Cowboys and HDTV question

[lurkercowboy]

I just made the leap to HDTV with directv. Can anyone tell me how many Cowboy games are supposed to be in HD this season? How many were in HDTV last season? Anyone have information?

[pittdawg]

I just made the leap to HDTV with directv. Can anyone tell me how many Cowboy games are supposed to be in HD this season? How many were in HDTV last season? Anyone have information?
i have directv and all games on cbs, fox or espn were broadcast in HD. if you have the nfl package, you have to pay an additional amount to get all the games in HD.

[DA FAN]

It depends on where you live.

Where I live, Fox local station does not broadcast in HD. So even if I have Directv, I will not get any FOX games in HD. The same would apply for any other local channels that do not broadcast in HD.

[RCowboyFan]

In DFW area, all Cowboys games will be HD on Local, which you will get through Directv if you have the local package too.

And as Pittdawg said, NFL Sunday ticket does quite a bit of them in HD, but if you are in local market, I guess you wont need that anyway. Although I believe Directv announced last year that, from this season onwards, they will play even the Local TV games, in their scheduled NFL ticket channels also, instead of blacking them out in the NFL ticket channels.

[silverbear]

i have directv and all games on cbs, fox or espn were broadcast in HD. if you have the nfl package, you have to pay an additional amount to get all the games in HD.

Well, that seems to be true this year, but it wasn't the case last year... last year, many of the Cowboys games were blacked out on HD in my area, and it was the same the year before, so I put that extra hundred bucks back in my pocket...

But this year, they say there's not gonna be any blackouts, so I'm probably gonna pony up again...

Have you noticed that the HD broadcasts of AFC games were a noticeably higher definition than the NFC games were?? Those broadcasts were just AMAZING...

[silverbear]

It depends on where you live.

Where I live, Fox local station does not broadcast in HD. So even if I have Directv, I will not get any FOX games in HD. The same would apply for any other local channels that do not broadcast in HD.

If you have the Sunday Ticket, and fork over extra for their HD package, that's not the case... where you live will have absolutely no effect on the availability of the games...

[lurkercowboy]

What is included in the HD package? Is that over and above the Sunday Ticket?

Thanks everyone

[kmd24]

Have you noticed that the HD broadcasts of AFC games were a noticeably higher definition than the NFC games were?? Those broadcasts were just AMAZING...

It somewhat depends on the native resolution of your set, I think. My set is 1080i, so the 720p signal that is broadcast by Fox, ABC, and ESPN don't look as good as the CBS broadcasts, which are in 1080i.

OTOH, the CBS broacasts occasionally look worse (sort of pixelated I guess) when there is a zoomed in action shot with a lot of movement.

[Meat-O-Rama]

I live in the Los Angeles area, and with the Sunday Ticket, I caught every Cowboys game in HD last year. It was a big jump from the year before where probably 50-75% of their games were HD. I'd expect just about every NFL game to be available in HD this year.

[Dallas]

i have directv and all games on cbs, fox or espn were broadcast in HD. if you have the nfl package, you have to pay an additional amount to get all the games in HD.

Dont you have to have 2 seperate dishes to get the DTV HDTV pkg?

[jazzcat22]

Dont you have to have 2 seperate dishes to the the DTV HDTV pkg?

No, I believe it's just the receiver is different. I have DTV, but never looked into the HDTV. Mostly because I was traveling last year, so had to watch Cowboys games from a sports bar and did not get to check into the HDTV.
This year I may see about it.

[silverbear]

It somewhat depends on the native resolution of your set, I think. My set is 1080i, so the 720p signal that is broadcast by Fox, ABC, and ESPN don't look as good as the CBS broadcasts, which are in 1080i.

I guess mine must be 1080i too...

[silverbear]

Dont you have to have 2 seperate dishes to the the DTV HDTV pkg?

No, one dish, but you will have to get a different LNB for the dish... and of course, you'll need an HD receiver and an HDTV... I got two for one, the 38" RCA I bought (not a plasma) had the HD DirecTV receiver built into it...

[RegiStar]

No, I believe it's just the receiver is different. I have DTV, but never looked into the HDTV. Mostly because I was traveling last year, so had to watch Cowboys games from a sports bar and did not get to check into the HDTV.
This year I may see about it.

Actually you need a HDTV, an HD Receiver, and the oval satellite dish.
http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/imagine/HDTV_equipment.jsp

For more of your questions answered go here:
http://www.solidsignal.com/tech_faqs_01.asp

That is all!

