Poor picture quality

DTV has no control over what resolution the channels sends them and most only use 720 or 1080i, the few 1080p programs are PPV movies.

Then why does cable offer true q080p???

With today's technology DirecTV should be able to capture to feed and send to out televisions with ease. I suppose your customers just aren't worth the effort 

Thank you, @shannon02 for your prompt and accurate response. 

@LHO1956, we understand how important is for you to enjoy the service using the best quality. The quality of the picture and many other factors are determined by the broadcaster. Most of the programming we carry is available on 720 or 1080i, the few 1080p programs are DIRECTV Cinema, PPV, and VOD titltes. 

Make sure you get the most out of your service by setting up your TV at the highest quality available. You can also review and adjust the video settings of your receivers with your remote control.

Maria, DIRECTV Community Specialist

DTV does offer 1080p programs just like cable does but 90% of cable programming is in 720/1080i format just like DTV as they get their channels from the same place.

Thanks for that info. I still believe a channel that's listed as HD quality should be 1080p. You wouldn't believe how terrible the picture is on my 75" QLED

@LHO1956, thank you for bridging this into our attention. We are always working to improve the quality of our services, and we will take your feedback into consideration for future updates.

Alejandro, DIRECTV Community Specialist

 I still believe a channel that's listed as HD quality should be 1080p.

That would be a false expectation. To be HD it must be at least 720, which is what the majority of programming is sent to the TV providers as.

DirecTV provides you the channel exactly as they receive it. Sorry but newer TVs coming out that can receive a higher resolution doesn't mean all programming switches at the same time to only that resolution and nothing lower. Such updates are over a long period of time.

All of the current HD channels broadcast either 720p or 1080i HiDef video. A few PPV channels are 1080p. DirecTV just delivers what the stations/networks provide. Same with Cable TV. Some may upscale those channels to 1080p in their Cable Box, but that doesn't change the original broadcast resolution.

And an individual's belief does not change the definition of HD. Just because you want higher resolution, doesn't mean that HD isn't being provided already.

Doesn't the DTV receiver upscale to 1080p if that is the only format selected?

That's exactly what I thought. I'm even paying for the 4K ultra package but the picture quality remains the same? With today's tech I have a difficult time believing it's not possible to upscale in real time. If my 4K ultra DVD player can upscale in real time then why can't DirecTVs DVR do it as well???

Read your bill again. There is no 4K package. DirecTV doesn't charge for 4K, other than 4K PPVs of course.