Starchoice

dmarsden

I was under the impression that eastern Canada got more movies from MovieChannel than the West (Victoria) - out here we have a lot of regional blackouts of that don't make sense to me as I pay for the premium channels as well. I wonder what's up with that?

drecar

I recently purchased Samsung 47'' RPTV, Samsung ProScan DVD and DSR500. The tv replaced my Sony 32'' Vega and I am very impressed with the preformance for the dollar. Movies on the dvd player are great. However, the DSR500 and HDTV programming did not live up to the billing. Firstly, 1080i does not look all that great and infact I prefer 480p. The DSR500 is so damn finicky. Always locking up and other bugs that SC says will be fixed within two weeks. Picture display modes for displaying an image on a 16x9 tv are non existent. It seems like half the shows that I want to watch on SCHDTV are in 4x3 and the receiver will not fit the image on the screen. Also there isn't any choice on how you want the unit to display the image other than selecting resolution. What happened to DD5.1? Less than half of the SCHDTV has DD5.1 available. The main benefit that I saw was that SDTV upconverted to 480p looks better than on my old Navigo 401. For $600 I was expecting a little more.

dmarsden

Here's a few guesses as to some of your problems 480p vs 1080i - I've noticed the same problem and have been wondering about the format the shows are broadcast in. For example, when I see PBS HD, it can be great while regular network stuff is all over the map. I think Fox Football claims to be broadcasting in 720p and I know my Sony is compatible, I don't know what Starchoice is sending and I don't seem to be able to change the setup on the DSR500. Are you receiving shows in Western Canada?
Re: - finicky pictures etc. - Did you buy your DSR500 from a retail outlet and have you double checked to make sure that you have downloaded the software updates?
Have you entered your options menu on the DSR500 and selected the 16 x 9 format or even the Pan & Scan?
Have you opened the front panel on your DSR500 and used the button on the left to switch picture modes eg - 480p or 1080i?
I think the # of Dolby Digital broadcasts are pretty consistent with what was available before - don't forget, we're watching American rebroadcasts of their network TV and right now they are all over the map with formats etc.
By the way, I understand from a Starchoice techie that we will be receiving more powerful broadcasts from the new satellite that might correct some or all of the current glitches. Further to that I heard that they are only going to be offering 2 new HD channels somewhere around October 15th. - they are moving the satellite into its orbit position and doing their preliminary testing.
I think we're paying the price for being on the "bleeding edge" of a technological revolution but I agree about the steep cost of playing. Heck, I've had HD for 2.5 years now and am on my second HDTV (and decoder) but I think when it's right it will be worth it. In the meantime, I feel your pain. Hope some of this helps.

drecar

When I was switching between 480p and 1080i I was watching Jay Leno because it was a well light broadcast in HD. In 1080i mode the picture looked softer, less vibrant and was displayed as 4x3 on my tv. 480p looked to me smoother and sharper, and was displayed in 16x9.

SC techies have told me and I am sure everyone else to make sure my unit is off overnight so that it can be updated within two weeks while they are doing their upgrades. I can't wait to see the bugs fixed.

I am pretty sure that I've gone through every setting on the DSR500 and still can not accomplish what I want, which is 4x3 HDTV broadcasts filling my 16x9 screen in order to avoid burn in and the ability to choose how that is done. The options to do that on my tv are not available when the video source is through the component inputs. So expected the DSR500 would have these controls like my new dvd player. Well I guess common sense is not all to common and the end result is I chringe at watching 4x3 HDTV broadcast. SC explaination was that the black pillars were part of the broadcast and therefore there is nothing that can be done.

Yes, I am in BC.

I have avoided using the native resolution setting on the DSR500 because I prefer 480p for all SC channels. You may want to try that to see if you get a better result, however, you maybe right in that SC monkeys with the original source therefore reducing PQ.

