Direct TV HD DVR first report.

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

Got my Hughes Direct TV HD DVR last night and after playing with it for a
number of hours I have somewhat mixed feelings when comparing it to my Sony
HD SAT 300 which it replaced. Though I can't say enough about having the HD
Tivo features available the picture just isn't as good as what I was
receiving from the Sony. The Tivo has a softer look which I can deal with on
HD content but it really softens the look of the SD Direct TV material.
Also, my SAT 300 was spot on with color and brightness compared to my ISF
calibrated set but with the new Tivo I find I have to bump up the color
intensity, brightness and sharpness somewhat to achieve a satisfactory
picture. OTA tuning is fine, having no problems with all of the Seattle
Metro area DTV broadcasts. I find the numbers lag slightly when entering
from the keypad and it's a little slower in general compared to my SD Hughes
Tivo which is in my bedroom. Since I really want the DVR features I'm gonna
give it a shot and see if it grows on me...but my initial reactions were not
as stellar as I had hoped compared to the picture I'm accustomed to from the
Sony. Not bad...but just not as great.



Charles Tomaras
Seattle, WA

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

"Jeff Rife" <wevsr@nabs.net> wrote in message
news:MPG.1b306a41b78676879896c3@razor.nabs.net...
> I've often wondered why STBs (especially HD ones) don't offer these sorts
> of adjustments. TVs that remember settings separately for different
> inputs aren't universal, and using an external switchbox stops that from
> working, anyway (with 4 component output devices, I *have* to use an
> external box no matter what TV I would buy).

Yes..you take a look at all the picture adjustment features that are packed
into my Denon 2900 DVD player and it makes you wonder why high end STB's
have so little. I've been using a Denon 5803 AV Receiver to handle all the
switching chores and it's been great but it won't handle HDMI if I ever
upgrade my television.

Charles Tomaras
Seattle, WA

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

"jeff b" <fakeaddy@fjyfj.com> wrote in message
news:neGxc.8306$0y.4160@attbi_s03...
> Though I can't say enough about having the HD
>> Tivo features available the picture just isn't as good as what I was
>> receiving from the Sony.
>
> If picture quality is inferior, then nothing else matters,
> it blows the whole deal.
> This is extremely bad news.
>
> Jeff B

It's a shame without paying for an additional receiver fee that I can't have
both the Sony and the Hughes boxes connected and activated at the same time.
I just get the sinking feeling that a thin veil of haze has been added by
the Tivo box but I question myself enough to wish I could do a direct AB
comparison.

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

"Charles Tomaras" <tomaras@tomaras.com> wrote in message
newsNmdnXjGq_S94lvdRVn-gg@comcast.com...
> Got my Hughes Direct TV HD DVR last night and after playing with it for a
> number of hours I have somewhat mixed feelings when comparing it to my
Sony
> HD SAT 300 which it replaced. Though I can't say enough about having the
HD
> Tivo features available the picture just isn't as good as what I was
> receiving from the Sony. The Tivo has a softer look which I can deal with
on
> HD content but it really softens the look of the SD Direct TV material.
> Also, my SAT 300 was spot on with color and brightness compared to my ISF
> calibrated set but with the new Tivo I find I have to bump up the color
> intensity, brightness and sharpness somewhat to achieve a satisfactory
> picture. OTA tuning is fine, having no problems with all of the Seattle
> Metro area DTV broadcasts. I find the numbers lag slightly when entering
> from the keypad and it's a little slower in general compared to my SD
Hughes
> Tivo which is in my bedroom. Since I really want the DVR features I'm
gonna
> give it a shot and see if it grows on me...but my initial reactions were
not
> as stellar as I had hoped compared to the picture I'm accustomed to from
the
> Sony. Not bad...but just not as great.
> Charles Tomaras
> Seattle, WA

Charles,
Are you using DVI or component outputs?
I think this was mentioned a few times by some folks on the AVS/Tivo forum,
but they were referring to the DVI output. Some switched over to the
component outputs and were much happier.

I've had my HD-Tivo on order for some time, and I'll have to use component
outputs because my projector doesn't have DVI inputs.
-Dave