Directv HD: Any good?

[Paden]

Originally Posted by schultz

I used to have my set to 1080i, but had heard many times at AVS and dbstalk that setting your receiver to native gave you the best picture. This is due to newer HDTV's being better at converting the signal to THEIR native resolution. For example, with native off and 720p selected, a 1080i broadcast is brought down to 720p and then up to 1080p for a native 1080p TV. Let me know if I am off on this,

That was my experience too. Native works best because my TV is better at the conversion.

[Paden]

Originally Posted by gearyt

AH HA !!!

see, here we are, I'm a movie guy, not a sports buff ! And not watching the high speed live stuff I have never seen what you have.. I primarly watch movies ( blu-ray ) and TV series over Sat.

It also could be the differert technologies we use, I am on Plasma

I think this is probably correct. I'm a sports guy and I went with native. I also have a DLP compared to your plasma. So, one or the other is the difference... maybe both.

[Shadow_IA]

Well I used to work for a Local CATV/Internet/Phone Company. I currently have Direct TV, used to have Dish...but not HD Dish. I have to agree that Direct TV has a lead over the Line-up, but Picture can be better on CATV if the company keeps there network up to par. When I started at Partner Communications (www.partnercom.net) They had just a few small rural towns. But while I was there they acquired several other towns. All of the towns are fed from one satellite farm via fiber optics, but not all towns are created equal. There are a few that have an out of date CATV system in the ground. Not enough bandwidth to feed the analog & the Digital CATV w/HDTV. Most of there network runs from 0-850Mhz. And all of there HD-TV is at the higher end. They are still working on removing the Analog & using that space for Digital & HD, but not everyone wants Digital.
I guess the best advice is to shop around for what you truly watch & be very direct when it comes to contracts & promos! I got stuck for 24mo when I signed up for a 12mo promo.. because I have DVR and/or HD box. Fine print that's not in the contract.