes, brand does matter. You need to do your research. There is no way that a $50 cable will have the quality of a $120 cable."

That's the most ignorant post of the thread buddy.

Second place goes to:

Quote :

"Don't get an attitude because you can't afford a good cable."

Sure these guys may have ridden you a little hard, but you mouthed off with more arrogance than your ignorance on the subject warranted. Then you pulled out the BS jealousy argument. Are you sober?

I'm still convinced you're just someone's alias trolling though. I refuse to beleive you're really that much of an ass or that stupid. Maybe I have too much faith in people?

[Edited on February 26, 2006 at 10:55 PM. Reason : ]

2/26/2006 10:53:23 PM

for god sakes you ask if RF is markedly worse and then say that cable makes a ton of difference ...

2/26/2006 10:53:46 PM

Dude, this is not engineering a cable here. You look up things about the different outputs, then do individual research on each. Make a rational decision on what you want to buy. Simple as that. This is not rocket science. How long did it take you to become so adept at digital outputs? Do you have them all side-by-side for comparison?

2/26/2006 10:55:23 PM

Well, I am sorry if I came off arrogant. I apologize for that. I am like that in real life - I am a very blunt person, and I inadvertedly offend people. I was not trying to make it seem like I am better than anyone else.

2/26/2006 10:57:39 PM

Quote :

"or god sakes you ask if RF is markedly worse and then say that cable makes a ton of difference ..."

I asked that HOURS ago. How long would it take one to research such a thing? A few weeks, maybe?

2/26/2006 11:00:44 PM

Alright well just make sure you use the "edit post" option if you need to add something. Someone's probably going to ride you for that too.

2/26/2006 11:01:58 PM

If you guys cannot have an intelligent conversation about some digital cables, it makes me wonder how you will succeed in life. This is pitiful of a place that seems to have so much intelligence. Does being a jerk make you feel good? I wonder if you actually talk to strangers like this in everyday life? I actually apologized for 'sounding' like a jerk, and no one seems to care in the least bit. I guess that I should not even expect intelligence, and a basic amount of compassion here. Man, this is a total let down. I start a thread about a digital cable, and now it is this...

2/26/2006 11:13:15 PM

I'm not sure if an intelligent conversation with you is possible.

2/26/2006 11:24:58 PM