DirecTV going the way as Dish Network.

[Grim Reaper]

Originally Posted by obiwopkenobi62

The HD channels on Dish are 720p, some look great and others a little less. Not sure about DirectTV. I didn't have HD programming when I had them.

DirecTv does both 720p/1080i. you also get your local channel FREE with DirecTv.

[Bobby Henderson]

Both D* and E* do 720p and 1080i.

Unfortunately, you have to manually set the satellite receivers for one constant broadcast setting -either 720p or 1080i. You don't get "native pass through," which is what I would prefer.

Networks who tend to show a lot of live sports programming, such as ESPN, ABC and FOX broadcast all of their HD in 720p/60. The 60 frames per second progressive format is great for fast motion. Most of the other networks operate at 1080i/60. If I watch something on ESPN for a lengthy amount of time I'll change my receiver to 720p output so it doesn't convert the video to 1080i.

The biggest problem with the satellite services is "HD Lite." This is often applied to 1080i HD local channels. The 1920 X 1080 image is squeezed to 1440 X 1080 to save on bandwidth.

[grip24]

Originally Posted by Grim Reaper

i have the HR20 box from DirecTv. my update came around 7:45PM EST. when i have only 1080p checked. the channels goto 480p.

When I checked 1080P I get a pop up saying my TV does not support it....weird

[Sith]

We need Sunday Ticket in 1080p please!!!

[NovaCrystallis09]

Originally Posted by Bobby Henderson

Both D* and E* do 720p and 1080i.

Unfortunately, you have to manually set the satellite receivers for one constant broadcast setting -either 720p or 1080i. You don't get "native pass through," which is what I would prefer.

Networks who tend to show a lot of live sports programming, such as ESPN, ABC and FOX broadcast all of their HD in 720p/60. The 60 frames per second progressive format is great for fast motion. Most of the other networks operate at 1080i/60. If I watch something on ESPN for a lengthy amount of time I'll change my receiver to 720p output so it doesn't convert the video to 1080i.

The biggest problem with the satellite services is "HD Lite." This is often applied to 1080i HD local channels. The 1920 X 1080 image is squeezed to 1440 X 1080 to save on bandwidth.

What's better though? 720p or 1080i? And so none of them are offering any type of programming in 1080p huh?

And what can we do as consumers to avoid HD Lite or prevent it?

[obiwopkenobi62]

Originally Posted by NovaCrystallis09

Thanks I was sorta leaning towards Direct but now that I've talked with you I'll definitely take a closer more fair look at Dish Network.

You're welcome. Just do like I do. Research everything, talk to a bunch of folks and you'll be able to make the decision that suits you best. One other thing, I think DirectTV has much more sports than Dish which I don't care for.

[BigRick]

Originally Posted by NovaCrystallis09

I just got a brand new HDTV and I currently have Time Warner Cable. I was thinking of subscribing to their HD service but it looks pretty weak.

Are DirectTV and Dish Network loads ahead of TWC in terms of quality and HD? What signal are their "HD" programs broadcast in? 720p or 1080p?

And finally which is the best? DirectTV or Dish? I live in NC btw. Wake County.

Well many people here know that i am a sales rep. for both Dish and DirecTv. If you have HiDef than you are a DirecTv customer and thats all there is to it. The poster before probably had signal loss because of many reasons. Wind could have moved it. Was not installed with strong enough signal. Both DirecTv and Dish have very good equipment to deal with that. It just has to be done right. DirecTv currently offers around 130 channels in HD. They include their PPV channels as HD and so does Dish. The differance is Dish counts thier on demand HD as some channels like other companies "cough" Comcast. DirecTv plans on having 200HD Channels sometime next year. Right now DirecTv has the better promotion. Get 23 bucks off your bill for a full year when you provide a valid email address and enroll in autopay. Thats a savings of over $250. Also they just started offering their HDDVR free. With Dish its $50 upfront. They give it back to you on your first bill. All in all DirecTv is like let say the luxury of satellite. If you have any questions about either company feel free to PM me.

[Sith]

Originally Posted by obiwopkenobi62

DirectTV has much more sports than Dish which I don't care for.

what!!!! nothing better than watching 2 or 3 different football games in hd
at the same time on Sunday Ticket...

[Bobby Henderson]

Originally Posted by NovaCrystallis09

What's better though? 720p or 1080i? And so none of them are offering any type of programming in 1080p huh?

720p and 1080i are different, not better than each other. They have their pros and cons.

1080i has sharper resolution. But 1080i is interlaced, which can cause minor saw-tooth issues and other problems with live TV broadcasts or anything shot in interlaced form. It's not much of a problem with movies.

720p has less than half the pixel count of 1080i, but has double the frame rate on video content photographed natively in 720p -like certain live HD sports programs. 720p doesn't provide any benefit over 1080i with pre-recorded TV shows and movies originally shot on film in 24fps or 30fps frame rates. This is why most HD channels that don't show a lot of sports broadcast in 1080i.

Nothing is broadcast in 1080p. Current broadcast transmission equipment, even all the new HD transmission equipment, is all dependent on a 60Hz rate. 1080p/24 is not compatible with that, which is why any 1080p/24 movies from Dish Network or DirecTV must be downloaded to the hard drive first before they can be played. There's not enough bandwidth to make 1080p/60 work -along with the fact no movies or video content is shot in 1080p/60 either. The only thing at all in 1080p/60 currently is video game output from a few Playstation 3 titles.

