Standard definition television

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After years of HDTV, I am forced to only standard-def television because DirecTV decided my HDTV can't have an HD receiver.

Well, the television networks format everything only for HDTV. If you watch SPEED, the text is so small you can't read it at all. Second, standard definition television is completely unwatchable on a flat screen TV, so I finally broke down and bought a CRT television.

If SD is a format that is no longer supported in any way, why do we still have the standard? More importantly, why did DirecTV ship a SD-only box when everything in this place is HD (including the television plan). And my $650 television is just sitting around collecting dust.
 
My TV tuner is fed by an S-vid cable. HD box (we were told the opposite- DTV was retiring/repurposing the SD birds) takes the widescreen image, slices the sides off, and I get a small chunk of main screen. I'm still working on getting either the box to put out a widescreen signal or the tuner to accept a widescreen signal. not sure which is at fault.

But man OTA might as well be HD!
 
AndyMarquisLive said:
After years of HDTV, I am forced to only standard-def television because DirecTV decided my HDTV can't have an HD receiver.

Well, the television networks format everything only for HDTV. If you watch SPEED, the text is so small you can't read it at all. Second, standard definition television is completely unwatchable on a flat screen TV, so I finally broke down and bought a CRT television.

If SD is a format that is no longer supported in any way, why do we still have the standard? More importantly, why did DirecTV ship a SD-only box when everything in this place is HD (including the television plan). And my $650 television is just sitting around collecting dust.
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Why don't you simply watch SD channels in 4x3 letterbox on your 16x9? I know that I still receive Speed in standard and high def format.

As for watching SD in 16x9, it is what it is. Personally, I watch TV for the content of the show, not the delivery format.

Are you sure that you're not in the Matrix ;)
 
#17D500winner said:
Why don't you simply watch SD channels in 4x3 letterbox on your 16x9? I know that I still receive Speed in standard and high def format.

As for watching SD in 16x9, it is what it is. Personally, I watch TV for the content of the show, not the delivery format.

Are you sure that you're not in the Matrix ;)
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Because it's unwatchable. :)
 
Magnethead said:
My TV tuner is fed by an S-vid cable. HD box (we were told the opposite- DTV was retiring/repurposing the SD birds) takes the widescreen image, slices the sides off, and I get a small chunk of main screen. I'm still working on getting either the box to put out a widescreen signal or the tuner to accept a widescreen signal. not sure which is at fault.

But man OTA might as well be HD!
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That's what I was told in the email I got back from them. Which is why I don't understand the idiots putting an SD box in the first place. After I emailed them, they said they hook up HD receivers to SD TVs now and EVERY DirecTV receiver that's installed is HD. They don't understand why a Standard-Def box was shipped.
 
AndyMarquisLive said:
That's what I was told in the email I got back from them. Which is why I don't understand the idiots putting an SD box in the first place. After I emailed them, they said they hook up HD receivers to SD TVs now and EVERY DirecTV receiver that's installed is HD. They don't understand why a Standard-Def box was shipped.
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Okay, now I'm laughing my butt off. Hey andy, when you get that HD receiver....umm....you'll understand why I'm laughing my butt off. Or do I have to post a picture?
 
Magnethead said:
Okay, now I'm laughing my butt off. Hey andy, when you get that HD receiver....umm....you'll understand why I'm laughing my butt off. Or do I have to post a picture?
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I've hooked HD receivers up to SD televisions before. They still make HD receivers with A/V output and coax output you know so I don't really care what your receiver looks like.

DirecTV screwed up, they sent a SD-only receiver for an HDTV.
 
AndyMarquisLive said:
I've hooked HD receivers up to SD televisions before. They still make HD receivers with A/V output and coax output you know so I don't really care what your receiver looks like.

DirecTV screwed up, they sent a SD-only receiver for an HDTV.
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Our DTV HD doesnt have any coax out the back. So if you had a TV without RCA/SV input, you'd be up a creek. It was hard enough setting it up for my TV tuner.
 
I was a long time customer of DirecTV until recently. Occasionally orders get screwed up but is it really that big a deal? I'd think a simple call to them would have been a quick way to resolve the issue. Unfortunately things don't always go as planed. Just a quick reminder to you DirecTV customers out there. Each time that you get a new piece of equipment from them they consider that a new 2 year commitment from that day forward. Keep that in mind if you are ever thinking about changing. I almost got burned by that recently when I switched to Dish.
 
I want it and I want right now, immediately this second!!! Any delays or mistakes will not be tolerated. :XXROFL:
 
dpkimmel2001 said:
I was a long time customer of DirecTV until recently. Occasionally orders get screwed up but is it really that big a deal? I'd think a simple call to them would have been a quick way to resolve the issue. Unfortunately things don't always go as planed. Just a quick reminder to you DirecTV customers out there. Each time that you get a new piece of equipment from them they consider that a new 2 year commitment from that day forward. Keep that in mind if you are ever thinking about changing. I almost got burned by that recently when I switched to Dish.
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Fortunately, my HDTV is being used as a second monitor and it's no big deal this week. Just don't understand how a technician can say that an HDTV doesn't support an HD receiver. To be fair, it is only 720p and the HDMI ports are very hard to find.

However, it's my TV, I've had it for four or five years now and if I say it is an HDTV, it's an HDTV. Do they even make large flat screen LCD televisions that aren't HD? :XXROFL:
 
I am no longer directing my rage at DirecTV because it's obvious it's going to be at least two weeks before they ship this receiver. I'm not directing my rage at all the networks who seem to think everyone has HDTV and formats their programs exclusively for HDTV, making programming unwatchable. Try turning on SPEED on SD. Even CNN and FOX News are unwatchable.

