Google searches are providing conflicting information about which format is best. I have recorded the same program from both (i.e. HD-Net 79 & 306) and personally cannot tell the difference (although I only did it once). I guess that is the only answer I really need, but for people who are really in the know, which format really gives the best picture quality - for instance if you were to analyze it by hooking it up to equipment that can measure things above and beyond what the human eye (and ear) is able to discern? If I'm not making sense, just give me your thoughts on what station you record or watch if given a choice, Mpeg-2 or Mpeg-4. I've only had D* less than a month so maybe I will notice a difference with more experience. I have a Panasonic TH-50PZ800U so the difference I am not seeing, assuming one exists, is definitely not due to an inferior television. Thanks.
Best Quality Recording/Watching – MPEG-2 or MPEG-4 Stations?
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MPEG4 PQ is better and it takes less space when recording.
Thank you – I was reading about how Mpeg-2 is a larger file, higher bitrate, etc… than Mpeg-4, so I was sort of comparing them like I would a .wav versus .mp3 file and assumed the larger and higher bitrate of the two would mean better quality. I could have also misunderstood what I was reading.
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mp3 vs wav isn't a good comparison since mpeg 2 and mpeg 4 are both lossy compression formats. It's more like mp3 vs wma or aac. Mpeg 2 and mp3s are older techs and not as good at doing their compression so need more space to maintain the same relative quality when compared to the newer wma and mpeg 4.
A DirecTV specific consideration is that the mpeg 2 is also down rezed on the mpeg 2 channels to allow them to compress them more and so only 1440x1080 (or something like that) instead of 1920x1080.
Pretty much everyone agrees the mpeg4 channels get you the best of both worlds. Smaller files so you can record more and better quality.
A DirecTV specific consideration is that the mpeg 2 is also down rezed on the mpeg 2 channels to allow them to compress them more and so only 1440x1080 (or something like that) instead of 1920x1080.
Pretty much everyone agrees the mpeg4 channels get you the best of both worlds. Smaller files so you can record more and better quality.
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Often there is no noticeable difference between the two. But during fast motion I think the MPEG-4 streams sometimes look better. The big advantage is they take up less space on the DVR.
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Compression mechanism (2 vs 4) really hasn't got a whole lot to do with bitrate.
I would suggest Mpeg-4 - not only for the reasons mentioned by others quite well - but also because the Mpeg-2 versions are not long for this world - they're going to be turned off.
I've removed the 70's channels from my guide so I don't have to think about this issue. Only the Mpeg-4 versions 'exist' as far as I'm concerned.
I would suggest Mpeg-4 - not only for the reasons mentioned by others quite well - but also because the Mpeg-2 versions are not long for this world - they're going to be turned off.
I've removed the 70's channels from my guide so I don't have to think about this issue. Only the Mpeg-4 versions 'exist' as far as I'm concerned.
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