I receive HD locals in MPEG4 through an HR20 on D*.

I flipped on the Sox game last night and the HD picture was bad.

Unwatchable bad.

I flipped over to my OTA for WGN and the picture was much better.

This is the first time I have ever noticed a difference between OTA and the MPEG4 channels.

I hope it was due to testing or something.

I suggest others start comparing the two a little more closely to see if there is a pattern.

Be specific with topic titles, see my edit.

Not a problem, sorry for being too vague.

I have been an ouspoken proponent of the quality of the MPEG4 DT broadcasts via D*.

This is the first time there was a noticeable difference in the wrong direction.

I am very much hoping it was a glitch of some kind rather than the future norm.

This is the first time you have noticed? I might suggest getting a new pair of glasses. :) D* MPEG-4 locals are very bitrate starved. Quality is always subpar to OTA here. The glitch is more like a "feature," sadly.

Chris

This is the first time you have noticed? I might suggest getting a new pair of glasses. :) D* MPEG-4 locals are very bitrate starved. Quality is always subpar to OTA here. The glitch is more like a "feature," sadly.

Chris

Where is 'here'?

Houston, but for the most part it doesn't matter. D* MPEG-4 locally look like crap when compared to OTA MPEG-2.

Chris

The differences tend to be more noticeable on 1080i video with movement (like sports) than they are with series and movies.

This is the first time you have noticed? I might suggest getting a new pair of glasses. :) D* MPEG-4 locals are very bitrate starved. Quality is always subpar to OTA here. The glitch is more like a "feature," sadly.

Chris

..to voice the other side of this comparison...to my eyes local HD over the air and from Directv look..excellent and just about the same. Remember, many things go to make up the quality of image you see on your screen. Your provider is only one piece of the puzzle.

I feel sorry for you then.

Here in Chicago, MPEG4 locals has looked as good as OTA for many many months.

I seem to remember reading somewhere that to do MPEG4 right it takes a couple of passes for the encoding process. If that is true, I don't see how you can do that with broadcast TV without inducing a considerable time lag.

Until about Wednesday of last week WGN-DT on D* looked fine. Now it looks awful! Tons of macroblocking in the backrounds. Something has changed. Unfortunately when you call D* to tell them about it all they want to do is send a "hit" to your receiver. OTA looks fine, so that's how I've been watching it the last few days. I don't know who else to contact.

I might suggest checking the reams of comments from people who would strongly disagree with you before making such sweeping statements. Or checking your own setup.

Here in Los Angeles the MPEG4 versions of our local stations have been all but indistinguishable from OTA reception. We haven't seen any "glitch".

And that has been the overwhelming (although, to be fair, not unanimous) reaction to the MPEG4 LILs from D*.

MPEG4 Quality may always be subpar for some reason in your home, but it is not subpar in many thousands of other homes -- if the posts from many, many subs are to be believed.


This is the first time you have noticed? I might suggest getting a new pair of glasses. :) D* MPEG-4 locals are very bitrate starved. Quality is always subpar to OTA here. The glitch is more like a "feature," sadly.

Chris

I feel sorry for you then.
Here in Chicago, MPEG4 locals has looked as good as OTA for many many months.
In Chicago as well and they are wonderful. I did not see the Sox last night.
This is the first time you have noticed? I might suggest getting a new pair of glasses. :) D* MPEG-4 locals are very bitrate starved. Quality is always subpar to OTA here. The glitch is more like a "feature," sadly.

Chris
Chris,

What Chicago stations are you referring to? Our MPEG4 quality is so good that there is no need to record the OTAs.

How do you notice Chicago MPEG4 locals in Houston?

- Craig

I might suggest checking the reams of comments from people who would strongly disagree with you before making such sweeping statements. Or checking your own setup.

Here in Los Angeles the MPEG4 versions of our local stations have been all but indistinguishable from OTA reception. We haven't seen any "glitch".

And that has been the overwhelming (although, to be fair, not unanimous) reaction to the MPEG4 LILs from D*.

MPEG4 Quality may always be subpar for some reason in your home, but it is not subpar in many thousands of other homes -- if the posts from many, many subs are to be believed.

I'm sorry, I was not aware that D* is actually not watering down the resolution and bitrate in other cities. If it is great for you, good, I'm happy for you.

You might strongly disagree, but I personally believe the question by the OP was rather open for comment (hints "I suggest others start comparing the two...". IMHO D* MPEG-4 locals do not compare to what I see over OTA.

Sorry if my comment was a "sweeping statement" in your opinion that does not compare with your opinion.

Chris