I am trying to upgrade to a 1080p box from directv. Do they currently offer one? I was looking at the bestbuy website and they have one that looks like the newest one, the HR22. But that one says it only does 1080i. Anyone have any suggestions? I was going to call directv in a little while but I figured I would ask here first.

The HR2X series can output 1080p/24 for only select PPV movies at the moment, all other HD broadcasting is 720p or 1080i. You need a TV that can accept 1080p/24 via HDMI also to use the additional functionality.

I was just going to get the HR22 from directv. Is that one any good? I have a LN46A650. I guess I will just live with 720p then.

I was just reading up about it. So wait... the HR22 that I am looking to buy at bestbuy does 1080p even though they say it only does 1080i?

With recent updates, any of the HR20/21/22 series HD-DVRs from DirecTV will do 1080p (I don't want to get into the whole "is it really 1920x1080" stuff here; that can be found in another thread). It can't be toggled on with the "format" button, but instead has to be activated from the setup menu on the receiver itself. Under "menu", then "setup", then "HDTV", then "resolution", the 1080p option will be found, and the default is unchecked, meaning off. You would then obviously need to check mark it to activate it, and any of the future 1080p PPV titles will be shown in 1080p as long as you have your box set to "native" resolution.

Thank you for clearing it up for me!

Again it's very limited content that is passed at 1080p, everything is else is 720p or 1080i depending on how you have the box set up.

With recent updates, any of the HR20/21/22 series HD-DVRs from DirecTV will do 1080p (I don't want to get into the whole "is it really 1920x1080" stuff here; that can be found in another thread). It can't be toggled on with the "format" button, but instead has to be activated from the setup menu on the receiver itself. Under "menu", then "setup", then "HDTV", then "resolution", the 1080p option will be found, and the default is unchecked, meaning off. You would then obviously need to check mark it to activate it, and any of the future 1080p PPV titles will be shown in 1080p as long as you have your box set to "native" resolution.So if you don't buy PPV movies, is it better to leave this unchecked? Is it something like the box receives a 720p signal and it will try to upconvert to 1080p before passing it on to the TV or something different?

Ok so I am just going to be using one satellite input for now, will I still get HD channels but just on one tuner? I just want to make sure before I set up the satellite.

So if you don't buy PPV movies, is it better to leave this unchecked? Is it something like the box receives a 720p signal and it will try to upconvert to 1080p before passing it on to the TV or something different?

The box has to be set to native mode so whatever resolution the programming is will be passed to the TV, the box won't upconvert to 1080p.

Ok so I am just going to be using one satellite input for now, will I still get HD channels but just on one tuner? I just want to make sure before I set up the satellite.

Yes.

Do I need a meter to check the signal on the line while setting up for the Ka band?

Or can I do without it?

Ok so I watched some videos I found about installing the dish and it has you go through all these processes to set it up like finding the max signal on the altitude adjustment and then doing it for the tilt and finding the max there. Sounds like a need a meter and sounds intimidating. I have done other dishes before but I did what it said on the screen for the degrees and just used a compass. isnt that good enough? I guess I can get it set up now and finely adjust it later with a meter.

What do you all think?

I have done other dishes before but I did what it said on the screen for the degrees and just used a compass. isnt that good enough? I guess I can get it set up now and finely adjust it later with a meter.

What do you all think?

Yes, you can use the on screen signal meters to align the dish. I have installed 4 of the 5 LNB dishes myself and I never used a digital signal meter connected to the dish. It's a lot easier than they make it out to be in those tutorials.