How to make sure you're watching Super Bowl XLII in HD
By Ben Drawbaugh 
posted Jan 29th 2008 10:33AM
posted Jan 29th 2008 10:33AM
The big game is almost upon us and Engadget HD readers know all too well how many people out there have HDTVs, but aren't watching HD. And since many of us will be at Super Bowl parties, it is our duty to get to the party a little early and make sure the HDTV is setup properly. Or if you think your HDTV is setup properly it never hurts to double check and here are some rules that should go without saying, but we're not going to let that stop us.- Just because you have an HDTV, doesn't meant you're watching HD.
- Just because you have an HDTV STB, doesn't mean you are watching HD.
- And just because you have an HDMI or component cable connecting your HD STB to your HDTV, doesn't mean you are watching HD.
- Try to get to the party a little early, most won't appreciate you adjusting the TV during the big game so get it all checked out before hand.
- Make sure the HD STB is connected to the HDTV via either component or HDMI and look at what input you are plugged into, many HDTV have multiples of each.
- Check the STB and verify that it is set to the appropriate output resolution for the HDTV, most TVs will be 720p or 1080i. Consult the manual for supported resolutions on each input, some STBs can be configured with the remote like a TiVo, others will have a resolution button on the front of the box. Most cable boxes like Motorola and Scientific Atlanta are less than intuitive, so be prepared to download the manual for the STB. For example some of the Motorola DVRs requires the STB to be in the standby state to configure the output resolution.
- After you're sure the STB is configured correctly, double check the HDTV to make sure that the correct input is selected.
- Make sure that all the stretch modes are turned off. Both the HDTV and the STB will have stretch modes so you need to double check both of them since many installers leave them on so customers don't call and complain about black bars. Most of the time the button on the remote to set the stretch mode will be plainly marked, but in same cases like the remote Bright House Networks gives out for their SA STBs it is the # key -- we're not sure how anyone could ever figure that out other wise, but hey what do you expect?
- Verify that you are watching the HD version of Fox. Most providers carry both an analog version and the HD Version, and because there are still some cable and satellite providers that don't carry Fox HD, you may need to result to putting up an OTA antenna.
Now that everything you have verified that everything is setup properly you can finally enjoy the game in HD!
The sound for the game on FoxHD will be regular stereo rather than some newer and tricksier format, right?
If by "tricksier" you mean dolby digital, that is what it's broadcast in. Not "regular stereo".
This has inspired me to create a giant flowchart to hand out to customers. I don't know why HDTV is such a mystery to everyone, but it is.
When I was home for the holidays, my own father in-law had his 50" Sony RPTV, HD cable box, and HD service from them hooked up with composite cables. So close!
To top things off, he got his son a PS3 for Christmas and I had to help them hook it up to his 32" LCD through an RF modulator..........
It's amazing how many people think that they are hooked up to HD just because they have an HDTV. Your own family may be thinking this same thing! It's your job to help them!
It won't even be available in HD in my area. Our Fox affiliate broadcasts on a sub-channel of our NBC affiliate. NBC is in HD, Fox is not.
man thats that ghetto fox....im sorry to hear thats the case for you dude....
yep enjoy the game in glorious 720p(thanks fox, you cheap bastards)
Wow, you really can see the difference between 720p and 1080i? You must have Terminator eyes or something.
Yes, there is a difference and no, you don't need "Terminator eyes" to notice; just a good display (Samsung 4671 in my case). I was flipping around between the affiliates last night for the State of the Onion address, and NBC 1080i was the best with the 720p affiliates (Fox and ABC) lagging behind. You will also find this on other sources.
@Student Driver:
I've been looking at that TV. Do you watch sports? Any blur? That's my only concern, but it seems like it is pretty nice.
You are aware that 720p is 60 frames per second, right? And that 1080i sucks for motion?
720p means 720 lines drawn every time (and usually, as pointed out, 60 times a sec. That's a lot of info). 1080i means 540 lines drawn each time. On a 1080p HDTV a 720p signal is going to look better, despite the results of your rigorously scientific analysis.
This is all based on my own rigorous scientific analysis (read: none), so I'm really only regurgitating what others have said. Hope nobody gets their panties in a wad.
Only TV with bad de-interlacers will look better with 720p then 1080i and that is because they throw away 540 of the lines, and double the remaining lines. Don't buy a TV that does this.
Godfa7h3r, you are correct. Most people have high def components and still hook it the composite or s-video. The cable installer and providers are so cheap and in a hurry. I had to provide my own component cables for my HD box and I have to pay 8.95 rental fee for the box. That is a total rip-off but I must have ESPN HD so I tolerate. If I could pick ESPN over the air I would just a antenna.
The best is people trying to get 5.1 sound, but using RCA (red/white) audio cables....
the picture you have for your icon makes your comment SO much funnier.
yes I can tell a big difference. what are you watching on a 32 inch tv?
if you have a 50" or bigger TV you can see a big difference in 1080i vs 720p. the 720p is alot less detailes and, when zoomed out as in football, you can see tons of artifacts around every player etc.
Fox and there 720P looks great in my area. No macroblocking or artifacts, can't say they same for the 1080i wizards over at NBC and CBS.
Ben, you forgot one.
4. Just because you have everything hooked up properly, and you have 20/200 vision, doesn't mean you are watching HD.
i love it, ben. how to be a tv-calibrating ninja. in other words-- how to enjoy the super bowl completely, rather than notice motion-blur triple ball, neon green grass, and extra-wide wide-receivers.
Couldn't a version of step 6 be step 1?
"Turn on the tv and see if you are getting a good HD picture on Fox."
I'll be watching on my 13" black and white TV at work... :-)
In reality, the absolute best picture, regardless of 720 or 1080 - HDMI or non-HDMI is going to come for free....OVER THE AIR! However, that's only true for the 60% of the country that is within the range of a FOX broadcasting HD tower.
Fox has a reason for broadcasting in 720p...it's not because they are cheap.
In the USA, 720p is used by ABC, Fox Broadcasting Company and ESPN because the smoother image is desirable for fast-action sports telecasts, whereas 1080i is used by CBS, NBC, HBO, Showtime and Discovery HD due to the crisper picture particularly in non-moving shots.
Student Driver is right that the state of the union is better in 1080i, but sports look far better in 720p...sorry midnight.
In the USA, 720p is used by ABC, Fox Broadcasting Company and ESPN because the smoother image is desirable for fast-action sports telecasts, whereas 1080i is used by CBS, NBC, HBO, Showtime and Discovery HD due to the crisper picture particularly in non-moving shots.
Plus, approximately 88% of the HD sets currently installed in the US can ONLY display in 720p or less!
I actually enjoyed reading an EngadgetHD post for the first time in a long time.
This does sound like a nerdy obsession to outsiders, but it just makes me giddy inside.
I feel you.
As for the best picture, ESPN Monday night football is awesome in 720P. All my friends notice too. With that, the Discovery Channel in 1080i is just as beautiful. It just proves its how its sent, they both can be great.
weird article...I figure if you are reading EngadgetHD and you would already know how to hook up your TV and watch an HD Signal.
The idea is to make sure other people's HDTV sets are configured to receive HDTV properly if you are partying at their house.
TO Charles:
The same analogy applies...If you are into all things HD and still don't know how to hook up your friends HD, then you are not really into HD at all...
Great write-up. I linked to it from our website.
http://girlsentertainmentnetwork.com
What's the superbowl?