FAQS

What is HDTV?

High-definition television is a high-resolution digital wide-screen TV format. A high-definition TV signal has twice the color resolution and imparts a picture that is six times sharper than that provided by a traditional analog TV set. HDTV likewise provides enhanced audio, such as Dolby Digital.

An image displayed on a TV screen is comprised of small, adjacent rectangles known as "pixels." TV resolution refers to the number of horizontal lines (comprised of pixels) that are displayed on the TV screen. High-definition TVs have up to 1080 horizontal lines – more than twice as many as an analog TV set. High-definition television also differs from standard analog television in pixel size. The pixels in high-definition TV screens are square, smaller and spaced more closely together than in an analog TV set. Finally, high-definition TVs typically employ a 16:9 aspect ratio (i.e., wide screen format), rather than the 4:3 aspect ratio utilized by traditional analog TV sets. However, there are some HDTV's which only have a 4:3 screen. Even though high-definition television comes in wide screen format, not all wide screen broadcast is high-definition. DVD's, for example, can sometimes display in wide screen but the content is not necessarily high-definition.

Is Digital Cable the same thing as HDTV (HIGH-DEFINITION TV)?

High Definition Service from Cox refers to a type of digital cable that is at a higher-resolution than Cox Digital Cable. In order to receive High Definition Service from Cox, a “HDTV-capable” television set and a Cox HDTV set top box will be required.

What is the difference between “HD-READY" and "HD-CAPABLE" TVS?

Today's HDTV sets come in two forms, HD-Ready and HD-Capable. HD-Ready sets have a HDTV receiver/decoder built-in, while HD-Capable sets simply act as a monitor and require the addition of an external receiver/decoder to receive high-definition signals. Since most HD-Ready sets only include receivers for off-air broadcasts (i.e. signals that are received using an antenna), you will still need a separate HDTV receiver to view HDTV programs on Cox Digital Cable. While most satellite services typically require you to purchase a separate HDTV receiver, we will allow you to rent the receiver as part of your monthly service.

What will HDTV cost?

You can lease the HD converter from Cox for $9.95 per month. The HD Converter will replace your current digital converter if you are a Cox Digital Cable customer. With the converter, you are able to receive ABC, CBS, iNHD, and ESPN HD as well as HBO HD and Showtime HD (as long as you are a current HBO and/or Showtime subscriber).*

For an additional $5.95 per month you can add Discovery HD Theater.*

*Programming may vary by area.  Programming and rates are subject to change.  Equipment rental required.  Taxes and franchise fees not included in rates listed. You must be a Cox Digital Cable customer in order to receive High-Definition Service from Cox. Cox Digital Cable pricing starts at $49.67/mo.

Why should customers choose High-Definition Service from Cox over DirecTV/Dish Network?

Cox will offer local HD programming. Our plan is to offer HD signals of local network broadcasters such as CBS, ABC, NBC, Fox, etc. Satellite providers send one set of signals to all of their customers across the nation. This is a drawback because they can only carry so many signals due to bandwidth limitations. We have the advantage of local operations, which allow us the bandwidth to carry the local HDTV network broadcasts available in our area. We are currently in negotiations with local broadcasters to gain retransmission consent for their HDTV signals.

Cox’s HD Service will usually be less expensive. For customers who already own an HD-capable TV set, the only additional equipment required to receive HD Service from Cox is a Cox HD converter box ($9.95/mo). To receive satellite HD Service, a customer would require a new satellite HD receiver ($500 and up), plus-in many cases-a new dish or an additional dish. In addition, for that satellite HD customer to receive off-air HD signals from local broadcast stations, the customer would have to purchase an HD decoder and, possibly, an antenna ($150).

HD Service from Cox is accompanied by the ongoing advantages of cable. Regardless of whether or not a customer desires HD signals, the numerous advantages of cable over satellite continue: free programming on additional TVs; exclusive local programming not available on satellite; no need for an ugly dish or antenna; and, hassle-free service from a local company.

What equipment will I need to order to view HD programming?

There are two types of High-Definition TV’s – those that are “capable” and those that are “ready.” HD-Ready televisions have an internal over-air receiver that can accept a high-definition signal and send the digital information to the display where a picture is presented in high-definition. HD-Capable televisions can display a high-definition picture but do not have the internal over-air receiver to accept the signal; these sets are used in conjunction with an external receiver. HD-Ready televisions are more expensive than the HD-Capable televisions.

In order to view HD programming, you need only purchase an HD-Capable set (the one without the tuner built-in) You will be able to purchase or lease the equipment necessary to view HDTV signals delivered via Cox Digital Cable.

