Is Dish HD 1080p?

[Joe4U]

I just posted this to the alt.dbs.echostar usenet newsgroup. On the advice
of a respondent posting as Dan Warren <dwarren2.nospam@rochester.xx.rr.com>
on message ID <Xns9DE9AA676101Bdisneydisneycom@207.246.207.190>,
he suggested that I try finding more information on this Web discussion board.
So I hope that it is not poor etiquette to double-post between these protocols.
But I really do need help, as I plan to buy a low-cost HD TV by this weekend.

A Dish technician was here today and hooked up a new ViP722k DVR-HD
w/L662 software, and a new Turbo HD dish. He was very professional and
courteous. The menus and features are a big improvement over the old
receivers. Many more channels appear, even after locking off everything
in red, PPV, Spanish channels, and duplicate SD and HD channels. I'm
guessing that's because some channels are only available in HD, and that
is why we never saw them listed before. The Dish tech disconnected and
took our old receivers away with him for recycling. He also said they
wouldn't work anymore because of the upgrade to our service.

So far, we're glad we upgraded to Dish HD. Supposedly, a one-time $95
fee for the installation is all it will cost us. Guess we'll take the
"wait and see" approach till the autopay bill comes on our VISA.
Being retired and on a budget, we are looking to buy a 42" Insignia flat
panel HD LCD TV at Best Buy. They have two models of it on sale, one
is $400 but is only 720p. The better one is $600 and is the full 1080p
blu ray compatible. I've been reading up on this and they say that the
fast action and sharper detail is what really sets these two resolutions
apart. Is the difference that obvious?

What I'm really unsure about is whether Dish's mpeg4 signal is true 1080p
like blu ray? If not, would the cheaper $400 set look just as good on
Dish HD channels? We almost never watch DVDs, and we almost never watch
"dish on demand." But we do watch a lot of TV. Under the circumstances,
is the extra $200 worth it to get the better set? Best Buy offers a
$90 extended 4-year warranty on all parts and labor, including in-home
service or replacement. If anyone reading this has experience with the
Insignia brand HD LCD sets, are they fairly reliable products? Our last
TV was a flat screen JVC tube television, and it has lasted 10 years and
still works fine. We didn't buy a warranty for it.

Thanks again for your help.
--
Joe

 

[Dah-Henny]

IMO, on a 42 inch TV, you will see ZERO difference between 1080p and 720p. Dish's HD is NOT 1080p, but some of their ppv and on-demand is.

I use a 720p plasma, and the pq is outstanding.

 

[Dah-Henny]

The signal to my TV is 1280x720p. You can set the receiver to output 1920x1080i.

 

[whatchel1]

1080i

Most of the channels are 1080 i but there are some that are 720p. A very few of the PPV is 1080p. At 42" you are on the edge of being able to tell. I have a 42" 1080p Panny Plasma. But then I also have Blu-Ray player too. So it would be up to you to see if you can see a difference between the 2 sets.

 

[Joe4U]

IMO, on a 42 inch TV, you will see ZERO difference between 1080p and 720p. Dish's HD is NOT 1080p, but some of their ppv and on-demand is.

I use a 720p plasma, and the pq is outstanding.

Thanks for the speedy reply. I'd read that the difference in resolutions may not be
so noticable except for "fast motion" video. But I'm a big fan of Jackie Gleason,
the Greatest pool-shooter ever to grace the table, so I'll take your word for it pending other replies between now and this weekend.

--
Joe

 

[charper1]

I have an Insignia branded HD LCD in my son's room; its about 3 years old and looks very good with DirecTV HD output to 1080i. I am not 100% sure but was told its a re-branded LG panel made by Insignia for Best Buy

 

[Dah-Henny]

Thanks for the speedy reply. I'd read that the difference in resolutions may not be
so noticable except for "fast motion" video.

I'm guessing that the more expensive set has the 120 hz vs the 60 hz on the cheaper one. I bought a 1080p 120 hz phillips a year ago and absolutely hated the 120 hz function, especially in fast motion scenes. If you have the chance to see the two functions side by side, you could judge for yourself. If the cheaper set has a fairly fast response time, 8 milliseconds or less, you most likely will never see problems with motion. Of course, this is IMHO.

 

[Joe4U]

I have an Insignia branded HD LCD in my son's room; its about 3 years old and looks very good with DirecTV HD output to 1080i. I am not 100% sure but was told its a re-branded LG panel made by Insignia for Best Buy

Wow! This group is fast to reply. I doubt I can keep up with all replies, but I really do appreciate the helpful input from everyone that does reply.

Dig your sig, man! Although my favorite libation is cold beer.

--
Joe

 

[3HaloODST]

Thanks for the speedy reply. I'd read that the difference in resolutions may not be
so noticable except for "fast motion" video. But I'm a big fan of Jackie Gleason,
the Greatest pool-shooter ever to grace the table, so I'll take your word for it pending other replies between now and this weekend.

--
Joe

The chart above gives you a good idea as to when the different resolutions are available.

As for the "fast motion" comment, that is probably referring to 1080i vs 720p. 1080i has slightly more clarity during slow/still shots, where 720p has more clarity in fast motion such as sports.

The DISH receivers can output 1080i/720p on component, and 1080i/720p/1080p on HDMI.

Almost all channels are natively 1080i with a few (namely FOX, ABC, ESPN) being 720p.

IMHO there is little difference between the two, but I prefer 720p over 1080i because 720p is progressive, and almost all modern HDTVs made today are natively progressive displays.

Basically, don't fret over the resolution, so much as the overall picture quality of the HDTV you use. Resolution is only one of many factors that can mean the difference in good quality vs bad quality, though 720p is still by far an HDTV resolution, and that factor alone will not degrade your picture quality.

