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DirecTV HDTV - Page 463

post #13861 of 14325
1/5/13 at 3:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by KK in CT View Post

No worries. I have two plasma screens, one Samsung and One Panasonic, and neither of them output DD sound via an HDMI input. Only if I were to use an over the air antennae. I don't know why there is that limit but there is. Maybe your TV is capable of outputting DD from an HDMI input? If you bought from a place like Best Buy the salesman may not have been accurate. I find they tend to not understand some of the details, unfortunately they aren't always willing to admit that and give out bad info.
I know that some soundbars have HDMI In and out, so if that's the case with yours you could always go that option.

I'll test different combinations out for the right set-up. Thanks for the info.
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post #13862 of 14325
1/5/13 at 9:14pm
Hollywood decreed that you cannot DD out via HDMI, only if it's generated within the set itself as in OTA. It's for copy protection, which is the only reason HDMI exists. It's written into the HDMI standards.
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post #13863 of 14325
1/7/13 at 7:14am
Sorry if this has been asked and answered much earlier in this thread, but isn't DirecTV scheduled to launch a new satellite sometime this year that'll add more bandwidth for more new HD channels? confused.gif
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post #13864 of 14325
1/7/13 at 7:34am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bananko View Post

Sorry if this has been asked and answered much earlier in this thread, but isn't DirecTV scheduled to launch a new satellite sometime this year that'll add more bandwidth for more new HD channels? confused.gif

DIRECTV 14 is next (there is no 13) and not due until 2014, http://www.ssloral.com/html/satexp/directv14.html .
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post #13865 of 14325
1/7/13 at 7:48am
I couldn't find a better place, so I hope this is OK.

I was visiting friends yesterday, and they mentioned they were thinking about switching back to DirecTV after being with a different provider for a couple of years. They called and spoke to somebody and said that they would need to provide their Social Security # so a credit check could be performed.

confused.gif

Friend said no, I have a valid CC, but were again told that DirecTV needed the SS #. Asked to speak to a Supervisor who told them the same thing.

Friend said forget it - we don't give out SS #, and decided to look into further options.

I'm the same way. Why does DirecTV need that info? Is there a way around this? (and what is it about companies wanting more than CC info to do purchases these days? - I've been using PayPal for quite awhile now with CC on file and no problems - now I'm at some threshold $ amount and they want my bank account # - not going to happen)

Don't these companies understand that Identity Theft/Fraud is a HUGE and fast growing problem, and that if anybody gets your SS # (that has bad intentions) you are in BIG trouble?
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post #13866 of 14325
1/7/13 at 7:50am
Quote:
Originally Posted by rad View Post

DIRECTV 14 is next (there is no 13) and not due until 2014, http://www.ssloral.com/html/satexp/directv14.html .

Oh no! frown.gif

Nonetheless, thanks for the info.
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post #13867 of 14325
1/7/13 at 7:55am
BTW, is it still likely that DirecTV will add more new HD channels in the near future or will that not happen until after the new satellite is launched? confused.gif
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post #13868 of 14325
1/7/13 at 8:20am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bananko View Post

BTW, is it still likely that DirecTV will add more new HD channels in the near future or will that not happen until after the new satellite is launched? confused.gif

There's a DIRECTV employee that posts over at DBSTalk that has been reilable in the past and they say more HD is coming soon. DIRECTV has been able to increase the number of channels they can carry per transponder by using new uplink hardware so where before they put only 5 channels per transponder they're now able to do 6.
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post #13869 of 14325
1/7/13 at 8:22am
Quote:
Originally Posted by John Schneider View Post

I couldn't find a better place, so I hope this is OK.
I was visiting friends yesterday, and they mentioned they were thinking about switching back to DirecTV after being with a different provider for a couple of years. They called and spoke to somebody and said that they would need to provide their Social Security # so a credit check could be performed.
confused.gif
Friend said no, I have a valid CC, but were again told that DirecTV needed the SS #. Asked to speak to a Supervisor who told them the same thing.
Friend said forget it - we don't give out SS #, and decided to look into further options.
I'm the same way. Why does DirecTV need that info? Is there a way around this? (and what is it about companies wanting more than CC info to do purchases these days? - I've been using PayPal for quite awhile now with CC on file and no problems - now I'm at some threshold $ amount and they want my bank account # - not going to happen)
Don't these companies understand that Identity Theft/Fraud is a HUGE and fast growing problem, and that if anybody gets your SS # (that has bad intentions) you are in BIG trouble?

