How much difference between SD and HD

These discussions have been going on since HD was first introduced. Some people don't mind the SD picture; many prefer the one you get with HD. I definitely prefer HD, but if I'm watching a streaming video I don't get upset when the picture quality automatically degrades to preserve the stream on those occasions when the internet connection slows.

Some of you who have only streamed on an internet connection via cable or fiber may never have noticed this, but all the major streaming services (Netflix, Huluplus, etc) can dynamically alter your resolution to avoid you getting one of those LOADING screens. It happens fairly often if you're streaming on a cellular connection. When it occurs it's a good way to directly compare SD to HD for the same program. For many shows, it doesn't change your ability to watch the drama, but it does reduce the visual appeal. On a sports show it can be deadly.

jrp wrote:
PennyPa, its a matter of personal opinion. I'm perfectly happy with SD, its much better than the TV signals I've watched for half my life. HD may be better, but to me its not worth the hassle of changing out all my dome antennas and existing receivers. I've got 3 houses & 3 RV's all setup with SD; no use changing one unless I'm going to change them all. I do buy high quality TV's and that's just as important as the signal.

PS: no dome style antenna works with DirecTV HD, that includes all the carry out & roof mount domes

Sorry but SD looks better on an old CRT TV than it does on a newer high dollar, high quality TV. Your just throwing money away that could be used changing to HD.
Speaking off throwing a way I just gave away 19",24"and32" TVs you could have had for nothing.

PennyPa, its a matter of personal opinion. I'm perfectly happy with SD, its much better than the TV signals I've watched for half my life. HD may be better, but to me its not worth the hassle of changing out all my dome antennas and existing receivers. I've got 3 houses & 3 RV's all setup with SD; no use changing one unless I'm going to change them all. I do buy high quality TV's and that's just as important as the signal.

PS: no dome style antenna works with DirecTV HD, that includes all the carry out & roof mount domes

The quality of your TV is also a factor. Love my HD but at our cabin must use SD but the TV used their makes it okay.

Bob

I could never go back to SD. Setting my my slimline dish is a piece of cake after doing it so many times. I do use a wireless baby monitor in lieu of a high dollar sat meter. Just point the monitor camera at the TV screen set to the signal strength screen on DirecTV and take the remote out to the dish with me. Easy and cheap.

When we travel we only have a 28" SD TV and we may be on the road any where from 4 weeks to 6 months at a time. When we get home and turn on the 65" TV with HD my wife always says the same thing "wow, look at that TV picture". Yes it is clearer, but myself I don't miss HD on the road. But about all I watch is the 6 o'clock news, where my wife if she is in the motorhome the TV is on. Might explain why I spend so little time in there.

We depend on the NATL BROADCAST System from the local towns to give us the High Def TV signals when camping. Even when we are connected at the campground CABLE HOOKUPs we still watch the local BROADCAST TV stations using our OTA BATWING setup from the local towns that are transmitted in High Def HDTV mode. Once you start watching TV in High Def mode its hard for us to go back to the standard mode.

I'm hearing some campgrounds are just now converting over to digital HDTV signals feeding the trailers.

Roy Ken

SD compared to HD is like comparing black and white to color. I would do every thing it could to use an HD antenna, even if you have to scrap the carry out unit and go with setting up a tripod.

It's a minimum of 4x the video resolution for 720P HD. But perception wise, will depend on how large your LCD screen and how far back you are viewing the picture?