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C61K-related Question: Is DirecTV's 4K content noticeably better than 1080p?

4K views 116 replies 23 participants last post by  Rich 
#1 · (Edited)
A few months ago, we moved into the brand new house we built. At that time, I had DirecTV installed, servicing a total of eight TVs. I told them I wanted their best, most advanced equipment, regardless of cost. They gave me a Genie 2 and eight wireless genie minis. A short time later, I discovered none of the equipment was 4K compatible, despite the fact that all of my TVs are. So I called and asked about that - why they never mentioned that fact, despite me requesting their "best, most advanced equipment". I wasn't given a good answer, and worse, was told I could not upgrade any of my equipment with 4K-compatible equipment (i.e. C61K) until, like a year. So at the time I just dropped it. Now that football season is upon us, I'm revisiting this because I'd like the best-possible 4K picture for football, at least on one TV - the big one in my primary viewing location.

My questions are:
  1. Can I just purchase a C61K online to replace one of my genie minis to get 4K content?
  2. If yes to #1 above, is it worth it? Will I be able to see a noticeable difference in picture quality when viewing a live event like an NFL game on the C61K vs my existing mini? DirecTV's compression techniques make me question this.
Thanks in advance!
 
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#3 ·
  1. If yes to #1 above, is it worth it? Will I be able to see a noticeable difference in picture quality when viewing a live event like an NFL game on the C61K vs my existing mini? DirecTV's compression techniques make me question this.
Thanks in advance!
I'm thinking about upgrading to 4K but I don't want the HS17 system. What bothers me is all the negative postings we've seen about the C61Ks. No matter what we do we can't seem to get away from having to use a C61K. That's the first "con" I have.

The second "con" is the lack of 4K content at this time on D*. Yeah, I do see some football games are coming on now in 4K but they seem to be few and far between. In your case, someone with an HS17, I wouldn't worry about upgrading at this time. In my case I'd want a 54 and I'd keep five HR-24s. I have a feeling I'm gonna be out of luck if I don't get a 54 soon.

Is it worth it? Is there that much difference in PQ? I really don't know. I do see a lot of 4K content when streaming and the difference is noticeable but not the difference we saw when we switched from SD to HD. I'd make the jump in a heartbeat if the difference was that great.

Rich
 
#9 ·
I guessing at the Time you did NOT have a 4K TV? If you Call D* and Request a 4K up grade and Do not have a 4K tv -they will not install a c61K.

Is you Accout Still with D* or has it Changed to AT&T account?

Thay may affect buying a c61K online and having it activated -- Yes -you will notice a Difference --the Thursday Night Foot Ball Games are Great - When shown -you can see the dimples on the foot ball

Since you HAVE a HS-17 --I would Suggest you call D* and up Grade to 4K that way.
 
#25 ·
I guessing at the Time you did NOT have a 4K TV? If you Call D* and Request a 4K up grade and Do not have a 4K tv -they will not install a c61K.

Is you Accout Still with D* or has it Changed to AT&T account?

Thay may affect buying a c61K online and having it activated -- Yes -you will notice a Difference --the Thursday Night Foot Ball Games are Great - When shown -you can see the dimples on the foot ball

Since you HAVE a HS-17 --I would Suggest you call D* and up Grade to 4K that way.
That takes me a step forward. I'm thinking of getting a 54 and the 4K setup.

Rich
 
#11 ·
I am jealous RAD. I tried three different techs and they pretty much replaced everything including the HS17 and the C61K. Since I am a major sports nut I am very disappointed to be missing 4K football. I got sound drop every 3 or 4 minutes. Just for 2 seconds but replacing all the cables and trying different HDMI inputs the last tech just said it couldn't be fixed. As I mentioned, he was the third tech.
 
#12 ·
Back in 2016 there was a known audio drop out issue with the C61K-700 that took DIRECTV quite awhile to correct with a software update. Since then my C61K-700 has been issue free. Are you using other equipment (Audio Video Receiver, Sound Bar) with your DIRECTV set up?
 
#22 ·
If you feel they did not give you the proper equipment at your initial install, instead of trying to deal with an AT&T CSR, I would file a complaint through the BBB (Better Business Bureau). You will get a call from someone at the Office of the President in 2-3 days and they will help you try to get the dispute settled. I had a problem and lost the main 4K channel 104 and after almost two months of frustration dealing with the AT&T CSR's and being lied to and given inaccurate information on multiple occasions and having them replace the C61K which did not help I finally filed the complaint with the BBB. Two days later I got the call from the Office of the President and within 10 minutes he had the 4k channel working.
 
