D* tech says OTA only get 480i Signal....

[gio1269]

and that their HD MPEG-2 signal is better. I laughed in his face pratically. My OTA signal is better than their HD signal.

I showed him that my Panasonic Plasma shows the input signal that the OTA and D* Dish are sending. 5 OTA networks are broadcasting in 720p and 1 network in 1080i.

he said that's just my TV in mode. I informed him my TV does this automatically and I cannot change it.

I showed him both OTA and D* HD and he was shocked, but still claimed that networks only send digital signals in 480i Digital.

yet prime time shows are coming in 16:9 ratio and sharp as can be and in 720 or 1080i according to my TV. Also programs guide says their shows are in HDTV.

Now we was not shocked that the OTA 480i signal was better than D* SD 480i signal.

So anyone know about the OTA signals not being 720p 1080i?

I am in the Miami-Ft. Lauderdale market.

[videojanitor]

Here's the deal: Virtually all OTA stations upconvert non-HD programming to either 720p or 1080i -- they need to send a stream that is consistent with the network programming, so that the scan rates match when they switch between network and local. If they didn't do that, every receiver would go crazy at the switch point, have to re-lock to a different rate.

So, when you watch an OTA station, your TV will always report that it is getting 720p or 1080i -- even though the vast majority of the time, it is just 480i video that has been upconverted.

That said, I have yet to see a case where upconverted OTA didn't look far better than DirecTV's SD video. Reason -- the upconverted video is getting approximately the same bandwidth as an HD signal (for most stations, thats between 12-18 MB/s or so, depending on how they have it set), while D*'s SD signals are around 2-3 MB/s.

Simply put, D*'s 480i SD video is about the worst 480i video you can connect to your TV (short of VHS perhaps).

[gio1269]

Thanks, I new that when programs are not in HD, they do not look as sharp as HD but are better than D* picture. I know that it's a 480i signal being upconverted.

but the said even the HD programs at night are not true 720p or 1080i HD signals. Only D* HD channels are really HD and OTA does not offer any real HD TV.

This is not my understanding or what the affiliates are saying down here or what every place that sells HD Antennas says.

[phox_mulder]

but the said even the HD programs at night are not true 720p or 1080i HD signals. Only D* HD channels are really HD and OTA does not offer any real HD TV.


Yet another soul sadly misinformed by DirecTV.


phox

[videojanitor]

but the said even the HD programs at night are not true 720p or 1080i HD signals. Only D* HD channels are really HD and OTA does not offer any real HD TV.

As Mr. Mulder said above, that is a complete untruth.

[gio1269]

That's what I thought! I understand that they want to push their new Local HD channels and I will upgrade when the time comes and use the OTA as a back-up, but don't flat-out lie to people! :mad:

[mr.unnatural]

Living proof that DTV installers can survive without oxygen. After all, it's hard to breathe with your head up your a$$ 24/7! :D