SC appears to me to be using high compression in order to offer more channels and dumping DD5.1 and PQ. I would prefer better PQ and DD5.1 with less duplicate channels. Exactly how many CTV, CBC, Global, etc channels do you need bringing the exact same broadcasts at same time?

dmarsden

I paid more attention to the programming info tonight as I watched HDTV channels. I noticed that a lot of shows were not being broadcast in HDTV. I'm theorizing here but some of the shows (Survivor, The Apprentice...) were not recorded in HDTV probably because of the production limitations on doing remote HD shooting. Given that the Americans backed off their commitment to HD & digital broadcasting until at least 2006, I was not surprised to find true HD broadcasting to be spotty at best.
I also noticed that a number of other shows (Malcolm In The Middle, etc) were not broadcast in HDTV either.
I tend to watch Seattle based American network HD so I was wondering what amount of space was dedicated to wetern stations on the current two satellites. I understand that there will be a shuffle of channels to the new satellite and that there is more room on the new bird for HD. It will also provide a more powerful signal. I also hear that a lot of their commitment is to French programming (almost as useful as 23 CBC stations). It will be interesting to see the changes the new satellite brings.
I trust you are leaving your DSR500 "on" not "off" overnight to receive the download of software updates.
I played around with 480p tonight and liked the results as well although I suspect that I would have to "force" the DSR500 to receive something in a different format from what was being sent. Like your set, my Sony cannot create a 16x9 effect on a 4x3 component broadcast on one of the HD stations. I use the words "component broadcast" because I don't think those signals are true HD which I've been told can only be in 16x9 format. I stand to be corrected on that but that's what I heard.
I took your tip on 480p a step further tonight and watched regular satellite channels through my components with 480p selected via menu on the DSR500. On strong stations (CBC & MC), I was very pleased with the results.
You will be happy to hear that I'm trying to drive the tech department at SC nuts as well. Today, they covered the cost of sending a guy over to replace and adjust my dual LNB as I was getting some weak signal readings. I did get a much stronger picture and I learned a few things as well.
One thing the satellite guy noticed was that my 2 in - 4 out multi-switch was running really hot. We figured that could have an effect on the digital signal as heat plays havoc with microprocessors of any kind. I wonder if anyone knows what temp. the multi-switch should be? In any event, I'm having it changed.
As to Dolby Digital, I just don't see a lot of programs broadcast in that format. Maybe someone with a Bell setup can provide feedback on how much DD5.1 they are getting.
Thanks for your feedback. I'm trying to be as helpful as I can in this forum in the hopes that others will get the idea and share their info. The amount of publicly available help sucks in Canadian satellite TV. I have a life but with the amount I've sunk into this gear (which is nothing next to what you've put in), I'd like to get as good a picture as I can.
I will give the SC techies credit though, my experience has been very positive with them and I've felt they've really tried to help especially when they get the idea that you know what you're talking about and have tried to help yourself first. I can imagine they get some pretty lame questions. Anyhow next to a computer help line or the telephone company these guys are saints.

drecar

Funny, I also was playing with the DSR500 in 480p last night convinced I could get better results. The manual for the machine I find is a little lacking.

My DSR500 displayed unfavorable results when I selected 480p in the 4x3 override in the onscreen menu and 480p on the front setting. I had theorized the the front button was for HDTv and the menu for SDTV. Anyways the result was that my tv displayed three ghosted images with a pink hue and vertical grill effect which only went away on HD channels and present again on SD channels.

After talkng to SC and yet another soft reset. I found the best result for all channels is 4x3 override in the onscreen menu set to off. 16x9 for TV type. 480p for the front button. After the soft reset I believe that I finally have the best PQ that SC can deliver for both SD and HD tv. SD and what I will call true HDTV channels fill my screen. The 4x3 HD broadcast I simply won't watch. I hope that the next $3000 that I spend will net better results.

My understanding is that the red button upfront controls the output resolution of all programming regardless of the native input. So once you decide which resolution that you prefer to view programs, set it and forget it. And your at the mercy of broadcasters and SC for PQ.

