I just got Directv, and I have the Choice Plus with HD. Not sure what kind of receiver I have. All it says is Directv HD Receiver.

I'm very disapointed at the picture quality. There is no way that what I'm watching is 720p or 1080i. I thought it was just me, so I started doing some comparing.

On the receiver, I changed the resolution to 480P and watched some HD channels like HDNet and HDTheatre. Then, without leaving the channel I was watching, I adjusted the resolution to 720p and then to 1080i.

There is no differene in picture quality! It's 16:9, but the picture looks so standard def!

I even watched some standard DVDs on my PS2 (which does NOT upscale) and those DVDs look so much better than the HD channels that I have, including all the ones that broadcast "exclusively" in HD.

I have a top of the line 40" Samsung 1080P HDTV (A650 model). The wire runs from the dish through my second floor window to my receiver, which is connected to HDMI one. I'm using the HDMI cable that the installer provided.

Can anyone think of a reason why this is happening? Any suggestions will be appreciated.

It is entirely possible you are in SD. What is your dish model? It's probably just easier calling DirectTV and getting some quick diagnostic check.

I just got Directv, and I have the Choice Plus with HD. Not sure what kind of receiver I have. All it says is Directv HD Receiver.

I'm very disapointed at the picture quality. There is no way that what I'm watching is 720p or 1080i. I thought it was just me, so I started doing some comparing.

On the receiver, I changed the resolution to 480P and watched some HD channels like HDNet and HDTheatre. Then, without leaving the channel I was watching, I adjusted the resolution to 720p and then to 1080i.

There is no differene in picture quality! It's 16:9, but the picture looks so standard def!

I even watched some standard DVDs on my PS2 (which does NOT upscale) and those DVDs look so much better than the HD channels that I have, including all the ones that broadcast "exclusively" in HD.

I have a top of the line 40" Samsung 1080P HDTV (A650 model). The wire runs from the dish through my second floor window to my receiver, which is connected to HDMI one. I'm using the HDMI cable that the installer provided.

Can anyone think of a reason why this is happening? Any suggestions will be appreciated.
Try changing inputs on the Samsung. When you change back to HDMI one I think it shows you what the resolution is.

Ignore the HD channels in the 70 range also, they are the older MPEG2 downrezzed versions of those channels, they just started recently simulcasting those channels in MPEG4. Try using HDNet channel 306 and HDNet Movies channel 552 for testing.

Two notes.
1. You can use the Info button on your Samsung remote to find out what resolution it is receiving.
2. Not all programs broadcast over HD channels are filmed with HD cameras and when they are not you will have black/gray side pillers on the display.