I recently purchased HDTV and hooked it to HDTV cable, but some of HD channels don't look as crisp as other channels example ESPN HD looks far better then CBS HD even though both channels are having 1080i signal , I don't think it is problem with TV as channels that work look great.
2007-12-05 02:23:15 · 4 answers · asked by Rdoi B 1 in Consumer Electronics ➔ TVs
Not all HD channels are using 1080i. Some are using 720p.
2007-12-05 02:32:57 · answer #1 · answered by Neil N 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
A couple of issues...
First, I agree that it is NOT your TV.
Are you SURE you are receiving 1080i? I don't think there are many 1080i formats being sent in HD. Most are still 720p, as that is the most common capabilities of HDTVs sold to this point. Broadcasters are not going to go to 1080i or 1080p until the majority of viewers are capable of viewing those formats. It's like when Color TV took over in the 60's. Prior to 1965, there weren't that many homes with Color TVs, so very few programs were broadcast in color. In 1965, the ratio changed; most homes had at least one color TV, so nearly every broadcast from that point was done in color. By 1967 just about every broadcasting station had switched to 100% color.
Even more important, however, is the signal processing of both the originator and cable company. HDTV signals get compressed using a variety of algorithms. Any mis-handling of the signal results in decreased image quality.
I still watch mostly Standard Definition TV; and I can see vast differences in picture quality due to compression techniques. Sometimes the fine print on those car lease commercials is crisp and clear; other times it is so unreadable it is barely more than a blur; yet other commercials during the same broadcast will have the text very readable. It's all in the signal processing.
2007-12-05 02:36:45 · answer #2 · answered by MarkyP00 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Some shows aren't recorded with an HD camera, but they can still show them on an HD channel and it appears to be HD because it is widescreen. Usually the quality is still better than the regular channel, but it is closer to DVD (regular DVDs that is) quality.
Even then, HD doesn't mean it has 1080 lines - it could have 720, so there still could be differences between shows shot with an HD camera.
2007-12-05 02:30:46 · answer #3 · answered by Giddygoon 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
ESPN-HD only shows things in HD when they use HD cameras to film things. Many events only use standard def cameras so the station either:
- Simply broadcasts 480 (standard def)
- Up-converts the 480 to psudo 720
Also - many network channels still broadcast shows in standard def until evening, then things go into HD.
2007-12-05 05:14:46 · answer #4 · answered by Grumpy Mac 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