Which is better to record: SD or upconverted HD?

[morac]

I'm curious as to what people record when programs are on both SD and HD channels of the same station, but the program isn't in HD. For example, the Simpsons is shown on both Fox and Fox-HD, but it is not an "HD" program. For the HD version they just upconvert to 720p.

If space wasn't an issue, I'd say just record the "HD" version in all cases, but the "HD" version can be 5 to 10 times the size of the "SD" version and (on my TV at least), there isn't a noticeable difference in quality.

So for these cases, what do you do?

[moyekj]

Even though they take a lot more space I record HD versions as well - just a much cleaner signal. I take out all the SD versions of the same channels completely from my lineup.

Another potential downside of the HD recording aside from space is the fact that the pillar boxing is built into the broadcast so if you like to stretch the picture to full screen on a widescreen display you typically can't do that with the HD version. Personally I don't like watching 4:3 stretched so it doesn't matter, but to many this is a big deal.

[Sparty99]

I go with the SD version for the exact same reason you mention. This isn't a big issue other than for the shows I archive that aren't broadcast in HD - Scrubs, The Simpsons, Family Guy and American Dad.

[TAsunder]

I don't record a lot of SD programs that are available on an HD channel, but when I do, I usually record the HD one. It takes up more space, but it's less hassle and a cleaner picture.

[Martin Tupper]

The SD channels on FIOS look pretty darned good, so I save the drive space and record SD shows on SD channels.

[pkscout]

If I could get the SD in digital I'd just record the digital SD signal and let my TV do the scaling. But I don't want to pay the CableCard extortion fee, so I have analog cable and OTA HD. With that I always record OTA if possible because the picture is so much better.

[cadmium]

I would normally say don't waste the space, but I recently got a TivoHD and several shows I recorded happened to end up being upconverted, but were about 10X better than normal SD quality anyway.

My only complaint was the embedded black sidebars, which prevents me from using my tv's normal stretch modes.

[wmcbrine]

I always record the SD version so that I can use grey sidebars or zoom, as well as to save space.

[morac]

Originally Posted by moyekj

Even though they take a lot more space I record HD versions as well - just a much cleaner signal. I take out all the SD versions of the same channels completely from my lineup.

I guess I forgot that not everyone has an all digital line-up. In my area all channels (SD and HD) are digital when using cableCARDs. I guess in my case it depends on what does a better job upscaling: the station, my S3 or my TV (Bravia XBR4).

If I had the choice to record between digital HD and analog SD I would jump at the HD in a second because of the better quality and the fact that analog SD records take up about 1/4 the space of HD anyway (digital SD takes up less room).


The main downside I've found to recording the SD station is the annoying VBI line at the top of the screen, but I can filter that out using my TV.

[rodalpho]

I record the SD channel, but all of my SD channels are digital. If they were analog, I would get the HD.

[moyekj]

Originally Posted by morac

I guess I forgot that not everyone has an all digital line-up. In my area all channels (SD and HD) are digital when using cableCARDs. I guess in my case it depends on what does a better job upscaling: the station, my S3 or my TV (Bravia XBR4).

If I had the choice to record between digital HD and analog SD I would jump at the HD in a second because of the better quality and the fact that analog SD records take up about 1/4 the space of HD anyway (digital SD takes up less room).


The main downside I've found to recording the SD station is the annoying VBI line at the top of the screen, but I can filter that out using my TV.

With CableCards all my SD channels are digital as well - however the HD versions are still nicer looking. It's not a huge difference but I notice it especially on my 47" LCD.

[RonDawg]

Originally Posted by wmcbrine

I always record the SD version so that I can use grey sidebars or zoom, as well as to save space.

Having a 4:3 HiDef CRT, I try not to use the HD versions of a standard def program, to avoid having panels on all four sides.