So I got DH a TV for Chirstmas and now all of our channels look terrible...?

[disneybound31]

Just go up to Comcast and tell them you want a cable converter box for a new HDTV. They will give you the box and I believe they will also give you the HDMI cable to connect the box to the tv. The cable coming out of the wall will connect to the back of the converter box and then the HDMI cable will connect the box to the tv. The box should come with instructions, and the tv may have instructions as well. It is not hard at all, and I would not pay the cable people to do it. If you need help, find a neighbor in the 16-24 age range and they will do it in 5 minutes, LOL

THANK YOU!! This helps me SO MUCH!!

 

[disneybound31]

First tell them that you want an HD converter box.

If they do not give you an HDMI cable (some companies do, mine did not), go to WalMart and buy a 6 foot long HDMI cable. DO NOT spend more than $20 on it. You don't need a fancy one.

HDMI is easy to hook up. Just plug one end into your new TV (both ends are the same) and the other end into your new HD cable box. Unhook the cable from your TV and connect it to your cable box. Plug in your cable box and turn it on. Tune your TV to channel 3. You should now have HD channels (you can always go to Comcast's website and pull up a channel guide).

And THANK YOU!! I think these last few responses get me to the point where I feel like I can handle this and get it fixed for me and my DH. We are going to return our new TV though and get one with a built in DVD player so we do not 2 separate boxes behind the TV know that we know we have to get the HD converter box. Seems like there are not a lot of 32 inch TVs to choose from that include a DVD player.....

 

[torinsmom]

And THANK YOU!! I think these last few responses get me to the point where I feel like I can handle this and get it fixed for me and my DH. We are going to return our new TV though and get one with a built in DVD player so we do not 2 separate boxes behind the TV know that we know we have to get the HD converter box. Seems like there are not a lot of 32 inch TVs to choose from that include a DVD player.....

Just be aware that a lot of retailers will deduct a restocking fee for a returned tv, especially one that has been removed from the box and hooked up already. I'd call and see what the policy is first, so you are prepared. I kind of like having my DVD player separate so I can move it to a different tv in a different room.

Another thing I don't know if you know about..... You can probably get a converter box with a DVR(digital video recorder) that allows you to set it to tape different series, movies, etc for you to watch later. For example, I watch Modern Family, and it is set to tape every episode. I watch them at my convenience and fast forward through the commercials. I believe I pay $9.99 per month for the service, but not having to work my schedule around shows I want to watch or miss them is priceless!

 

[The Iron Giant]

Not to hijack the thread... but reading all this reminded me to call my cable company and talk to them about my rate.

I was able to get them to add Showtime and HBO to my package and they still lowered my bill by $20 a month!

Best of luck with the new TV

 

[HM]

I don't know if anyone mentioned this, since I haven't read the replies. But..you might need to change some of the SETTINGS on your new TV to make it more compatible with your cable feed. Make sure you read the directions that came with the tv about how to set it up. We had to do this with ours.

 

[Praying Colonel]

Just wanted to add that you don't need a fancy-pants HDMI cable. It's a digital signal, and "bits are bits"--a higher-priced cable won't give you super-duper reception.

If you have to buy your own HDMI cables, IMHO best place to get them is monoprice.com. You can get a 6' HDMI cable for about $3.50, and they have a lifetime warranty.

 

[The Iron Giant]

Just wanted to add that you don't need a fancy-pants HDMI cable. It's a digital signal, and "bits are bits"--a higher-priced cable won't give you super-duper reception.

If you have to buy your own HDMI cables, IMHO best place to get them is monoprice.com. You can get a 6' HDMI cable for about $3.50, and they have a lifetime warranty.

+1

I have ordered from monoprice many times and have never had a problem with their cables. They all work great.

 

[IDoDis]

Do not "invest" in a high cost HDMI Monster cable. They are a rip-off if you buy them at a B&M store. Order an HDMI cable online from Amazon. You can get them from 6ft to 50ft long for $2-$6 depending on the length. The same ones at Walmart with the "Monster Cable" name will run you $50. Don't fall for the scam that their cables are better. That's a bunch of hoop-lah.

Just call your cable company to come do it. You might even get a good deal on some extra channels or high def if you agree to a 2 year longer contract. Or you can shop around and see what Direct TV or Dish can do for you. They will probably come out and do everything for free plus give you high def for signing a contract. Go online and check out the deals -- assuming you are not tied into a contract right now. If you are month-to-month with Comcast, then you are a free agent to shop and pick up a good deal!

 

[bonoriffic]

This is well beyond the scope of the original poster's stated abilities, but I'll throw it out there for others reading.

Your cable provider legally has to send your local channels (the ones you can get for free over the air) in high def. You do not need to buy an HD package to get this. Your TV must be capable of receiving a clear QAM signal. Most HDTV capable TVs do. The trick is Comcast knows they are sending you free HD, but won't tell you. In fact, they go out of their way to make it impossible to receive the signal. Do you use a cable box, or any other device Comcast provided, between the cable in the wall and the TV? If so, you just lost the ability to get free HD.

Remove the box, or use a cable splitter and get the best of both worlds, and set your TV to scan for digital channels. You now receive HD for free.

This is best used in a bedroom or some other location where you don't want to take advantage of the entire channel lineup in HD. For that, you need a box/Tivo/CableCard. But if you have a room that you don't use as your main TV and would like to get your local channels in HD without paying for it, you can.

 

[Nayan]

All providers offer the standard channels in HD (ABC, NBC, CBS, etc.). If you have rabbit ears you can also pick these up (if your TV has a tuner, most made after 2009 do). However, in order to get what the OP stated she wanted in HD like Food Network, etc. she needs an HD box from Comcast. I love OTA HD but I am huge sports nut and need my cable.

