I just purchased a new HD RPTV (Hitachi 57SWX20B), and am receiving terrible picture quality from my LOOK TV digital receiver.

So, I am wondering how the picture quality of regular programming will look like on an HD RPTV with the Rogers HD receiver? I am hoping that an HD receiver (with component inputs) will improve the picture quality of regular programming vs. my LOOK digital receiver (which uses s video).

Thanks,
Roadster

I think it all depends on how picky you are and maybe where you live, and your equipment. My analog reception is excellent. Some of the digital channels on Rogers like the TMN's are great, but others like the timeshifting channels are lousy expectially PBS Seattle.

I echo DC's remarks. The PQ on Rogers cable is excellent, provided they give you an excellent signal, like TMN, the analogues, and about half of the digitals... (some of the digital channels are pretty poor and if I watched those channels, I'd be complaining to Rogers. I guess they're not watched much by people with large TVs, where it makes a difference.

Watching TMN upconverted, is similar to DVD quality and like the Hitachi manual says "virtually" HD. :wink:

Last time I checked, Look was only broadcasting standard TV, no HDTV. To get the best picture, you'll need an HDTV receiver with Rogers, Starchoice or ExpressVu.

My experience with the analog channels has been poor. I find they look worse going through the digital box than they do going straight to the TV.

I can veryify everything said so far.

You will see more artifacts and picture defects with a HDTV, especially with a digital box. To get the best pictures:
1. Use the TV tuner for analog channels
2. Use S-video for SD digital channels
3. Use high quality component cables (or digital cables if possible) for HD

This makes things a real pain (and a mess) with Rogers. However, Rogers is your best bet right now for HD. Rent the HD box since the price is being lowered to $15/mo. If you get a digital VIP package you can receive a credit toward the HD box rental if you don't get a standard digital box.

A lot of things will change in the HDTV area this year so don't get locked in with a HD receiver hardware purchase just yet. I'd wait at least until late summer to see what *C and BEV offer when their new birds are operational. I like *C or BEV for the standard digital channels. Their HD is not good right now.