[kvandmx]

Have been watching the Olympics and I do like the interactive guide. However the macroblocking is terrible. I do think however it is a source problem as it is evident not only on the D* channels but NBC OTA as well. With all the money spent in China on this event you would think they would at least tweak the bitrate on the uplink!

 

[n3ntj]

I have had absolutely no issues on any of the Olympic channels, either my local NBC affiliate or the other networks (USA, UHD, etc.). I wish MSNBC was in HD though.

 

[Ken S]

Quality has been fine here other than the daily rain fade for a few minutes.

 

[OconRecon]

I have had absolutely no issues on any of the Olympic channels, either my local NBC affiliate or the other networks (USA, UHD, etc.). I wish MSNBC was in HD though.

Ditto. In fact it's sparkeling. Can't believe they can push a signal through that smog!

 

[hdtvfan0001]

I have had absolutely no issues on any of the Olympic channels, either my local NBC affiliate or the other networks (USA, UHD, etc.). I wish MSNBC was in HD though.

Agreed...I've recorded over 28 hours of stuff and played back most of it...I'm not seeing what the OP is reporting at all.

I have had several instances of audio crackle...but that's it.

 

[davez]

Have been watching the Olympics and I do like the interactive guide. However the macroblocking is terrible. I do think however it is a source problem as it is evident not only on the D* channels but NBC OTA as well. With all the money spent in China on this event you would think they would at least tweak the bitrate on the uplink!

I've noticed the same problem here. right now, it seems to be OK. I'm hoping that it has been corrected.

 

[MizzouTiger]

I have noticed quite a bit of video "stuttering" on both Directv's NBC HD feed and on my OTA. Could just be my local affiliate or NBC network feed.

 

[davring]

It sure has looked good here as well. It better look good; the Chinese would see to that given that they made all the equipment used to send it to us

 

[rustynails]

No problems here watching th NBC local affiliate!

 

[kvandmx]

maybe I'm just too picky. I agree the sharpness and overall picture quality is stunning. I just have a problem with the fast moving content and the macroblocking associated with it.

Even the NBC Olympics logo when it "Rolls" onto the screen is made up of tiny blocks. I guess I should be a little less critical. Maybe some people just don't notice it. But once you do, You will always notice it. I know some may think its with the tv however I don't have this issue on other channels or with other content. Go figure!

 

[runner26]

Have been watching the Olympics and I do like the interactive guide. However the macroblocking is terrible. I do think however it is a source problem as it is evident not only on the D* channels but NBC OTA as well. With all the money spent in China on this event you would think they would at least tweak the bitrate on the uplink!

I have to respond here. I am using a HR21-700 receiver. My wife and I watched the opening ceremonies and I was just about floored by the quality of the HD. The picture was razor sharp and the colors were about the best I have ever seen. This was on a 65" plasma where every flaw in the picture is magnified. I think NBC is doing superb job with the feeds so far. Just my opinion.

 

[geoallen]

I am getting excellent results 751-756, even on HD channels..so far..so good, in Portsmouth Va. HR-21

 

[Michael D'Angelo]

I have not watched a lot of it but what I have watch has been on my local NBC (WBAL Baltimore) and it has looked great. One of the best HD pictures I have ever seen.

 

[Martinrrrr]

I have had a lot of pixelation problems on the 75x channels.

 

[kvandmx]

I have had a lot of pixelation problems on the 75x channels.

I only have pixelation issues on movement.....Still shots and relatively slow moving shots are very nice. If we were watching a slide show I guess it would be acceptable!

 

[Ken S]

I will say that NBC has been having some audio problems. Sometimes there's a nasty echo/reverb effect.

 

[kvandmx]

question: If the macroblocking problems were a result of the TV and not the broadcast. would the macroblocks be visible when you pause the dvr? When I pause a macroblocking segment. the "blocks" are frozen on screen as well.

 

[tonyd79]

question: If the macroblocking problems were a result of the TV and not the broadcast. would the macroblocks be visible when you pause the dvr? When I pause a macroblocking segment. the "blocks" are frozen on screen as well.

If they are there when you freeze, it means they are in the source.

However, freezing even a very smooth picture can give you fuzzy or blocky results as the picture is actually made up of blocks no matter how small.

I will agree on the logo flashing over the screen but that is an issue with how they designed the logo. You will be hard pressed to find any logo that moves across the entire screen anywhere being smooth. It is just not worth effort. Overall, the PQ and crispness is by far the best I have seen from NBC to date.

Oddly, when broadcasting on the basketball channel and my local OTA NBC station (Baltimore), the picture was better side by side on the basketball channel. But then again, the basketball channel is not sharing bandwidth with a weather channel.

 

[kvandmx]

If they are there when you freeze, it means they are in the source.

However, freezing even a very smooth picture can give you fuzzy or blocky results as the picture is actually made up of blocks no matter how small.

I agree however the only blocks I see when I pause is in the motion parts of the picture that were blocking when I paused.

 

[tonyd79]

I agree however the only blocks I see when I pause is in the motion parts of the picture that were blocking when I paused.

Then it is in the source. Not your TV. Now, it could be the NBC source or it could be what DirecTV is doing but it is more likely NBC (they have a history of macroblocking).

As for my comment about everything being blocks, I meant that some people are more sensative to it than others and some TVs show the minute detail better than others. This is a mixed blessing as more detail also shows flaws better (that is why SD looks worse on an HD set than it does on an SD set).

However, unless you are having an issue, I think you are just being too picky, probably looking for problems. Sit back and enjoy. We all have times when we look for the flaws in our pictures....we are pretty much perfectionists or geeks around here. But when I am watching something compelling, I forget the little flaws.

Enjoy!