DirecTivo/ HDTV Please Help!

[Moof219]

I'm hoping someone can help me, I'm very confused! My old TV is finally breaking down. The tube and power supply are both shot and it would cost more to repair. I’m going to suck it up and buy an HDTV probably the Toshiba REGZA. My question is, I have a Phillips DirecTV/Tivo Series 2 Unit The DSR708. I was wondering if I could use that with my new TV or if I have to get a new one. I love the Tivo interface so I’m not willing to get a regular DirecTV DVR. I don’t really care at this point about getting HD channels (It would be nice but right now I just don’t want to upgrade to an HD Tivo if I do not have to) Basically what do I need.. a new dish? A separate HD receiver? Basically will my DSR 708 work with my new TV?? (It’s an owned unit if that helps.) I’m sorry for the silly questions but I really have not had time to research this and now I’m being forced to make a quick decision!

[John T Smith]

As far as I know, all HD TV sets will also accept an SD signal... the display won't be in HD

But... some HD units (don't know about the one you plan to buy) have an UPCONVERT chip which converts an SD signal into about 2/3 of HD for display

[dnemec123]

I just got the Toshiba REGZA 47HL167, and I love it!

I do have an external antenna connected so that I pick up the local HD channels, but the DirecTiVo (zippered Hughes HDVR2) works just fine using the component video input. It does get a little pixelated, but any SD signal does.

The Toshiba has a Pic Mode (Picture Mode) that lets you select from Sports, Standard, Movies, PC, or Preference. I find that the SD signal tends to look better when this is set on Movies. It's a 'softer' picture and doesn't show the pixelation as much.

I too don't want to get an HD DirecTV DVR until I see what Verizon is offering on their FIOS service.

Good luck!
Dale

[Moof219]

Thank you so much for your answer! You really helped me a lot. I'm glad to hear you like your REGZA! Your HD antenna, is that something that you can get from DirecTV or did you have to purchase it separately? Is there an extra free for that per month?

[Moof219]

As far as I know, all HD TV sets will also accept an SD signal... the display won't be in HD

But... some HD units (don't know about the one you plan to buy) have an UPCONVERT chip which converts an SD signal into about 2/3 of HD for display

Thank you! I will check into the upconvert!

[John T Smith]

If you have the space, wife and I like the 57 Inch (rear projection) Hitachi 57F59 I selected for our new house... bought last November and it does very will with an SD input

[dnemec123]

Thank you so much for your answer! You really helped me a lot. I'm glad to hear you like your REGZA! Your HD antenna, is that something that you can get from DirecTV or did you have to purchase it separately? Is there an extra free for that per month?
Happy to help!

I got the antenna from Radio Shack. Simple $25 thing that I mounted in the attic space above my garage (I'm only 8 miles from the transmitters. YMMV). The Toshiba has an antenna input that this goes into. The DirecTiVo is just connected to the dish. I'm not using the antenna input on the DirecTiVo at all.

Visit http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspx and enter your complete street address. It will then tell you how far you are from the transmitters and this information helps you to select the best antenna for your location.

Good luck!
Dale