37" Toshiba Regza?

Question

I bought this tv and connected it to my directv. It seems the picture quality is fairly poor. The tv is capable of broadcasting in 720p but for some reason im only getting 480i. Is there anyway i can get a better picture? The 13 inch tube tv i used to have produced a better picture. Thanks

Answer 1

If you want a good picture on an HDTV, you need an HD signal.

Get anantenna, HD cable box or HD satellite.

Answer 2

The Toshiba Regza is a pretty nice set.  Good choice.

480i - that's standard definition (SD) video.  Usually SD video is old style analog video that's been converted to digital.  I'll bet the picture is square.

You are probably watching either analog or SD digital from your DirecTV box.  In order to get a higher resolution or HD you need to get an HD package from DirecTV.  You could also receive free digital broadcasts from an antenna.  

The video looks so poor because the picture is larger and you can see all the defects better.  The TV can do no better than what's presented to it.