Originally Posted by NovaCrystallis09

And what can we do as consumers to avoid HD Lite or prevent it?

There's nothing you can do to prevent it. The only recourse is to complain.

Originally Posted by BigRick

Well many people here know that i am a sales rep. for both Dish and DirecTv. If you have HiDef than you are a DirecTv customer and thats all there is to it.

It's not that simple.

DirecTV does have a number of channels I would love to have in HD. But it lacks some others I currently have with Dish Network -such as all of the HBO channels in HD. Both companies are launching more and more satellites and will add more and more channels. So the lack of one channel, such as SpikeHD or Fox News HD will be a temporary thing.

Local channels coverage is an important issue. DirecTV doesn't offer any of the local TV channels in my viewing market at all. Not in SD or HD. And D* doesn't have any plans to add them in the foreseeable future. E* has carried my market's SD locals for years. It has plans to add the HD locals pretty soon.

[Jack Torrance]

Originally Posted by obiwopkenobi62

You're welcome. Just do like I do. Research everything, talk to a bunch of folks and you'll be able to make the decision that suits you best. One other thing, I think DirectTV has much more sports than Dish which I don't care for.

I definitely prefer Dish over DirecTV. Also their HD DVR has gotten some extremely good reviews... (C/Net gave it the Editor's choice award)

http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-vide...?tag=mncol;lst - 4 stars from C/Net, 3 stars from customer reviews.

While the HR21 for DirecTV (which I had when I was still a DirecTV customer and frankly had nothing but problems with)...

http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-vide...?tag=mncol;lst - 3.5 stars from C/Net, 1.5 stars from customer reviews... I think that says a lot.

If you like sports, then you'll probably want the packages that DirecTV offers. If you can live with out such packages (like me), then Dish Network in my experience provides a better overall quality of service.

[BigRick]

Very true but DirecTv offers Distant Network services for those that dont get locals. Out of NY or LA. One channel i do want from Dish is Travel Channel HD!! LoL. Also things that should be considerd is Dish is probably going to jack up their price as they are doing really bad this year. Not saying they will but them doing bad and just losing a lawsuit against Tivo that cost them a little over 100 mill. They are going to have to do something to make up some loss. but as far as HD goes. DirecTv is very focused on being the nation HD leader.

[BigRick]

Also big plus as when it comes to big events DTV is very interactive. For example for the election they are offering a News mix channel. 8 News feeds on 1 screen and a live blog on the happenings of the election. Also going to be available in HD

[NovaCrystallis09]

Well I've looked at both them over the past few hours. It looks like DTV is a lot better in terms of the money you pay for it and the deals they're offering. Plus they do have more channels that I want.

However I just want to clear on the pricing so I'm gonna call them up and make sure I fully understand it before I present it to my folks.

[mustang-gt-2002]

Originally Posted by Bobby Henderson

Both D* and E* do 720p and 1080i.

Unfortunately, you have to manually set the satellite receivers for one constant broadcast setting -either 720p or 1080i. You don't get "native pass through," which is what I would prefer.

with my DirecTV HD-DVR HR21 the person that came out to hook it up. sad that he set it to output the signal that the channel outputs. it switch's from 480i, 480p, 720p, and 1080i. if 1080p is outputed the 720p and 1080i light will both be on. I was told from BigRick thanks.

[Galley]

Originally Posted by Bobby Henderson

Both D* and E* do 720p and 1080i.

Unfortunately, you have to manually set the satellite receivers for one const
The biggest problem with the satellite services is "HD Lite." This is often applied to 1080i HD local channels. The 1920 X 1080 image is squeezed to 1440 X 1080 to save on bandwidth.

With the launch of its most recent MPEG-4 satellites, DirecTV no longer transmits "HD Lite". 1080i is full 1920 x 1080.

[supersix4]

Originally Posted by BigRick

Also big plus as when it comes to big events DTV is very interactive. For example for the election they are offering a News mix channel. 8 News feeds on 1 screen and a live blog on the happenings of the election. Also going to be available in HD

let me know where to find that

[BigRick]

Originally Posted by supersix4

let me know where to find that

Dont know the exact channel but it will be replacing the current news mix channel.

[Panos]

Originally Posted by NovaCrystallis09

I just got a brand new HDTV and I currently have Time Warner Cable. I was thinking of subscribing to their HD service but it looks pretty weak.

Are DirectTV and Dish Network loads ahead of TWC in terms of quality and HD? What signal are their "HD" programs broadcast in? 720p or 1080p?

And finally which is the best? DirectTV or Dish? I live in NC btw. Wake County.

At one point i had both Dish and DTV. The SD channels on Dish looked terrible on my bedroom TV (27" lcd). HD was fine. Not that i really watched much SD content anyway. Now i have DTV only and on the same tv the SD channels look much better compared to Dish. This was about 6 months ago, so i don't know if has dish has changed anything. There was even a difference in picture on my old 27" tube tv, the DTV picture looked much cleaner...My vote goes to DirecTv. I need to see if my reciever got the update....

[supersix4]

Originally Posted by BigRick

Dont know the exact channel but it will be replacing the current news mix channel.

I found it ! its 109! I never knew about that channel!

[Bobby Henderson]

With the launch of its most recent MPEG-4 satellites, DirecTV no longer transmits "HD Lite". 1080i is full 1920 x 1080.

I'm talking about local NBC and CBS affiliate feeds. Both DirecTV and DishNetwork still run HD Lite on those. The national HD channels broadcast in 1080i are kept in true 1080i.