Direct TV HD

[Bruce Branch]

I know at least one of you guys is a satellite installer and many of you have satellite HD. I have a two questions. If I have a HD TV (internal HD decoder) do I need a HD satellite receiver? Will we ever be able to use the satellite card in the cable card slot on the new TVs?



Thanks for you help. I really enjoy the wide range of knowledge that is avail on this site.

 

[Deleted deleted]

You still need the Satellite receiver to decode the signal being sent down from the bird.

 

[Bruce Branch]

But does it hav eto be a HD receiver?

 

[Frank Marano]

if i remember correctly, having a HD converter in a tv means that you dont need the "hd box" that sits on your tv that the said company supplies with service. Kind of along the same line as cable ready tv.....but in this case, high def.

 

[Deleted deleted]

I'm pretty sure with Satellite, you need the satellite box to convert the stream coming down from the satellite. I don't think it works like digital cable.

 

[Thomas Rogers]

Whether it's a cable company supplied box, you need the HD version of the box, even if you have an HD decoder in your HD tv. That's just the way it is. The only thing an HD decoder in your TV gets you is the ability to hook an antennae directly to the TV and get an HD signal (which comes across on the UHF frequencies).



If you have satellite I THINK it's the same thing. You need the HD version of the receiver box, and that has the HD decoder and all that means that it bypasses the HD decoders in your TV (if you have one).



I am pretty sure I am right on this. Most people are SOLD on an HD tv with HD decoder, when really all they need is an HD-ready or HD-capable TV (saving a couple hundred bucks on the decoder).



TJR

 

[Jay Dee]

You'll likely need an upgraded dish AND receiver(s)

 

[Christopher L]

I just had a DVR installed by directv a few weeks ago and asked the installer about the HD receivers. He warned me that Directv will be changing their HD systems in the very near future, and that all the HD receivers they are installing now will not work with the new system. I'm not sure what the other details are, but thought I would pass this along so you can ask them before you commit to new equipment that might already be obsolete. Give them a call and ask.



:huh:

 

[Jake Levin]

I can't remember exactly but you'll need either a dual LNB or triple LNB dish to recieve the HD signal from Direct TV

 

[troy malone]

even with comcast digital cable the box has to say HD on it to receive High Def..

Satellite is the same.. you receive a digital signal,, but its not HD.. the HD boxes have either a HDMI or DVI output for the TV for true Digital signal..



troy

 

[Gary DiPietroSr]

I'm an independent installer, you will need an Triple LNB dish and an HD sat. receiver in order to get HD satl. tv. You hook up the HD receiver to the set into one of the componet inputs with a Red,blue,green componet cable and a red/white audio cable. All with RCA plugs on the ends. Gary D. in CT

 

[Mike akaRedsfan]

I just bought a Sony Vega 37" High Def from Costco here in Canada.



I did a lot of reserach before I bought, and yes, as the others say, you need the HD receiver along with the HD feature of your tv.



It is also important to keep in mind, that many companies that advertise true High Definition tv's, are not really selling you true high def. In order to achieve a true high def signal, your tv should have at least 1080x1080 contrast. Many tv's out there now are less then this. You will still pick up HD signal with them, but not TRUE high def.

 

[Russ Hughes]

Gary and Mike are correct. To get an HD signal from DirecTv or Dish you need at least a triple LNB and the HD receiver to plug into your HDTV. And for a true HDTV it must have a resolution of either 720x? or 1080x1280. The DirecTV system will give you local HD's (if carried for your area) and then certain movie, sports and news channels. The local off airs may not be carried if they couldn't cut an agreeable deal or your in a smaller market.



The cable card slot is only for interfacing to your local cable operator. It's purpose is to provide you with conditional access to cable operator content. The idea is that the FCC has mandated that by 2009 the set top box should be optional and no longer mandatory. This slot will never work for a satellite signal because it's too high of a frequency for a TV.



Your internal HDTV tuner is for local off-air signals. A good antenna will allow you to watch some incredible football games and crappy prime time programming.



In order for you to get true HDTV video into your TV from a receiver you will have to connect either through YPbPr/component, DVI or HDMI. S-video, composite and RF outputs will not give you HD video, the TV will give you a better picture but it still won't be HD using these inputs.



Sorry I tend to get wrapped up in my business.

Russ H

Cable, satllelite and broadcast TV engineer