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Frequently Asked Questions

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 5.1.

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

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

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

HDTV Ready or HDTV Capable (the terms are used interchangeably) means that the HDTV set is capable of delivering the HDTV signal, but requires the addition of an external receiver/tuner or HD cable set top box to pick up the HD signals. 

An HDTV Integrated set, a significantly more expensive option, is one with an HD tuner built in.  While this type of HD set will allow consumers to pick up unencrypted HD broadcast signals without an external receiver/tuner or set top box, most of these integrated sets still require the external receiver/HD set top box to get the full array of HD channels.  With Cox, those channels include ESPN HD, Discovery HD Theater, HBO HD and Showtime HD.

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

• HD-capable or HD-ready TV set that supports 1080i or 720p inputs and has a YpbPr input.
• HD set-top box available to lease from Cox for only $9.95 per month.

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 an HDTV-Capable or HD-ready 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. Your TV must support 1080i or 720p.

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 what ever level signal we receive from the source.

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.