That's their business practice, they're going to be spending hundreds if not over a thousand dollard in hardware and installation service and want to make sure that the customer has a good chance of being able to pay their monthly charge for the next 24 months.
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post #13870 of 14325
1/7/13 at 9:21am
Quote:
Originally Posted by rad View Post

That's their business practice, they're going to be spending hundreds if not over a thousand dollard in hardware and installation service and want to make sure that the customer has a good chance of being able to pay their monthly charge for the next 24 months.
Wow!

Thanks for the response.

I guess VISA/Mastercharge and cancellation charges aren't big enough guarantees. I know I didn't have to give my SS # years ago when I started up. If they had requested it then, I probably would be with a different provider.

I was hoping somebody might have some experience in the past on how to get past this. Looks like my friends will be going elsewhere. Wonder if they've picked up flack on this from others?
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post #13871 of 14325
1/7/13 at 9:55am
Quote:
Originally Posted by John Schneider View Post

Wow!
Thanks for the response.
I guess VISA/Mastercharge and cancellation charges aren't big enough guarantees. I know I didn't have to give my SS # years ago when I started up. If they had requested it then, I probably would be with a different provider.
I was hoping somebody might have some experience in the past on how to get past this. Looks like my friends will be going elsewhere. Wonder if they've picked up flack on this from others?

They've been running credit checks on new customers for years so its not likely to change. Seems to me like Dish does it also. There's no way around it.
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post #13872 of 14325
1/7/13 at 10:01am
I thought about switching to them a couple years ago but because of not only needing a SS# but the fact that if you have less than stellar credit there's a huge up-front fee I said forget it.
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post #13873 of 14325
1/7/13 at 10:54am
Quote:
Originally Posted by John Schneider View Post

Wow!
Thanks for the response.
I guess VISA/Mastercharge and cancellation charges aren't big enough guarantees. I know I didn't have to give my SS # years ago when I started up. If they had requested it then, I probably would be with a different provider.
I was hoping somebody might have some experience in the past on how to get past this. Looks like my friends will be going elsewhere. Wonder if they've picked up flack on this from others?

Over 10 years ago when I was a smurf and sold DirecTV installation packages we had to get the street address, SS#, and a major credit card before the customer would get a call from the installer.

The only way around this was to pay full price for the receivers and dish, and install it yourself.

I would love to have the option to buy my hardware outright from a B&M store, or even better, get with the times and release a PC tuner card!

Half the reason we're ditching DirecTV at the end of the month is the absurd monthly hardware charges. (The other half being we watch less than 10% of the programming we pay for every month.)

Mr Zoid
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post #13874 of 14325
1/7/13 at 11:34am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrZoid View Post

Half the reason we're ditching DirecTV at the end of the month is the absurd monthly hardware charges.
IMHO compared to what cable charges for their hardware it's reasonable.
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post #13875 of 14325
1/7/13 at 1:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by rad View Post

IMHO compared to what cable charges for their hardware it's reasonable.

With cable I can buy my own tuners, especially HTPC tuners.

Mr Zoid
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post #13876 of 14325
1/7/13 at 1:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrZoid View Post

With cable I can buy my own tuners, especially HTPC tuners.
Mr Zoid
Guess that depends on if DIRECTV give you a break on the up front costs of their receivers vs the cost of buying Tivo's or a PC to build as your media center and how many TV's you want to support. I currently have 6 HDTV's that either have their own HD DVR on them or a Genie client. I'd have to guess that it would take a very long time to have the CBA come out where the cable/Tivo/HTPC solution would break even for my configuration.
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post #13877 of 14325
1/9/13 at 9:43pm
Hello DirecTV owners...

