Yesterday, I just switched from Time Warner Cable to E*. So far, I am extremely disappointed with the picture quality. I am watching HD content through my Optoma HD72 projector on a 106" fixed frame screen. It seems to me that TWC picture was significantly sharper, especially on channels HDNET and ESPN. I was informed that by going with a satellite provider, the picture would look superior to cable, since cable signals are compressed. I will go over the system with a fine tooth comb tonight and verify that everything is hook up correctly. Does anyone have any suggestions on why the picture is not as sharp? I signed up blindly for the 2 year commitment :o:(

Yesterday, I just switched from Time Warner Cable to E*. So far, I am extremely disappointed with the picture quality.I was informed that by going with a satellite provider, the picture would look superior to cable, since cable signals are compressed.
Who told you "that by going with a satellite provider, the picture would look superior to cable, since cable signals are compressed"? I think they have some major explaining to do :eek:
Every broadcaster (Cable, satellite, FIOS) compresses their content. Some use more compression than others, typically FIOS uses the least amount of comperssion, Cable is second and Satellite has the highest compression rates. Now that Satellite is moving to mp4 for HD content- the picture quality has gotten somewhat better then when it was all mpeg2. Also, most DishNet HD is max res of 1440 not true traditional 1920 res.

Who told you "that by going with a satellite provider, the picture would look superior to cable, since cable signals are compressed"? I think they have some major explaining to do :eek:
Every broadcaster (Cable, satellite, FIOS) compresses their content. Some use more compression than others, typically FIOS uses the least amount of comperssion, Cable is second and Satellite has the highest compression rates. Now that Satellite is moving to mp4 for HD content- the picture quality has gotten somewhat better then when it was all mpeg2. Also, most DishNet HD is max res of 1440 not true traditional 1920 res.

I guess I am screwed for the next 2 years :confused::mad::(

I guess I am screwed for the next 2 years :confused::mad::(They will give you at least three days to punt. Call quick. :) I found the exact same thing but at least knew it going in.

Actually FIOS does not compress the signal. They retransmit just as it came to them.

I was informed that by going with a satellite provider, the picture would look superior to cable, since cable signals are compressed.You were informed wrong. As noted all HD providers, with the exception of Verizon FiOS, do at least some HD image quality reduction.

DBS providers are easy to directly compare, since everyone gets exactly the same HD quality. At this time, and this is always subject to change, DirecTV is thought to have better HD image quality than Dish Network.

For cable, it's much more difficult to compare. Most cableco's do a decent job with HD, but since each different service area has different infrastructure, it's literally impossible to know what you'll get unless you ask someone in that specific area. With large cableco's like TWC, they probably have hundreds, maybe thousands, of different systems across the country, all with potentially different HD image quality.

I would strongly suggest you see the local topic for your area, found in the HDTV Locals Forum. At least that way you can learn what others in your area think about TWC, and hopefully someone has compared them with Dish and DirecTV recently.

Just one fine detail here - all digital video from providers and OTA is compressed. Providers also received the signals as compressed. They can pass it along without alteration, or use rate shaping or re-compression to reduce the bandwidth which usually causes loss of PQ. Cable tends to use rate shaping while satellite tends to use recompression which is moving towards MPEG4.

One question I have is what will cable do with signals they receive as MPEG4? Will they have to convert them to MPEG2? Are any cable companies using or planning to use MPEG4?

I guess I am screwed for the next 2 years :confused::mad::(

Unless you are broke or make minimum wage you won't be screwed. I'm sure they will give you a little grace period and you can probably cancel if you did it soon. Even if not, they charge you $10 per month of service that is left on your contract. Worst case scenario you will have to pay them $240 bucks.

I'm not saying it's chump change, but don't let that make you miserable for the next two years.

You were informed wrong. As noted all HD providers, with the exception of Verizon FiOS, do at least some HD image quality reduction.

DBS providers are easy to directly compare, since everyone gets exactly the same HD quality. At this time, and this is always subject to change, DirecTV is thought to have better HD image quality than Dish Network.

