I have a KV36XBR450 television since 2001 and have had Directv as input for it from the beginning. I have had no problems with either.
I am trying to weigh the pros and cons of upgrading my Directv receiver to an HD Directv receiver. I have read all I can and to be honest, my head is spinning with numbers (480i, 720p, 1080i, ,etc.), acronyms (HDCP, DVR, LNB, etc.) and terminology (too numerous to mention).
Since the 36XBR is a 4:3 TV, will I gain any benefit from upgrading to an HD receiver? In other words, when viewing an HD channel (assuming the TV is even capable of that), will I see an obvious difference in picture quality (other than the aspect ratio)? I watch a lot of sports and from info I have gathered, some of my favorite channels would be broadcast in 720p (of which there is no reference in the television's manual). Would a 720p broadcast look any different to me than it does now?
Joined: Mar 13, 2003
Posts: 13820
From: Sewell, NJ
Posted: 2007-06-24 20:48
You will see a significant difference. I have been using an HD box with my KV36XBR450 for over 4 years. Even though the picture is smaller due to the fact that viewing 16:9 aspect ratio programming on a 4:3 aspect ratio TV results in a black band above and below the 16:9 window on the screen. The only HD resolution accepted by the set is 1080i. Believe me, HD channels look fantastic compared to standard definition channels on this set. I watch nothing but HD programming during prime time, 7:00PM-12:30PM.
----------------- -John
Sony A/V System: KDL-55XBR8, BDP-S550, AVD-C700ES Super Audio CD/DVD Receiver, 4 SS-LA500ED surround speakers, 1 SS-LAC505ED center channel speaker and 1 SA-WD200 Active Subwoofer
Thanks for the reply - I saw one of your other posts and was hoping you would see this one.
I've read that HDTV is formatted at a ratio of 1.78:1, which if I am not mistaken, fills up most of the screen (with minimal black bands). So a 36" screen should still present a decent sized HD image.
Joined: Mar 13, 2003
Posts: 13820
From: Sewell, NJ
Posted: 2007-06-25 11:13
If you do the math (remember triginometry), I believe that it works out that for a 16:9 window to appear on a 4:3 screen the height of the 16:9 window is about 75% of the normal height.
----------------- -John
Sony A/V System: KDL-55XBR8, BDP-S550, AVD-C700ES Super Audio CD/DVD Receiver, 4 SS-LA500ED surround speakers, 1 SS-LAC505ED center channel speaker and 1 SA-WD200 Active Subwoofer
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Posted: 2007-06-24 16:13
