Dish programming on new KV-36XBR800

[kstile]

I just got a KV-36XBR800 (demo model, great price), and I'm very happy with it so far. DVDs are absolutely incredible, and while I'm not actually using its HD capabilities (other than XBox), I do have a question.

I get my TV from Dish Network, and I know it's a compressed MPEG-2 video signal. However, it seems like with this TV, I'm very aware of the compression attributes. It's not a "bad" picture, but it just doesn't seem as sharp as I think it should. I know it's a big TV, but, for example, when I pause (I have the 508 receiver), if there is white text on the page it gets quite jaggy. And other parts of the screen look quite compressed (blue skies are probably the worst).

Additionally, some channels look better than others - the football game on CBS looked good, but my local Fox station seemed to be more compressed.

My question is: Is there anything I can do to the TV settings? I've tried changing the picture mode from Interlaced to Progressive to CineMotion, and I can't really tell the differences. I'm using the S-Video from the satellite box to the TV (there isn't component out on my satellite receiver).

Is my TV just "too good" for the Dish network signal? I've heard digital cable is even worse. Someday I'll have an HD signal coming in, but having just purchased the TV, it will be a while before budget allows an HD receiver.

Any thoughts or comments or suggestions are welcome!

-Kevin B.

[57U]

If you have "good channels" and "bad channels" it's obviously not the TV. You can minimize some of the "baddies" by turning down your sharpness and turning off "Velocity Modulation" or whatever Sony calls it.

See the FAQ "What you need to do to your new HDTV".

[Xanj]

Hey, I have the exact same model hdtv, and I have dish network with the old reciever that only has s-video, might even be the same model too.

Anyway, I experience the same exact thing with the digital compression. I already knew it was like that though because my previous tv was a standard definition sony wega flat screen, and it was apparent even on that tv, but mostly only when it showed solid color backgrounds, like a dark colored sky or shadows especially.

I was prepared for it when I got the upgrade, but it really isn't that hard to remedy. First thing I did was setup all 4 of my video modes with a setup dvd like AVIA. Then I adjusted the vivid and standard modes freely while watching from the dish signal, since it is totally different than what I get from the dvd player. The brightness/picture had to be balanced a little more to make the dish signal less washed out looking, while also making sure it didn't get upto "torch mode" levels. I always use movie or pro when watching dvds, and always use standard for tv or dish network. Vivid is usually for certain video games that just don't look right on anything else. I also tend to keep all my video modes set to progressive, since even with interlaced signals, it seems to reduce the flicker effect. I honestly don't know how that works, but I can tell the difference.

The main thing to remember is that each mode has its own saved settings for the DRC(digital reality creation). (note that DRC is only usable with interlaced signals) Now for watching the dish signals, I would use standard video mode with the DRC set to about 75 on the horizontal adjustment, I think it is called clarity(it will blur when moved to the right), the vertical setting can be set anywhere from 0-25. This will blur the image slightly to make the digital compression less noticable. Also make sure your sharpness isn't set too high(hence the AVIA setup). And as a previous poster also mentioned, turn off any VM.

Basically the key is to just make the picture blurry enough to get rid of the compression artifacts, while still looking sharp. I have had my tv for about 5 months now and I am totally happy with it. All of my friends who come over just love it and noone has mentioned the digital compression or complained about it being too blurry or anything like that. I admit it is nothing like watching a dvd, but I am totally satisfied with my current setup.

Hope this helps, let me know how it works out!

PS - to answer one of your questions, yes this TV is too good for the satallite signal we get. I am not sure if upgrading to the HD reciever would even fix the standard definition programming, although the upgrade from s-video to component would surely help. You can only get so good from them, but you can set the tv up to make it much more bearable. Good luck.

[kevinw]

As one who has both a 508 and an 811, I find the 508 has a better picture for standard tv. The 811 is great for HD, but way to dark for analog. The stretch modes of the 811 when using component outs is not very good.
For me better to use the TV's stretch modes or not at all.

[kstile]

Thanks for the info. I found out a friend of mine has one of the calibration DVDs, so I'm going to get that this wknd. In the meantime, I played around with the settings a bit and realized that sharpness isn't everything :-).

I think that when I saw HDTV in the store I was so impressed with its clarity that I mistook that for sharpness and high contrast. True, it has those qualities, but with the signal from Dish, the best picture isn't the sharpest, especially with the attributing. The same goes for using the TV's "Movie" mode instead of "Vivid" on something like Toy Story - true, it's not as sharp but it looks like, well, the movies - a "better" picture, I'd say.

I think I found a happy medium (I barely notice the attributes now) but I still find myself tweaking the settings a bit depending on what I'm watching (and which channel).

Good to know, too, about the 811 having a darker picture. I know it may be sacrilege on this forum, but I'll probably be waiting a while before getting any kind of HD receiver. My family's become so addicted to the DVR functionality, I don't think we could ever go back and at this point I just can't afford the 921.

[kevinw]

I use both the 508 and the 811 on the same TV.
HD live, timeshift everything else. Perfect compromise with out spending the money for the 921.

[kstile]

When you got the 811, did you/Dish install an OTA antenna? In looking at the current offerings from Dish, I can't see myself watching anything in HD that comes over the Dish (except maybe ESPN-HD), but I'd watch as much network programming as I could (when I happen to be in front of the TV when it's on :-). The idea of LIVE sporting events and network shows (ER, NYPD Blue, etc.) in HD is very appealing.

If I can get the 811 + OTA + install for a good price, I'd probably do that. I've seen $149-$199 floating around these boards for the 811, so maybe I'll give Dish a call.

[kevinw]

I installed my own antenna previous to getting the 811. You can do a search with kevinw and driploops for my story:whistle:

I will say you can get hooked on the obscure HD programming you see on HDnet,HDnet movies and DiscoverHD. Pool, Bikini Destinations and Insectia to mention a few....