For cable, it's much more difficult to compare. Most cableco's do a decent job with HD, but since each different service area has different infrastructure, it's literally impossible to know what you'll get unless you ask someone in that specific area. With large cableco's like TWC, they probably have hundreds, maybe thousands, of different systems across the country, all with potentially different HD image quality.

I would strongly suggest you see the local topic for your area, found in the HDTV Locals Forum. At least that way you can learn what others in your area think about TWC, and hopefully someone has compared them with Dish and DirecTV recently.

Thanks for the info Ken. I'll check out the other forum per your request :)

Yesterday, I just switched from Time Warner Cable to E*. So far, I am extremely disappointed with the picture quality. I am watching HD content through my Optoma HD72 projector on a 106" fixed frame screen. It seems to me that TWC picture was significantly sharper, especially on channels HDNET and ESPN. I was informed that by going with a satellite provider, the picture would look superior to cable, since cable signals are compressed. I will go over the system with a fine tooth comb tonight and verify that everything is hook up correctly. Does anyone have any suggestions on why the picture is not as sharp? I signed up blindly for the 2 year commitment :o:(

Check the HD resolution setup in your satellite receiver. Sometimes the installer doesn't set it up right :)

Check the HD resolution setup in your satellite receiver. Sometimes the installer doesn't set it up right :)

Ah, good idea. The STB could be set for 480p.

One question I have is what will cable do with signals they receive as MPEG4? Will they have to convert them to MPEG2?


yes

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=14389613#post14389613


Are any cable companies using or planning to use MPEG4?

all the newer STBs have mpeg4 specs, including FiOS

It seems to me that TWC picture was significantly sharper, especially on channels HDNET and ESPN.(Just so you know, those two channels are still mpeg2, and are supposed to be moving to mpeg4 sometime soon. So the PQ of them should look at least as good as the other mpeg4 HD channels when they do.

Ah, good idea. The STB could be set for 480p.

I can remember my first HD cable install back in the day. They just turned on HD and he wanted to install the RWY cables into my new HDTV. I basically took the time to explain what HDTV was and about some of the new HD cables. What a long slow road it's been to get to this point.

Check the HD resolution setup in your satellite receiver. Sometimes the installer doesn't set it up right :)


That's my suggestion, too. I've seen this problem on new installs for VOOM (remember them?), DirecTV, and DISH. Let us know if that was the problem.

Also check the cables you are useing. HDMI is a BIG change from RWY (aka: RCA).
I did this to a friend of mine and he was blown away." I never thought my picture would look like that"!!

Yesterday, I just switched from Time Warner Cable to E*. So far, I am extremely disappointed with the picture quality. I am watching HD content through my Optoma HD72 projector on a 106" fixed frame screen. It seems to me that TWC picture was significantly sharper, especially on channels HDNET and ESPN. I was informed that by going with a satellite provider, the picture would look superior to cable, since cable signals are compressed. I will go over the system with a fine tooth comb tonight and verify that everything is hook up correctly. Does anyone have any suggestions on why the picture is not as sharp? I signed up blindly for the 2 year commitment :o:(

UPDATE:

Checked out everything last night. No issues that I could find. The picture looked a lot better in the evening. Maybe it was just my eyes. I dunno know :rolleyes:.However, I did notice on the back of the DVR that the antenna was pointed down. Would this make a difference? My projector's native resolution is 720P. Should I set the DVR to that as well? I am using the same 35 ' component cables that were hooked up to my SA8300. I checked those as well, and they were good to go.

UPDATE:

Checked out everything last night. No issues that I could find. The picture looked a lot better in the evening. Maybe it was just my eyes. I dunno know :rolleyes:.However, I did notice on the back of the DVR that the antenna was pointed down. Would this make a difference? My projector's native resolution is 720P. Should I set the DVR to that as well? I am using the same 35 ' component cables that were hooked up to my SA8300. I checked those as well, and they were good to go.