Anyway, for DISH, IMHO if your set is a 720p set then you should use 720p. If it is a 1080i set I would recommend trying out 720p and 1080i and seeing which one looks better to you. Most likely, you won't find much of a difference.

For 1080p sets I might recommend 1080i/1080p, but 720p will be better for sports events especially those on FOX, ABC, ESPN.

 

[Joe4U]

I'm guessing that the more expensive set has the 120 hz vs the 60 hz on the cheaper one. I bought a 1080p 120 hz phillips a year ago and absolutely hated the 120 hz function, especially in fast motion scenes. If you have the chance to see the two functions side by side, you could judge for yourself. If the cheaper set has a fairly fast response time, 8 milliseconds or less, you most likely will never see problems with motion. Of course, this is IMHO.

I totally believe what you're saying. I just read on an electronics news website comparing the two formats and they said pretty much exactly what you're saying. That the difference between them was not all that obvious, particularly owing to the balance between resolution vs. frame speed. 42" really isn't that big. And I immediately noticed after the new HD upgrade that the channels I'm watching already look more crisp and clear in low-def than they did before the upgrade, and this on our old standard-def televisions. They can only look better on the hi-def.

Unless another pipes in here convincing me otherwise, I'll plan on purchasing the $400 model and take my chances with no extra warranty.

Thanks again for your amazingly fast and considerably helpful responses.

--
Joe

 

[getstuff4less]

I will let others comment on the quality. You can do better on price if you can wait. Too bad you don't have a Fry's close by. They have a 2-day labor day sale on a 1080p LG for $499 (47" 1080p)

Wal-mart recently had a 42" Vizio (rebadged Samsung) for $549+$100 Walmart Gift Card.

 

[dfergie]

Welcome to SatelliteGuys!

 

[Joe4U]

The chart above gives you a good idea as to when the different resolutions are available.

As for the "fast motion" comment, that is probably referring to 1080i vs 720p. 1080i has slightly more clarity during slow/still shots, where 720p has more clarity in fast motion such as sports.

The DISH receivers can output 1080i/720p on component, and 1080i/720p/1080p on HDMI.

Almost all channels are natively 1080i with a few (namely FOX, ABC, ESPN) being 720p.

IMHO there is little difference between the two, but I prefer 720p over 1080i because 720p is progressive, and almost all modern HDTVs made today are natively progressive displays.

Basically, don't fret over the resolution, so much as the overall picture quality of the HDTV you use. Resolution is only one of many factors that can mean the difference in good quality vs bad quality, though 720p is still by far an HDTV resolution, and that factor alone will not degrade your picture quality.

Anyway, for DISH, IMHO if your set is a 720p set then you should use 720p. If it is a 1080i set I would recommend trying out 720p and 1080i and seeing which one looks better to you. Most likely, you won't find much of a difference.

For 1080p sets I might recommend 1080i/1080p, but 720p will be better for sports events especially those on FOX, ABC, ESPN.

Awesome! So by now the lesser $400 set sounds like the prudent choice for us. We're going to wait until this Friday or Saturday to buy it. Meanwhile, any other knowledgeable readers are welcome to step in and voice your opinion on this matter concerning 720p vs. 1080p HD TVs on Dish network HD signals.

 

[clay_horton]

In the 2001 Simpson's episode H.O.M.R, Homer is reverted to a lower intellectually functioning being by his bartender Moe. In the process Homer makes increasingly silly statements - the next to last being, "An extended warranty how can I go wrong?" That was iffy then but essential now. The TV repair shop in my neighborhood has a room full fo big TVs that are going nowhere. The standard warranty ran out shortly before something went wrong that costs more than the set. They say you have to be crazy not to invest in a warranty. They do not sell warranties and they do not sell TVs. They only fix them. Maybe not the Best Buy Warranty but look for something.

 

[whatchel1]

Rare

In the 2001 Simpson's episode H.O.M.R, Homer is reverted to a lower intellectually functioning being by his bartender Moe. In the process Homer makes increasingly silly statements - the next to last being, "An extended warranty how can I go wrong?" That was iffy then but essential now. The TV repair shop in my neighborhood has a room full fo big TVs that are going nowhere. The standard warranty ran out shortly before something went wrong that costs more than the set. They say you have to be crazy not to invest in a warranty. They do not sell warranties and they do not sell TVs. They only fix them. Maybe not the Best Buy Warranty but look for something.

That is really rare in the electronics world now. Most units will fail w/in the warranty period or last a long time. The reason your service man has so many is that these sets are being sold at a very fast rate and the quality has gone down to get it out the manufactures doors. I would check one other thing and that the speed of the refresh rate that was what dahenny was talking about. I wouldn't get anything slower than about 5 milliseconds. Which is something you have to worry about w/ LCD's but not w/ plasmas. Different technologies so that don't compare. Look at consumers reports on the brand you are considering befor you buy it and ti will give you info about picture quality and reliability.

 

[bgee]

If you're not watching Blu Ray, you don't need 120hz.

If you're not sitting closer than 8ft to a 42in set, you don't need 1080P.

 

[Scherrman]

I sell TVs and from what I've seen I'm not that impressed with what the 120Hz looks like. I'm a firm believer that Plasmas have the best looking picture. I do understand that Plasma may not work for you if your room may have glare issues.

 

[whatchel1]

+1

I sell TVs and from what I've seen I'm not that impressed with what the 120Hz looks like. I'm a firm believer that Plasmas have the best looking picture. I do understand that Plasma may not work for you if your room may have glare issues.

:up:up

 

[mike123abc]

Dish is not even really 1080i on a lot of the "HD" channels. They downconvert the horizontal resolution from 1920 to 1440 or some such before they compress it even more.

 

[mike123abc]

Also some providers provide 1280x720p instead of 1080i.