Impressed, but not overwhelmed

[97TexasAggie]

Ok, I've been reading here quite a bit, but this is my first post. I finally have some HD programming (ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox) hooked to my Hitachi 57F500. My cable box is a Motorolla 6412 Phase III DVR and I'm hooked to the tv via HDMI to DVI cable. The PQ of HD programs is very good, but is not as good as I expected (about as good as on my DVD player). My question is, how much will HD program PQ vary from show to show. Some shows that are "HD" don't seem that great. I watched Letterman the other night and was impressed. Saw "Lost" and wasn't overwhelmed. Is this a function of how the original show was filmed, produced, transmitted to my house, etc? I have VERY high expectations for football this weekend...hope to be "WOWed". Any info would be appreciated.

[Ratman]

http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/showthread.php?t=1440

[Fore left!]

I have a very limited HD selection right now (Fox OTA), but fortunately fox carries the NFC & I've seen almost every Seahawk game in HD.............it's stellar. If you can't see the rows of stadium lights in a players' helmet, or the individual droplets of water on the helmet, then you need some adjustments in your setup/TV. You should be able to tell (in a close-up shot) if a player shaved

For comparisons sake, my directv SD programming looks OK..........DVD's look better.........HD looks GREAT.

[Eddie501]

I've noticed the quality does vary wildly from program to program. I'd attribute that mostly to the difference in shows being shot on film and converted to HD vs those shot with HD cameras. "The O.C." particularly is full of grain and soft looking.

Still, if your HD only looks as good as DVD something ain't right. "Lost" particularly is beautiful in HD. Seems like you can see every vivid-green leaf in the jungle.

[Scott5626]

Well It does vary from program to program. David Letterman and Lost are on two different networks, in my area CBS and NBC in HD look much better than Fox's HD.

Sounds like you have Comcast the Inhd channels and Discovery look best. IMO

[TheHouse]

I"The O.C." particularly is full of grain and soft looking.

It's also full of bad acting, bad dialogue, and ridiculous writing.

[Yarr]

lol

Some programs look better than others. Watch any of the late night talk shows. Those look awesome. SNL looks great too. If you think those look DVD quality then you probably need glasses.

[badchad]

As you said, there are going to be significant differences in PQ depending on the program. In my experience, sporting events (with the bright lights and colors) usually offer the best quality.

[HDTV-NUT]

My question is, how much will HD program PQ vary from show to show.
Very much so. With that said, if you have not really been "wowed" by any HD content yet then I would say there is a problem on your end. Cable signal, connections, bad STB, display, and so on..

[97TexasAggie]

Well, I'm watching the Steelers game right now and feel much better! The picture is awesome. With the digital sound, I'd swear there is some guy over my left shoulder that has an annoying whistle. Much better. When I switch to the SD channel, it is even more obvious how good HD is.

[mjones73]

Yeah, the surround sound picks up the crowd noise a little too good. :D

[badchad]

LOL I was just about to comment on that. Some guy has this annoying horn which he keeps blowing. Driving me crazy :)

[mjones73]

I was watching a game one time and kept hearing this guy dropping f bombs over my shoulder... Always interesting what you'll hear from the crowd.