Do I need something special from Comcast to use HDMI cables with new TV? HDMI cables worth it?
February 16th, 2010 | 
Author: admin
Author: admin
Wayne Smith asked:
I just ordered a new plasma tv (42″ panasonic) and two smaller LCD tv’s for other parts of our house. I also purchased HDMI cables for each tv and a power line conditioner as an experiment for the plasma.
I spoke with Comcast today and they are telling me that to use the HDMI cables, I have to rent a box from them for $12 a month that comes with the cables.
This seems like a very big rip off to me.
1. Does anyone know a way around this (i.e. renting their normal cable box and then connecting to my tv with HDMI using some type of converter purchased elsewhere)?
2. I am told that an HDMI converter will make the signal look a lot better as we aren’t going to be using HD cable but only the “normal” cable channel. Is this accurate?
Thanks.
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I’m not aware of any converter–to me it would defeat the purpose of using the HDMI cable.
You said that you aren’t upgrading your service to HD, correct? That’s the box that they were referring to that they said you’d need. There really isn’t much sense in using an HDMI cable if you’re not going to use HD. You can use component instead and get just as good of a picture. Technically, the HDMI will provide a better signal, but honestly most people can’t tell a difference, and since you’re not using HD it won’t matter anyway.
Just curious as to why you’re not upgrading to their HD service–for the amount you probably spent on the HDMI cables, you could get some component cables instead and the money you save could pay for the slight increase in your cable bill for a long time. HD just looks so much better.
if you using normal cable use rca cables hdmi is a waste without hd
Okay..I assume you spent alot of money on the televisions..Why not upgrade to HD? There is no other optional box either you rent. Your choice now is to rent from comcast/buy from directv…Also, yes there is no big difference in Hdmi cables only the length you pay more for shielding. If you want to cut down on the amount audio+video cables then use HDMI(will provide superior sound & video) will support 5.1,6.1,7.1 audio