Sean Romo

My review of Direct TV and HDTV

There is a commercial that CBS runs on their OTA HD channel that looks amazing, so I think there is still more they can do with HD. But as I see it now, there are "loop holes" you could say between real HD and upconverted film. Ive read people complain about some movies on HBOHD and I dont think they realize that Who Framed Roger Rabit wasnt filmed with a HD camera (duh) so it is just upconverted and shown in the widescreen original format. So right now the biggest advantage to HD channels is that they are showing in the widescreen format.

I believe Leno is shown in true HD and looks awesome. But some of the other primetime shows only seem to be really clear and widescreen. ??? The HBO HD movies and SHOHD are awesome because it looks better than a DVD (which we already know is better than VHS and cable) The hard selling point I think for non HDphiles is Digital Satellite looks really good (but they have to be stretched, so if you dont have s widescreen ytv ou could be content) Ive seen some digital shows in box form that look real nice but it p****s me off to think of what is going on in the 2" on each side ha ha.
We watched Princess Diaries in HD and my wife noticed a few things that she hadnt seen on her VHS tape and I think its because (of course) the picture is bigger and clearer.
In conclusion ... I definately love HBOHD and SHOHD (and am so glad that they are moving them to the HD package, if you havent heard yet it starts in september) and the primetime shows are so cool in widescreen (and clear). Other nonHD shows are still clear (because digital) but I can definately see a loss in detail.

Lee Bombard

I've not heard anything about these two channels being bundled in with D's HD package. Do you have a link with the information on this?

Qui-Gon John

I have a question. I was thinking of going with DirecTV. The plan I'm being offered is 2 systems, dish and install for $1. Then 3 months free service. And I was thinking of selecting the 4 movie channels under premuim, for a monthly total of $70.99, (38.99 for Total w/local and 32 for the 4 movie channel packages). Would that, (other than taxes), be all I would pay or is there an additional monthly charge for the second system?

Lew Crippen

They are not a part of the package. If you subscribe to HBO, you automatically get HBO HD. The same for Showtime. Of course you need the elliptical dish and HD receiver.

¡Time is not my master!

Sean Romo

I only have one, but I believe the extra reciever will cost an additional 4 or 5 $ a month.




When I ordered the NFL Ticket package where you get 4 months free premiums (current offering) the Directv operator informed me that HBOHD and SHOHD are going to be pulled from the "premium services package" and added to the HD Package on September 1st...I asked and she said the HD package will be our only way to get the HBOHD and SHOHD. This kind of stinks because I have 4 free months of those with my package and they are going to be taken away. But it is nice because once my free premiums are over, I will purchase the new package which will now have HBOHD and SHOHD plus the other DISC, ESPN, HDNET and HDNETMOVIES.

I have not checked the website, but if you are concerned or excited contact Direct TV.

Ok I just checked the website and there is no reference to the switch. I also checked the source code (view source) which was the way someone found out about the HD package before its release, but no luck this time....again they told me when I was ordering this week.

Chad R

Sean Romo

I am very curious about that. Can you explain more? I may have chosen a bad example, but I do notice that older films (prior to say '97) have less quality than newer films??? Especially older TV shows shown as bits on HD Channels, say of a flashback during an interview.

Steve Schaffer

Movies in HD don't look as good as programs that are originally shot in HD-Video (like most of the programming on HDNet and Discovery HD) from the standpoint of having the clearest, sharpest picture.

The reason is that HD-video originated stuff has no film grain. The higher resolution of HDTV vs regular tv makes the film grain on movies more evident.

This is not to say that the presence of film grain is a bad thing of course, it's an integral part of the artistic intent of the director and cinematographer and can add a lot to the atmosphere of a movie.

Having watched several films in both HD and on progressive scan dvd, the HD usually looks better but the difference is not as great as the difference between vhs and dvd.

HDTV really reaches it's full potential, imho, for video based material and sports, not presentation of theatrical motion pictures, MOST of the time.

Steve S.
I prefer not to push the subwoofers until they\'re properly run in.

Chad R

You see, I would say the video shot with HD looks brighter, but not necessarily better. Film looks more lifelike to me, even in HD. But, it's a matter of preference.

You also have to be sure that they are broadcasting the movie in HD. The digital channels don't have to broadcast in true 1080i or 720p HD. They can just broadcast in 480p, standard definition. Some movies on HBO-HD are true HD, some only Standard Def.

Now, mind you, the idea that film has higher "resolution" is theoretical as HD cameras and film are two entirely different technologies and not compatible. However, the goal of HD cameras is to be film quality and theoretically film is greater "resolution" than HD cameras.

Tino

According to two DirecTv reps I spoke to yeterday, HBOHD and ShotimeHD will NOT become part of the HD package.

Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titillandus.