Re: Digital Cable STB - analog picture quality?

From: CharlieMSU (anonymous_at_discussions.microsoft.com)
Date: 02/05/04 

Date: Thu, 5 Feb 2004 08:56:06 -0800

Derek,

Does that mean the PCI TV Tuner is HDTV compatible? Could I actually watch HDTV channels on the MCE2004 PC?

Thanks, Charlie

     
     ----- Derek R. Flickinger wrote: -----
     
     We have found that front-ending MCE with a digital STB provides a much
     better picture than running analog into the PCI card. We recommend using
     S-Video just because, especially if you a finicky about trying to get the
     best quality (what's another $50 if it helps). We also use high-grade
     S-Video cables and can extend the distance to the STB if needed this way.
     We also recommend subscribing to the additional HDTV channels from the cable
     provider if they are available (what's another few bucks a month if it
     helps, right?), although we have not found a good way to schedule the
     recordings from the guide. You can do it manually if you have added those
     channels to the guide, you just need another guide of some kind to find out
     what is being shown when (or you can use the built-in guide from the STB
     through the standard remote that came with it). It is not the best
     solution, but it is about as good as it gets for us right now, at least in
     The States.
     
     Regards,
     
       =D-
     
     Derek R. Flickinger
     Interactive Homes, Inc.
     
     "Peter Near" <peter@thenears.com> wrote in message
     news:evBNK6$6DHA.2404@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> I'm contemplating digital cable. As we all know, the majority of the
> channels that you get with digital cable are still actually analog. Since
> I'll now be forced to use the STB for *all* channels, analog or digital, I
> wonder what that will mean for signal quality.
>> 1. The PCI tuners (I'm currently using the Emuzed) tend to bring in a
> grainier picture than my embedded tuner in the televisions. If I'm now
> using a digital STB, fed into the MCE for encoding, should I expect
> better,
> worse, or about the same analog picture quality?
>> 2. This digital tuner would be essentially located in the basement for the
> sole purpose of being a time-shifting tuner on the MCE. So digital sound
> and front-panel controls are not important to me. The only concern I have
> is regarding the video output. The basic tuner has COAX and RCA output.
> For $50 more I can get the SVideo output. Has anyone noticed any major
> difference in the encoded picture quality? I can't imagine much
> difference,
> since the encoder is going to degrade the picture somewhat anyways.
>> 3. I think I know the answer to this. My analog cable quality is not
> that
> great to begin with. They're working on the issue. However, can anyone
> think of a way that I can direct MCE to prefer the digital channels when
> scheduling recordings? I could I guess remove the analog networks from my
> guide, but then I'd lose the timeshifting that I was trying to get.
>> Thanks,
> Pete
>>

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