HD DTH comparison

[sudhir_rr]

I am starting a new thread because older threads on this topic provide stale information.
Could experts in this forum provide help comparing DTH HD operators? The criteria would be number of Real HD channels, Surround sound, Picture quality. I am impressed by Videocon HD's offering and am planning to buy it. I'll appreciate very much any help from you all. Thanks.

 

[aakashr]

I am starting a new thread because older threads on this topic provide stale information.
Could experts in this forum provide help comparing DTH HD operators? The criteria would be number of Real HD channels, Surround sound, Picture quality. I am impressed by Videocon HD's offering and am planning to buy it. I'll appreciate very much any help from you all. Thanks.

videocon does not support 5.1 audio which is the most imp factor for me. Only airtel/tata sky support 5.1 audio, so please bear in mind. If later on you would like to get a 5.1 HT system, then you definitely would need the 5.1 audio.

from what I understand from the videocon adverts they give you HDD sound which I have no idea what that implies. suggest you to go with any operator with support for 5.1 audio.

 

[mabhi10]

more channel more entertainment and less price

 

[baijuxavior]

more channel more entertainment and less price

Which one?

 

[az2325]

Sudhir: Thanks for initiating this thread. I was also looking for similiar info. I have heard that in terms of sound and picture quality, airtel is way head. Would like to hear the opinion of fellow members as well. Currently i am using sun direct SD which is not that great in terms of quality. I have been thinking of upgrading to HD to fully utilize my AVR and speaker system but the number of channels is comparatively less for Airtel. Do check the number of channels available and your preference before deciding on the new connection.

 

[askii2]

Subjective comparison of picture and sound quality is very difficult. I had attempted that in the past, but conclusions weren't obvious. I'll suggest you go by - number of real HD (1080i) channels, price, support for 5.1 sound. All these are listed on websites of all operators (except where they don't want to disclose a limitation ).

 

[aakashr]

Sudhir: Thanks for initiating this thread. I was also looking for similiar info. I have heard that in terms of sound and picture quality, airtel is way head. Would like to hear the opinion of fellow members as well. Currently i am using sun direct SD which is not that great in terms of quality. I have been thinking of upgrading to HD to fully utilize my AVR and speaker system but the number of channels is comparatively less for Airtel. Do check the number of channels available and your preference before deciding on the new connection.

I feel sun tv is very strong in south mainly due to a greater selection of south channels. Since you already have a SD connection with sun tv, why not upgrade to HD? also pls check if they have support for 5.1 audio. pic quality will remain the same for HD across all DTH operators.

 

[Kudla]

Re: Reliance HD DTH v/s Airtel HD DTH.

I have got myself a 50" Plasma TV and was considering Airtel HD DTH or upgrading the existing Reliance box to HD DTH box. Does Airtel's HD DTH box upscale all the SD Channels? How is the quality of SD channels on Airtel HD DTH box? Is it better than Reliance HD DTH on upscaling?

Please advice.

 

[sudhir_rr]

Here is a comparison of HD channels based on information collected from DTH operator's websites and postings in various online forums. If something is incorrect or missing, add to this thread.

SUNTV Direct
Dolby digital 5.1 sound is supported.

Tamil Movies HD
Telugu Movies HD
Movies Now HD
Discovery HD
National Geographic Channel HD
Doordarshan HD

Airtel Digital TV
Supports 5.1 via optical

Star World HD
Star Movies HD
Star Plus HD
Star Gold HD
Movies Now HD
Discovery HD
National Geographic Channel HD

Videocon D2H
Star World HD
Star Movies HD
Star Plus HD
Star Gold HD
Movies Now HD
Discovery HD
National Geographic Channel HD
Travel XP HD
Active Music HD
Active HD 3D
ESPNHD
Star Cricket HD

Tata Sky
Dolby Digital 5.1 surround supported

Star World HD
Star Movies HD
Star Plus HD
Star Gold HD
Discovery HD
National Geographic Channel HD
Star Cricket HD

Dish TV
Supports 5.1 via optical

Movies Now HD
Discovery HD
National Geographic Channel HD
Travel XP HD
History HD
National Geographic Adventure HD
National Geographic Wild HD
MTunes HD

Reliance Digital TV TV
Star Movies HD
Star Plus HD
Star Cricket HD
Movies Now HD
National Geographic Channel HD
iConcerts HD

 

[nindo]

Airtel supports DD 5.1 through optical out. Also it does upscale normal SD channels to a better resolution but not sure whether its 1080i/p or lower. I can see the difference from my earlier normal SD STB and the new HD-DVR STB.

 

[roseboy24]

using TATA HD + HD quality us sperb with 5.1 sound ....but SD quality is OKOK .
has anybody using Relaince which claim all channel upscaled with HD quality

 

[Kudla]

Re: Reliance HD DTH?

using TATA HD + HD quality us sperb with 5.1 sound ....but SD quality is OKOK .
has anybody using Relaince which claim all channel upscaled with HD quality

Are there any, who is using reliance HD STB ? How are the upscaled SD channels on HD STB? Please advice.

 

[vktyagi]

Re: Reliance HD DTH v/s Airtel HD DTH.

I have got myself a 50" Plasma TV and was considering Airtel HD DTH or upgrading the existing Reliance box to HD DTH box. Does Airtel's HD DTH box upscale all the SD Channels? How is the quality of SD channels on Airtel HD DTH box? Is it better than Reliance HD DTH on upscaling?

Please advice.

Up-scaling of SD channel either by the set top box or the TV would significantly improve the picture quality, is doubtful. SD will remain SD even after upscaling.

 

[baijuxavior]

Re: Reliance HD DTH?

Are there any, who is using reliance HD STB ? How are the upscaled SD channels on HD STB? Please advice.

I am using a reliance hd connection which my brother got as a free connection with an onida led tv. Don't get fooled by the 250 HD like channel campaign. The upscaled channels look very ugly when watched at closer distances. Even the HD channels are not upto the mark. HD quality of TS is much better than that of Reliance HD. There is no 5.1 sound also. I would advice - stay away from Reliance HD.

 

[haisaikat]

Dish HD also supports 5.1 via optical. Also the number of channels which have true HD seems to be highest in Videocon D2H. So, what is the charge for that package?

 

[Kudla]

Airtel supports DD 5.1 through optical out. Also it does upscale normal SD channels to a better resolution but not sure whether its 1080i/p or lower. I can see the difference from my earlier normal SD STB and the new HD-DVR STB.

How do we connect the 5.1 optical out from Airtel HD STB to the TV? Does the panasonic plasma P50V20D has 5.1 optical input?

Please advise.

 

[baijuxavior]

How do we connect the 5.1 optical out from Airtel HD STB to the TV? Does the panasonic plasma P50V20D has 5.1 optical input?

Please advise.

You will need an avr to decode the optical 5.1 sound.

 

[Santy]

Reliance Digital TV TV
Star World HD
Star Movies HD
Star Plus HD
Star Cricket HD
Movies Now HD
Discovery HD
National Geographic Channel HD
iConcerts HD

Guys can you confirm this list, I guess Discovery and Star world are not available

 

[baijuxavior]

Guys can you confirm this list, I guess Discovery and Star world are not available

You are correct. Discovery and Star world are not available.

 

[sudhir_rr]

I corrected original post as per your feedback.