Uverse picture Quality

**rbinck** · 04-22-2009, 01:03 PM

Sounded more like a disclaimer preamble to me warning readers that here come another one so get that grain of salt. Happens often on these forums.

**rbinck** · 04-22-2009, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ledzep790

Yea, I do that too. It's just annoying hehe.

Not annoying enough for me to pay more for other services.

So it's not California after all. I'm not sure why they don't allow full control over the DVR from other STBs either. Maybe the software was not ready for that and it will be an update. They have added many small chances for the better since the start, so it could be in the future.

ledzep790 · 04-24-2009, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbinck

Not annoying enough for me to pay more for other services.

So it's not California after all. I'm not sure why they don't allow full control over the DVR from other STBs either. Maybe the software was not ready for that and it will be an update. They have added many small chances for the better since the start, so it could be in the future.

From what I've been told (which again, is obviously nothing conclusive), a future software update will enable this. It's something ATT is aware of and will address eventually. When this will happen is anyone's guess though.

**rbinck** · 04-24-2009, 11:39 AM

They do keep adding little changes. I noticed lately they have a screen saver if you pause for an extended period of time or leave the STB on a menu. Plasma owners should appreciate that!

JustTrio · 04-24-2009, 02:57 PM

Hello all,

I've not been particularly satisfied with Comcast in my area since they took over from Insight. As such, I started looking into U-Verse because I know I don't like the PQ I've seen from D*.

I went to a local ATT store (and then another where they actually had a UVerse feed), got them to fire up some of the HD channels and...wasn't impressed. There was a bit of softening of the detail in moving faces and the like that I don't typically see with my current HD. That was when I started reading about Comcast's plans to compress their streams more and some of the stations that already aren't so great. I took a look at SciFi HD on Comcast (which I apparently have, contrary to TVguide) where I caught the end of ECW and horrid blocking any time the wrestlers moved. After that, I watched Rescue Me on FXHD where it looked awesome.

Questions:
Any UVerse users who watch Rescue Me in HD? Is it still nicely detailed and grainy?

Is SciFi universally lousy in HD or is it just Comcast?

Are the problems with the HD in UVerse typically that softness or do people, who aren't suffering network problems, also tend to see blocking?

Are the TOSlink audio dropouts during live viewing still a problem?

Thanks in advance.

(edit: In case no one here does watch it, I've asked my co-worker to record next week's episode so I can see for myself. The web site was fairly nice

)

**rbinck** · 04-24-2009, 04:37 PM

I can't tell what your current HD provider is from that post. I guess it is Comcast? Cable systems vary from local to local, whereas satellite PQ would not.

Compared to my son's Comcast HD the U-verse is just as good. Compared to my OTA tuners, it is a bit softer, as you said depending on the channel. I haven't had Directv for some time now, so I really don't know what the new channels look like on D* or Dish for that matter.

I haven't noticed any audio issues with the optical audio.

awol · 04-24-2009, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustTrio

Are the TOSlink audio dropouts during live viewing still a problem?

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbinck

I haven't noticed any audio issues with the optical audio.

From what research I've done on it, while the issue is somewhat widespread, it's not affecting everyone. In a lot of cases, replacing the STB solved the problem. Not all, but again, there was a high likelihood of getting another STB with issues.

It's a lose-lose situation. Go with HDMI and not deal with the dropouts, but sacrifice true DD5.1 sound. Go with optical, and get DD5.1, but possibly have to deal with constant dropouts.

wase4711 · 04-29-2009, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ledzep790

His first paragraph and second paragraph completely contradict each other. I don't know, it made me laugh

Probably too much "bonging" whilst listening to "Stairway to Heaven", Led Zep....

Glad to provide you with a reason to chuckle;
Laughter is a good thing!

Not sure WTF you are talking about, re: contradictory statements, but to make it clear to you, I like Uverse, there are some issues, but its new technology, and it is alot better today then when I signed up 8 months ago...At least they appear to be working to make their service better...

Micker · 04-30-2009, 02:45 PM

DirectTV HD is the worst I have seen. I have cablevision IO and it is MUCH better then DirectTV. I have also seen Comcast and Fios HD and they are MUCH better then DirectTV HD. Doesn't DTV use a low bitrate like 12Mbs compared to 18ish for cable?? I am sure U-Verse will look as good or better then crappy DirectTV HD.

double m · 05-11-2009, 07:17 AM

I have had Comcast, Dish Network, and Uverse so far. I would place the pic quality in that order. With Uverse I get A TON of pixel blocking. On top of that I had a "incompatibility issue" with my HDTV, where the screen would scramble itself when the picture would get very bright. A tech came out, changed the box, changed the wiring to thier cables, and actually bet me that I would not have these problems any more. Well, he lost that bet and a customer. I have not dumped them yet because I am moving in a few months, but I will be doing so when I do move.

