DirecTV picture quality Sony KV32HS510

[aidendey]

Hello Folks, I am a newbie, but have been tinkering with audio/visual equipment for 25 years,( just my way of saying I have checked all of the obvious problem areas). Here is the rub: Using a 1995 vintage DirecTV dish, with (2) outputs for receivers. I am using both, one powering the receiver in the bedroom, one powering the receiver in my 'home theater" room. I was using a Sony KV27XBR95s(4:3 27") TV alone, before adding the KV32HS510, (4:3 32"). The picture quality on the 27XBR is quite good, no matter WHICH receiver or inputs ( coax, composite, S-VHS) you use to display the DirecTV picture. I decided to go with a bigger screen, thus the HS510. Which, from all of my research, appears to be the top of the line 2003 Sony 32 inch model unless you go 16:9. So I hook it up with a new Hughes "Executive Director's Pack" receiver, model #HAH-SA, with component video and optical Dolby Digital outputs. The picture quality on the 32HS510 seems like it is "out of focus" a tiny bit. No matter which receiver, which inputs (including component) I use, or whatever adjustments I make, the picture clarity is lacking. DirecTV signal strength is 88/90. If I play a DVD using the progressive scan inputs on the HS510, the picture quality is absolutely fantastic, even if you sit too close to the screen. Perfect detail, even the 27XBR was not quite this good in DVD playback, (but it had no component inputs). Can anyone give me an idea of what is going on here? The lack of detail is quite noticeable, bothersome in fact. When they delivered the HS510, they tipped the box end-over-end to get it up two flights of stairs instead of using the box's built in carrying handles. If something was knocked out of alignment, wouldn't it be evident in the DVD playback as well? Any help would be greatly appreciated. TIA, Aidendey

[nuke]

Are you signed up for HD service on DirectTV?

If you are looking at the standard definition DirectTV channels, they are all gonna look a bit fuzzy from the very high compression they use on the image data.

It's readily viewable on my 27 inch TV, but tolerable from the couch. I don't like it though.

[scottwood2]

I am concerned about this as well. I have E* now and I may switch. Looking for a comparison of the E* and D* picture for the SD output.

The DVD output on my system is much better that the output from the E* satellite but it is not fuzzy. I seen in another post that they returned the standard 35 hour DVR because of the poor picture and bought the Samsung 100 hour DVR. Stated that it was a much better picture.

[bonscott87]

PQ is a matter of taste between E* and D* so debating that will do no good. For me E* is too "soft" and it drives me nuts where as D* is sharper to my eye. Thus I like D* PQ better. Others may be the other way around. No one is right or wrong in that debate.

But one thing to remember is that the bigger the screen the worse an standard def picture is going to look, no matter if it's D*, E* or cable. It's just a matter of blowing up a crappy to begin with picture.

On my 43" widescreen Hitachi HD set, D* channels range from great to "ok". Really depends on how much compression for that channel. And of course with big screen you need to sit back from the screen a bit. About 8-10 feet for my 43" is perfect.

And of course a DVD will *always* look better then standard def channels. Only thing that will look better then a DVD will be true HD channels.

[scottwood2]

Thanks for the info

My main concern is the fuzzy picture some talked about. I can see a variety of compression from E* but I thought the picture always looked clear (not fuzzy). Good to hear that you think the picture is actually sharper that E*. I know the quality of the video output can vary a lot. Just was concerned that the base DTivo's may have a low quality video output.

[tkrandall]

I posted a seperate thread last Friday about fuzziness.

I am a D* newbie.

I have a standard definition Hughes TIVO box and 32 inch Sony Flat Screen. There seems to be some variability with the fuzziness I see.

Last night during the Oakland-Boston game the image was rather clear. At other times the image seems a bit fuzzy/blocky. Appears to me to be a de-coding /compression phenomenon.

[scottwood2]

I made the switch last Saturday. So far I am happy with D* but I have noticed the fuzziness sometimes. the big test will be watching it on my projector. My receiver is in the repair shop so I am not using the projector right now.

Will post my thoughts on the TIvo soon. So far, I like it better but the slowness of the system is a pain sometimes. Granted that the Tivo does a lot more than the 508 ever did.