Will I get a better picture with a newer receiver for SD channels?

[supergerg]

I just bought a 50" Samsung HL-S5087W DLP and hooked it up to my older Series2 D*Tivo. The signal quality is really bad when compared to when it was hooked up to my 36" CRT. Since the Series2 only has S-Video, thats what I've always used.

Will any of the newer D*Tivo HD or DirectTV HD DVRs output a better picture for the Standard Definition channels? I can't see how soo many customers would be watching DirecTV if the regular channels where this bad on larger TVs. :eek:

TIA
supergerg

[ebonovic]

From what I have seen on my TV.... The HR20 does provide an improved SD picture.

We are not talking night and day, but it definently better.

As for how so many people can be watching it.... how close are you to the TV?
I sit about 10-15ft from my 50" plasma for normal viewing, and yes you can see some of the "bad" in the picture, but it is still very viewable.

[duanej]

You might try using a composite cable instead of S-Video. The scaler in your TV may do a better job with it. That was my experience with my plasma and my VCR and LaserDisc player.

[extension 721]

depends on the TV you have.

It may even come across WORSE

[newsposter]

for the OTA channels on my HDtivo, the SD pic (even with bars of course) is FAR superior than any of directvs crappy local SD's.

My wife is so impressed with the good pic she records even stuff like rachael ray OTA.

my setup is CRT RPTV so maybe it's different with different tvs.

Also, before i got this hdtv, i had a (possibly placebo effect) that the SD stuff thru S vid looked better on HDtivo vs my T60.

[bwaldron]

for the OTA channels on my HDtivo, the SD pic (even with bars of course) is FAR superior than any of directvs crappy local SD's.

My wife is so impressed with the good pic she records even stuff like rachael ray OTA.

my setup is CRT RPTV so maybe it's different with different tvs.

Also, before i got this hdtv, i had a (possibly placebo effect) that the SD stuff thru S vid looked better on HDtivo vs my T60.

I can't think of any TVs where a local digital channel would appear worse than DirecTV's SD locals.

[supergerg]

I calibrated the colors on my TV, now I'm happier with the SD regular channels from DirecTV. I know it's not like HD, but I think it's better than what is was before. I almost returned the TV or at the least almost canceled DirecTV the picture was sooo bad!!

supergerg

[newsposter]

I can't think of any TVs where a local digital channel would appear worse than DirecTV's SD locals.

maybe I didnt word it right, but i mean that the SD signal thru OTA looks so much better that we watch all locals OTA, regardless of SD or HD. Some people may not like bars but we dont care, the color and clarity are so worth it

[bwaldron]

maybe I didnt word it right, but i mean that the SD signal thru OTA looks so much better that we watch all locals OTA, regardless of SD or HD. Some people may not like bars but we dont care, the color and clarity are so worth it

No problem. I was agreeing with you. OTA SD digital is better than the locals carried by D*.