Washington, D.C. (October 13, 2006)
-- As a High-Definition TV owner, DIRECTV has driven me
crazy. The satcaster has launched just nine national
high-def channels in the last five years. And the
picture quality on those channels has ranged from okay
to downright poor.
DIRECTV's less than tasty HD menu has often reminded me of that old joke about two guys at a restaurant.
First guy: "The food is terrible here."
Second guy: "Yeah, and such small portions."
However, about a month ago, I purchased DIRECTV's new H20 high-def receiver (with 5LNB dish) and I have to say that I am amazed. The colors are suddenly vivid and life-like; the detail breathtaking; and the sound, yes, sounds even better.
DIRECTV's new 5LNB dish.
Last night, for example, I scanned the dial from Fox's baseball playoff game between the Mets and Cardinals to NBC's sitcom, The Office, to HDNet's Penguins-Rangers hockey match. I was so impressed with each broadcast that I wanted to watch all three at the same time.
Still in disbelief at DIRECTV's turnaround, I walked over to another high-def set (I have three) which is connected to a Comcast HD receiver. After checking out Fox and NBC via the Comcast box, I have to say that DIRECTV's picture was a little better. (Comcast does not carry HDNet.)
So, what's different with DIRECTV?
DIRECTV is using the new MPEG4 compression technology to transmit local HD signals via the H20 set-top. Industry experts say MPEG4 offers cleaner and crisper images and, judging by what I've seen, I have to agree. High-def programs on ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox have been eye-popping.
However, interestingly, the national HD channels also look remarkably better, although DIRECTV says it's not using MPEG4 to deliver those signals. (The satcaster says it will switch to MPEG4 for all high-def channels next year.)
The picture is also more consistent. In the past, DIRECTV's high-def images have been up and down. (Many high-def owners have accused the satcaster of purposely "squeezing" the HD picture at times to make room for more channels.) But I haven't noticed any significant change in the picture quality from day to day.
Over the last few years, DIRECTV's HD lineup has been the subject of much criticism on HDTV message boards. And rightfully so. The satcaster has been slow to add more high-def channels and the picture quality has been sub-par.
Concerned that some high-def viewers will flee to other services, DIRECTV has said repeatedly that 2007 will be a different story, with plenty of additional channels.
While DIRECTV still trails rival EchoStar (and most cable systems) in the total number of HD networks, the performance of the new H20 receiver lends hope that DIRECTV's HDTV future will be bright indeed.
DIRECTV's less than tasty HD menu has often reminded me of that old joke about two guys at a restaurant.
First guy: "The food is terrible here."
Second guy: "Yeah, and such small portions."
However, about a month ago, I purchased DIRECTV's new H20 high-def receiver (with 5LNB dish) and I have to say that I am amazed. The colors are suddenly vivid and life-like; the detail breathtaking; and the sound, yes, sounds even better.
DIRECTV's new 5LNB dish.
Last night, for example, I scanned the dial from Fox's baseball playoff game between the Mets and Cardinals to NBC's sitcom, The Office, to HDNet's Penguins-Rangers hockey match. I was so impressed with each broadcast that I wanted to watch all three at the same time.
Still in disbelief at DIRECTV's turnaround, I walked over to another high-def set (I have three) which is connected to a Comcast HD receiver. After checking out Fox and NBC via the Comcast box, I have to say that DIRECTV's picture was a little better. (Comcast does not carry HDNet.)
So, what's different with DIRECTV?
DIRECTV is using the new MPEG4 compression technology to transmit local HD signals via the H20 set-top. Industry experts say MPEG4 offers cleaner and crisper images and, judging by what I've seen, I have to agree. High-def programs on ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox have been eye-popping.
However, interestingly, the national HD channels also look remarkably better, although DIRECTV says it's not using MPEG4 to deliver those signals. (The satcaster says it will switch to MPEG4 for all high-def channels next year.)
The picture is also more consistent. In the past, DIRECTV's high-def images have been up and down. (Many high-def owners have accused the satcaster of purposely "squeezing" the HD picture at times to make room for more channels.) But I haven't noticed any significant change in the picture quality from day to day.
Over the last few years, DIRECTV's HD lineup has been the subject of much criticism on HDTV message boards. And rightfully so. The satcaster has been slow to add more high-def channels and the picture quality has been sub-par.
Concerned that some high-def viewers will flee to other services, DIRECTV has said repeatedly that 2007 will be a different story, with plenty of additional channels.
While DIRECTV still trails rival EchoStar (and most cable systems) in the total number of HD networks, the performance of the new H20 receiver lends hope that DIRECTV's HDTV future will be bright indeed.