More Questions about HDTV

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

On Thu, 9 Sep 2004 17:17:34 -0400, "Willie Nelson"
<willie@buymyrecords.com> wrote:

>I'm going to take the plunge. I want it mainly for HD sporting events.
>
>1. My provider is DirecTv. I've heard from many that DirectTV's HD package
>still shows up blocky at times. If I want blocky, I'll just watch my 50'
>Mistu downstairs. Way over compressed. What are your views on DirectvHD?
>
>2. I want plasma, but I want a big screen (>50" ). This = big $. So, I'm
>thiking projection is the way to go (DLP or LCD). Any opinions on which I
>should go with? Every web site I read is biased heavily towards one or the
>other with no middle ground..
>
>3. Should I only get this DLP2+ and not worry about "older" DLP?
>
>Thanks in advance,
>joe
>

I had Direct TV since 1997. Upgraded to the HD package last week. Love
it. No problems whatsoever. Nothing blocky there. They installed a
Samsung SIR TS360 receiver (Samsung's latest and greatest) and they
even took $100 off after I invoked the "loyal and good customer"
routine when I signed up. They won't offer a discount, obviously, but
if you ask if you can get a deal because of your good loyal customer
standing, you may be surprised. The guy checked my record while on the
phone, and buckled to $100 off. The Samsung alone retails for 399
bucks, so I got a good deal for 300. Including the complete install. I
have to mention that for all the time I had DirectTV, I had NFL Sunday
ticket, so that may have helped the deal.
They did goof up my OTA install though, and did come back to try and
realign the OTA antenna they installed (it was off by 90 degrees) but
I still couldn't get a good off air signal for my local digital (SD
and HD) channels. The antenna they deliver is only so-so (Winegard
Sensar II). I guess your success rate will depend on where you
located. I am only 10 miles away from the broadcast towers, and I
bought an RCA ANT1250 amplified indoor antenna at Bestbuy for $60. It
pulls in all the local digital channels flawlessly (in the basement
mind you), while this rooftop antenna couldn't pull in more then a few
channels, and flaky at that. There's another thread here I started
this week on that, with more details.
All in all, they did a great job on the dish pointing (took them about
an hour) with all sats coming in at 97-100%. Perfect reception and the
HD channels are no less then stunning.
Less of a job on the antenna/OTA setup, but they are after all a
satellite company, not an antenna company. Their techs don't know how
to install an rooftop UHF/VHF antenna in other words.


As far as plasma/dlp/lcd I can't offer much help. I have plasma (42
inch Hitachi 42HDT50) and I love it. All systems have their pro's and
con's I guess. But yes, if you want a big plasma, you will need a deep
pocket ;-)


Maybe check this site for a start:
http://www.hdtvpub.com/

May give you some clues of what's available in your area as well.

==VernMan==

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

I have Directv with the Samsung 360 HDTV tuner. I called Directv
customer retention center and told them I was thinking of switching to
cable for HDTV. They offered and I accepted the Samsung 360 box,the new
dish for HDTV and outdoor OTA antenna, all installed for only $ 99.00.
Not sure if you can stil get but defintly worth a try.

Also I looked into plasmas but could not justify the cost. I settled for
a Infocus X1 projecter which goes for about $900.00. I built a screen
for it (4 foot by 8 foot) for about $50.00. For HDTV viewing it is
fantastic, while for regular satlleite feed it is good. I am thinking of
upgrading to bettr projector but with HDTV no need. Just bought the NFL
Sunday Ticket so HDTV football is playing in the house!

Well all most game time. Got to run. Good luck with your decision and
let me know if you have more questions!

BTW: Love your music, but pay your taxes!

Willie Nelson wrote:
> I'm going to take the plunge. I want it mainly for HD sporting events.
>
> 1. My provider is DirecTv. I've heard from many that DirectTV's HD package
> still shows up blocky at times. If I want blocky, I'll just watch my 50'
> Mistu downstairs. Way over compressed. What are your views on DirectvHD?
>
> 2. I want plasma, but I want a big screen (>50" ). This = big $. So, I'm
> thiking projection is the way to go (DLP or LCD). Any opinions on which I
> should go with? Every web site I read is biased heavily towards one or the
> other with no middle ground..
>
> 3. Should I only get this DLP2+ and not worry about "older" DLP?
>
> Thanks in advance,
> joe
>
>

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

May I ask how you built your screen and HOW dark your viewing room must be?
Sounds like a great solution.

