I just moved from Comcast to a 5LNB Directv system with the HR21 HD DVR system. I was hesitant to go with Directv because I've heard that they have "HD Lite". I was happy with the comcast PQ, but their HD offerings were out-weighed by Directv. I am happy with the channel line-up of D* but the HD channels leave a little to be desired. It's hard to explain the difference in the PQ on D*. It's like the HD PQ is incosistent on the same show. Parts of what you are seeing are vivid and others very soft. The colors seem to bleed as well. Has anyone else experienced these issues and possibly have a better description? I am running component...should I try HDMI? I hear of people saying D* PQ is excellent on their HD, but when compared to the Comcast I'm underwhelmed. I just want it to be the best it can be.

Is this one of those "avoided" or "vague" topics? :confused:

I have D* and I am very happy with the PQ, especially on shows like Law and Order and Mythbusters. I am using HDMI with mine.

I don't believe anybody is broadcasting anything but hd-lite as no one is doing 1080p yet that i'm aware of. My dvr looks great on hd but as always it depends on the show. Some things are a wow, while others look like dvd. One thing i hate about dtv is channels like cmt-hd and mtv-hd have zero hd programming. Kinda a farse on counting all their channels hd.

"I don't believe anybody is broadcasting anything but hd-lite as no one is doing 1080p yet that i'm aware of."

Sounds like something that would come out of the marketing department of a TV manufacturer...

720p and 1080i aren't HD-Lite nor will you see anything broadcast in 1080p anytime soon.

HDLite is the practice of downrezzing a 1080i channel to a reduced resolution vs over compressing to reduce bandwidth. Directv does it on their older MPEG2 1080i channels due to lack of bandwidth on the old sats, there is no proof if they are or aren't doing it on the new MPEG4 channels.

Thanks for the comments. I do wonder if the HR21 could cause the color to "bleed". There may be some tweaks I'm not familiar with; i.e. letting my TV do the scaling instead of the HR21. The HD signal is comparable to cable but presented completely different. It's tough to explain any other way.