Is direct tv hd...hd 'light"? considering switch to dTV please help [Archive]

rpgoblue

07-04-05, 06:54 AM

I am currently a Dish Network subscriber and very unhappy as a sports fan with Dish. So, i am strongly considering a switch. Here are a few questions, if someone can help.

1. Is Direct Tv HD truly HD? I have heard that the quality is sub-par?

2. Is CBS the only HD local in the detroit area, are others on their way, etc?

3. Will direct tv be offering better deals on the HD/DVR units come August 1, 2005? I had heard rumblings that their may be discounts ont he way for NEW subscribers.

THanks for your help

Igor

07-04-05, 04:42 PM

DIRECTV HD is HD. I have it and like it.

DIRECTV will be converting their HDTV transmission to MPEG-4, it will require new boxes. I read somewhere in this or other forum that DIRECTV plans to upgrade the current HD equipment at our homes.

DCSholtis

07-04-05, 11:29 PM

2. Is CBS the only HD local in the detroit area, are others on their way, etc?

THanks for your help

Would depend on if the other nets in the Detroit area other than CBS are owned and Operated. IF they are then you will get the NY HD feed for the corresponding network.

KingLoop

07-05-05, 08:16 AM

Is CBS the only HD local in the detroit area, are others on their way?
In the Detroit DMA, CBS (which dish has to offer you) is O&O and also Fox is O&O, with the advent of MPEG 4 the Detroit locals will be on the list of HD DMAs carried by E* and D*.

vurbano

07-05-05, 09:50 AM

I am currently a Dish Network subscriber and very unhappy as a sports fan with Dish. So, i am strongly considering a switch. Here are a few questions, if someone can help.

1. Is Direct Tv HD truly HD? I have heard that the quality is sub-par?

2. Is CBS the only HD local in the detroit area, are others on their way, etc?

3. Will direct tv be offering better deals on the HD/DVR units come August 1, 2005? I had heard rumblings that their may be discounts ont he way for NEW subscribers.

THanks for your help

1. No. yes it is. All 1080i is downrezzed and bitstarved.
2. No clue
3. Who knows.

TomBrady

07-05-05, 10:51 AM

1. Is Direct Tv HD truly HD? I have heard that the quality is sub-par?

Directv has pretty good picture quality, people who ussually say this have sub par displays or they are just D* haters, like the poster above this ^

jdspencer

07-05-05, 07:01 PM

IMHO, Any HD is good HD. Any problems with PQ will get better once DirecTV gets the new satellites up and operational.

dfergie

07-05-05, 09:58 PM

Directv has pretty good picture quality, people who ussually say this have sub par displays or they are just D* haters, like the poster above this ^ I have both and will keep both...but on the same networks (cbshd East and West, Hdnet, Hdnet movies, Espn and Discovery and had SHo...) E*'s PQ blows D* away...

Scott Greczkowski

07-06-05, 01:18 PM

Is DirecTV's HD really HD?

Read this and decide for yourself.

http://www.nohdtax.com/isithd.htm

peano

07-07-05, 12:32 PM

I just got hooked up with E* HD in addition to my D* HD. The PQ on Dish is noticeably better. I will be cancelling D* HD.

julesism

07-07-05, 12:40 PM

I agree. PQ is better on E*.

nostar

07-07-05, 02:50 PM

How's the PQ on NBC HD and FOX HD on E*?

D* provides me with Network HD that I have no access to with any other solution.

KingLoop

07-07-05, 05:44 PM

How's the PQ on NBC HD and FOX HD on E*?

D* provides me with Network HD that I have no access to with any other solution.
E* carries neither of those channels in HD.

Newshawk

07-08-05, 12:24 AM

E* carries neither of those channels in HD.

EXACTLY!

dfergie

07-08-05, 10:28 AM

How's the PQ on NBC HD and FOX HD on E*?

D* provides me with Network HD that I have no access to with any other solution.thats why I keep D* (along with UHD)

kcho6

07-08-05, 02:58 PM

If you're a sports fan than D* is the way to go. I just received D* HD. It's much better than analog, however I can't compare it to E*, I never had it. According to other replies, E* has better quality. So whats more important to ya sport, better sports or better pq?

Sports is my answer, if anyone cares to know

peano

07-08-05, 06:11 PM

I am an HD junkie so, up until recently, I have had D* HD, E* HD, cable HD and have temporarily set-up OTA HD until I can roof mount my CM4228.

Cable and OTA are the best, followed closely by E*.

D* HD is a very distant fourth in PQ and I have just cancelled it.

wipeout

07-09-05, 10:37 AM

I must admit the pq on my D* HD has been lacking in recent months. Looked great when I first got it but now appears rather grainy.

caryt

07-11-05, 12:29 PM

I am an HD junkie so, up until recently, I have had D* HD, E* HD, cable HD and have temporarily set-up OTA HD until I can roof mount my CM4228.

Cable and OTA are the best, followed closely by E*.

D* HD is a very distant fourth in PQ and I have just cancelled it.

Hate to burst your bubble but C-band beats them all :) Nothing like 1st generation, uncompressed.

cary

peano

07-12-05, 08:49 PM

I don't think OTA or cable is compressed.

DNewton

07-20-05, 11:28 AM

I can't sppeak for others but my DirecTV HD programming is as sharp and clear as my local OTA programming. I compare video-sourced content on DirecTv to the same on OTA, and filmed content to filmed content for a true comparison. Everything looks just as good. Shows recorded at all hours on my HD DirecTiVo are crisp and clear. No complaints here. I have had DirecTV HD programming for over 2 and a half years now, with a HD TiVo for about a year now. I had a SD TiVo the day that Phillips released theirs way back (I have been with DirecTV since 1996). the point being, I have seen a few shows on DirecTV, in SD and HD! ;-)

peano

07-20-05, 04:41 PM

That might depend on the quality of your display that you can't notice the difference.