[mattoc59]

I recently switched back to Directv from Cablevision after my apartment complex originally made me take down the dish back in February. When I had Directv the first time around I was using the HR24 and I absolutely loved the PQ. When I was forced to switch to Cable due to renovations (in which they also ran new cable lines throughout the building) I noticed a definite downgrade in the PQ.

I was so unhappy with Cablevision and made such a stink that they finally allowed me to mount a dish once again. This time around I have the HR34 but for some reason the PQ does not seem as sharp and crisp. I have noticed extensive macroblocking as well as mosquito noise along with strange outlines around players while watching sporting events.

Another troubling issue is the hdmi handshake issue between the HR34 and my Sony sound bar system with HDMI pass through. The Sony does not recognize any signal from the HR34.

When the Directv installer was here he used the existing cable lines. Could the PQ issue be related to a wiring/shoddy install or has anyone noticed that the HR34 has a softer image than the other Directv receivers?

 

[dpeters11]

I think it's possible. I haven't noticed a quality difference between my HR20, 22, H25 or 34.

 

[veryoldschool]

Something it's right.
I have a Sony XBR, and HR34 & HR24, and there isn't any PQ difference between them, as they're both connected to the same TV.

 

[hasan]

I recently switched back to Directv from Cablevision after my apartment complex originally made me take down the dish back in February. When I had Directv the first time around I was using the HR24 and I absolutely loved the PQ. When I was forced to switch to Cable due to renovations (in which they also ran new cable lines throughout the building) I noticed a definite downgrade in the PQ.

I was so unhappy with Cablevision and made such a stink that they finally allowed me to mount a dish once again. This time around I have the HR34 but for some reason the PQ does not seem as sharp and crisp. I have noticed extensive macroblocking as well as mosquito noise along with strange outlines around players while watching sporting events.

Another troubling issue is the hdmi handshake issue between the HR34 and my Sony sound bar system with HDMI pass through. The Sony does not recognize any signal from the HR34.

When the Directv installer was here he used the existing cable lines. Could the PQ issue be related to a wiring/shoddy install or has anyone noticed that the HR34 has a softer image than the other Directv receivers?

What channel and what program were you watching? Some programs look a lot softer than others. Your best eval would be a "live" set, like some of the CNN stuff. It should look sharp and pristine.

If you want your sound bar to work, you may have to turn off dolby digital in the HR34. Some sound bars (vizio 200 model in particular) will not work if DD is on.

 

[EyeRonik1]

This time around I have the HR34 but for some reason the PQ does not seem as sharp and crisp. I have noticed extensive macroblocking as well as mosquito noise along with strange outlines around players while watching sporting events.

It seems to me that the HR34 with AM21n PQ is significantly worse than the HR-250's PQ for OTA broadcasts. The HR-250's PQ was just gorgeous. The HR34 has motion artifacts and appears to be less crisp.

The HR-250 won't pull in weak signals where the HR34/AM21n will, but when it worked me olde Tivo was sweet.

 

[carl6]

If you have not already done so, do check and make sure the HR34 is set to the proper resolution settings. Also try with native on and off.
First, go into Menu -> settings -> Display -> TV Resolutions and only check the resolutions your television supports. Then use the Format button on your remote to cycle the HR34 through the resolutions until you get to the 1080 settings.

I've got an HR21, an R22 (HD), an HR24 and an HR34, and there is no noticeable difference in picture quality between them.

 

[texasbrit]

I have an HR20, an HR21, an HR24 and an HR34. PQ seems identical across the board. No problem with the PQ on my (2) AM21s either. You might be seeing the effect of the station adding subchannels which "steal" the bandwidth for the HD signal.

 

[RunnerFL]

I haven't noticed any PQ difference between my HR21's, HR24, H25's and HR34.

 

[veryoldschool]

You might be seeing the effect of the station adding subchannels which "steal" the bandwidth for the HD signal.

I've got a local ION channel here that "steals" so much their logo pixelates. :eek2: :lol:

 

[mattoc59]

If you have not already done so, do check and make sure the HR34 is set to the proper resolution settings. Also try with native on and off.
First, go into Menu -> settings -> Display -> TV Resolutions and only check the resolutions your television supports. Then use the Format button on your remote to cycle the HR34 through the resolutions until you get to the 1080 settings.

I've got an HR21, an R22 (HD), an HR24 and an HR34, and there is no noticeable difference in picture quality between them.

The resolution is correct. I have tried both native on and off and it doesnt help with what Im seeing.

 

[mattoc59]

What channel and what program were you watching? Some programs look a lot softer than others. Your best eval would be a "live" set, like some of the CNN stuff. It should look sharp and pristine.

If you want your sound bar to work, you may have to turn off dolby digital in the HR34. Some sound bars (vizio 200 model in particular) will not work if DD is on.

It actually looks the worst on live sporting events. There is almost a halo around players on the screen. Similar to the special effect is Predator is pretty much the only way I can describe it.

As far as the sound bar goes..The TV doesnt even read that another device is connected through the HDMI port.

 

[jimmie57]

Since you say that it happens more on sporting events, if your TV is 120Hz or higher, turn that feature to off and see what it does.
I had the letters on the bottom of the screen for CNBC that were jittery all the time. I tuned my 120 off and it went to 60. The letters and numbers now crawl across the screen as smooth as silk.
On another forum, we had a guy that had pictures similar to what you describe. He even stated that when they threw a football it looked like a PC with mouse trails turned on the follow the pointer. His was a 240Hz TV. He turned it off and the problem went away.

It is quick and easy to try it.

 

[mattoc59]

Since you say that it happens more on sporting events, if your TV is 120Hz or higher, turn that feature to off and see what it does.
I had the letters on the bottom of the screen for CNBC that were jittery all the time. I tuned my 120 off and it went to 60. The letters and numbers now crawl across the screen as smooth as silk.
On another forum, we had a guy that had pictures similar to what you describe. He even stated that when they threw a football it looked like a PC with mouse trails turned on the follow the pointer. His was a 240Hz TV. He turned it off and the problem went away.

It is quick and easy to try it.

Thanks for the reply. I think what you are referring to is motion flow. You cannot turn off 240hz or 120hz on a TV. The motion flow is what causes the TBE or "triple ball effect" where you would see trails off a thrown football or baseball.

I have this problem regardless of the setting on the TV. Im wondering If the TV is to blame as my TV in my bedroom does not seem to have the problem as severe. I have one of those new super small receivers in the bedroom.

 

[mattoc59]

Something it's right.
I have a Sony XBR, and HR34 & HR24, and there isn't any PQ difference between them, as they're both connected to the same TV.

Do you have the 929?

 

[veryoldschool]

Do you have the 929?

I don't know what you mean by 929, so I'll guess it has to do with Sony, and I have an XBR2

 

[unixguru]

Do you have the 929?

I have an XBR-65HX929. My HR34/AM21 look just as good as the previous HR20.

I turn off most "features" of the TV. We're not much of a sports household so I don't know if my settings are appropriate for sports (although when I do see sports it looks great). My most recent posted settings are over on avsforum.

 

[mattoc59]

I have an XBR-65HX929. My HR34/AM21 look just as good as the previous HR20.

I turn off most "features" of the TV. We're not much of a sports household so I don't know if my settings are appropriate for sports (although when I do see sports it looks great). My most recent posted settings are over on avsforum.

I have tried various settings on the TV, even had Sony swap it out for a new one! It seems to only happen on Live TV broadcasts. Its really driving me nuts