Noob question

[Shooter]

I'm currently debating between DirecTV and DISH. I like DirecTV because of having the Big 10 network, which is currently televising a game I'd like to be watching as I type this (go Illini!) :D Anyway, if I were to get a satellite setup, it would be for 3 rooms, possibly 4. I only have one HD television in the house. I would like to be able to watch the HD channels in more than just that one room. So, the question is, can I get the HD boxes hooked up to older TV's and still be able to get the HD channels, just not in as good a picture, or do I have to actually have HD televisions to hook them up to? thanks

[narcolept]

I'm currently debating between DirecTV and DISH. I like DirecTV because of having the Big 10 network, which is currently televising a game I'd like to be watching as I type this (go Illini!) :D Anyway, if I were to get a satellite setup, it would be for 3 rooms, possibly 4. I only have one HD television in the house. I would like to be able to watch the HD channels in more than just that one room. So, the question is, can I get the HD boxes hooked up to older TV's and still be able to get the HD channels, just not in as good a picture, or do I have to actually have HD televisions to hook them up to? thanks

You can order HD boxes for other TVs which are not HD -- It's generally good practice if you plan on upgrading those TVs at any point in the near future, you won't need to replace a box at that point.

Therefore, the answer would be "yes". Some say that it provides a better picture in general on an SD tv, which is most likely just a personal opinion. The flipside is that it couldn't hurt.

[HDTVsportsfan]

You can have an HD receiver connected to an SD TV and still see the HD channels. Of course they will be 4:3 and 480i.
I have an HR20-100 connected to an SD TV and it works fine.

Welcome to DBStalk.

[Smuuth]

All of the outputs on the advanced HD DIRECTV receivers (H20, H21, HR20, HR21) are active all the time. This means that you can connect an SD television to an HD receiver through one of the SD outputs (composite, Svideo) and it will work fine.

Welcome to DBSTalk! :welcome_s

[Shooter]

Thank you very much for the quick responses!

[twitchet]

for your hdtv you will have to have a hdbox for your older non hd tv's youll have the standard def boxs and you will only be able to get sd channels on your older tv's most of the hd channels have sd counterparts

[narcolept]

All of the outputs on the advanced DIRECTV receivers (H20, H21, HR20, HR21) are active all the time. This means that you can connect an SD television to an HD receiver through one of the SD outputs (composite, Svideo) are it will work fine.

Welcome to DBSTalk! :welcome_s

This would, however, mean that the OP would be watching the same thing on all TVs -- While this may be fine for some, or great in a pinch if you really want to watch something and have a really long cable, it would work out, but for every day viewing probably not an option.

Also, while composite and svideo do not carry HD signals, it should be noted that there are plenty of SD TVs made in the last 10 years or so that do have component inputs.

[narcolept]

for your hdtv you will have to have a hdbox for your older non hd tv's youll have the standard def boxs and you will only be able to get sd channels on your older tv's most of the hd channels have sd counterparts

Misinformation. As an earlier poster said, all channels would be available and D* would have no problem selling you HD boxes for SD sets, where you would be able to watch HD channels in 4:3 480.

[JeffTex42]

The H2x/HR2x have composite outputs that can be connected to non-HD TVs or you could get an RF modulator(s) if the TVs are really old. So, yes it's possible.

[HDTVsportsfan]

for your hdtv you will have to have a hdbox for your older non hd tv's youll have the standard def boxs and you will only be able to get sd channels on your older tv's most of the hd channels have sd counterparts

twitchet,

with respect....that is not accurate. You do not have to have an HDTV to use and view HD channels with an HD receiver. :)

[Shooter]

Ok, so just to be clear, if I have 4 sets, only one is HD in the living room, and I want to be able to watch something like the BigTen network in the basement while my wife is watching Discovery HD in the living room, if I have the HD box on the older set in the basement we'll be able to watch our individual programming on each set, right? Or is that not right?

[JeffTex42]

Ok, so just to be clear, if I have 4 sets, only one is HD in the living room, and I want to be able to watch something like the BigTen network in the basement while my wife is watching Discovery HD in the living room, if I have the HD box on the older set in the basement we'll be able to watch our individual programming on each set, right? Or is that not right?

I thought the Big 10 channel was being broadcast in SD as well??????

Edit: Channel 220 has SD and HD versions.

[HDTVsportsfan]

Ok, so just to be clear, if I have 4 sets, only one is HD in the living room, and I want to be able to watch something like the BigTen network in the basement while my wife is watching Discovery HD in the living room, if I have the HD box on the older set in the basement we'll be able to watch our individual programming on each set, right? Or is that not right?

That is correct. Just to be clear. One receiver...to one TV. I don't know if the Big 10 is broadcast in SD or not. I'm in ACC country....no need for Big 10.

[Shooter]

I thought the Big 10 channel was being broadcast in SD as well??????

Don't know. I've done cursory reviewing of the packages being offered by DISH and DirecTV, and I thought I only saw BigTen being offered as an HD channel. I could be wrong. However, the main point is that I just want to be able to watch separate HD channels simultaneously on 2 different sets, one of them being non-HD. Sorry if I've confused anything...

[Pink Fairy]

It is offered in both standard and high definition.

[JeffTex42]

Don't know. I've done cursory reviewing of the packages being offered by DISH and DirecTV, and I thought I only saw BigTen being offered as an HD channel. I could be wrong. However, the main point is that I just want to be able to watch separate HD channels simultaneously on 2 different sets, one of them being non-HD. Sorry if I've confused anything...

Then you'll need an HD receiver for each TV (HD or non-HD) you want to be able to watch any of the new HD channels on. The receiver can driver either type.

[Shooter]

Excellent. Thank you very much for the info. :biggthump

[dbhsatx]

When you are setting up your receivers just set the output on the ones hooked to the SD sets to output only 480i. If your set has a digital tuner you can use the component connection for a very clear picture on the SD set.

[cougar]

I'm currently debating between DirecTV and DISH. I like DirecTV because of having the Big 10 network...

I'm a DirecTV subscriber and I don't hesitate to recommend it, but Dish Network also carries the Big 10 Network :)

[Shooter]

hmmmm....is it a recent addition? The pamphlets I got from them a month or so ago don't mention that channel at all.

[Pink Fairy]

They started carrying it in standard I believe a couple months ago, and HD this past month with all the new HD offerings.

[Rakul]

Shooter, I currently have an HR20-100 hooked up to and old 32" SDTV and the picture quality is inproved when I watch HD stations even though they are in 4:3 480i (I have mine letter boxed though)

[Smuuth]

When you are setting up your receivers just set the output on the ones hooked to the SD sets to output only 480i. If your set has a digital tuner you can use the component connection for a very clear picture on the SD set.That is not necessary. If he hooks the SD television to the composite or S-Video output, it will be 480i.

[rahchgo]

Shooter,
There are currently only 8 channels that D* broadcasts in HD only. They are listed in the following link. All others would be available (including 220) on one of the SD receivers, depending on the package.
http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPageNR.jsp?assetId=P4380114

If you do not wish to spend the money for an HD box for your SD TV's, another option is to install SD receivers on them for now. The only channels that you would not get are those eight.

P.S. Big Ten Network is on the Choice package.

[cougar]

hmmmm....is it a recent addition? The pamphlets I got from them a month or so ago don't mention that channel at all.

It hasn't been around long, probably happened after the pamphlets were printed. Here's their press release:

http://www.dishnetwork.com/downloads/pdf/about_us/press_room/Big10.pdf