Flat-panel TVs in US/CA Hyatt locations
 

As many folks know, Hyatt are upgrading to flat-panel High-Definition TVs in many/most US/CA Hyatt locations. This is generally a good thing.

However, I've seen several of the initial HD Flat Panel TV deployments now and there is an issue. At all of the properties I've been to so far (Hyatt in YVR is an example), they are not upgrading the in-hotel TV distribution system. So the room has a nice HD Flat Panel TV -- but the program feeds are old analogue and look dreadful on the upgraded TVs.

Hyatt really ought to be upgrading the in-hotel TV distribution system to distribute digital TV signals, preferably HD/widescreen digital TV signals, as part of the HD Flat Panel TV upgrade process. So far, I see no evidence of this.

In talking with the GM of the Marriott SFO recently, he said they are about to upgrade their TVs to HD Flat Panel models -- AND they will upgrade to HD/widescreen digital TV signals for the in-hotel TV signal distribution -- AT THE SAME TIME.

Have others seen any Hyatt properties in US/CA that have moved to digital TV signals, so the HD Flat Panel TVs have a really good picture ?

What do other folks think about this ?

I've seen new flat panel TV's in a number of Hyatt's over the past several months, and not a single one was fed an HD signal. This includes a few newly renovated Hyatt Place properties, which all have big flat panel HD TV's, in every room, with not a single HD channel. I don't get it.

Conversely, I've been in a couple Westin hotels with flat panels, and they were properly equipped with HD channels.

I'm with you. If they're going to spend the money to upgrade to HD TV's, wouldn't it make sense to feed them an HD signal? :confused: Makes me scratch my head.

Honestly, there must be a difference between an "analog TV" screen from HD or digital. This past weekend I was an PLAT upgraded to a corner suite from my past. This last room was a corner room with two, Samsung LCD screens. However, I went to get my dinner from a sports bar which switched into HD from two of their 8 screens. San Diegans do suck! There were other NBA games to maintain their duties at the time, but I don't really care.

I think the upgrade is inevidible. There is a law that says the US TV system must be digital by next year. They have to be working on it, but it's not an overnight thing. I really think patience is in order here because all tv will be digital a year from now.

Plenty of hotels will likely still distribute analog SD signals to the rooms even once all broadcasts switch to HD, esepcially since most hotels receive service from a cable company or satellite provider.

It could well just be a lack of understanding. I know that in many stores that sell HD TVs, I've seen 'warning signs' posted that say 'You must have an HD signal to get an HD picture'. I'm guessing the signs are up because of the number of people who bought HD sets based on the in-store display with HD signal, then got home (no HD signal) and got pissed off that the picture wasn't as good. So, I think it's possible Hyatt managers/corporate think all they need to do is put in the HD TVs and everything will be fine.

The Hyatt Place Phoenix North has HD channels.

So do HP College Station and GH DFW in TX.

The problem here is not so much in the hotels because they only distribute the signal they (usually) get from satelites. If the programming is in HD there is no reason not to have it in the rooms.

I'm no lawyer, but the way I read this law is that the analog signals will be gone for good. Older TV's will have to have a box to even work (and even some won't regardless). A timeline of the law reads like this:

February 17, 2009 Analog TV broadcasts from full-power TV stations in the US ends.

Does this not mean that a transformation is imminent?

In my experience HPs have HD channels and quite a few of them.

Unfortunately this is not the case at most full-service Hyatts, even those with recently installed flat-screen LCDs.

The only people directly affected on that date are those who watch local over-the-air broadcasts (i.e. using a VHF/UHF antenna instead of via cable or a satellite dish). From that date on, you'll need a convertor box to continue using the older analog only TV's, not unlike those people right now who already subscribe to satellite TV services or digital or premium cable. And there should be no reason why any TV won't be able to use the box. (Are there any TV's that you can't hook a VCR to, for example?)

The government is distributing $40 off coupons for these boxes at: https://www.dtv2009.gov/

Right now, just about every broadcast station is already transmitting an analog signal and a digital signal over a different frequency. In Feb of next year, they'll simply shut off the analog broadcasts.

There will be no immediate effect for anyone who watches TV strictly via cable or satellite. I think cable operators have to switch the signal coming out of the wall in your house to an all digital signal an additional year later. When that happens, those with older analog TV who connect a cable directly from the wall to their TV (instead of through a box for those that subscribe to digital or premium services) will then need a box from their cable operators.

In addition, Hyatt Place Scottsdale and Hyatt Place Tempe have the HD signals also. Matter of fact, the channel readout will tell you whether the signal is analogue or HD

The law and that deadline apply ONLY to over-the-air TV broadcasts. That law does not apply to cable TV systems, satellite TV, or hotel rooms that are fed by either satellite or cable TV.

I've not been at a hotel that used an ordinary over-the-air TV antenna in years. Most hotels seem to have some form of satellite provider.

what about the dark image on screen without apparent adjustment?
 

I've stayed in the 2 HP in the PIT area. In both cases the image on the screen was very dark and I could find nowhere in the adjustment menus available from the remote any way to adjust brightness or contrast. Is this related to digital versus analog or is there some light detector somewhere on the device that 'adjusts' for ambient light? Or am I missing something on the menus where I can fix this? I asked at the front desks, they were clueless though to be fair I am always there after normal business hours when the staffing would be more complete.