HDTV let down

Hi all, this is my first post but I thought I would give my DN upgrade exp.
Ive had DN for about 7 years and HD since about the time it became available with the 811 receiver and I just loved it, the picture quality on the HD channels were excellent, although limited.
So I decided to upgrade to the VOOM and gothe 211 receiver.
So after taking the day off from work to have the install done the tech did'nt have all the eq needed to complete the installation and left me with one tv working (I have three) no HD upgrade.
The next day Saturday another tech showed up to complete the installation.
Here's my observation, alot more channels yes.
However, the picture quality is not as good as it was with the 811,
not as sharp and clear, the picture don't fit the screen correctly.

Through the hdmi in 1080i
the picture is shifted to the left and the picture looks as if it is zoomed through either hdmi or componet cables. I have adjusted the format.

When I go to hdtv setup and put it on 1080i the picture quality doesn't look any better than 480p it just looks more zoomed.

I've called DN and after a long period on the phone they kept saying it looks like a software issue, I had them send me a new receiver and the same problem.
If I hook my 811 receiver back up the PQ is just stellar with fewer HD channels.
So I'm thinking about droping the lineup as I would rather have a few excellent HD channels than alot of so so HD channels.
Has anyone else experienced these problems.

If you want people to help you should mention your setup and connections. The problem is almost certainly on your end.

I thought I did mention it.
My question was if anyone else has noticed the problems I mention when switching from the 811 to the 211.
I have already determined it is the receiver.

What I meant......what TV do you own. How old is it? Does your TV have any adjustments that you need to look at? Can it move the frame from within the screen. I remember when I owned the old RCA DTC100 HD receiver I had a problem with the screen being off center to the left when connected to a Pioneer Elite CRT HDTV but it had an adjustment in one of the menus.

If you make the correction and change the input you are using, that correction in most cases is not carried to the new input. Since the receiver was changed, was the input being used on the tv was changed as well?

This is not a software issue whatsoever...This is a ASPECT RATIO issue!...Your TV screen need to be adjusted, I am assuming you have a big HD TV screen...A very experienced tech should have been able to configure settings so your TV HD picture quality doesn't look zoomed...You have to make sure settings on DVR are on NORMAL and your TV need to be on 16:9 if you have a widescreen...If you still can't fix it, you need to ask for a tech to come back and fixed it...Hope it helps...

I have a 211 and have no problem whatsoever. My TV is a Sammy 61"

Thanks for the replys.

"what TV do you own. How old is it? Does your TV have any adjustments that you need to look at?"

Its a RCA 40" about 2 years old, I've seached but can't find any adjustments.


"If you make the correction and change the input you are using, that correction in most cases is not carried to the new input. Since the receiver was changed, was the input being used on the tv was changed as well?"

There's no way to change the input on the tv I guess it's automatic.

"This is not a software issue whatsoever...This is a ASPECT RATIO issue!...Your TV screen need to be adjusted,"

Totally agree it is an aspect ratio problem, however I can't understand why it is perfect when I hook the 811 receiver to it and with the 211 it's not the same, I don't think I should pay to have a tech come out to adjust the tv when it works fine with the 811.

Also there is no change in picture quality when I switch from 480p to1080i on the 211 it just seems to change the zoom.
On the 811 the picture quality was night and day between the two.
I think I might call dish and see if I can change back.
Maybe I'm being too picky, but it is HDTV and I want the best it can be.

Can you get a model number for the back of your display? It could be that someone could look it up on line and figure it out.

Also, are you hooking it up differently on the 211 from what you were doing with the 811? For instance, I was using component with my 811, but switched over to HDMI when I got the 211 (well, for as long as my HDMI was working.) I definitely saw a difference in picture quality, but not to the extent that you mention in regards to stretching the image. In fact, the 211 had better OTA reception than my old 811, and a cleaner definition.

I can't believe there isn't a way to manually change inputs on any newer display - even one a couple of years old. It may be buried in a menu somewhere, but it has to be there.

Can you get a model number for the back of your display? It could be that someone could look it up on line and figure it out.

Also, are you hooking it up differently on the 211 from what you were doing with the 811? For instance, I was using component with my 811, but switched over to HDMI when I got the 211 (well, for as long as my HDMI was working.) I definitely saw a difference in picture quality, but not to the extent that you mention in regards to stretching the image. In fact, the 211 had better OTA reception than my old 811, and a cleaner definition.