The only networks that you can watch are MSNBC, NBCSN, Current, TNT and the local news broadcasts.
 
It's obvious he doesn't have any grand kids . They could have had him fixed up in no time.
 
Asked DTV yesterday about this and when it would be sent out. Apparently, in order to upgrade to an HD receiver (even though that's what it's supposed to have been all along) will cost $250. No thanks, I can get used to only watching MSNBC (since that and NBC Sports Network are the only networks you can watch in SD).
 
AndyMarquisLive said:
Asked DTV yesterday about this and when it would be sent out. Apparently, in order to upgrade to an HD receiver (even though that's what it's supposed to have been all along) will cost $250. No thanks, I can get used to only watching MSNBC (since that and NBC Sports Network are the only networks you can watch in SD).
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Are you talking about a HD receiver or a HD DVR? A HD DVR is $199 through DirecTV and a HD receiver is $99. You can also buy a HD receiver on EBay. I bought three that way and saved money.

Keep in mind though that if you purchase a new piece of equipment from them it will start a new two year commitment. I found that out the hard way. I am not sure how long you are committed to their service and maybe you don't even care. It is a 2-year commitment from the time that you sign up or purchase additional equipment.

I currently subscribe to both DirecTV and Dish Network. I pay for a DirectTV account for my parents that has a year left of commitment that I am running to its conclusion later next year and then I'm switching them to Dish. I also have a Dish account that I recently signed up for. I ran the two services side by side for a week in my house and the only difference is the channel numbers. That and you lose DirecTV's Hot Pass. Apparently a deal breaker for some but I've not missed it. Picture quality is the same on both. With Dish I received two Dish Network Whole Home DVR's each with a 2TB drive. I also got three other HD receivers. Total price $99 installed. I can also watch anything, (including my DVR recordings), from anywhere that I have an internet connection. I also purchased a Sling Adapter for $49 that allows me to watch anything from my home system on my Android phone. An adapter allows me to connect that to any HD television to stream the content there.
 
dpkimmel2001 said:
Are you talking about a HD receiver or a HD DVR? A HD DVR is $199 through DirecTV and a HD receiver is $99. You can also buy a HD receiver on EBay. I bought three that way and saved money.

Keep in mind though that if you purchase a new piece of equipment from them it will start a new two year commitment. I found that out the hard way. I am not sure how long you are committed to their service and maybe you don't even care. It is a 2-year commitment from the time that you sign up or purchase additional equipment.

I currently subscribe to both DirecTV and Dish Network. I pay for a DirectTV account for my parents that has a year left of commitment that I am running to its conclusion later next year and then I'm switching them to Dish. I also have a Dish account that I recently signed up for. I ran the two services side by side for a week in my house and the only difference is the channel numbers. That and you lose DirecTV's Hot Pass. Apparently a deal breaker for some but I've not missed it. Picture quality is the same on both. With Dish I received two Dish Network Whole Home DVR's each with a 2TB drive. I also got three other HD receivers. Total price $99 installed. I can also watch anything, (including my DVR recordings), from anywhere that I have an internet connection. I also purchased a Sling Adapter for $49 that allows me to watch anything from my home system on my Android phone. An adapter allows me to connect that to any HD television to stream the content there.
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Yeah, I've been looking on eBay to see if I could get an HD receiver that just has HDMI out.

I like having NFL Sunday Ticket so I can watch the Jags games but that's pointless when the picture's formatted exclusively for HDTV so you can't see it on a SD TV.
 
dpkimmel2001 said:
You may find one cheaper but when you activate it you will be activating a new 2-year commitment. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
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I'm aware. I think there's a $50 activation fee. Still, if there's an older box, that's fine. My TV is four years old and only has 720p anyways. I could've got a better TV but I like this one.
 
My fiancée takes care of the TV provider stuff. I believe I now have every channel in every available format.
 
AndyMarquisLive said:
It doesn't matter how good the TV is. If you only have SD service, the picture's going to look like complete ****.
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Only if you're a constant complainer. Hell, VH1 Classic, which I watch for "That Metal Show" is only in SD. Completely watchable. Well, to everyone except for you, I guess. :rolleyes:
 
VaDirt said:
Only if you're a constant complainer. Hell, VH1 Classic, which I watch for "That Metal Show" is only in SD. Completely watchable. Well, to everyone except for you, I guess. :rolleyes:
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You'd be surprised. I have an HD receiver (they sent them to us when they were phasing out the SD's) but my computer only takes an S-video. So I'm in the same boat as andy, HD signal, SD processor. What comes out is worse than alot of things I don't care to type. Basically, take your HD picture, and crop 20% off each side, then stretch it vertically. Or, if you can figure this in your mind, take your HD picture, turn your TV sideways, crop the edges, and stretch to fill the vertical. Or turn the picture 90 degrees and leave TV is, same thing. 200% distortion.
 
Whats HD? My home tv was a wedding present for my parents in 1984 and is made out of wood, my tv at school has something wrong with it and half the channels have snow...yet I still watch.
 
zenith-before-425.jpg

basically this.
 
Magnethead said:
You'd be surprised. I have an HD receiver (they sent them to us when they were phasing out the SD's) but my computer only takes an S-video. So I'm in the same boat as andy, HD signal, SD processor. What comes out is worse than alot of things I don't care to type. Basically, take your HD picture, and crop 20% off each side, then stretch it vertically. Or, if you can figure this in your mind, take your HD picture, turn your TV sideways, crop the edges, and stretch to fill the vertical. Or turn the picture 90 degrees and leave TV is, same thing. 200% distortion.
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Thing is, it would look great on my RCA CRT TV. But I can't hook that up to my computer.
 
Here's the best analogy: Download a very small picture off the internet and blow it up to full screen. That's basically what your picture looks like.
 
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