format types

[rcheeze]

I HAVE A PANASONIC CT-34WX52 AND HAVE DIRECTV.

I HAVE THE OVAL 3LNB DISH BUT HAVE NOT YET MADE THE
UPGRADE TO TO A HDTV RECEIVER.

MY SET ACCEPTS 480I,480P, 1080I BUT NOT 720P. I AM TOLD
THAT ABC USES THE 720P FORMAT. WILL I BE ABLE TO DISPLAY
A TRUE HD IMAGE FROM THE NETWORK? HOW DO I FIND OUT
WHAT NETWORKS USE WHAT FORMATS?

SHOULD I BUT A RECEIVER THAT ACCEPTS ALL FORMATS SUCH
AS THE SONY SAT-HD200?

I FEEL SOMEWHAT LOST!!!:(

[57U]

rcheeze, welcome to the forum.

No need to feel lost. Firstly most networks transmit in 1080i (CBS, NBC, PBS, HBO.)

Fox transmits in 480i which is often upconverted to 480P by the local affiliate when an EDTV widescreen programme is available.

ABC and ESPN are 720P.

You don't need to worry about the formats though since almost all set-top boxes will upconvert the signal to 1080i, so that you can see them on the HDTV.

Check out the FAQ section, 6th on down on the home page, for information that may be useful for those new to HDTV.

[rcheeze]

THANKS A LOT, I FEEL BETTER NOW BUT A QUICK QUESTION:

WHEN DEALING WITH HDTV RECEIVERS WHY THE WIDE PRICE
RANGE BETWEEN MODELS ( $499 TO $800). IS ONE THAT
MUCH BETTER THAN THE OTHERS?