Upconversion question

biglag · Post by **biglag** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 2:19 pm

I have an older projection hdtv(1080i) with component inputs and an older pretty much everything. I am currently using directv with tivo. I want to get the new tivo with hd, but each box is $300 and from what i understand, the standard channels won't look any better. And I'd hate to spend $300 plus so much per month just for a few channels to look better. I don't need to upconvert to 1080i , but just to 480p would be superb. What is the best way to do this? Also I remember some years ago, they sold edtv's that was supposed to do that, do they still make them. Is that the best route?

akirby · Post by **akirby** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 2:33 pm

Not sure what you mean about the standard channels not looking any better. You're missing at least 50 HD channels - maybe more - and on a 1080i display the difference between 480i and 1080i sources is pretty significant.

What size is your TV?
How do you get local channels - OTA, satellite, or cable?
Which dish do you have now (2 LNB, 3 LNB, 5 LNB)?
Which premium channels do you get from DirecTV?

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 3:19 pm

Either of the new HD Tivo's will help. That said, you are on satellite... were you going to change providers? Tivo is cable and OTA only... Even an HD satellite receiver would help similar to the Tivo.

If your only concern is scaling SD to 480p then we need to know the brand and model of TV to insure you would get the expected results.

akirby · Post by **akirby** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 7:38 pm

I just assumed when the OP said HD Tivo that he was really talking about a DirecTV HR21, but that was probably a bad assumption.

HD Tivos don't do DirecTV (with the exception of the discontinued HR10-250 but that's mpeg2 only). They are cablecard or OTA only for HD. DirecTV has their own HD DVRs (the HR20-700 and HR21). The HR20 has OTA inputs but the HR21 does not. Both require a new 5 LNB dish to receive all HD programming.

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 8:05 pm

Until the poster answers we're both just licking our fingers and sticking them in the wind

biglag · Post by **biglag** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 6:14 am

tivo box dvr r10 and tv is 56" panasonic pt-56hx41p. I didn't know that the new tivo was cable only. All of my local channels and every other channel is through directv. I'm not sure of which dish I have, it's only a year old and the installer said it was hd capable. I just have the basic package from directv. Thanks for your input, and forgive me for being a dinosaur.

akirby · Post by **akirby** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 7:38 am

biglag wrote:tivo box dvr r10 and tv is 56" panasonic pt-56hx41p. I didn't know that the new tivo was cable only. All of my local channels and every other channel is through directv. I'm not sure of which dish I have, it's only a year old and the installer said it was hd capable. I just have the basic package from directv. Thanks for your input, and forgive me for being a dinosaur.

Just check with DirecTV and see what is required to get a new HD PVR. Assuming DirecTV has your locals in HD then you just need a HR21 PVR and 5 LNB dish (if you don't already have one). They'll probably install it for free and if you've been a long time customer ask them for a credit to offset the cost of the HR21. I got the HR20 for $75 after a $250 credit. You may have to call the retention department directly. Tell them you're considering switching to cable.

You will be astounded at the difference in picture quality. Make sure you hook up the new PVR with either HDMI, DVI or component video cables to get HD resolution.

biglag · Post by **biglag** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 9:39 am

I don't think any of my locals are broadcast in HD. I have no problem with paying for the hd dvr, but that only clears up the hd channels, i'm wanting to clear up all channels. thanks.

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 11:26 am

Richard wrote:Even an HD satellite receiver would help similar to the Tivo.

biglag · Post by **biglag** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 12:59 pm

richard, are you saying that by getting a hd box, even my sd channels would improve?

Also, i was just looking on bestbuy's website and they have a few stereo receivers with video upconversion for around $500. Would this bring my picture to 480p?