I unfortunately have to admit that Comcast has the best PQ, because thier prices, packages, and customer service absolutely sucks!

MissSmiley · 05-18-2009, 03:17 AM

Hi folks...First off, I must say I am not technically minded at all. I own a hdtv (Toshiba) but don't subscribe to hd. I just switched from Comcast cable to U-Verse and have noticed a big difference in picture quality. Especially while watching movies on my dvd/VHS player. I do have a DVR, so I enjoy movies from tv much more now, but sure would like to watch my movies still! My neighbor just got her U-Verse on a non-hidef tv and it looks BETTER than mine. What gives? (She doesn't have a dvd/vhs hooked up though.) My tv has always looked better with cable than hers, now mine is worse than hers with cable!! Tried calling tech support but with my use of technical words/"lines on screen", I didn't get far. I must also say that I'm not usually picky about how a tv looks...but this is annoying when it was better before. Any ideas?? Thanks a lot!

coyote_5 · 05-19-2009, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissSmiley

Hi folks...First off, I must say I am not technically minded at all. I own a hdtv (Toshiba) but don't subscribe to hd. I just switched from Comcast cable to U-Verse and have noticed a big difference in picture quality. Especially while watching movies on my dvd/VHS player. I do have a DVR, so I enjoy movies from tv much more now, but sure would like to watch my movies still! My neighbor just got her U-Verse on a non-hidef tv and it looks BETTER than mine. What gives? (She doesn't have a dvd/vhs hooked up though.) My tv has always looked better with cable than hers, now mine is worse than hers with cable!! Tried calling tech support but with my use of technical words/"lines on screen", I didn't get far. I must also say that I'm not usually picky about how a tv looks...but this is annoying when it was better before. Any ideas?? Thanks a lot!

If I read what you say correctly - you have an hd tv but sd service only from Uverse. Your neighbor has an sd tv and sd service also from Uverse.

It is pretty standard for sd content to look worse on hdtvs than on regular crts (sdtvs) If you search the forums here you will find plenty of information as to why that is the case.

MissSmiley · 05-19-2009, 06:41 PM

coyote_5:
If I read what you say correctly - you have an hd tv but sd service only from Uverse. Your neighbor has an sd tv and sd service also from Uverse.

It is pretty standard for sd content to look worse on hdtvs than on regular crts (sdtvs) If you search the forums here you will find plenty of information as to why that is the case.

I think so, Coyote LOL! Thanks for replying, I'll look around the forum more!

**rbinck** · 05-19-2009, 07:53 PM

Even though you have only SD service, the U-verse box can be hooked up to your HDTV with a HD video connection. That would be either HDMI or component. You probably have the U-verse box connected to your VCR and from the VCR to the TV. That's the way I have my wife's HDTV hooked up but I also added the component connection directly from the U-verse box to the TV. When she watches the U-verse through the VCR input it is a lot worse than when she switches it to the component input. If none of that makes sense to you, maybe you could get some help to get you connected.

DreGun · 05-20-2009, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ledzep790

From what I've been told (which again, is obviously nothing conclusive), a future software update will enable this. It's something ATT is aware of and will address eventually. When this will happen is anyone's guess though.

Prepare for awesomeness soon...that is all I can say

04-22-2009, 01:03 PM	#31
rbinck Administrator Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Katy, Texas Posts: 12,337	Sounded more like a disclaimer preamble to me warning readers that here come another one so get that grain of salt. Happens often on these forums. __________________ www.highdefinitionblog.com www.BlogOfHawaii.com

04-24-2009, 11:39 AM	#34
rbinck Administrator Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Katy, Texas Posts: 12,337	They do keep adding little changes. I noticed lately they have a screen saver if you pause for an extended period of time or leave the STB on a menu. Plasma owners should appreciate that! __________________ www.highdefinitionblog.com www.BlogOfHawaii.com

04-24-2009, 04:37 PM	#36
rbinck Administrator Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Katy, Texas Posts: 12,337	I can't tell what your current HD provider is from that post. I guess it is Comcast? Cable systems vary from local to local, whereas satellite PQ would not. Compared to my son's Comcast HD the U-verse is just as good. Compared to my OTA tuners, it is a bit softer, as you said depending on the channel. I haven't had Directv for some time now, so I really don't know what the new channels look like on D* or Dish for that matter. I haven't noticed any audio issues with the optical audio. __________________ www.highdefinitionblog.com www.BlogOfHawaii.com

