720p input on 1080p TV

@BamaBubbleHead- The 720 is what the TV is saying the input is. The input is set by MENU- OPtions- sys options - aspect & negotiation beteween the TV and STB over the HDMI.

Of course the broadcast pictures are 720 p or 1080i. There is no 1080p content.

The TV can handle anything under the 1080p.

do not make yourself crazy with these details. Just enjoy the picture.

Problem is picture not as sharp as other TV 720p unit that is hooked to Gateway router in another room. Thanks for expedient reply.

BamaBubbleHead.

@aviewer  Will setting the STB on 720p just give a clearer SD picture if you're not getting HD service? 

I ask only because all of my TVs are HD and I pay for HD service.

@BamaBubbleHead - @skeeterintexas makes a good point. I just jumped on the interface setting because that is what I saw.

You want to make sure you are watching HD programming on channels above 1000. Of course, if you are comparing to other sets, I guess you have HD working & know how to tune the channels.

My answer to the degraded picture is that the TV needs adjusting. I definitly can bring my TV(s) into an excellent (sharpness) picture or a poor picture with tuning.

Two more comments at the picture quality level -

A while back there was an update that seemed to cause a poor picture on HDMI. Component connection was noticeably better. You may want to try that. At least it takes the HDMI control out of the picture & you will control the setting by the Menu I posted earlier. TV adjustment may be needed when swapping between the two possible inputs.

I really look at the picture for quality/sharpness & find it varies all over the place depending on origination. I see awsome super sharp, like I am there pictures on advertisements and hand held remote content on news shows. Even studio announcers can look soft.

I believe I am saying that picture quality is more variable for reasons other than 720p vs. 1080i. The real difference between these two is how they are interlaced & the difference only appears in content that has a lot of motion, such as sports. I think themajority may say tha 720p is better for sports.

My personla experience is the only time I noticed a deficiency it was the cameras that were shooting the game because I no longer see it.

Another hint - I have found the best picture improvement & the easiest thing to do is to clean my glasses.

OP stated that Momma does not have HD so I didn't know if it even mattered if the setting was 720 or 1080.

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@BamaBubbleHead wrote:

...The receiver was installed with a Coax hook up and she is using the U200 tier without HD. ...

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@BamaBubbleHead, when you "installed with a Coax hook up" do you mean between the Gateway and the receiver, or the receiver and the TV?  If between the Receiver and the TV, you should change it to component or HDMI.

@skeeterintexas, I would always hook it up at the native resolution of the TV so that the menus, and multi-view can use the TV's native resolution.  Using 480i robs you of a half-hour of schedule.

@skeeterintexas - Thanks for keeping on this. I read these posts too fast & may jump on the wrong point.

Of course, the SD channels are not as sharp as the HD channels. But, the U-verse SD is far superior to "cable" SD.

HD TVs should be connected to the STB with full HD capability even when the HD tech package is not purchased for two reasons -

Zoom can be used to fill the screen whan the signal provided does not.

Ready for frequent HD free previews.

Att customers should be thankful for the frequency of free previews. Frontier purchased CT from att just before the annual  thanksgiving free preview & did not have the common sense to replicate it. They did offer one at some time, but did not advertize it to customers. How many has att had in a year plus?

It's fascinating how people buy an HD TV but don't get full use of it.

But then again, can you even buy a non-HD TV?

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@skeeterintexas wrote:

...

 

But then again, can you even buy a non-HD TV?

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No, not any more.  But I still have an old CRT in use in one room.

LIke looking for American Made.

RE: Yes My thought exactly which brings me back to the receiver being connected
to router via Coax and the unit that has a better picture has receiver
connected via Ethernet line.

Not sure why Coax was initial install as I was not there but wonder if it
was used as it was already in place from connection to Charter and that it
was to an older model TV may not have shown a difference.

If there is a problem with COAX it will be serious, not subtle. It will be loss of, or breakup of the picture. This is a digital signal, the signal is either there or not. It is not a gradual degredation, like analog.

The difference between Ethernet and COAX is that ethernet is a single point to point cable. COAX is a network (HPNA) that travels wherever the COAX goes throughout the house. Any fault in the system can cause loss of picture or breakup as packets are lost.

Another difference is standard cable components are designed to flow signal in one direction. U-verse wholle house DVR flows in two directions requiring components that support the flow.

If the COAX is not correct, the complaint would be much more than a poor picture.

Probably the difference is SD  vs HD. But, it can still benefit from adjusting the TV to maximize sharpness.

Thanks again. I will try suggestions tomorrow as I am at another location. I will say that I have significant resolution changes on my own unit if i switch between signal from DVD/VCR which is connected to TV via RCA AV lines. So it causes me to wonder about these varying connections. I will also relocate the TV and switch it with the smaller one that has fantastic picture. Will up-date asap.

Your assistance is greatly appreciated.

Respectfully,

BamaBubbleHead