[lspain1]

HDTV on DirecTV, depending on your location, requires MPEG-2 (triple LNB dish + receiver) or MPEG-4 (5 LNB dish + receiver) equipment (MPEG-4 equipment gets you HD locals without an OTA antenna). Last year, IIRC, all but two or three Cowboys games ended up in HD. Getting the HD signal from DirecTV as a distant fan required the HD package, Sunday Ticket, and the Superfan Package. If you are in the Dallas local broadcast area, you will not need anything beyond the HD package to get the Cowboys. My personal experience was that getting all available football games in HD was worth the money but your mileage may vary.

[Dallas]

No, one dish, but you will have to get a different LNB for the dish... and of course, you'll need an HD receiver and an HDTV... I got two for one, the 38" RCA I bought (not a plasma) had the HD DirecTV receiver built into it...

Im calling DirectTV now. Thanks !!

[StanleySpadowski]

If you have the Sunday Ticket, and fork over extra for their HD package, that's not the case... where you live will have absolutely no effect on the availability of the games...


Unless things have changed, that's not the case. If the Cowboys were on local channels (non-HD) then they were not available on HD Sunday Ticket channels.

[DA FAN]

Unless things have changed, that's not the case. If the Cowboys were on local channels (non-HD) then they were not available on HD Sunday Ticket channels.

That's what I was told at Circuit City. Believe me, I've looked into it several times. I would love to watch the games in HD.

The only games I was able to watch in HD last year were games on ESPN. That's cause the local cable provide broadcast ESPN in HD.

[silverbear]

Unless things have changed, that's not the case. If the Cowboys were on local channels (non-HD) then they were not available on HD Sunday Ticket channels.

That was the case for me too, Stanley, here in the Shenandoah Valley... and the flippin' DC stations carried the Boys every time the Skins weren't playing... I ran into that the year before, and when they told me the policy was gonna be the same again last year, I passed... it just ain't worth a hundred bucks to see maybe 5 or 6 Cowboys games in HD...

But things HAVE changed, DirecTV has announced that there will be no blackouts of HD games this year...

At the same time, not all games were broadcast in HD last year, and I don't know if they'll all be available this year... so there may still be some weeks when the Boys won't be available, but I suspect not many...

[the kid 05]

how much is the hdtv direct tv?

[silverbear]

how much is the hdtv direct tv?

I'm not real sure what you're asking here... if you're asking about my 38" RCA with the HD DirecTV receiver built in, it cost me 2500 bucks, but that was 4 and a half years ago... I don't even kow if they make it or not, but if they do, it's probably up close to 3 grand now...

And like I said, that's a conventional TV, not a plasma (flat panel) TV... that sucker's HEAVY...

[TEK2000]

It somewhat depends on the native resolution of your set, I think. My set is 1080i, so the 720p signal that is broadcast by Fox, ABC, and ESPN don't look as good as the CBS broadcasts, which are in 1080i.

OTOH, the CBS broacasts occasionally look worse (sort of pixelated I guess) when there is a zoomed in action shot with a lot of movement.

That's the difference between Interlaced (1080i) and Progressive (720p) scan. Interlaced always struggles with fast motion and winds up being blurry.

[RCowboyFan]

I'm not real sure what you're asking here... if you're asking about my 38" RCA with the HD DirecTV receiver built in, it cost me 2500 bucks, but that was 4 and a half years ago... I don't even kow if they make it or not, but if they do, it's probably up close to 3 grand now...

And like I said, that's a conventional TV, not a plasma (flat panel) TV... that sucker's HEAVY...

Are you sure there is Directive HD reciever built in with a TV? I seriously doubt that. There are TV with Built in HD recievers but no Sattelite recievers built in. I think that wouldn't be a good manufacturing idea either, I guess unless some people want to pay preminium for satellite reciever built in. Even then I doubt it.

But TV's with built in HD recievers do cost good $200 + more than TV without them. Which is basically same as buying seperate HD recievers, except you wont have one extra thing to setup or hook up I guess.

[Chocolate Lab]

Your TV is the reason CBS looks so much better, Bear... The tube HDTVs from a couple of years ago don't show 720p, which is what ABC and Fox use. So your TV is downconverting the 720p signal to 480p, which isn't really "HD", although it still looks a lot better than conventional 480i.

I know because I had a similar set until this year, when I got a plasma. Now I actually prefer the 720p. Monday Night Football in particular looks unbelievable. :eek:

[calico]

I keep putting off getting an HDTV, but I am finally going to pick one up soon.

