Some HD programing looks stellar, while others...

[Techlord]

Hello everyone,

I have noticed that some HD programing looks stellar, but others look like 720P or worse than SD 480P...? I have been watching American Chopper on HD theater and have been able to get in close "without" seeing those big blocky, grainy pixels. I have also seen some HD programing that just looks horrible with grainy pixels all over the screen that looks worse than anything ever seen on TV digital or not! Am I missing something here or is it just me?

[BiggNewt]

I have noticed that some HD programing looks stellar, but others look like 720P or worse than SD 480P...?


What resolution are you expecting if 720P isn't good enough?

[gwhoughton]

There are many factors that can affect your image...

First of all, not everything shown on the HD channels is actually HD. I've always looked at it this way: An "HD" channel is CAPABLE of carrying an HD signal, but doesn't necissarily have to do so. So basically, if the programming on that particular channel is AVAILABLE in HD, it will be CARRIED in HD, if not, you will still receive the program, but in SD. This happens a LOT on the Fox regionals, for example.

Secondly, make sure that your receiver/DVR is set up for the native resolution of your display. If your monitor is 720P, change your DVR to output that resolution. Same with 1080i.

Then, there's the fact that some channels broadcast in 720P, and some in 1080i. This may not matter as much, unless you are getting some of your HD via OTA.

All of the above doesn't even take into consideration the settings you have on your monitor...

Anyway, the bottom line is, I think we ALL have our "favorites" as far as the stations we feel have the highest quality HD. Maybe I am just lucky, or it's the excellent old CRT set I have, but MOST of it looks pretty good to me.

Some that do stand out for me off the top of my head are ESPN HD, CBS HD, and KCAL9 (in LA).

[1080PsF]

compression has a lot to do with it.

[Techlord]

Originally Posted by gwhoughton

There are many factors that can affect your image...

First of all, not everything shown on the HD channels is actually HD. I've always looked at it this way: An "HD" channel is CAPABLE of carrying an HD signal, but doesn't necissarily have to do so. So basically, if the programming on that particular channel is AVAILABLE in HD, it will be CARRIED in HD, if not, you will still receive the program, but in SD. This happens a LOT on the Fox regionals, for example.

Secondly, make sure that your receiver/DVR is set up for the native resolution of your display. If your monitor is 720P, change your DVR to output that resolution. Same with 1080i.

Then, there's the fact that some channels broadcast in 720P, and some in 1080i. This may not matter as much, unless you are getting some of your HD via OTA.

All of the above doesn't even take into consideration the settings you have on your monitor...

Anyway, the bottom line is, I think we ALL have our "favorites" as far as the stations we feel have the highest quality HD. Maybe I am just lucky, or it's the excellent old CRT set I have, but MOST of it looks pretty good to me.

Some that do stand out for me off the top of my head are ESPN HD, CBS HD, and KCAL9 (in LA).

You know what, I think your right! It seems that the HD channels crank up the quality during primetime, ESPN HD, CBS HD, and KCAL do come in much better than most for me also. I think it also matters what shows were originally done in HD to begin with, a lot of CBS HD shows look stellar on almost any channel.

1080PsF, I think you are right also about the compression, that must be why some channels look worse than even DVD. I have seen SD look better than those so called HD channels! Compression produces all sorts of grainy pictures, the question is why would some channels stoop that low? Without A Trace always looks first rate along with CSI which is the best I have seen in HD on CBS HD, even in the surround channels every now and then.

I do have my DVR set at 1080i with Dobly Digital. I guess AVAILABLE in HD doesn't mean that they are in HD.

[highdefjeff]

Originally Posted by Techlord

Hello everyone,

I have noticed that some HD programing looks stellar, but others look like 720P or worse than SD 480P...? I have been watching American Chopper on HD theater and have been able to get in close "without" seeing those big blocky, grainy pixels. I have also seen some HD programing that just looks horrible with grainy pixels all over the screen that looks worse than anything ever seen on TV digital or not! Am I missing something here or is it just me?

This is a signal issue. There is no doubt in my mind. What you describe is poor signal. Get your dish peaked.

[markfoto]

Originally Posted by highdefjeff

This is a signal issue. There is no doubt in my mind. What you describe is poor signal. Get your dish peaked.

Ditto! My ancient 720p plasma still looks better than cheap 1080p LCDs.....

[Techlord]

Originally Posted by highdefjeff

This is a signal issue. There is no doubt in my mind. What you describe is poor signal. Get your dish peaked.

I don't think it could be a signal issue when on the same channel (HDNET) some programing looks "stellar" while others look just "good". How do I get my dish peaked? The worse HD has got to be TNT HD, "hourglass effect" on both sides of screen. TNT HD wouldn't know an HD signal if it slapped them in the face!

[Loves2Watch]

Originally Posted by Techlord

I don't think it could be a signal issue when on the same channel (HDNET) some programing looks "stellar" while others look just "good". How do I get my dish peaked? The worse HD has got to be TNT HD, "hourglass effect" on both sides of screen. TNT HD wouldn't know an HD signal if it slapped them in the face!

Now we all know that TNT has probably the worst HD material and much of it is in stretch-o-vision but the hourglass effect you mention is not normal and is indicative of other problems/issues.