I can't believe there isn't a way to manually change inputs on any newer display - even one a couple of years old. It may be buried in a menu somewhere, but it has to be there.

I've tried using both HDMI and Component on the 211.
When in component the picture looks zoomed in 480p and more zoomed in 1080i.
When I use HDMI set to 1080i the picture is shifts to the left and the picture is zoomed. When I say zoomed for example you can't hardly read the banner on the bottom of the screen on football games etc.
On 480p the picture is centered but still slightly zoomed.

Someone correct me if I'am wrong but doesen't 480p mean EDTV and 1080i HDTV. I can't tell a difference between the two. I could with the 811.
I was using DVI on the 811.
Something I forget to add I'am using a HDMI to DVI cable to connect the 211 to the tv. Dish Net tech did'nt think that should matter though.
I can switch the inputs on the tv I just can't do any picture size adjustments.

What I meant to say about the input is I cant change if the tv sees 480p or 1080i.

However, the picture quality is not as good as it was with the 811, not as sharp and clear, the picture don't fit the screen correctly.

Through the hdmi in 1080i
the picture is shifted to the left and the picture looks as if it is zoomed through either hdmi or componet cables. I have adjusted the format.

When I go to hdtv setup and put it on 1080i the picture quality doesn't look any better than 480p it just looks more zoomed.

Hey~

Just about a week ago, my HD suddenly started looking really stretched & crappy, and I didn't know what to do, so I posted my "symptoms" here @ HDF looking for help, just as you have done.

I got two replies... One was quite detailed regarding how to unplug the unit & having it do a power reset, etc, etc. The second was a very simple (and CORRECT as it turns out) solution:

I was told to press the asterisk button "*" of my 811 remote control several times to see if it would correct the aspect ratio setting of my receiver...

BINGO!! :thumbsup:

I felt like an idiot, but I guess that at some point, that button got pushed in error & reset my aspect to "HD-Stretched" rather than "HD-Normal". Doh!! :o

Anyway, I know you said that you "adjusted the format", but I wasn't sure exactly what you meant by that. I know that I had gone into the setup menu and looked at my HD settings, and had also checked out everything on my television as well...

I hope that this works for you!!

Hey~

Just about a week ago, my HD suddenly started looking really stretched & crappy, and I didn't know what to do, so I posted my "symptoms" here @ HDF looking for help, just as you have done.

I got two replies... One was quite detailed regarding how to unplug the unit & having it do a power reset, etc, etc. The second was a very simple (and CORRECT as it turns out) solution:

I was told to press the asterisk button "*" of my 811 remote control several times to see if it would correct the aspect ratio setting of my receiver...

BINGO!! :thumbsup:

I felt like an idiot, but I guess that at some point, that button got pushed in error & reset my aspect to "HD-Stretched" rather than "HD-Normal". Doh!! :o

Anyway, I know you said that you "adjusted the format", but I wasn't sure exactly what you meant by that. I know that I had gone into the setup menu and looked at my HD settings, and had also checked out everything on my television as well...

I hope that this works for you!!

Yea, I've used * button, but not the problem. I do beleive it is something in the receiver that I cannot adjust.
The 811 receiver worked perfect with my tv, just no extra channels.

I have a Samsung 56" DLP (3+ yo), I have both a 811 and a 622 hooked up to my TV and I can tell you with absolute confidence that they both deliver the same great viewing experience.

I have noticed that the MPEG-4 channels tend to have a bit more artifacting than the MPEG-2 channels when a lot of activity or "movement" is happening. The 811 is an MPEG-2 only receiver (thus the fewer channels).

Using HDMI vs. Component is a major video difference as well. Component (using Monster Cable) is much softer than the HDMI.

When I switch to 480p on the settings (for testing only) I notice that the picture is a bit "odd" on it's aspect ratio more like 18x9...

I would have to say it is your TV, becuase it isn't the broadcast...

I have the 211, and I am thrilled with it. Beats DTV any day. I love the aspect ratio adjustment capability. I use component, and think its a fantastic picture.