I don't really have more than $1200 to spend on one and I am torn between a 32 inch LCD or a 30 CRT HD Tv...both widescreen with all the connections (HDMI) for next generation DVD and Blu-ray.

I would get a better brand TV and save about $300 if I went with the CRT HD compared to a lowered end LCD...

[RCowboyFan]

I keep putting off getting an HDTV, but I am finally going to pick one up soon.

I don't really have more than $1200 to spend on one and I am torn between a 32 inch LCD or a 30 CRT HD Tv...both widescreen with all the connections (HDMI) for next generation DVD and Blu-ray.

I would get a better brand TV and save about $300 if I went with the CRT HD compared to a lowered end LCD...

Or you could get HD DLP projector, with screen free, and get upto 100" screen for about $1300.

[Chocolate Lab]

Calico, JMO, but I would still go with the larger LCD... I had a tube HDTV before and Bear is right, the thing is absolutely monstrously heavy. Plus, not all of them do 720p. If you do your research, some of the supposed lesser brands do great

The Westinghouse LCDs get pretty good reviews, and the 32" is $999. (And the 37" is like $1399. :))

Another thing you could look for is an HDTV "monitor", which doesn't have the digital/HD tuner built in. There probably aren't many of those around anymore, but they are cheaper, and if you have cable box or an HDTV over the air receiver, you don't need the tuner built in.

[RCowboyFan]

Calico, JMO, but I would still go with the larger LCD... I had a tube HDTV before and Bear is right, the thing is absolutely monstrously heavy. Plus, not all of them do 720p. If you do your research, some of the supposed lesser brands do great

The Westinghouse LCDs get pretty good reviews, and the 32" is $999. (And the 37" is like $1399. :))

Another thing you could look for is an HDTV "monitor", which doesn't have the digital/HD tuner built in. There probably aren't many of those around anymore, but they are cheaper, and if you have cable box or an HDTV over the air receiver, you don't need the tuner built in.

Or go for HDTV projection TVs. You can can get good LCD projection TV, about 50 Inches, without built in reciever for 12-1300 bucks.

[FLcowboy]

I just made the leap to HDTV with directv. Can anyone tell me how many Cowboy games are supposed to be in HD this season? How many were in HDTV last season? Anyone have information?

I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but all the Cowboys games on the NFL package were in HD last year except maybe one. However, the Cowboys games this year that are on regular broadcast may be on HD, if you have an on-air antenna you may get them in HD. I don't, so it really isn't that great of a deal for me.

[TEK2000]

I dont know about you guys but, if you get a very big LCD screen (say 40"+).. the dots of the screen are REALLY BAD. Large LCD screens don't look anywhere close to as clear as a DLP Projection when you get into the larger screen sizes because th LCD's start to pixelate badly while the DLP doesn't have "blocks" until over 60". At least that's the way I see it when I walk thru Fry's and examine all the big screens.

Now, the plasma screens are as clear as can be at even the biggest screens they had in the store.

[calico]

Thanks for the info guys....I really wish I had more money. I almost bought a Westinghouse LCD last year, but they did not have HDMI connections.

These are the current ones I am looking at:

magnavox (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7635981&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat31800050028&id=1130987706755)

Toshiba (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7694818&type=product&productCategoryId=cat03002&id=1138083961491)

samsung (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7622076&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat31800050030&id=1130985407637)


I really am in no rush for an HD since they continue to drop in price and my 36 CRT Wega gets about the best standard pic possible.

[the kid 05]

calico have you checked out olievia's tvs? i got a 27 inch lcd hdtv for 800...it has your hdmi imputs on the 42 inch model-cost is 1700, not that shabby

here is the direct link to it

http://secure.syntaxgroups.com/products/detail.jsp?pid=LT42HVi

here it is at tigerdirect.com

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1516411&CatId=386

i bought mine through tiger they are reliable source for stuff like this and computers

[calico]

^^

I have not looked at them in a while. I almost got one at cost last year with a friend's employee discount, but I backed out at the last min.

[silverbear]

Are you sure there is Directive HD reciever built in with a TV? I seriously doubt that.

Don't doubt it, I meant what I said... it's an RCA, 38" diameter, HDTV with the DirecTV HD receiver built into it... model number F38310... you can read all about it on Amazon.com, at the following link:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005BIB8/103-1087229-8913429?v=glance&n=172282

Having just read it myself, I learned that my set is indeed in the 1080i format... and when I referred to it as heavy, they say it weighs 214 pounds...

I'd say that's heavy, wouldn't you?? LOL...

