Re: How is DirecTV HD these days?
 

I don't have it (nor have I ever) but some relatives have it and it is top notch. Their channels are a disaster though...they are all over the place and a complete mess. With that said, it's a minor inconvenience, in my opinion, and their feed, standard and HD looks pretty good. I don't think you can go wrong with FIOS.

Re: How is DirecTV HD these days?
 

Actually, my parents have it and I am impressed by their selection. The HD channels are grouped together, unlike D* and they have 40+ premium (HBO, Max, Starz etc..) HD channels, more than anyone else. But, I hate their DVR and was thinking that I would have to go Tivo HD. The only problem with that is that I tried the Tivo HD with my current cable provider and there was a substantial difference in audio volume. I have a Sony SXRD, which I hook up via HDMI, and with the cable Moto boxes I can watch a program with the TV volume at around 20 and it is perfect. With the Tivo I had to turn it up to around 60 to get a comparable volume, but this introduced static/feedback from turning the TV up so loud. I've tried several Tivos and this happened with all of the them (I did check the Tivo audio settings), but this hasn't happened with any other provider's box that I have had on this TV. Funny thing is that when I hooked up the Tivo to my Pioneer 94TXH via HDMI the volume was fine, but I don't always like having the TV audio through the receiver. I returned the Tivos, which I loved when I had DirecTivos, but I don't know if I can deal with FIOS's DVR as it has less recording capacity than my cable DVR and their guide is sloppy to say the least.

Re: How is DirecTV HD these days?
 

I just ordered a Verizon Fios Bundle. I will cancel my DirecTV at the end of the month. On my new Toshiba 42XV545U the standard def channels look like garbage (even with the TV upconverting the signal). Even on my old 31" CRT I noticed that the DTV signal was very "digitized," and just barely passable on that type of TV. I don't have a High Def DTV box, so I have no idea how their HD is, but since the bundle WITH HD saves me about $35 or so a month I'm going that route.

I can't wait to get my High Def programming! :banana:

I like the DirecTV programming, but the picture quality just wasn't good enough to keep me once I got the HDTV.

Re: How is DirecTV HD these days?
 

I hope you will be happy with FIOS. But I have to add that comparing SDTV on your HDTV is not a good way to judge the quality of a provider. DirecTV's quality went up when they started getting the new satellites going, that was more than a year ago. Both HD and SD channels are better now than they were in, say, 2005.