An HDTV set and a Cox HDTV set top converter are required. To work with our first generation HDTV offering, your HDTV set or monitor must have a YPbPr component input.

What is the difference between “interlaced” and “progressive” scan?

"Interlaced" or "progressive" refers to the scanning system. In an interlaced format, the screen shows every odd line at one scan of the screen, and then follows that up with the even lines in a second scan. Since there are 30 frames shown per second, the screen shows one half of the frame every sixtieth of a second. For smaller screens, this is less noticeable. As screens get larger, the problem with interlacing is flicker.

Progressive scanning shows the whole picture, every line in one showing, every sixtieth of a second. This provides for a much smoother picture, but uses slightly more bandwidth.

Do I need a new television to view an HDTV signal?

You must have a HDTV-Capable TV to view any of our HDTV channels in HDTV. The current analog or digital channel will still be viewable on your existing TV.

Will Cox HDTV support plasma TVs?

Most plasma TV's will have a YPbPr component input and be capable of supporting multiple HDTV formats. Please consult your owner's manual.

What is the difference between DTV, HDTV, and SDTV?

"DTV" is a general reference to Digital Television, as compared to "analog" Television. DTV broadcasts can be either HDTV (high-definition television) or SDTV (standard-definition television). HDTV can broadcast at resolutions typically as high as 1920 by 1080 pixels (2 million pixels), whereas the resolutions of SDTV broadcasts are typically only as high as 640 by 480 pixels (290,000 pixels). In comparison, analog television produces a total of about 210,000 pixels. Broadcasters and cable providers can choose which format of DTV they transmit, and most DTV's and new HDTV set-top boxes will be able to receive the signal regardless of which format is transmitted. Note, however, that your standard analog TV set will not be able to receive DTV signals (neither HDTV nor SDTV).

I keep hearing about 720P and 1080I signal formats - What is Cox going to support?

Cox will retransmit whatever level of signal we receive from the source. Currently, HBO, Showtime, and CBS are transmitting a 1080i HDTV signal. ABC is utilizing 720p. Our converter up-converts all signals to output at 1080i.

4:3, 16:9, Wide screen, Sidebars, Letterbox, Stretch, Pan and Scan --- What does it all mean?

4:3 (width: height)is the standard television shape. HDTV's have been manufactured in both 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios.

16:9 (width: height) is the traditional shape of a HDTV, although some HDTV's have been designed with a 4:3 aspect ratio.

Wide screen is a term used for the 16:9 aspect ratio. Most HDTV sets are easy to identify because of their wide screens. These screens, which are usually a lot wider than they are tall, closely resemble their movie theater counterparts.

Sidebars present the entire picture in the middle of the screen and display black bands on each side of the picture. Sidebars are used when non-HD content is displayed on HDTV's with aspect ratios of 16:9.

Stretch is a tool that can be deployed on some HDTV's to stretch a 4:3 image to a 16:9 screen (vs. sidebars).

Letterbox presents the entire picture in the middle of the screen and displays black bands above and below the picture. Letterboxes are used to show HD content on a 4:3 aspect ratio TV. However, with a 16:9 aspect ratio HDTV you may also have black bands at the top and bottom of the picture depending upon which wide screen format the program was produced in.

Pan and Scan is a tool that can be deployed to present 16:9 content onto a 4:3 television (vs. letterboxes).

Will all channels be in HDTV?

At this time they will not. Federal regulation mandates that sometime in the future (after 2006) all broadcast signals must transition from analog to HDTV. There is no federal mandate that cable channels switch to HDTV.

When will you get HDTV channels?

Cox Kansas launched High-Definition Service to its customers on September 2, 2003. In addition to ABC, and CBS, we are also currently in negotiations with other local broadcasters to gain retransmission consent for their HDTV signals. As we gain these consents, we will consider adding them to our Digital Cable service based on consumer demand and availability.

Will I be able to view my program guide?

Yes, the on-screen guide is capable of being displayed through our HDTV decoders depending on how you configure your system. You may or may not have this feature available.

Will I be able to view tapes with my VCR/DVD on my HDTV?

Yes, HDTV's will allow for VCR & DVD connections. Content quality will be limited by the capabilities of your VCR/DVD. Please consult your VCR/DVD owner's manual for any limitations.

How will High-Definition TV look on my regular analog television?

HDTV will not work on regular analog TVs since they don't support the interfaces required for HDTV signals.

How is High-Definition television set-top different from my current digital set-top?

The HD set-top box will be much the same as your current digital set-top box; however, it will have the ability to provide HD signals to your HDTV.