Can you see HD channels on a SD TV

[mjschuyler]

If I had a dish at 61.5 or 121 and subscribed to the HD package, would I be able to see the HD channels with a standard receiver such as a 508 or 721 on a standard definition TV?

I have seen HD demo channels at Sears and it seems like they were on SD TV's as well as the HD TV's.

Thanks
Murray

 

[Ken_F]

If I had a dish at 61.5 or 121 and subscribed to the HD package, would I be able to see the HD channels with a standard receiver such as a 508 or 721 on a standard definition TV?

No, you need a HDTV receiver to downconvert HD for display on a standard television.

 

[Cyclone]

You can how ever connect a HDTV receiver such as a 6000/811/921 to a SDTV via S-Video or Composite connections. This would allow you to watch HDTV programming on a SD television. It would be down converted and actually looks very good. Usually better than SD programming on a SD Television.

I use the Composite output to connect to my VCR so I can record programming. It will record HDTV programming but of course sacrificing resolution and color brilliance when its downconverted.

But a SD receiver such as a 508 or 721 is not capable of decoding the HDTV programming signal. Thats why the HD STBs are more expensive.