do I need a hi-def receiver?

[Peg]

I have a Panasonic 42" plasma and I'm going to get DirecTV. Some people have told me that a hi-def satellite receiver will improve my picture - even tho' the TV is not HDTV. Others have said I'd be wasting my money. I'm new to this - any help? Thanks

[Ratman]

If the TV is not HD (no 720P or 1080I), is it capable of doing 480P on the component inputs? If so, you may get some benefit with a satellite receiver that is 480P capable.

[ZeroDegreeK]

If you are talking about watching regular satellite broadcasting (not HD), the HDTV receiver will NOT improve your picture.

I had some guy from DirecTV tell me that because I have an elliptical dish (which is slightly bigger than a regular dish) that my picture will be better. Most of these installers are idiots.

By the way, I have both the regular receiver and the HDTV one, they look the same on regular satellite broadcasts.

[Ratman]

Peg,
The real question is:
What model TV do you have?
What are it's specs for resolution on the component inputs? (Can it do at least 480P or better?)

I'm kinda confused here... I thought that all plasma sets were digital and "HD Ready".

[Peg]

Ratman,

The model is a Panasonic TH-42PWD4U. I've copied some of the specs for this model....
Equipped with component video (YPbPr) inputs, it enables viewing of DTV broadcasts in either scaled 1080i, or 480i. In addition, a 3-Dimensional Progressive Scan function elegantly converts interlace signals (1080i and 480i) into progressive signals for optimal viewing. 720p and 480p progressive signals remain in their native scan format and are also fed via the component video inputs.

I know the resolution is 852 x 480 but all this techy stuff is above me. Any help is appreciated.

[Ratman]

Took a little time searching for a definitive answer, this thread will probably say it best.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=140891&highlight=TH42PWD4U

So... yes a HD receiver can give you a better picture, although downconverted.