SC says that I now have the most current update available. They must be releasing a new one when everything is ready for the new bird. Joy!

Your welcome for my feedback and I appreciate yours as well. I just hope that my understanding is factual. I receive a high level of resistance with my statement that I think 480p looks better than 1080i on SC with DSR500. Can anyone else comment?

dmarsden

I tried your suggested settings and had good results. Thanks.

RAD

I was interested in the comment that there may only be two new HD channels with the new satellite. I spoke with the President of Star Choice about four weeks ago and he was still saying then that there would be three channels. I hope he knew what he was talking about!

dmarsden

I was talking to a techie one floor down from the Pres and he admitted they were not exactly keeping him posted on minute by minute decisions. I think I'd tend to believe the Pres.

drecar

OK, I've had all kinds of buggy stuff happening with my DSR500, but finally I got an amazing picture using the 1080i setting. I don't exactly know which series of tweaks fixed the problem of 480p looking better than 1080i but I am very happy with the result. In the on screen menu I've set tv type to 4x3 pan and scan, 4x3 over ride to off and front red button to 1080i. With these settings HDTV programs are stunning and SDTV programs are good and all programming fills my 16x9 screen. Finally! Starchoice is sending a tech to solve my intermittent problem of sound cutting in and out.

dmarsden

Picture looks great on my 34" Sony XBR800 when broadcast originates in 720p (Fox Sports) or 1080i (CBS). ABC and NBC seem somewhat hit or miss depending on program.
DSR500 is having sound problems and requires a reset quite often to correct it. I went an entire day without sound while I tried everything except a reset to fix it. A friend of mine is having the same trouble. Any other reports of this problem?
I have also had a problem watching MC movies with a prompt consistently coming on that I need to subscribe to MC (West) in order to receive the signal - obviously I subscribe already.
What does Starchoice have in their long term plans for programming to fill the new channels?

drecar

I have had the same problem while watching MC channels in HD. The only solution that works for me is to turn on and off the receiver. My experience with HD programs is the same as yours. On my set CBS''s quality is the best. Please post any solutions that you discover. As for programming I wish SC would do a better job with time shifting primetime HD programs. I am tired of waiting until 10:00pm to watch NYPD, etc. And why the hell insn't the Wire on HDTV?

drecar

Samsung is coming tomorrow to converge my set and turn off scan velocity modulation!!!

drecar

Both Starchoice and Samsung came by this weekend to get things setup.

Starchoice installed a quad on my dish. They checked all my connections (nothing I haven't already done for myself). The PQ degraded during the weekend however improved Monday night and I am very happy with the result. However, I am still experiencing intermittent loss of sound while viewing HD broadcasts.

Samsung's guy started to argue with me about velocity scan modulation. After his demonstration of the effects of this "enhancement" on the screen saver generated by my DVD player, off is clearly the best setting. IMO the off setting provides for a much smoother picture and HD even looks better than before. As for convergence and geometry there wasn't much to do. This Samsung 47'' CRT RPTV is a good set for the money.

dmarsden

I don't think I have an option to turn off velocity scan modulation as Sony of course uses mystical terminology so you have no idea what they're talking about. I'll reread my otherwise useless manual for more clues.
You have to give SC credit they do follow up with on-site inspections if you complain. I'm still having sound trouble and intermitent picture "stuttering" in HD.
I'm hoping that they are still making adjustments while the additional channels are being cued up. I'm also hoping to see a lot more MC HD in the west. It seems like most of the HD movies are blocked out for eastern subscribers only. What else is new?
The guy that I mentioned that was having trouble with his sound is now waiting for a replacement DSR500 as he also lost his entire picture.
I was in Future Shop the other day and when I asked one of the salesman what his #1 talking point was about HD. He said he warns potential customers that an HD set might make an ordinary cable or satellite signal look worse. I've got to say that I was impressed with his honesty as I have been fighting my expectations since I went HD in 2001.