Well, I just got a new Samsung LED 60" ES8000 TV and have been pretty disappointed with my AT&T UVerse signal going to it...I'm not sure if its just a limitation of UVerse or my signal in my area sucks or what, but I don't like it and so I've been researching other options...DirecTV being one.

I know all regular TV broadcasts such as say ESPN, HBO, FX, etc are 1080i and nothing is 1080p correct? So is there reason for me to think that switching from UVerse to DirecTV would make my picture on these channels any better? I just feel like something is not right, for instance tonight I'm viewing ESPN and watching the Clippers vs. Mavs and I mean its HD, but its not HD...I don't know if its me or what.

Some broadcasts I've seen on HD TVs, sports wise, have just looked amazing, like crystal clear and so good, but all of my live sports don't seem this way. Maybe its the cameras used for live sports? Maybe its UVerse, it shouldn't be this new LED TV, so I'm trying to figure out why my expectations are so high and I'm being let down.

Do certain types of sports broadcasts get better cameras which in turn gives a way better signal and picture than the every day NBA game or NFL game etc?

So I'm searching to see if DirecTV possibly has the better picture than AT&T or not...and its hard to know or determine without seeing it in action to compare.

Any reason the DirecTV ESPN signal would be any better than UVerse?
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post #13878 of 14325
1/9/13 at 10:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by chrisjmccord View Post

Hello DirecTV owners...

Well, I just got a new Samsung LED 60" ES8000 TV and have been pretty disappointed with my AT&T UVerse signal going to it...I'm not sure if its just a limitation of UVerse or my signal in my area sucks or what, but I don't like it and so I've been researching other options...DirecTV being one.

I know all regular TV broadcasts such as say ESPN, HBO, FX, etc are 1080i and nothing is 1080p correct? So is there reason for me to think that switching from UVerse to DirecTV would make my picture on these channels any better? I just feel like something is not right, for instance tonight I'm viewing ESPN and watching the Clippers vs. Mavs and I mean its HD, but its not HD...I don't know if its me or what.

Some broadcasts I've seen on HD TVs, sports wise, have just looked amazing, like crystal clear and so good, but all of my live sports don't seem this way. Maybe its the cameras used for live sports? Maybe its UVerse, it shouldn't be this new LED TV, so I'm trying to figure out why my expectations are so high and I'm being let down.

Do certain types of sports broadcasts get better cameras which in turn gives a way better signal and picture than the every day NBA game or NFL game etc?

So I'm searching to see if DirecTV possibly has the better picture than AT&T or not...and its hard to know or determine without seeing it in action to compare.

Any reason the DirecTV ESPN signal would be any better than UVerse?


I do think that DirecTV does give a higher pic quality than UVerse, but is it possible for your to get an HDTV channel over the air?     A simple antenna might do the job, and usually the OTA HD pic is the best one can get.     This would at least show you what your display is capable of.

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post #13879 of 14325
1/9/13 at 10:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by millerwill View Post


I do think that DirecTV does give a higher pic quality than UVerse, but is it possible for your to get an HDTV channel over the air?     A simple antenna might do the job, and usually the OTA HD pic is the best one can get.     This would at least show you what your display is capable of.

True. I have one I can test it. I have also tested BluRay which looks awesome, so I know its not really my TV with an issue. So this is why I'm researching cable tv and satellite tv options.
I just wondered if anyone knew the facts of DirecTV/Dish vs. AT&T UVerse/Cox etc...why satellite service would be better than cable service PQ wise.
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post #13880 of 14325
1/10/13 at 5:15am
Quote:
Originally Posted by chrisjmccord View Post

True. I have one I can test it. I have also tested BluRay which looks awesome, so I know its not really my TV with an issue. So this is why I'm researching cable tv and satellite tv options.
I just wondered if anyone knew the facts of DirecTV/Dish vs. AT&T UVerse/Cox etc...why satellite service would be better than cable service PQ wise.