Interesting. I'm no expert, but I would imagine setting your DVR to 720p would be a good idea considering that's your native resolution. Also, have you thought of trying HDMI? I know you used component before and it's not a dramatic difference, but it may help you a bit.

UPDATE:

Checked out everything last night. No issues that I could find. The picture looked a lot better in the evening. Maybe it was just my eyes. I dunno know :rolleyes:.However, I did notice on the back of the DVR that the antenna was pointed down. Would this make a difference? My projector's native resolution is 720P. Should I set the DVR to that as well? I am using the same 35 ' component cables that were hooked up to my SA8300. I checked those as well, and they were good to go.

The antenna is for your RF remote. If you can use the remote the antenna position is just fine.

Interesting. I'm no expert, but I would imagine setting your DVR to 720p would be a good idea considering that's your native resolution. Also, have you thought of trying HDMI? I know you used component before and it's not a dramatic difference, but it may help you a bit.

My projector has only one HDMI connection and it is being used with my Sony DVD player. Can't remember the model number, but it is the one that upconverts the picture to 1080i only through the HDMI. Should I switch the HDMI from the DVD player to the DVR? However, if I do that, my DVD player will no longer be able to do 1080i :confused:.

Doesn't hurt to try.

Might wanna try a little more in-depth calibrating of the PQ especially for that source, too, if you haven't done that already.

My projector has only one HDMI connection and it is being used with my Sony DVD player. Can't remember the model number, but it is the one that upconverts the picture to 1080i only through the HDMI. Should I switch the HDMI from the DVD player to the DVR? However, if I do that, my DVD player will no longer be able to do 1080i :confused:.

I was in a similar boat, and someone here helped out by suggesting a HDMI switch box. Check this out, I think it will help your problem:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10110&cs_id=1011001&p_id=2786&seq=1&format=2

Also check the cables you are useing. HDMI is a BIG change from RWY (aka: RCA).
I did this to a friend of mine and he was blown away." I never thought my picture would look like that"!!

RCA isn't a type of cable, it's a type of connector. Component video cables use RCA, and they are typically capable of as good or better HD than HDMI.

RCA isn't a type of cable, it's a type of connector. Component video cables use RCA, and they are typically capable of as good or better HD than HDMI.

Ken, get ready to defend that statement :D:)

dude, this is why we all read the avs forum so we can make informed decisions about our a/v needs before making any purchases.

i read thousands of posts before buying my hd set and deciding on which television provider. the result is a very satisfactory hd setup. my many, many thanks to all the knowledgeable avs members who have educated me in the high def world. unfortunately, i did not do the same before i bought my surrround sound system 5 years ago and regret the purchases i made then.

for hd service the choses are simple and usually bleak. if fios is available in your area - get it. it's a no brainer. best hd pq hands down.

if not, you have to choose between cable and the satcos. once again, you need to go to the local cable service forum to read up on the pros and cons of your cable provider's hd service. i have comcast here which has the least hd channels, costs the most, but has a better hd signal than either satco.

so i had to choose between reduced pq or reduced hd channels. since i only watch hd programming i chose e* 2 years ago because it had the most hd channels. e* ,back then, also had a better hd signal than d*. Now d*'s hd pq is a little better than e*'s, and it offers more hd channels than e*. so if i were choosing now it would be d*. but your local cable probably has better hd pq than either.

so everyone is different and you should select your provider based on your needs.

good luck. hope you can get out of your contract still.

My projector has only one HDMI connection and it is being used with my Sony DVD player. Can't remember the model number, but it is the one that upconverts the picture to 1080i only through the HDMI. Should I switch the HDMI from the DVD player to the DVR? However, if I do that, my DVD player will no longer be able to do 1080i :confused:.

I am not sure that you are getting the best dvd picture by having your sony upconvert to 1080i and then have your projector convert it to 720p. I would set the dvd output to 720p (or 480p if 720p is not an option) and connect it to your projector by component, then connect your e* dvr, set to 720p, to your projector by HDMI. See if that helps.