I would like to know if you fixed this problem, I'm experiencing the same thing. I just upgraded to the 211 and granted the guide, SD channels and OTA work a lot better but the HD sucks. I cancelled HD a couple years ago because of lack of channels but remember saying,,"WOW what a difference" when first installed. I could say absolutely, positively the 811 had a much better HD picture,,AT that time.. I see no difference between a regular SD channels and HD with this 211. Don't get me wrong, the picture is good on all channels, but there's no difference. I'm using the same component input as before and even tried the DVI input connector. Component looks better to me.. Also tried the HDTV setting on the 211,, 720p or 1080i, they are the same. The Sony to my knowledge doesn't have any menu or settings, it's automatic when using component or DVI inputs. My TV is a Sony KP-46WT500 46" rear projection capable of 1080i, 720p, 480p/i

I would like to know if you fixed this problem, I'm experiencing the same thing. I just upgraded to the 211 and granted the guide, SD channels and OTA work a lot better but the HD sucks. I cancelled HD a couple years ago because of lack of channels but remember saying,,"WOW what a difference" when first installed. I could say absolutely, positively the 811 had a much better HD picture,,AT that time.. I see no difference between a regular SD channels and HD with this 211. Don't get me wrong, the picture is good on all channels, but there's no difference. I'm using the same component input as before and even tried the DVI input connector. Component looks better to me.. Also tried the HDTV setting on the 211,, 720p or 1080i, they are the same. The Sony to my knowledge doesn't have any menu or settings, it's automatic when using component or DVI inputs. My TV is a Sony KP-46WT500 46" rear projection capable of 1080i, 720p, 480p/i

No, Still have the same problems.

Hi all, this is my first post but I thought I would give my DN upgrade exp.
Ive had DN for about 7 years and HD since about the time it became available with the 811 receiver and I just loved it, the picture quality on the HD channels were excellent, although limited.
So I decided to upgrade to the VOOM and gothe 211 receiver.
So after taking the day off from work to have the install done the tech did'nt have all the eq needed to complete the installation and left me with one tv working (I have three) no HD upgrade.
The next day Saturday another tech showed up to complete the installation.
Here's my observation, alot more channels yes.
However, the picture quality is not as good as it was with the 811,
not as sharp and clear, the picture don't fit the screen correctly.

Through the hdmi in 1080i
the picture is shifted to the left and the picture looks as if it is zoomed through either hdmi or componet cables. I have adjusted the format.

When I go to hdtv setup and put it on 1080i the picture quality doesn't look any better than 480p it just looks more zoomed.

I've called DN and after a long period on the phone they kept saying it looks like a software issue, I had them send me a new receiver and the same problem.
If I hook my 811 receiver back up the PQ is just stellar with fewer HD channels.
So I'm thinking about droping the lineup as I would rather have a few excellent HD channels than alot of so so HD channels.
Has anyone else experienced these problems.
The HD on my 622 looks amazing. There is something wrong on your end.

Make sure the STB is set to either 720p or 1080i (depending on what format your set supports) in the HDTV setup. When I received my 622 it was set to 480i and the PQ was kind of lousy. I set it to 720p and it looked great.

OK, here's what I found out about my TV. The owner manual says it capable of receiving 1080i, 720p, 480p and 480i digital formats. But a editor's review I found on the net states any 720p input is down converted to 480p. Not up converted to 1080i, what a rip off. Probable when I first got the 811 all HD was 1080i and I thought the SD was poor at best. This 211 has much better SD picture then the 811 making the two formats so close for my shity TV.
Has anyone tired a upconverter to bring their signal to 1080i?

I have two 211 using the componet cables and the hd is beautiful and crystal clear the Hdmi does not do good with the 211

I have a 32 plazma and 34 with both HD

But a editor's review I found on the net states any 720p input is down converted to 480p. Not up converted to 1080i, what a rip off.

Bovine Scatology - The "EDITOR" didn't know what he was talking about. 720p is only down converted to 480p when you leave the unit at factory settings. If you set the output to 720p it upconverts 480i and down converts 1080i to 720p, passing 720p through un touched.

I have used both 720p output and 1080i output on a display capable of displaying both. Both have excellent pictures, but 1080i was slightly better, especially for static images (naturally).

Don't believe 90% of what you read on the internet - even this. And that might be low.

There are two possible issues I can think of. The first is there may be two different format settings on the TV for the DVI input (my Samsung CRT HDTV has two setting options). Second, the RCA Plama TV's "Screen Format" setting may be set to a zoom level, like you might use to make an SD signal fit, or to watch a letterboxed DVD. To adjust the screen format on an RCA Plasma TV, use the left or right arrow buttons on the remote control.

Given it is a problem on both the HDMI and component outputs of the ViP 211, and you have already tried the "*" key on the Dish remote, the problem is either with the TV's input or zoom function, or you have a defective ViP 211.

I swithed from 811 to 2 211 and love them

clearer picture different technolgy

mp 4 and not two like in the 811