04-30-2009, 02:45 PM	#39
Micker A couch and an HDTV to go please. Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 13	Hd DirectTV HD is the worst I have seen. I have cablevision IO and it is MUCH better then DirectTV. I have also seen Comcast and Fios HD and they are MUCH better then DirectTV HD. Doesn't DTV use a low bitrate like 12Mbs compared to 18ish for cable?? I am sure U-Verse will look as good or better then crappy DirectTV HD.

05-18-2009, 03:17 AM	#41
MissSmiley What is HD? Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 2	Trouble with U-Verse (?) Hi folks...First off, I must say I am not technically minded at all. I own a hdtv (Toshiba) but don't subscribe to hd. I just switched from Comcast cable to U-Verse and have noticed a big difference in picture quality. Especially while watching movies on my dvd/VHS player. I do have a DVR, so I enjoy movies from tv much more now, but sure would like to watch my movies still! My neighbor just got her U-Verse on a non-hidef tv and it looks BETTER than mine. What gives? (She doesn't have a dvd/vhs hooked up though.) My tv has always looked better with cable than hers, now mine is worse than hers with cable!! Tried calling tech support but with my use of technical words/"lines on screen", I didn't get far. I must also say that I'm not usually picky about how a tv looks...but this is annoying when it was better before. Any ideas?? Thanks a lot!

04-24-2009, 02:57 PM	#35
JustTrio What is HD? Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 1	Hello all, I've not been particularly satisfied with Comcast in my area since they took over from Insight. As such, I started looking into U-Verse because I know I don't like the PQ I've seen from D*. I went to a local ATT store (and then another where they actually had a UVerse feed), got them to fire up some of the HD channels and...wasn't impressed. There was a bit of softening of the detail in moving faces and the like that I don't typically see with my current HD. That was when I started reading about Comcast's plans to compress their streams more and some of the stations that already aren't so great. I took a look at SciFi HD on Comcast (which I apparently have, contrary to TVguide) where I caught the end of ECW and horrid blocking any time the wrestlers moved. After that, I watched Rescue Me on FXHD where it looked awesome. Questions: Any UVerse users who watch Rescue Me in HD? Is it still nicely detailed and grainy? Is SciFi universally lousy in HD or is it just Comcast? Are the problems with the HD in UVerse typically that softness or do people, who aren't suffering network problems, also tend to see blocking? Are the TOSlink audio dropouts during live viewing still a problem? Thanks in advance. (edit: In case no one here does watch it, I've asked my co-worker to record next week's episode so I can see for myself. The web site was fairly nice )

05-11-2009, 07:17 AM	#40
double m My plasma is High Def. Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 6	I have had Comcast, Dish Network, and Uverse so far. I would place the pic quality in that order. With Uverse I get A TON of pixel blocking. On top of that I had a "incompatibility issue" with my HDTV, where the screen would scramble itself when the picture would get very bright. A tech came out, changed the box, changed the wiring to thier cables, and actually bet me that I would not have these problems any more. Well, he lost that bet and a customer. I have not dumped them yet because I am moving in a few months, but I will be doing so when I do move. I unfortunately have to admit that Comcast has the best PQ, because thier prices, packages, and customer service absolutely sucks!

05-19-2009, 06:41 PM	#43
MissSmiley What is HD? Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 2	coyote_5: If I read what you say correctly - you have an hd tv but sd service only from Uverse. Your neighbor has an sd tv and sd service also from Uverse. It is pretty standard for sd content to look worse on hdtvs than on regular crts (sdtvs) If you search the forums here you will find plenty of information as to why that is the case. I think so, Coyote LOL! Thanks for replying, I'll look around the forum more!

05-19-2009, 07:53 PM	#44
rbinck Administrator Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Katy, Texas Posts: 12,337	Even though you have only SD service, the U-verse box can be hooked up to your HDTV with a HD video connection. That would be either HDMI or component. You probably have the U-verse box connected to your VCR and from the VCR to the TV. That's the way I have my wife's HDTV hooked up but I also added the component connection directly from the U-verse box to the TV. When she watches the U-verse through the VCR input it is a lot worse than when she switches it to the component input. If none of that makes sense to you, maybe you could get some help to get you connected. __________________ www.highdefinitionblog.com www.BlogOfHawaii.com

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