High Def??? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

stang · 08-14-2008, 09:30 PM

Ok got a new 42" Panasonic Vierra Plasma TV.

Got the Bell HD PVR receiver

Hook up HDMI out to HDMI in on the TV.

Go to the HD channels..... NOthing special... I cant even tell if its different then the normal channel.

Did I do something wrong or is HD just a bunch of hype?

FireInTheHole · 08-14-2008, 09:40 PM

You should definitely notice a difference. Something must be wrong...

Tyler · 08-14-2008, 09:43 PM

Are you sure you're watching the 800 channels?

stang · 08-14-2008, 09:52 PM

Yup I switched between a couple HD channels (TSN, A&E) to the non HD equivalent and I didnt notice much of a difference.

Tried watching some HD Olympics, and X-games...muh

Edit could it be because I am using the HDMI cord that has an adapter like this in it

cause the HDMI cord that came with the TV has this end on it, then you plug the male end into it so its HDMI on both ends, with this pin type in the middle

FireInTheHole · 08-14-2008, 10:01 PM

That adapter on the bottom is DVI. Maybe that's the problem. Do you have a cable that is HDMI (like the top picture) on both ends?

Russic · 08-14-2008, 10:28 PM

The dvi still shouldn't be a problem. You should definitely notice a difference.

stang · 08-14-2008, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russic

The dvi still shouldn't be a problem. You should definitely notice a difference.

Yeah I didnt really think that was the problem. Any Ideas? Do I need to put the reciever in HD mode? or the TV somehow? I read the manuals for both and never saw anything like that...

photon · 08-14-2008, 10:58 PM

Some receivers have an option to set the output resolution.

The TV it self should have a display option to display info about what's currently being displayed, you should be able to use that to tell what resolution is being displayed (when I switch channels it tells me if it's displaying 480i or 720p).

Vulcan · 08-14-2008, 11:18 PM

1. Press Bell's menu.
2. Press #6
3. Press #8
4. Choose TV type either 1080i or 720p. Most prefer 1080i.
5. Aspect ratio should be 16x9

If that doesnt help you should calibrate your TVs settings , well you should anyways. Maybe you can find your sets calibration over here at AV Science Forum. This should help you get started but not every TV has the same settings, even if they are the same model.

ken0042 · 08-14-2008, 11:27 PM

Also make sure the show you are watching has "HD" beside it in the guide.

stang · 08-14-2008, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vulcan

1. Press Bell's menu.
2. Press #6
3. Press #8
4. Choose TV type either 1080i or 720p. Most prefer 1080i.
5. Aspect ratio should be 16x9

If that doesnt help you should calibrate your TVs settings , well you should anyways. Maybe you can find your sets calibration over here at AV Science Forum. This should help you get started but not every TV has the same settings, even if they are the same model.

Does it matter that my TV apperantly isnt true 1080? Should I still set it for 1080?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken0042

Also make sure the show you are watching has "HD" beside it in the guide.

Yeah I noticed some of the shows have HD rigth in the title, I guess that means that just because its on the HD channel its not HD? Anyways those shows dont seem much better either.

ken0042 · 08-14-2008, 11:51 PM

Set it for 720p if that is the native resolution then.

And here's why:
http://www.neopoleon.com/home/blogs/.../06/18198.aspx

stang · 08-15-2008, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken0042

Set it for 720p if that is the native resolution then.

And here's why:
http://www.neopoleon.com/home/blogs/.../06/18198.aspx

Haha that was good. Thanks.

I guess I need to fiddle with some of my stuff a a little more. I hope it works becuase as of right now I am a little disapointed with "HD"

Vulcan · 08-15-2008, 12:45 AM

Try both settings, see what you like.

I have a CRT 1080i set and it's much better at 1080i so there isn't one answer.
Over at Digital Home Canada I've read callibraters say 1080i is better as there doesn't seem to be any 720p sets. They are either 1080p, 1080i, or 768p. LCDs and Plasmas don't display a 1080i picture, they either do 1080p or 768p and what I've read it's easier for the TV to down resolute the 1080i signal if it's a 768p set or do a straight conversion if it's a 1080p set. Also I've heard that CBC is the only station that broadcasts on Bell in 1080i and they insist upon it. Bell has changed all the other broadcasts to 720p as they take up less bandwith. This is quasi illegal but Bell gets around it with a deal with the other stations.

So I'd try both as YMMV and don't forget to go into your TVs menu and make sure it's accepting a HD signal. If still nothing else is working try component cables as sometimes the handshake in HDMI doesn't work properlly.

photon · 08-15-2008, 07:49 AM

Also keep in mind that HD from digital cable or satellite is good, but not as good as it could be. It doesn't come close to OTA HD or even better a HD source like Blu-ray.

But watching something like golf you should be able to see a significant difference between SD and HD.

FanIn80 · 08-15-2008, 09:01 AM

Also of note... Just because the channel says "HD" (ie: A&EHD), it doesn't mean the show they're currently showing is in HD. I don't know about Shaw, but on Star Choice, there's a ton of times where I'll flip to an HD channel and get treated to something in SD.

Edit: Whoops, and I see it's been mentioned a few times. I can definitely confirm it's a reality though.

csnarpy · 08-15-2008, 11:02 AM

there are 4 HD channels on Bell that are alway in HD - 809 through 812 -try going to one of them. There is a huge noticeable difference from standard digital to HD.

1. Make your tv output is set for 1080i or if it has an automatic adjust then get it on that.

2. As said above. Make sure your HD Receiver is in HD format.

3. Make sure your not viewing through a VCR

4. Return the Plasma and get a Sharp Aquos LCD

Smoldering_Puckster · 08-15-2008, 01:56 PM

I've never found HD TV to be much of an upgrade outside of hockey and football games. Where HD shines for me is in videogames and blu-ray movies.

psicodude · 08-15-2008, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smoldering_Puckster

I've never found HD TV to be much of an upgrade outside of hockey and football games. Where HD shines for me is in videogames and blu-ray movies.

No offense dude, but that entire statement makes no sense whatsoever. How do sports look good, but nothing else?

The problem is that most TV shows are still taped in SD and then upconverted (or whatever). Try watching channels like Rush or Oasis on Bell and you will see it's not even close. The good news is that it's getting better every year. Survivor, for example, will be taped in HD for the first time this season.

Don't fool yourself and think that there isn't much difference. The problem is with the source of the content itself.

photon · 08-15-2008, 04:29 PM

Or the problem is with the amount of compression used; I am disappointed with HD sometimes because of all the macroblocking and other artifacts from the over-compression of the video.