[jericho]

Can anyone tell me if it is possible to watch HDTV on a SD televison? I can't fit the bill on a new HDTV set right now but if watching HDTV on my SDTV was possible, I think I would enjoy the less compressed picture and widescreen shows even thought it would not be true HDTV. But is this possible?

 

[James Long]

Yep. Current HD recievers have SD outputs - and while not HD the picture is good.

 

[Jolard]

Absolutely, what he said

For the VIP 622, the 2nd output (to tv 2) is always SD, even if the source is an HD program. So I watch a small amount of HD content on the SD output, and I have to say it still looks good. Obviously not HD, but it does look better than the regualr SD channels, by far.

So if you had a 622, and you had it outputting to two SD TV's, and you subscribed to the HD package, then you would basically be getting a number of new channels with the best SD picture you are going to be able to get!

Of course I would recommend then getting an HDTV at some point, it is wonderful.

 

[Miner]

Agreed,

I have an HD Receiver (811) that I have connected to my 15+ year old TV and it works fine. I believe the PQ on channels like ESPN-HD is better than on their regular channel.

The only issue is the sizing (16:9 on a 4:3 TV) of watching those HD channels. The zoom feature of the receiver helps; sometimes you just watch something letterbox and call it good, sometimes you zoon and crop the sides.

Miner

 

[kb7oeb]

I had an HD box before I got an HD tv and the local channels had the biggest improvement. The quality of E's LIL degraded so much while I had it I couldn't stand to watch it anymore and switched to digital OTA.