You could get an HDMI switcher if both look best through HDMI.

Roy

I have had Dish for quite sometime now and my HD looks FANTASTIC on my 50" Plasma. I can see you having a little trouble though at first on your projector, considering it's not a 1080p projector so the pixels are getting quite stretched.

A couple things. If you can calibrate your projector or at least go online and find out if you can get in the ballpark of what a good calibration should be. Do you have a good screen? if not get one, it will help, especially in the daytime with all the light coming into the room.

Oh and Dish doesnt compress as much as direct, actually they have a much better HD picture, just FYI.

The service menu on those satellite boxes can be tough to find out how to change the resolution so make sure your doing it right.

Last, so many channels are different on how they send out there HD. The culprit to a bad HD signal is usually the content itself or the channel that is sending it. If you want to see how good HD looks just check out HDnet Movies, they do it right, always.

I have had Dish for quite sometime now and my HD looks FANTASTIC on my 50" Plasma. I can see you having a little trouble though at first on your projector, considering it's not a 1080p projector so the pixels are getting quite stretched.

A couple things. If you can calibrate your projector or at least go online and find out if you can get in the ballpark of what a good calibration should be. Do you have a good screen? if not get one, it will help, especially in the daytime with all the light coming into the room.

Oh and Dish doesnt compress as much as direct, actually they have a much better HD picture, just FYI.

The service menu on those satellite boxes can be tough to find out how to change the resolution so make sure your doing it right.

Last, so many channels are different on how they send out there HD. The culprit to a bad HD signal is usually the content itself or the channel that is sending it. If you want to see how good HD looks just check out HDnet Movies, they do it right, always.

Question to you. I ordered the TurboHD Silver package from Dish, installing on Sunday (tomorrow West Coast). That package has HDnet. Does that also include HDnet movies, or is that a separate channel? Thanks!

Question to you. I ordered the TurboHD Silver package from Dish, installing on Sunday (tomorrow West Coast). That package has HDnet. Does that also include HDnet movies, or is that a separate channel? Thanks!

To get HDNET Movies, you'll need to subscribe to PlatinumHD which is 10 bucks extra

http://www.dishnetwork.com/content/our_products/dish_hd/programming/turboHD/index.shtml

just like Directv package

Oh and Dish doesnt compress as much as direct, actually they have a much better HD picture, just FYI.


That was true a little over a year ago. That IS NOT true today and has been documented.

Ah, good idea. The STB could be set for 480p.

Ah yes, I remember. When the E* installer came to my house, he set it all up, and left. Shortly after he left, I hit the info button on my TV remote, and it said it was displaying 480p. Sure enough, he did not change the output from the 722 to output at 720p or 1080i. I changed that quick enough tho :)

RCA isn't a type of cable, it's a type of connector. Component video cables use RCA, and they are typically capable of as good or better HD than HDMI.

Ken, get ready to defend that statement :D:)
I'll do it for him:

When was the last time you had a handshaking issue with component? ;)

I'll do it for him:

When was the last time you had a handshaking issue with component? ;)

DVI and HDMI circuits from 2002 - 2005/2006 typically looked worse than component.

HDMI circuits designed for new equipment that came to market later in 2006 or beyond typically had a better design which has allowed HDMI to reach its full potential and pass component PQ.

The problem today is that most of the SA and Motorola boxes that people have today were designed pre-2006.

I am not sure that you are getting the best dvd picture by having your sony upconvert to 1080i and then have your projector convert it to 720p. I would set the dvd output to 720p (or 480p if 720p is not an option) and connect it to your projector by component, then connect your e* dvr, set to 720p, to your projector by HDMI. See if that helps.

You could get an HDMI switcher if both look best through HDMI.

Roy

Not knowing the particulars of his DVD player, it may be the case where the DVD player will only upconvert over a digital connection (DVI/HDMI)

In which case IMHO the best use of his projector inputs would be to set the DVD output to 720p and connect via HDMI and set the E* receiver at 720p and use component out.