Bandwidth (amount of data per channel) and Compression (MPEG-2 vs. MPEG-4).

DirecTV has more Bandwidth and better Compression than most cable services.

DirecTV vs. UVerse thread:

http://www.avsforum.com/t/1424274/directv-vs-at-t-uverse-quality-wise
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post #13881 of 14325
1/10/13 at 6:56am
Quote:
Originally Posted by chrisjmccord View Post

I know all regular TV broadcasts such as say ESPN, HBO, FX, etc are 1080i and nothing is 1080p correct?

Not all regular broadcast channels are 1080i, ESPN and the rest of the ESPN/ABC channels and Fox networks are 720p, not 1080i. And for DIRECTV the only 1080p channels they have are some Pay Per View DIRECTV on Demand content.
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post #13882 of 14325
1/10/13 at 7:16am
Quote:
Originally Posted by rad View Post

And for DIRECTV the only 1080p channels they have are some Pay Per View DIRECTV on Demand content.
To clarify, that applies to every provider, not just DirecTV.

There are no linear 1080p channels - only PPV, VOD and other specialty content. Cable and OTA channels are either 1080i or 720p. Some channels are starting to source material in 1080p, but aren't yet sending it out that way. For some channels, the main holdup is bandwidth, though cable channels aren't as resticted as OTA channels that have fixed bandwidth available to the customer. In theory, if a cable or satellite provider had enough room, they could send out channels at higher bit rates than the OTA stations are limited to.

Of course, nothing would really stop the OTA stations from sending a separate higher bit rate feed to cable or satellite companies via fiber except cost, which is why they likely wouldn't do it.
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post #13883 of 14325
1/10/13 at 7:42am
Quote:
Originally Posted by PiratesCove View Post

Bandwidth (amount of data per channel) and Compression (MPEG-2 vs. MPEG-4).

DirecTV has more Bandwidth and better Compression than most cable services.

DirecTV vs. UVerse thread:

http://www.avsforum.com/t/1424274/directv-vs-at-t-uverse-quality-wise

Thanks PiratesCove, this is what I was looking for, now it all makes sense.
So I'm not crazy then, DirecTV is going to look a lot better due to the bandwidth and compression being better?
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post #13884 of 14325
1/10/13 at 7:47am
Quote:
Originally Posted by chrisjmccord View Post

Thanks PiratesCove, this is what I was looking for, now it all makes sense.
So I'm not crazy then, DirecTV is going to look a lot better due to the bandwidth and compression being better?
Currently, yes.

However, over time, things can change as bandwidth available changes. For example, several years ago, the satellite providers were terrible looking and were pretty much the bottom of the barrel for image quality. Once they both launched additional satellites, that freed up space to loosen up on the compression.

If a provider runs out of space and can't upgrade right away, they have no choice but to compress more if they want to add channels and services.

In theory, U-Verse or Comcast could do a major upgrade that would let them majorly improve their signals and blow away everyone else out there (including FIOS) instead of being among the lowest among the majors. I don't see them doing that any time soon. They're more likely to move on to whatever the next compression format that comes along that allows more compression with less visual impact.
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post #13885 of 14325
1/10/13 at 8:22am
Quote:
Originally Posted by rad View Post

Not all regular broadcast channels are 1080i, ESPN and the rest of the ESPN/ABC channels and Fox networks are 720p, not 1080i. And for DIRECTV the only 1080p channels they have are some Pay Per View DIRECTV on Demand content.

Would there be a big difference watching the 720p channels with my box and tv set for 720p vs. how its set now for 1080i/1080p?
Or would it be just as good with keeping it set for the 1080, but watching the 720p channels?
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post #13886 of 14325
1/10/13 at 8:26am
Quote:
Originally Posted by NetworkTV View Post

Currently, yes.