 

[disneybound31]

Just be aware that a lot of retailers will deduct a restocking fee for a returned tv, especially one that has been removed from the box and hooked up already. I'd call and see what the policy is first, so you are prepared. I kind of like having my DVD player separate so I can move it to a different tv in a different room.

Another thing I don't know if you know about..... You can probably get a converter box with a DVR(digital video recorder) that allows you to set it to tape different series, movies, etc for you to watch later. For example, I watch Modern Family, and it is set to tape every episode. I watch them at my convenience and fast forward through the commercials. I believe I pay $9.99 per month for the service, but not having to work my schedule around shows I want to watch or miss them is priceless!

Yes, I thought about that re-stocking fee...the back of my Best buy reciept doesnt say anything about tvs. It does mention a fee for phones, ipads, ipods and computers so I think were okay. The guy who sold it to us did mention is we got it home and did not care for it we could bring it back no questions asked...

Now that is very interesting about the dvr converter box....I have been pretty bummed that I will now be unable to tape the nightly news and a couple other things that I usually miss while the kids are awake. It relaxes me to be able to still watch the news even if it is 8 or 9pm after the kids have gone to bed and I know nothing about tivo or dvrs so I will be sure to ask. THanks

 

[torinsmom]

Yes, I thought about that re-stocking fee...the back of my Best buy reciept doesnt say anything about tvs. It does mention a fee for phones, ipads, ipods and computers so I think were okay. The guy who sold it to us did mention is we got it home and did not care for it we could bring it back no questions asked...

Now that is very interesting about the dvr converter box....I have been pretty bummed that I will now be unable to tape the nightly news and a couple other things that I usually miss while the kids are awake. It relaxes me to be able to still watch the news even if it is 8 or 9pm after the kids have gone to bed and I know nothing about tivo or dvrs so I will be sure to ask. THanks

What were you taping the news with before? You could still hook a VCR or DVD recorder up to the new tv if that's what you were using. I just like the DVR because you can set it to tape every episode that comes on.

 

[disneybound31]

What were you taping the news with before? You could still hook a VCR or DVD recorder up to the new tv if that's what you were using. I just like the DVR because you can set it to tape every episode that comes on.

Our old tv is a 19 inch orion with a built in dvd/vcr combo and is soooo convenient. I hate that I will now have a new flat screen attached to a GIANT Comcast hd converter box (picked it up today) and also a separate dvd/vcr box unless DH and I return the new 32 inch Samsung and get the 32 inch Dynex at Best Buy that has a DVD player built in....it gets almost as good reviews as the Samsung we bought. I am really pushing for the integrated DVD player for the convenience. DH says he doesn't mind either way, he just wants to get it settled.

The other thing that is slowing us down is that we sit the tv on top of our electric fireplace mantle (which is in a corner and we really do not want to mount the tv on wall) so it is near impossible to have converter box, tv AND a dvd/vcr combo unit all balanced there. We still aren't sure how to get the converter box set up - then set the tv on top? It will look so messy and might not be stable...

We live an hour round trip from Best Buy so getting there is taking us a few days...we hope to get this whole thing worked out Sunday. I may have a few installation ? s on Sunday or Monday....you have all been so helpful!

 

[torinsmom]

I wouldn't sit the tv on top of the converter box. I think it would be unstable. Maybe you could get some type of small shelf to put on top of the fireplace mantle, so you could sit the tv on top and the converter box could go underneath. I am thinking of something like a shoe shelf, but wider.

http://shopclosetorganizers.com/closet-shoe-organizer/closetmaid-shoe-shelves/

 

[sksjasams]

I am certainly not an expert, but I don't think I would trade a samsung for a dynex. They are not the same quality. Also, I have read that it may not be the best idea to buy an integrated dvd/tv combo. Maybe you could get a small stand or pier to keep components on near your fireplace.

 

[ICF]

Dynex is a generic brand that I think may only be sold by Best Buy, Samsung is generally considered one of the better brands of TV's. If I were to choose between the two, I'd take Samsung everytime.

The issue that I would have in an integrated TV / DVD is -- what happens if either one breaks? Today's DVD players are generally very small and light weight. These aren't some big pieces of equipment the size of a 1980's VCR.

 

[Princess Dolly]

Many converter boxes vent out the top so you want to leave plenty of space for airflow. I would not put the TV directly on top of the box if that is the case.

I also would not return a Samsung and get a Dynex, and personally I think combo devices are jsut asking for trouble. Can you put some kind of shelving unit next to the fireplace?

 

[yoopermom]

Do you have any kind of shelving units on either side of your fireplace? Bookcases? It's pretty easy to run the wire from the tv to your other "boxes" that you can then stack on those shelves.

Terri

 

[disneybound31]

OP here...I definately agree it is a step down to return the Samsung and get the Dynex..but I cannot find a quality dvd/tv combo that i sunder $500 at the 32 inch range.

I really like simplicity and a clean look, but I think you guys have convinced me that I need to explore some other option, like a small stand for the converter box and a separate dvd player to sit upon. I see that a simple dvd unit- Samsung makes one- is fairly small, but I tell ya, that Comcast converter box is HUGE!!

DH is very unhappy with it and says he is going to go back down there and tell them we need the smaller version of which they were out when I picked it up Monday. Plus, DH is unhappy because it is obviously very used, smells heavily of smoke and has dirt caked all along the side.

 

[disneybound31]

To the person who posted the link for the small shelving unit- Closetmaid...YOU have solved our problem. Our Lowes has them in stock- just chedcked online- and I will pick up one in the dark espresso color for $14 and stack the 2 boxes (converter, dvd, then tv) using that shelving. Should work great! THANK YOU!!