I am not coverting my computer into a tv set. Alan ALWAYS watches tv on the computer. Everything that is broadcast on our tv is usually available online. I've watched Dancing with the Stars, Eureka (from the Sci Fi Channel), etc. So I don't need to convert my computer so I can watch tv. We already do this.

I just want to know the following. Can I walk into any tv store that sells 37 inch Flat Panel TVs. Can I buy one of those? Can I then hook it up to my vcr (exactly the way it's hooked up now),

I have Directv, NOT CABLE. So that's not changing.

I do not want an high definition service. I'm perfectly happy with the image I get now on my tv.

So when I DO buy my new BIG tv, and it's a HD tv, will I still be able to view the tv show IF I DON'T SUBSCRIBE TO ANY HD SERVICE.

Clear??????

And I don't live in a building. I live in a private house. So there's no cable guy coming to fix anyone's cable.

I do howver, hook up my own multiswitches, change coaxial cables (bet you thought I was dumb, hah??? lol).

Let me tell you, without me, Alan wouldn't be able to watch tv.

The other day I told him 'Alan when they stop making vcrs, and we can't buy any more, we'll have to buy one of thse DVD DVrs, or one of those dual DVD/VHS things, and we can play our tapes and record to a DVD rewritable rom"

Guess what Alan said?

"I have no idea what you just said and I'm sacred to death if something happens to you, how do you hook up anything, I don't know how to do anything". And I burst out laughing.

I am now showing him how to hook up VCRs. Yeah right!!!!

lol

Melody

Good Afternoon,
We have directtv and I installed an outside antenna about 25 feet high ( talk about staggering around with PN ) so I can get 4 HD channels and 9 analog channels all free and clear. When everything goes ditigal will I need the box since I run the os line thru my Directtv control unit. Thanks

Ok Mel,

First if you have Direct TV there is nothing you need to concern yourself about with the switch from analog to digital. No converter box needed.

P.S. I hate cable too...direct tv is heaven.

Yes you can walk in and buy a flat panel and probably hook it up the same way. Just ask the guy at the store if you need to hook up any differently if the connection have changed.

And yes if its and HD TV and you dont have HD service everything wil be the same. HD service just means you would get even more channels and have multiples of thinsg like you would have an ABC regular channel and an ABC HD channel. Without HD services those HD channels will just show up blank.

We have HD on one TV and not the other in our house.

Although Mel I am not sure how you live without a DVR. They are fab!

Don't get me started on DVR's. Tivo, and the like.

I know that SOMEDAY down the road, when NOBODY makes vcrs anymore, I will have to learn how to do the DVR thing. God only knows what Alan will do when he has to get a DVR box on HIS LIVING ROOM TV.

Oh, I know that if you have cable or directv, then when the switch is made in February, that we don't need to do anything.

But I have several tv's in my house, and the only one that DOES NOT HAVE CABLE SERVICE, is the little one in my bedroom.

That's why I went into Radio Shack and asked the question about the rabbit ears antenna. The little tv in the computer room has a rabbit ears and I get no reception whatsoever.

The guy said 'that's exactly what you'll get in February if you hook up the converter box. YOU NEED A ROOFTOP ANTENNA.

I am not GETTING A ROOFTOP ANTENNA.

I'll just go and tape on my other tvs.

So from what I read, Alan and I, if we ever inherit a gazillion dollars, can go into PC Richards, buy a lovely big HD television and hook it up to my Directv and I should still get the same picture I get now.

Right??

thanks,

Mel

You are right Mel!

Now when it comes to DVRs you know that you can just call Direct TV and have them just switch out your current direct tv box and put in a box tat has a dvr. I can't imagine that it is more than a coupel bucks a month more on your Direct TV bill.

DVR's are easier than VCRs to operate.

From the Direct TV website -

[ How do regular TV shows look on an HDTV set?

It really depends on screen size. Some standard-definition programming may look a little sharper and cleaner on your HDTV set, but more often, it looks worse. That's because all the little flaws and murkiness inherent in regular TV images become that much more obvious when blown up to larger sizes, especially when compared to crystal-clear HD channels. In addition, because SD programming has a narrow aspect ratio of 4:3, you'll see black bars on the left and right sides of the picture if you're watching on a wide-screen 16:9 set. If the black bars bother you, adjustments on all HDTVs can make 4:3 programming fill a 16:9 screen, but when doing so, they crop or distort the image.

03
Are HD and Digital TV the same?

All HDTV is digital, but not all Digital TV is HDTV. High Definition refers to the resolution of the video (720p, 1080i or 1080p). Digital TV means that the off-air signals are transmitted digitally (usually in ATSC) versus the older analog signals (NTSC). Digital TV broadcasts can be a mixture of standard definition and high definition programs.

26 I have the right equipment for HD, but the picture looks the same as what I'm used to—why is that?

Often people who think they're watching HD are actually watching Standard Definition. High Definition can only be experienced with all the right conditions:
(a) HD television
(b) HDMI or Component connections
(c) HD resolution settings in the receiver and TV
(d) HD receiver: DIRECTV HD receiver (model H20 or H21) or DIRECTV Plus HD DVR (model HR20 or HR 21). A BBC module must be connected to your receiver.
(e) You must be subscribed to HD Access ($9.99/mo)
(f) Tuned to an HD channel
(g) Watching a program on that HD channel that is originated in HD by the broadcaster (HD icon in program guide)
]
more info
http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global...420013#hd-faq2

Shelley:

Okay, EXPLAIN WHAT DVR's are. Is this what Tivo is?? I know that it's a hard drive and you get 30 hours of taping and you can watch a show while taping another show. (that is cool). But the whole point of Alan and I using VCR's was that we can EXCHANGE TAPES.

Like he'd be watching NCIS, and I'd be watching my soaps, (on my left set-up), and I'd be taping American Gladiators on my right set-up.

Then when Alan was finished in the Living Room, he would holler "can you give me the American Gladiator tape please?"

See, when you can't go on your foot for months at a time, all the guy had was tv, so this taping was perfect for him.

Since you are all-knowing and wise about dvrs, please give me a quick lesson. I'd appreciate it.

I'm still trying to find a way to program my new Toshiba (which I got yesterday for $25.00) and it works good but had no instruction booklet (now I've never needed any instruction booklet for any VCR, because I KNOW VCR's).

But on the remote, the programming button doesn't work.

If I buy a new universal remote, do you think it would work with my Toshiba?

It's not an OLD machine because on the front it has the red yellow hook-ups, so it's not that ancient.

Do you think I have a shot with a new universal remote, to finally set the time and program this new vcr. It's really a beauty, and I'm not ready to give up VCR's alltogether.

So thanks for any help, and if you can give me a quick (easy to follow) explanation of what DVR's are, I'd much appreciate it.

I know the day is coming when I have to call up Directv and do the dvr thing.

lol

Melody

DVR info- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_video_recorder

What you might like to try is a combo VCR/DVD plays both and records on both tapes & DVD's real handy

Thanks so much for the dvr information.

I know ALL about Dvd/VCR combos. All my friends have them, they HATE them. The vcr part always breaks down.

I just came back from CVS and I bought a universal remote.

Maybe after I program it, I can get to set the time and then program my Toshiba that I bought yesterday.

Either that, or I'll go back and break the guys legs!!!!

I'm italian you know!!!!!

lol lol lol lol lol

Our JVC combo machine is 8 yrs old and it has never had a problem, but we don't have any grand kids around yet to "play" with our electric equipment.