However, over time, things can change as bandwidth available changes. For example, several years ago, the satellite providers were terrible looking and were pretty much the bottom of the barrel for image quality. Once they both launched additional satellites, that freed up space to loosen up on the compression.

If a provider runs out of space and can't upgrade right away, they have no choice but to compress more if they want to add channels and services.

In theory, U-Verse or Comcast could do a major upgrade that would let them majorly improve their signals and blow away everyone else out there (including FIOS) instead of being among the lowest among the majors. I don't see them doing that any time soon. They're more likely to move on to whatever the next compression format that comes along that allows more compression with less visual impact.

That makes sense. I'm just trying to figure out what I should do, overall PQ is very important to me, especially now that I have this nice 60" LED TV, I'm picky when it comes to graphics and visuals, and so seeing all the blocky, artifacty, hazy, crappy signals especially on the sports channels, bugs me. I might be crazy, somewhere in my head I have this picture of the sports quality, it seems to maybe stem from being in Best Buy and watching the demos on the TVs, and the sports on there appear to be like 1080p, super sharp and clear on sports such as the NFL, NASCAR, Soccer, etc..is that because they are pre-recorded and post processed or is that a DirecTV signal or what is that?
Edited by chrisjmccord - 1/10/13 at 8:34am
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post #13887 of 14325
1/10/13 at 11:13am
Quote:
Originally Posted by chrisjmccord View Post

That makes sense. I'm just trying to figure out what I should do, overall PQ is very important to me, especially now that I have this nice 60" LED TV, I'm picky when it comes to graphics and visuals, and so seeing all the blocky, artifacty, hazy, crappy signals especially on the sports channels, bugs me. I might be crazy, somewhere in my head I have this picture of the sports quality, it seems to maybe stem from being in Best Buy and watching the demos on the TVs, and the sports on there appear to be like 1080p, super sharp and clear on sports such as the NFL, NASCAR, Soccer, etc..is that because they are pre-recorded and post processed or is that a DirecTV signal or what is that?

I've just recently switched from Time Warner/Tivo to Directv (2 mos) and the only difference I see is the overall speed of the DVRs. However, I had a Tivo and the speed of that blows Directv out of the water. Time Warner DVR is slow and buggy. As far as PQ, I see no difference. There's no real difference between 1080i and 720p. I think most people set their cable/sat boxes on 1080i only. Do yo have any of the enhancement features setup on your tv (noise reduction, motion plus...)? That can make a big difference as well. Good luck. I think you'll be happier with Directv vs. U-Verse.
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post #13888 of 14325
1/10/13 at 1:52pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by chrisjmccord View Post

Would there be a big difference watching the 720p channels with my box and tv set for 720p vs. how its set now for 1080i/1080p?
Or would it be just as good with keeping it set for the 1080, but watching the 720p channels?

DirecTV receivers also let you select "native" for output, meaning 1080i channels are in 1080i and 720p channels are in 720p.
No scaling by the receiver or your TV, which will display the resolution it is fed.
The downside, is it adds about a full second when switching between channels with different resolutions
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post #13889 of 14325
1/11/13 at 9:51am
From Sixto at dbstalk, 8 HD channels in test. Channels may go live next week.

HLN HD
Cooking HD
Lifetime Movie Network HD
H2 HD
ID HD
TV Land HD
Encore Action HD
IFC HD
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post #13890 of 14325
1/11/13 at 9:57am
Quote:
Originally Posted by meteor3 View Post

From Sixto at dbstalk, 8 HD channels in test. Channels may go live next week.

HLN HD
Cooking HD
Lifetime Movie Network HD
H2 HD
ID HD
TV Land HD
Encore Action HD
IFC HD

HLN HD, H2 HD, TV Land HD and IFC HD would be nice.

Eight Channels at once...would that be a record?
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