It seems to be a discontinued model, but I found one for sale on ebay with a "Buy It Now" price of an even $1000.00... in looking around for more info on it, I found a LOT of negative reviews about the set, lots of folks seemed to have problems with it, but mine has been working perfectly for 4 and a half years now...

Anyway, you might find the link to the ebay site informative too:

http://cgi.ebay.com/RCA-F38310-38-HDTV-with-Built-in-DirecTV-HD-Receiver_W0QQitemZ9729954378QQcategoryZ11072QQssPa geNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

No offense taken at you questioning what I said, RCF... I hope I've satisfied your skepticism... it really is convenient to have the DirecTV receiver built in, but there is one drawback-- there's no video out jack on it, so I can't record shows on a VCR or DVD recorder off of it... I have other TVs in the house (a 32 inch RCA in my bedroom) hooked to a conventional DirecTV receiver (not HD), that I can record with, but of course that means I can't record anything in HD...

If I had come into some money another year or two later, I would certainly have bought a plasma instead, but at the time I bought my RCA (October of 2001), plasmas were still very expensive, the least expensive I could find was more than twice the price of that RCA... and since I was set on building a total home entertainment center (Pioneer Elite equipment, their top of the line, with JBL Studio Series 5.1 speakers), I just didn't have the budget to go flat panel back then, so the RCA was the best compromise I could come up with...

[silverbear]

Your TV is the reason CBS looks so much better, Bear... The tube HDTVs from a couple of years ago don't show 720p, which is what ABC and Fox use. So your TV is downconverting the 720p signal to 480p, which isn't really "HD", although it still looks a lot better than conventional 480i.

I know because I had a similar set until this year, when I got a plasma. Now I actually prefer the 720p. Monday Night Football in particular looks unbelievable. :eek:

That makes sense, and gives me yet another reason to dream of "retiring" the RCA back to my bedroom, letting the nephew inherit the 32 incher in my bedroom, and get me a 42" plasma for the living room... the wall space I have available in my living room won't allow for anything larger than that, or I'd be thinking 50 incher... but really, 42 inches would be good enough, for that matter I'm quite happy with the picture size on the RCA...

The next time my ship comes in... thanks for explaining that in a way that I can understand...

[silverbear]

Thanks for the info guys....I really wish I had more money. I almost bought a Westinghouse LCD last year, but they did not have HDMI connections.

These are the current ones I am looking at:

magnavox (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7635981&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat31800050028&id=1130987706755)

Toshiba (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7694818&type=product&productCategoryId=cat03002&id=1138083961491)

samsung (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7622076&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat31800050030&id=1130985407637)


I really am in no rush for an HD since they continue to drop in price and my 36 CRT Wega gets about the best standard pic possible.

The Wega is a very good conventional TV... of the 3 you're looking at, I'd go with the Magnavox... don't care for Samsung equipment, and am kinda lukewarm on Toshiba...

[Bob Sacamano]

The Wega is a very good conventional TV... of the 3 you're looking at, I'd go with the Magnavox... don't care for Samsung equipment, and am kinda lukewarm on Toshiba...

Samsung is better :p:

[rgcowboys]

I have the Superfan package and I watched all of the Cowboy games in HDTV. I live in N.J. You really get to see the hits.

[lurkercowboy]

I keep putting off getting an HDTV, but I am finally going to pick one up soon.

I don't really have more than $1200 to spend on one and I am torn between a 32 inch LCD or a 30 CRT HD Tv...both widescreen with all the connections (HDMI) for next generation DVD and Blu-ray.

I would get a better brand TV and save about $300 if I went with the CRT HD compared to a lowered end LCD...


I bought the 34 inch Sony Wega KD34XBR970 last week and I really couldn't be happier with it. It cost a little under $1200 and the picture quality is great on HD and good on SDTV. It does 1080i and 720p very well and it has HDMI as well as several other inputs/outputs.

The only problem was bringing it into the house. It is very very heavy. But once it is set up, no problem.

[RCowboyFan]

Don't doubt it, I meant what I said... it's an RCA, 38" diameter, HDTV with the DirecTV HD receiver built into it... model number F38310... you can read all about it on Amazon.com, at the following link:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005BIB8/103-1087229-8913429?v=glance&n=172282

Having just read it myself, I learned that my set is indeed in the 1080i format... and when I referred to it as heavy, they say it weighs 214 pounds...

I'd say that's heavy, wouldn't you?? LOL...

It seems to be a discontinued model, but I found one for sale on ebay with a "Buy It Now" price of an even $1000.00... in looking around for more info on it, I found a LOT of negative reviews about the set, lots of folks seemed to have problems with it, but mine has been working perfectly for 4 and a half years now...

