Regular digital cable isn't going to look very good on a big TV - its a step down from all SD satellite, because not all the channels are digital, and thus still subject to interferance and degredation, etc.

Give the 505 a try. I think you'll really like it.

The only way to avoid the compression artifacts with fast moving video is to not have as much compression. Less compression is only a dream though with broadcast television and even worse with data carried by cable and satellite. The picture is very good though when the delta from one frame to the next isn't large.

It won't help with watching live sports, but high definition on optical disks should be MUCH better...

Rob

Ok, so im still new at all this HD stuff... but when i was at Future Shop today to pick up my 505 i watched Hockey on the Hitachi 60inch LCD and it looked awesome, i believe it was a Digital Cable (Or Bell) source.

Shouldnt it look the same on my TV? There cant be much difference in the Sony and Hitachi LCD's.

I think the bulk of the difference is in the source.

Watching HD for longer periods makes the standard definition stuff look worse and worse in comparison. Unfortunately, the flaws from excessive MPEG data compression on the HD channels also get more obvious.

Rob

I also believe that some channels "look" worse than others. I am a big hockey fan, and my Tosh 52" DLP usually serves me well. However, on some SD channels the picture quality is so bad, the puck will be barely noticeable. On other channels, the PQ will be ok. On HD (I was watching the MTL-COL match on TSNHD last week), the PQ is extremely good. But there is still some room for improvement, and I think it just come with the fact that the image is light in color (i.e., ice is white!!!). I find that large screen TVs are generally mediocre in dealing with light colors.

However, I was watching the NFL playoffs last night on FOXHD, and the PQ was simply breath taking! It was that good! Notice that since football is displayed on dark(er) colors (i.e. grass is green!!!), it fits large screen TVs better.

But it's really worth it whether it be hockey or football (or any other sport in HD for that matter).

I just can't wait for the netwoks to transmit more in HD. For example, the NFL playoffs only had two out of four games in HD (Fox had it but not - I think - CBS).

However, I was watching the NFL playoffs last night on FOXHD, and the PQ was simply breath taking! It was that good! Notice that since football is displayed on dark(er) colors (i.e. grass is green!!!), it fits large screen TVs better.


I have to agree that Fox Sports when they have the football games in HD are spectacular. Can't say the same for CBS or even ESPN when they show football games in HD. I think a lot of it boils down to the equipment Fox is using versus the other networks.

I agree as far as sports in HD, Hockey has the least wow factor.
White ice I guess as well.
I got a 57" Hitachi projection so same results here as well.
Baseball and Football are amazing.
Had a friends wife watch a complete baseball game in HD and she doesn't even like baseball.:)

I use to think that "HD" was some type of standard, in that what the camera lense sees in HD is what you are going to see at your end on your HD TV. This is not the case for sure. For whatever reason, SportsNet's HD broadcasts continue to out do the picture on TSN HD and CBC HD on a consistant basis on my 32 inch LCD HD. Whether it's the camera or other gear they are using, more compression on the other channels by starchoice...who would really know? BUT, even the worst of the HD channels blows away SD. It IS going to be nice to see TRUE HD on DVD when it finally comes out, that is, movies shot in HD and not upconverted. Weeeeeee.

So for those that have responded to me so far, I had my *C installed today and i cant say im disappointed at all.

Regular SD channels look much better than Digital Cable. More consistant.

Watching "Lost" on HDTV is one of the best experiences of my life!

As for the connection, ive read on here that the 505 has problems with the DVI output... my Sony has HDMI so i bought the DVI/HDMI cable. It does not work at all, i tried some of the tips, powered both units down, removed power from both, made the connection to the 505 first, then the tv, then turned both on... Nothing. Nothing i do can get me either audio or video through this connection, Any more ideas? I understand this is an issue but should i be able to get this to work somehow? otherwise i'll stick to component but id rather try the DVI/HDMI....

Other than that i would be considered a "very satisfied customer"

The DVI issues may be resolved in an upcomming upgrade. Try a front panel reset before you go back to component:
Hook up the cable, turn on the TV, hold down the power button on the front of the 505 for 10 seconds. The receiver will reboot, DVI may or may not "handshake" properly.

Glad to hear you're happy!

I just did the power down and it worked, got a slightly better picture with the DVI/HDMI cable but nothing spectacular... SD channels did look good though.

As soon as i changed to a different input (Video 4 Component Dish connection) and tried to go back to my HDMI input (Video 6) i didnt get a picture, meaning i would probably have to re-boot everytime i change inputs or power down (I read that somewhere on the forum).

Perhaps i'll just wait until important shows such as the Super Bowl to use this HDMI until they fix this...

Thanks for your help though.

Ok, so im still new at all this HD stuff... but when i was at Future Shop today to pick up my 505 i watched Hockey on the Hitachi 60inch LCD and it looked awesome, i believe it was a Digital Cable (Or Bell) source.

Shouldnt it look the same on my TV? There cant be much difference in the Sony and Hitachi LCD's.
I find that quite a few Future Shops I've been to actually stream their HD from a computer. Which means its probably the best/purest signal your ever going to see.

Up until very recently, the FutureShop in my area seemed to feed all their HD TVs off a coax network, using the strech modes on the TV to make the picture fill up the screen. It was hideous! (Wal-Mart still does this, only 100 times worse!)

Now they just run a promo loop for FutureShop and Expressvu (:()...I've never bothered to check what cables they're actually using...

I find that quite a few Future Shops I've been to actually stream their HD from a computer. Which means its probably the best/purest signal your ever going to see.

Both Best Buy and Future Shop (same owners) stream their HD from a computer at all the Winnipeg locations. It is the best/purest signal, but it does not give people the real home experience. In one location in Winnipeg I made them move a BEV receiver to show me what SD sat picture would be and also HD on the T.V Iam buying in the next few months. By the way iam moving to *c on Wednesday after years with the crappy BEV. Thanks for all the help here in this forum.

Canada45 in the peg:cool:

The DVI issues may be resolved in an upcomming upgrade. Try a front panel reset before you go back to component:
Hook up the cable, turn on the TV, hold down the power button on the front of the 505 for 10 seconds. The receiver will reboot, DVI may or may not "handshake" properly.

Glad to hear you're happy!

When does it look like the DVI issue is going to be solved? As of today Feb 5/2006 is it still an issue? Please advise I get my 505 and 2 315`s installed on Wednesday. HD set soon to follow

Thanks
Canada45 in the peg:cool:

DSR505, 2 DSR315`s, Toshiba CRT,Yamaha RV 396 Receiver, Toshiba DR-4 DVD Recorder

The "current" firmware still seems to have issues with DVI, for some people. Others it works fine.

The next firmware release has an unknown ETA...

505 update rumoured to be starting next Tuesday (7th) Night.

505 update rumoured to be starting next Tuesday (7th) Night.

No target version for an update yet. Your sources have an update on a download date?

Having purchased the following TV and using the exsisting DSR205 I have encountered situation here.

I basically just hooked up the Sony in it's most simplistic manner to my Star Choice and removed all other components (surround sound and dvd) to upgrade next month.

The problem I am having is losing channels daily and have no freakin clue why after calling Sony and Star Choice. Any advice would be greatly appreciated so I can fully enjoy this TV.
I was thinking of purchasing the DSR505HD to help.

No target version for an update yet. Your sources have an update on a download date?
See the new 505 thread here (http://digitalhomecanada.com/forum/showthread.php?t=37927).