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What'a an HDTV without one of these?
I've wanted to taste HDTV for a long time. But I quitely sat on the side line, because I had an RPTV I paid quite a lot for, that just happened to be bought just before HD came out. (lucky me) Had I done the prudent thing, I would have waited. But since when have I ever been prudent? lol.
So, I added this DirecTV satellite HDTV receiver with a FULL complement of connectivity options. Digital Coax, and optical for DD audio, DVI input for HD transmission, component, S-vid, and composite outputs, and a terrerstrial input for HDTV via antenna or other option such as cable.
I got 30 days of HD programming, not to much really, ESPN, a movie channel, and Discovery. There's no HD on local channels, not even on things like HGTV, well, yet.
But we can hope that DirecTV will progress with HD offerings as time goes along. Through my journey to learn more, I have discovered that my local channels are now at least in part broadcasting some HD over air. So, I may investigate adding an over air antenna later, so I can further expand my HD selection.
Now to the results?
Well, even if my new receiver didn't broadcast HD, I've received benefits.
1. I process all DirecTV audio digitally now, instead of using pIss poor D to A converters in a cheap RCA or Hughes satellite boxes, I now have digital feeds directly to my MC-12, so I use it's DACs, instead of receiving an analog signal.
2. All programming from DirecTV is now output in component video. This increased the quality of my DirecTV standard channels and the DirecTV local channels. Big plus! I'll admit, when I learned that I couldn't get local channels (major networks) in HD on the receiver, I was ready to pack it up and take it back. In fact, I hung up with DTV people 2 times. But then I started thinking. If I can make this work programmatically with TiVo home control feature, the component video and digital audio might make it worth keeping even with marginal HD material. Well, it all integrated well, so I called and activated.
3. and of course, there's the HD capability. Striking realism from a projector that's just not supposed to be "that good". But I say that it is, that good, and a bit more. I watched the Bears/Vikings game last night, and my my, what fantastic color and detail. Liquidity in appearance that makes HD awesome... This is good stuff!
Someday, I'll enjoy this receiver with even a better projector. But for now, it'll do!
Lex
I've wanted to taste HDTV for a long time. But I quitely sat on the side line, because I had an RPTV I paid quite a lot for, that just happened to be bought just before HD came out. (lucky me) Had I done the prudent thing, I would have waited. But since when have I ever been prudent? lol.
So, I added this DirecTV satellite HDTV receiver with a FULL complement of connectivity options. Digital Coax, and optical for DD audio, DVI input for HD transmission, component, S-vid, and composite outputs, and a terrerstrial input for HDTV via antenna or other option such as cable.
I got 30 days of HD programming, not to much really, ESPN, a movie channel, and Discovery. There's no HD on local channels, not even on things like HGTV, well, yet.
But we can hope that DirecTV will progress with HD offerings as time goes along. Through my journey to learn more, I have discovered that my local channels are now at least in part broadcasting some HD over air. So, I may investigate adding an over air antenna later, so I can further expand my HD selection.
Now to the results?
Well, even if my new receiver didn't broadcast HD, I've received benefits.
1. I process all DirecTV audio digitally now, instead of using pIss poor D to A converters in a cheap RCA or Hughes satellite boxes, I now have digital feeds directly to my MC-12, so I use it's DACs, instead of receiving an analog signal.
2. All programming from DirecTV is now output in component video. This increased the quality of my DirecTV standard channels and the DirecTV local channels. Big plus! I'll admit, when I learned that I couldn't get local channels (major networks) in HD on the receiver, I was ready to pack it up and take it back. In fact, I hung up with DTV people 2 times. But then I started thinking. If I can make this work programmatically with TiVo home control feature, the component video and digital audio might make it worth keeping even with marginal HD material. Well, it all integrated well, so I called and activated.
3. and of course, there's the HD capability. Striking realism from a projector that's just not supposed to be "that good". But I say that it is, that good, and a bit more. I watched the Bears/Vikings game last night, and my my, what fantastic color and detail. Liquidity in appearance that makes HD awesome... This is good stuff!
Someday, I'll enjoy this receiver with even a better projector. But for now, it'll do!
Lex
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