Ok, so I just got a new TV...Bought a Samsung TXN3075WHF, which is a 30" widescreen with HDTV capability.

Now, I got it connected up to my DISH Network (I prefer their programming over Cox's programming in the area), but I'm also connecting up to my parents' cable connection for shits & giggles.

The manual in it states that I have a choice for the ANT/CATV connection, between STD, HRC, and IRC service. The direct quote from the manual says, "Note: STD, HRC, and IRC identify various types of cable TV systems. Contact your local cable company to identify the type of cable system that exists in your particular area."

I get all of the same cable tv channels on STD, HRC, and IRC settings; is there any difference between the three? (i.e. one type offers hi def broadcasts without a receiver box, etc)

Anyone know the difference with this? I'd rather not call Cox's customer service and try to figure it out, because odds are I'd get some poor sucker who's getting paid $10/hr to answer the phone and say, "Call your tv manufacturer. I don't care WHAT they say in the manual, we can't help."

The three settings change the freq. just a bit. This was the cable's attemp to force the customer to use their remote at $5.00 amonth. Std is for standard and the other to are off freq. If you are getting them with no problem, then the Dish tuner is able to handle off freq. Most systems are std or irc, this may vary to your area.

Well, the Dish tuner isn't getting a cable feed into it; the cable feed is going directly into the TV itself...I'm trying to compare the difference in signal strength, and so far, the Dish stuff looks better than Cox's signal.

Plus, I get my DVR with my Dish...Cox has theirs as well, but in order to get it my parents have to sign up for Digital telephone service. Not gonna happen, considering my mom works for SBC Telephone and gets a discount/free services. :)

Exactly. But STD is short for standard, meaning that cable channels 14 - 22 fill in the large space above the FM band between channels 6 and 7, then just march up the band above channel 13.

As for HRC and IRC, the practical result of having your switch set wrong MAY be that SOME stations do not come in in color. Otherwise you might not notice it.

And now, a quote:

""HRC" is harmonically related carriers. "IRC" is incrementally related carriers. These are schemes that some cable systems use to reduce the visibility of beat products.
"By harmonically relating the carrier frequencies themselves it is ... possible to improve system performance. This does not reduce the beats produced, but positions them within the system transmission spectrum such that they are more tolerable. In effect, all signal carriers are spaced precisely 6 MHz apart, thus all beats generated are at 6 MHz increments.
"Since the television signals are vestigial sideband modulated, if the beat products can be manipulated to fall on or near the RF carriers themselves, they are much less offensive.."

--from William Grant, Cable Television, 2nd edition, GWG Associates, Schoharie, NY, 1988, page 82

Coolio!!! I knew if I posted that here, SOMEONE would be able to tell me. :)

Doesn't make much difference with the Cox Cable feed, I'm noticing...Except that a few of the local channels don't want to tune in as quickly on HRC & IRC as when I've got the tv on the STD setting...It's like it's ramping up to a clean signal...

Doesn't matter, I still like the Dish feed better than the Cox feed...:)

Now for the sarcasm: I ABSOLUTELY MUST find a way to put into my posts that drawing of Bart Simpson writing 100 times on the blackboard "Iwill use Google before asking dumb questions."

I used google to get those answers. The only part that is not from google is the bit about some TVs not giving you color if you use the wrong setting.


It's even more like the TV tuner swinging way wide of the center frequency for the station so its automatic frequency control (cleverly called AFC in some venues) can lock on to that crazily offset channel!


Let's see, DVD or VCR, which is better? Dish feed or Cox feed, which is better?

I just installed a TV WONDER PRO tuner card in my computer. My cable company broadcasts using HRC/IRC which it turns out is incompatible with the TI tuner card. I only get channels 5 and 6 in black and white. ATI hasn't found a solution, has anyone out there?

thanks

I think your cable company can only broadcast in HRC or IRC, not both as you seem to indicate.

If ATI has no solution, you can's use it with your cable company. Looks like another computer-oriented company has made a product that shows its limited knowledge of the A/V field.