Anyway, you might find the link to the ebay site informative too:

http://cgi.ebay.com/RCA-F38310-38-HDTV-with-Built-in-DirecTV-HD-Receiver_W0QQitemZ9729954378QQcategoryZ11072QQssPa geNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

No offense taken at you questioning what I said, RCF... I hope I've satisfied your skepticism... it really is convenient to have the DirecTV receiver built in, but there is one drawback-- there's no video out jack on it, so I can't record shows on a VCR or DVD recorder off of it... I have other TVs in the house (a 32 inch RCA in my bedroom) hooked to a conventional DirecTV receiver (not HD), that I can record with, but of course that means I can't record anything in HD...

If I had come into some money another year or two later, I would certainly have bought a plasma instead, but at the time I bought my RCA (October of 2001), plasmas were still very expensive, the least expensive I could find was more than twice the price of that RCA... and since I was set on building a total home entertainment center (Pioneer Elite equipment, their top of the line, with JBL Studio Series 5.1 speakers), I just didn't have the budget to go flat panel back then, so the RCA was the best compromise I could come up with...

Interesting, they have seperate DirectV and HD recievers built in, so that it can work without DirecTV, that would make more sense. Speaking of JBL recievers, I bought them, 7-8 years ago, before they became a big hit, for $199, the small 5.1. Man they work Awesome, as good as Bose speakers IMO.

RCA builts good TVs, although reputation wasn't such. I prefer Sony though, since mostly I have always bought their products.

[silverbear]

Interesting, they have seperate DirectV and HD recievers built in, so that it can work without DirecTV, that would make more sense. Speaking of JBL recievers, I bought them, 7-8 years ago, before they became a big hit, for $199, the small 5.1. Man they work Awesome, as good as Bose speakers IMO.

RCA builts good TVs, although reputation wasn't such. I prefer Sony though, since mostly I have always bought their products.

Our tastes seem to be rather similar when it comes to electronics... Bose and Sony are high on my list, obviously JBL is as well...

I also really like Infinity speakers, that's what I have on the system back in my bedroom (which is a hodgepodge of different makes, JVC and Infinity and Akai and RCA)...

[RCowboyFan]

Our tastes seem to be rather similar when it comes to electronics... Bose and Sony are high on my list, obviously JBL is as well...

I also really like Infinity speakers, that's what I have on the system back in my bedroom (which is a hodgepodge of different makes, JVC and Infinity and Akai and RCA)...

Good tastes my man, good tastes :D

[scatman]

I live in south texas. Call directv, ask for the HDTV department. Then tell them to contact the local Fox affiliate in your area (who does not broadcast in HD format) to ask for a waiver. It will get done within a few weeks. Then Directv will tell you whether the waiver was granted or not. If it was, then contact Directv again and they will give you access to either the east coast or west coast fox affiliate. This will get you HD games that are on Fox (probably out of NY). Then you can see nationally televised cowboy games (and local giants-cowboys games). It is standard procedure for them. This will get it done.

[kmp77]

I'm looking to get a HDTV in the next couple of weeks and have signed up with Timer Warner here in austin. Will all games be shown in HD here?

[calico]

I'm looking to get a HDTV in the next couple of weeks and have signed up with Timer Warner here in austin. Will all games be shown in HD here?


From what I remember when watching at a my bros place on his HD, that most of them were...mainly the national broadcast games on Fox.

I would go ahead and call anyway to be sure exactly how many or what it takes for a game to be on HD here.

I know I was disappointed that many college games on ABC were not broadcast in HD. For the life of me I have no idea why the opted not to broadcast Texas at Ohio State in HD.

[kmp77]

From what I remember when watching at a my bros place on his HD, that most of them were...mainly the national broadcast games on Fox.

I would go ahead and call anyway to be sure exactly how many or what it takes for a game to be on HD here.

I know I was disappointed that many college games on ABC were not broadcast in HD. For the life of me I have no idea why the opted not to broadcast Texas at Ohio State in HD.


Cool. Just bought the Sony 34" hdtv wega crt today. Can't wait for football now!!

[skinsscalper]

Nice buy, dude. Sony has some seriously good video products anyway, but the WEGA line was impressive even before HD was available. I imagine the HD WEGA is an outstanding product.

SS

[lurkercowboy]

Cool. Just bought the Sony 34" hdtv wega crt today. Can't wait for football now!!

Have you tweaked the display settings yet? Let me know how that goes. I lowered the contrast and raised the brightness.