#23 ·
I would say yes you will notice a significant difference in picture quality when upgrading to 4k. The NFL games are only 1080p upscaled to 4k but still looks a lot better than the Fox, CBS, NBC, or ESPN HD broadcasts. ESPN just started doing one NCAA football game a week and it's actually in native 4k and looks amazing. NBA games have looked great as well. And the Olympics next year should be amazing. The Summer and Winter Olympics were the best 4k broadcasts I've seen probably because they were using 8k cameras. So yes you should be able to notice a pretty big difference in picture quality and the bigger your tv, the more likely you'll see a difference. I would recommend at least a 65 inch tv to notice a difference. I upgraded to a 77 inch from a 65 inch tv last year and the improvement in picture quality and resolution is even more noticeable in my opinion.
 
#40 ·
I would add the First oerson -Tried to upgrade me to a Genie (which ) I already had on my account -- That's why I had to pasted up the chain - "SHE" SAID ' I need to upgrade you and I said FINE
 
#43 ·
wanted to share my experience. I have 2 C61K and an HS17. I watch 4K on my LG 65" OLED TV.

The picture quality on most 4K programs is simply amazing. I can't understand how somebody can say they can't read the names unless things aren't set up correctly. (Some FOX sports are upconverted and not realy 4K HDR. But if you see a game in native 4k, it's like being there - perfect example was last week's LSU game on ESPN 4k.

And my HS17 has worked great since the start. I used to have 3 HR24s, and we found ourselves recording the same program 3 times. The HS17 is a lot faster, and I love the client/server model.
 
#86 · (Edited)
The 42" eye level height looks very low. My "TV stand" is already about 30" high. My LG 65" OLED is 32" in height.
Now without stand it would sit at 46" already.
Add say 6" for their stand and I am at 52" now.

Mine is mounted on the wall and is at 58" middle of screen with a small tilt down it looks and feels good.

If I had it on a stand, a sound bar can not be used. My previous two places, had TV on 2 cabinets and the sound bar was mounted on top and did not like it.
TV seemed low for a large screen. Well at least for me.

Someday I would like to mount my TV slightly lower but we are talking 6" lower max. Then the sound bar would have little room below TV and above the stand.
Property Furniture Bookcase Cabinetry Television
 
#70 ·
Mounting a TV above a fireplace is a bad idea for a number of reasons. Most folks with an install like that will not tilt it downward and if it's not an OLED that will kill most of the picture quality.

Not to mention the heat, neck strain etc.

I saw a YouTube video yesterday on how to do an install like that and how to hide the wires/cables. Many comments thanked the guy who made the video - sheesh... Bad, bad, bad.
 
#110 ·
That's actually 16 tuners when connected to a reverse band LNB, where the HR54 will grab 7. I'm sure that's why he didn't want to upgrade you to reverse band. He'd have to run two more coaxes to install the legacy reverse band LNB, and swap out your SWM16 for a DSWM30. That's assuming he even had that LNB & DSWM30 on his truck, which he probably didn't.
 
#107 ·
Also agree with the HDR comment.

The distance thing is certainly objective. It has to do with your eyes, viewing environment and TV as well.

I think the 'suggested' distances insure you'll see a difference. Think about it, if you were 1000 yards form your TV, you wouldn't notice a difference. The closer you would get to your TV from a great distance, the more of a difference you would see. So, the question becomes where do you draw the line? The answer to that is different for everyone (again - your eyes, viewing environment and TV).

One thing is for sure - the closer you are (within reason) the better HDR looks.
 
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#108 ·
Distance and viewing also based on screen size. The higher resolution the larger the screen size with a a better picture. I remember years ago my buddy but a very nice real HT. He spent all this money on a 720P projector, special screen etc and when it was blown up to 100-150", it looked like crap! One thing 4K is good for and 8K will be a game changer.
4K IMO, is useless on a screen under 42" really. Love how people rave or complain about not having a 4K screen form apple a few years ago and people want HD movies on their phone. Yeah, use bandwidth for nothing.
 
#114 ·
My wife sometimes tells me there’s a jersey in hell waiting for me with my name on the back.....oh well.

I’m not sure if AT&T chat has improved at all, but I’ve gotten free equipment upgrades using DirecTV chat in the past. It’s sometimes better than speaking to problematic CSR’s.
 
#117 ·
My wife sometimes tells me there's a jersey in hell waiting for me with my name on the back.....oh well.

I'm not sure if AT&T chat has improved at all, but I've gotten free equipment upgrades using DirecTV chat in the past. It's sometimes better than speaking to problematic CSR's.
I never had a problem with the old D* once I got to the point where I knew enough to argue with them. I tried the chat thing and had the same problems. The CSRs ATT have stuck us with are far worse than any D* CSR was, I think. After 2007. They got better, I don't see these people doing that.

Rich
 
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