Thanks
"Eric Hardman" <shrktank@charter.net> wrote in message
news:10k1tpgt5lonj1a@corp.supernews.com...
>I have Directv with the Samsung 360 HDTV tuner. I called Directv customer
>retention center and told them I was thinking of switching to cable for
>HDTV. They offered and I accepted the Samsung 360 box,the new dish for HDTV
>and outdoor OTA antenna, all installed for only $ 99.00. Not sure if you
>can stil get but defintly worth a try.
>
> Also I looked into plasmas but could not justify the cost. I settled for a
> Infocus X1 projecter which goes for about $900.00. I built a screen for it
> (4 foot by 8 foot) for about $50.00. For HDTV viewing it is fantastic,
> while for regular satlleite feed it is good. I am thinking of upgrading to
> bettr projector but with HDTV no need. Just bought the NFL Sunday Ticket
> so HDTV football is playing in the house!
>
> Well all most game time. Got to run. Good luck with your decision and let
> me know if you have more questions!
>
> BTW: Love your music, but pay your taxes!
>
> Willie Nelson wrote:
>> I'm going to take the plunge. I want it mainly for HD sporting events.
>>
>> 1. My provider is DirecTv. I've heard from many that DirectTV's HD
>> package
>> still shows up blocky at times. If I want blocky, I'll just watch my 50'
>> Mistu downstairs. Way over compressed. What are your views on
>> DirectvHD?
>>
>> 2. I want plasma, but I want a big screen (>50" ). This = big $. So,
>> I'm
>> thiking projection is the way to go (DLP or LCD). Any opinions on which
>> I
>> should go with? Every web site I read is biased heavily towards one or
>> the
>> other with no middle ground..
>>
>> 3. Should I only get this DLP2+ and not worry about "older" DLP?
>>
>> Thanks in advance,
>> joe
>>

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

On Fri, 10 Sep 2004 03:52:31 -0700, "Mike Brown" <mb16@cox.net> wrote:

>Does DirecTV happen to provide you HD out of market locals, if their antenna
>set up doesn't work out? I'm in So Cal and 60 miles away from station
>transmitters. I'm concerned if the antenna doesn't pull these locals in,
>I'm out of luck.
>

I think their cut-off for OTA locals is 40 miles, so you might be OK.
You may need to call them to confirm that.
With 60 miles between you and the local transmitters you certainly
will need a high end OTA antenna in case they don't. It depends on the
transmitters' location and strength. It could be you are OK if the
transmitters are located on a mountain top or an elevated terrain (as
most are in hilly and mountainous terrains)
I heard of people 75 miles out getting good HD reception, but they
needed special amplified antennas.
Put your zipcode in the website http://www.hdtvpub.com/ and see what
is available and read up on what others in your area are experiencing.
Good luck

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

On Thu, 09 Sep 2004 22:39:28 GMT, "VernMan@my.home"
<wernergr@comcast.net> wrote:

>Forgot to mention also that if you go with cable (here it's Comcast)
>set top box (STB), you will have a poorer picture on your regular SD
>channels then you have now.

That's not true where I live.
Thumper




>You'll have to split your incoming cable
>and route your cable direct to your TV for decent standard digital
>reception and to your STB for your HD reception. Something inherrently
>flaky with the comcast cable set top boxes. It is, from what I read,
>annoying quite a few of the cable HD subscribers, so maybe they will
>get a better quality STB out to avoid losing more of their customers
>to Direct TV.
>With Direct TV I don't have that issue. All my channels look great,
>and the HD channels look even greater ;-)
>
>And of course, nothing beats NFL Sunday ticket in HD on channels 90-98
>every upcoming Sunday :-)

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