Is there a loss of quality in going from a Zenith dtt901 to directv sd receiver?

[Zellio2008]

Well, let's start by saying my Directv install was 2 bedrooms (1 hd21, 1 hd20) and the den (hr21). I was gonna add a hd10 in the dining room and another hd21 for another bedroom.

I finally decided that having an sd receiver in the kitchen was a good idea. I have a 7" under cabinet lcd there, or I will.... (The screws are too long for the kicthen, I'm still figuring out what to do, so I currently have an old commodore 1702 14" monitor in there... Which by the way, looks far better then most new tvs)

Either way, both tvs would only transmit in sd, composite connections. I have a Zenith dtt901 in there currently, and whike it's excellent picture quality, it's local channels. Even if I only use the tv for maybe 2 hours a day while cooking your talking court shows, soaps, reality shows... I may as well puke in the food.

I've finally decided to switch to a directv sd receiver. I realize it's the best choice, ESP. with the Food channel, and XM radio, but I'm wondering... Will the sd receiver be a lot less quality then the Zenith dtt901?

 

[Zellio2008]

Can I have a little help please?

 

[jdspencer]

I believe the Zenith dtt901 is a digital to analog converted for use with OTA channels, which you said is what it is used for.

On a small 17" screen the PQ from an SD DirecTV receiver should be very good.

 

[Zellio2008]

It's a 14" screen, and I'll eventually got a 7".

Even so, any sd quality would look bad in a screen bigger then 20".

At 14" close up, you can easily see good picture quality. This is a very high quality monitor (Esp. for 1982), and a huge difference in picture quality would be noticeable.

I know of the bandwidth usage for directv hd mpeg 4 channels, but what is the difference between ota and sd directv channels?

Will it be a huge noticeable difference?

 

[Zellio2008]

Once again, can I have an answer?

 

[jtwex]

The OTA signal is of better quality than what the Mpeg-2 compression could deliver & many of us were trying to scale those older programs 4x3 on our newer HD sets which just made it even worse. If your that worried about the picture quality you can purchase another HD receiver (Mpeg-4) & during setup just select 4x3 for your TV ratio; just make sure your older TV has the composite or component connection as they no longer export on 75ohm cable. For either TV I would stick with the free SD receiver & live with it.
Is the picture quality worth $99 for two hours of daily kitchen time; not in my opinion.