OTA HD vs DTV HD: Quality?

hfk · 01-16-2007, 11:14 AM

Hi,

Some background: I'm a relative newcomer to HDTV. A year or so ago I mounted a UHF Antenna, with an LNA in my attic, with diplexers to share it through the DTV cable. However, I didn't run power to the LNA untill 6 months or so ago. At the time I owned a very nice, 36" Sony HD CRT-based TV (the 955, I think). I was immediately impressed by the OTA HD, and my interest in SD programming began to wane. A few months ago my Sony began acting up, so I upgraded to a 50" HP Plasma, and I've been addicted to HD ever since. I've even begun to watch Football, which is a first for me. I eventually reached the point that I was barely spending any time watching DTV channels.

I finally made the call to cancel DTV, but thought I'd check with them first to see what they could do for me. They agreed to give me a free HD Receiver upgrade and nine months of free HD service, which sounded great to me, so I agreed to continue service. (I really appreciate DTV's desire to keep customers: they seem to be serious about competing)

DTV is due to install my HD Receiver tomorrow. I know that some of the DTV HD Channels have lackluster quality (TNT, for instance).

Can I expect ANY of the DTV HD channels to look as good as the OTA channels?

If not...

I've read that quality issues are created because of the signal compression required due to current bandwidth limitations. I've also read that DTV will be bringing a couple of satellites on-line this year so that they can expand their HD lineup. I wonder if the increased bandwidth will also be used to improve picture quality? I presume that de-compression schemes are built into the receiver. If so, then has DTV limited the potential for improved signal quality? Can they upgrade the receivers to improve quality?

Thanks

Quake97 · 01-16-2007, 12:40 PM

I can tell you. OTA does look better, but it's not all that noticable. I can tell only because I know, honestly. Some others on here might tell you differently because they might have better TVs. If OTA wasn't free, I'd stick with DTV's feed and be happy.

Joe

HondoHDTV · 01-16-2007, 02:24 PM

HFK,

are you aware of the two year commitment? the fact that the reciever is leased, not owned (not that leasing is a big issue - catv does it). the two year commitment however is a thorn in my side (I should have researched that more or made a well informed purchase rather than an emotional one but I wanted HD to go with my new HDTV) mostly because I have been a customer forever (since 95 or 96 whenever they started) and I felt that was a slap in the face to lock me in... I wasn't jumping ship, I was coming back for more - if you see my point.

anyway, I just thought I'd mention that before they come out and you're locked in.

Rich

hfk · 01-16-2007, 06:29 PM

Rich,

Thanks for the reminder. Yes, I'm aware of it, but I'm not too concerned about it. I presume that there's a 30 day opportunity to change one's mind. Do you know if that's the case?

I'm encouraged by the DTV's statement that they'll be adding numerous HD channels, but cautiously so: I know that DTV has reneged on their commitment to provide local HD channels (I have a co-worker who uses Cox and he gets local HDs through his Cox service: seems odd that Cox can rebroadcast without issue but DTV can't).

So I'm going to hope for the best. Luckily, I've actually reduced my bill significantly: I'll no longer have TIVO, I've dropped two other receivers that I've never used, and I've reverted to a cheaper package. Of course that's not really connected to upgrading, but it was an opportune time to re-evaluate just what it was that I wanted from DTV.

Thanks again for the heads-up.

01-16-2007, 11:14 AM	#1
hfk How can anyone watch standard def? Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 28	OTA HD vs DTV HD: Quality? Hi, Some background: I'm a relative newcomer to HDTV. A year or so ago I mounted a UHF Antenna, with an LNA in my attic, with diplexers to share it through the DTV cable. However, I didn't run power to the LNA untill 6 months or so ago. At the time I owned a very nice, 36" Sony HD CRT-based TV (the 955, I think). I was immediately impressed by the OTA HD, and my interest in SD programming began to wane. A few months ago my Sony began acting up, so I upgraded to a 50" HP Plasma, and I've been addicted to HD ever since. I've even begun to watch Football, which is a first for me. I eventually reached the point that I was barely spending any time watching DTV channels. I finally made the call to cancel DTV, but thought I'd check with them first to see what they could do for me. They agreed to give me a free HD Receiver upgrade and nine months of free HD service, which sounded great to me, so I agreed to continue service. (I really appreciate DTV's desire to keep customers: they seem to be serious about competing) DTV is due to install my HD Receiver tomorrow. I know that some of the DTV HD Channels have lackluster quality (TNT, for instance). Can I expect ANY of the DTV HD channels to look as good as the OTA channels? If not... I've read that quality issues are created because of the signal compression required due to current bandwidth limitations. I've also read that DTV will be bringing a couple of satellites on-line this year so that they can expand their HD lineup. I wonder if the increased bandwidth will also be used to improve picture quality? I presume that de-compression schemes are built into the receiver. If so, then has DTV limited the potential for improved signal quality? Can they upgrade the receivers to improve quality? Thanks

01-16-2007, 02:24 PM	#3
HondoHDTV Shake & Bake - WOOOO! Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 204	HFK, are you aware of the two year commitment? the fact that the reciever is leased, not owned (not that leasing is a big issue - catv does it). the two year commitment however is a thorn in my side (I should have researched that more or made a well informed purchase rather than an emotional one but I wanted HD to go with my new HDTV) mostly because I have been a customer forever (since 95 or 96 whenever they started) and I felt that was a slap in the face to lock me in... I wasn't jumping ship, I was coming back for more - if you see my point. anyway, I just thought I'd mention that before they come out and you're locked in. Rich __________________ HondoHDTV Toshiba 56HM66 DLP 720p - 56 inch Toshiba S4990 DVD Upconversion DirecTV 5 LNB Dish AU9 Slimline HD Local OTA HD20 700 DVR HD 20 DirecTV Receiver DirecTivo (SDTV) DirecTV DVR (SDTV)

01-16-2007, 12:40 PM	#2
Quake97 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 135	I can tell you. OTA does look better, but it's not all that noticable. I can tell only because I know, honestly. Some others on here might tell you differently because they might have better TVs. If OTA wasn't free, I'd stick with DTV's feed and be happy. Joe

01-16-2007, 06:29 PM	#4
hfk How can anyone watch standard def? Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 28	Rich, Thanks for the reminder. Yes, I'm aware of it, but I'm not too concerned about it. I presume that there's a 30 day opportunity to change one's mind. Do you know if that's the case? I'm encouraged by the DTV's statement that they'll be adding numerous HD channels, but cautiously so: I know that DTV has reneged on their commitment to provide local HD channels (I have a co-worker who uses Cox and he gets local HDs through his Cox service: seems odd that Cox can rebroadcast without issue but DTV can't). So I'm going to hope for the best. Luckily, I've actually reduced my bill significantly: I'll no longer have TIVO, I've dropped two other receivers that I've never used, and I've reverted to a cheaper package. Of course that's not really connected to upgrading, but it was an opportune time to re-evaluate just what it was that I wanted from DTV. Thanks again for the heads-up.