Do you have HDTV in Southern MD?

[SSUNBRN]

I recently got an HDTV for the superbowl. Right now I'm with Comcast and I'm not too happy about their service. Also, my promotional period just ended so my bill for TV/internet is around $120 a month.

If you have HDTV, what provider do you use? How is the quality? From what I understand, Dish Network has the most HDTV channels, so I most likely will go with them.

Thanks for any input you can provide!

 

[Chasey_Lane]

I'm with MetroCast. Their HD package is good, but in all honesty, a superior-quality television makes ALL the difference. Your best buy is Pioneer!

 

[SSUNBRN]

I already purchased the TV; ended up with a SONY 60" SXRD. I'm very impressed with the picture! I've never even heard of MetroCast-is that satellite based? How are their rates? How many HD channels do you have?

I’ve noticed a problem with Comcast: On some of the HD channels, the audio is a fraction of a second ahead of the video. Has anyone else experienced this?

Thanks!

Edit: Based on posts below I now know what MetroCast is. I've also purchased a receiver with an audio delay to fix my sync problem. Thanks!

 

[Ninetysixdelta]

Metrocast is cable-based and offers exactly 20 HD channels:

WMAR ABC Baltimore
WETA PBS Washington
WRC NBC Washington
WJLA ABC Washington
WUSA CBS Washington
WBAL NBC Baltimore
WTTG FOX Washington
Discovery HD
Showtime HD
HBO HD
HDNet HDTV
HDNet HDMovies
Bravo HD
TNT HD
Wealth HD
ESPN HD
NFL Network HD
Outdoor Channel HD
Starz HD
Cinemax HD

When the broadcast networks are showing a program not filmed in HD, the black bars at either side of the picture are sent along with the signal so you don't have to fiddle with your HDTV's screen settings, which is nice.

Edit: Actually, all of the HD channels do that when showing a non-HD program. Apparently it's a communications standard.

 

[SSUNBRN]

I looked up metrocast and got the following website:
http://www.metrocastcablevision.com/about_coverage.cfm

It appears this is a service that is available in New Hampshire and Maine. Are they available in southern maryland?

Edit:
Looking deeper, I found the following website:
http://www.metrocastcommunications.com/

According to this resource, it is available in communities in Virginia and Maryland. When I put my Waldorf zip code in, however, it says that service is not available.

Anyone with Dish Network on the boards?

 

[Fred Hoeck]

I have had HD with DirecTV for a little over four years. They add new channels, originally on HDnet and HBOhd, now ESPN, ESPN2, Discovery, Universal HD, HDnet Movies, some PPV movies, Showtime HD. Carries NBC and Fox in HD, the New York Feeds. So, will get upcoming Olympics in HD from NBC and Universal HD!!
Metrocast is the St. Mary's County Cable TV, so you would not get it in Waldorf.
DirecTV plans to add DC local in HD this year.
The sound out of sync is a problem with the HD format. I switch channels and back and it seems to clear it up. This problem is seen on all transmissions including over the air. In Waldorf, you should be able to pick up D.C. channels with a good UHF anntenna, Check out www.antennaweb.com for direction to point. I know people in northern part of St. Mary's County who can pick up WUSA-DT good.
I would try that, assumming you have over the air HD tuner.

 

[Nickel]

Anyone with Dish Network on the boards?

I have Dish Network, but don't have a high definition television. :shrug:

 

[Ponytail]

I've had DirectTV HD for about a year now. I haven't had any problems with it other than a weak signal due to all of the trees around my house, thus loosing the signal when ever it rains.

But I havn't had the issues of sound being out of sync as was mentioned by Fred. I like it, though I do wish they offered more HD programming. I have the Expanded basic, HD (7 HD channels (Discovery, ESPN, HD Movie net...) and Showtime packages includes one Showtime HD channel, and my bill is $72/month.

 

[SSUNBRN]

TTT - Anyone else with HD around here? Also, has anyone recently signed up for Dish Network? What deal did you get? Anyone know where to find good deals to sign up?

 

[2ndAmendment]

I already purchased the TV; ended up with a SONY 60" SXRD. I'm very impressed with the picture! I've never even heard of MetroCast-is that satellite based? How are their rates? How many HD channels do you have?

I’ve noticed a problem with Comcast: On some of the HD channels, the audio is a fraction of a second ahead of the video. Has anyone else experienced this?

Thanks!

That can be a common problem since the digital video must be decoded. Most home theater systems have a delay that you can set to delay the audio.