HD tv, bad picture-how to cure?

strupgolf · 08-18-2010, 04:35 PM

I got a 36 inch HD TV and the picture is good, but not great. DirectTV says I have to buy a $100 HD box, plus $10 month to get the HD reception. Now Im not a geek on this stuff, but does anyone sell on the cheap a HD type converter that I could use. I don't know how long I'm going to keep DirectTV. I don't mind paying the monthly charge, but 100 for a box is steep. Somebody splain this to me.

Moses · 08-18-2010, 04:49 PM

You want HD, you gotta pay the freight. Pixels ain't cheap.

Steve Carlton · 08-18-2010, 07:23 PM

Isn't there a package or a promotion you can sign up for? Commit to 1 or 2 years? Seems like they usually have a way of getting you the equipment for free. Maybe see what Comcast or Dish Network will offer, then call DirecTV to tell them you're switching (assuming you're not under contract now).

LeeH · 08-18-2010, 07:49 PM

I think Dishnetwork is running a "Free HD for life" promo for new subscribers.

strupgolf · 08-19-2010, 05:13 AM

I've got another year on my contract. I thought somplace like RadioShak might be the ticket, but a dead end.

gr8fl4porsche · gr8fl4porsche's Garage

Hook up an over-the-air antenna for network programming in HD.
All you need is an old school UHF antenna. Don't buy into the whole HD antenna thing - just a marketing gimmick.

OTA broadcast is the gold standard for pic quality - local channels only.

If you decide you want a nice antenna - I use the DB8 from Antennas Direct.
Antennas Direct | DB8 HDTV Antenna - Outdoor Use

krystar · 08-19-2010, 06:28 AM

just cause u have an HDTV doesn't mean all programs magically become HD. a HDTV is just the display. the picture is only as good as the weakest link in the chain.

the source has to be HD, the carrier has to be HD, the channel box has to be HD, the display has to be HD.

not all programming is done in HD. Even on local channels that are required to broadcast in HD, if the tv program wasn't shot in HD, you won't see awesome picture. for instance if Fox runs an episode of baywatch, it's not going to be HD quality. the signal is still HD, but the source isn't.

masraum · 08-19-2010, 06:47 AM

Another thing, the way you connect the signal to your TV makes a difference. I tried connecting my cable box to my TV via component connections and the non-HD stuff looked horrible. I then connected the cable box to the TV via the regular coax connection and now the regular TV looks like regular TV.

Steve Viegas · 08-19-2010, 07:24 AM

Yes, the cheapest way to get into HD is through over the air programming. Channel Master has the strongest UHF antenna available (it is directional) if I recall properly. It looks like the back of an old refrigerator, but I can pull in signals from 50 miles away and is a one time charge of less than $100.00.

I have tried UVerse, Directv and over the air (OTA). Picture quality, to my eyes, is OTA, followed by directv, and lastly UVerse.