gmw
@comcast.net
| Comcast analog channels don't necessarily look bad...the results can and do vary, depending on the 4:3 Override settings you establish during the cable box setup and the quality of the processing and scaling technology in the HDTV you purchase.
An HDTV's internal processing is one reason why some brands cost more than others.
If you have an HDTV with good internal scaling technology (such as a Pioneer plasma) your analog channels can look excellent -- IF you set the 4:3 Override on Comcast/Motorola's 6412 Phase III to Off! Why? Because the Motorola box has terrible internal processing and scaling (as does DirecTV's Satellite HD box). However, turn on the DirecTV or Motorola 4:3 Override and your HDTV's analog channels may well look worse -- even with a Pioneer plasma. Also, it is possible that you have an HDTV with internal scaling technology that is no better than Motorola's. If so, your SOL.
Finally, the quality of analog channels can fluctuate throughout the day on Comcast Cable -- especially if your local system is overloaded with too many users or if bandwidth is limited while your local cable network is being upgraded (going through the analog-to-digital conversion -- which is taking a couple of years here). In Sacramento, Comcast is still going through this painful change, and some analog channels are excellent one day and very poor the next. Heck, the signal quality even fluctuates throughout the day! Then again, on some days, those scaled up analog channels here look quite good -- even better than some of the overcompressed digital channels! No kidding! |
