[mmulet]

I was curious if anyone has done direct comparisons of HD streams between the different DBS providers.


Here's an example:


I've been receiving my HD programming via OTA (Minneapolis) and the HD package of Dish Network, using a Dish Network 6000 receiver and a Samsung HLN5065 TV via the component inputs.


For fun, I signed up for Voom (no money down, no committment, and only $10/month to lease the receiver + programming). So, the VOOM receiver is hooked up to the same TV, but through the DVI input.


I started comparing the picture of HBO HD, and while the resolution seemed the same to me from both providers, the colors were much more rich from the Dish Network picture as compared to the Voom picture. I have calibrated the TV using Avia and the component inputs, but since I don't have a DVD player that supports DVI, I haven't calibrated the set for the DVI input.


So my question(s) are:

1) What is the difference in the quality of the image? Is it compression differences between the two different DBS providers?

2) Should I invest in a DVI output DVD player so I can calibrate the TV for the DVI input (I did use the same settings on both; after all, the light engine is the same for both inputs)

3) What about D*? Do they compress the signal more, or perhaps less?

4) Is there a "published" guide to the different DBS providers that states at what rates the various bitstreams are for HD signals?


Thanks in advance!


mmulet

 

[jtirak]

This is a very good question. I just installed VOOM and noticed the same thing but I attributed to the difference in the STB I used (SIR T165) and the VOOM DSR550. The OTA local is very much different. I would be very interested also in the opinion of those in the know.

 

[bfdtv]

Try comparing with the component output on the VOOM STB. If you want the same colors with DVI (be it with the VOOM STB or a DVI DVD player), some display tweaks may be required. Even then, DVI output varies from box to box.

 

[Ken Ross]

I've done too much A/B testing of D* vs VOOM to be honest. The results have varied over time and channel. There were times that HBO was sharper & richer on VOOM (component to component....you shouldn't compare component on one while switching to DVI on the other) and there were times Discovery HD looked better on D*. At this point I'd say it's a real toss up between the two, BUT the VOOM picture is still less prone to motion artifacts. Scenes involving fireworks where sudden light changes exist, will exhibit less artifacting on VOOM than D*. This leads me to believe that VOOM is using less compression than D*


As far as color saturation differences, that's very easy to adjust at the monitor. You should be able to make both look essentially the same.

 

[dmillerj]

I'm very new to this forum so bare with me please. I am attempting to make a decision between a Dell 23" LCD TV and an HDTV pci card. I am currently using a 21" Trinitron monitor. I enjoy watching the game while working on my computer.

 

[Zappcatt]

?????


One is a monitor..one is a capture device?


Maybe this will get better responce on the Hardware forum..

 

[CCarncross]

Quote:

Originally posted by dmillerj I'm very new to this forum so bare with me please. I am attempting to make a decision between a Dell 23" LCD TV and an HDTV pci card. I am currently using a 21" Trinitron monitor. I enjoy watching the game while working on my computer.

What decision are you trying to make about the two, since they are not even the same type of devices?

 

[HDTVFanAtic]

Quote:

Originally posted by dmillerj I'm very new to this forum so bare with me please. I am attempting to make a decision between a Dell 23" LCD TV and an HDTV pci card. I am currently using a 21" Trinitron monitor. I enjoy watching the game while working on my computer.

I'll make a wild stab that you are questioning whether to get a LCD from Dell with an ATSC tuner built in or purchase a HDTV pci card for your current computer using the 21" Trinitron monitor.


If that is correct, I would probably go with the MyHD pci card (or possibly wait a few weeks for the ATI HDTV Wonder) as you could record and time shift programming with that setup.


But that said, this is the wrong thread and forum for that question.

 

[Skyboss]

My experience is that the picture quality in my case (best to worst) for HD is:


OTA

DirecTV

Cable


Cable started using stat mux with three locals per 256 QAM channel. Works great when only one HD show is on. Pixel hell in primetime.

 

[Ken H]

Quote:

Originally posted by dmillerj I'm very new to this forum so bare with me please. I am attempting to make a decision between a Dell 23" LCD TV and an HDTV pci card. I am currently using a 21" Trinitron monitor. I enjoy watching the game while working on my computer.

The Dell does not have a DTV tuner; it's only a monitor. A DTV tuner card would be required to use the Dell for HDTV, so as others have pointed out, a comparison can not be made.


Assuming you have a DTV tuner, I would personally prefer the Trinitron CRT over the LCD. YMMV.

 

[Ken H]

Unnecessary comments deleted.

 

[sooke]

My biggest (only) disappointment with HDTV so far is loss of detail when the camera pans, or there is a lot of movement. When the panning/movement stops, suddenly everything is razor sharp again. Very distracting. I assume this is due to the compression.


I get my HD content from TWC, but I expect I would see similar "blurriness" from other sources.


Sooke

 

[Darin]

That could be compression, or it could also be the natural effect of interlacing (assuming you're watching 1080i).