HD Direct TV service through regular receiver?

Question

I currently have Comcast cable service. While I don't pay for the HD service (an additional $9.95 per month), I happily discovered something with my standard Comcast DVR/receiver: although it only has component outputs (not HDMI), and is not their HD DVR, I am able to watch all the HD channels with it and the quality is fantastic on my 50" plasma. I am thinking of switching to Direct TV. I noticed their non-HD DVRs also have component outputs. Does anyone know if I can get the HD channels over the component connections without specifically subscribing to the HD service/HDMI receiver as I can with Comcast? Or are those channels "locked" in some way?

Answer 1

im not sure

Answer 2

I really doubt that you are seeing what you think you see on Comcast.

No, you will not get HD service on Directv unless you have an HD receiver and have subscribed to the service.

Also, component connections are perfectly good for HD or SD service and their existance on your receiver has nothing to do with it being HD or SD.

Answer 3

I would stay with comcast, the area im in right now only has directv for an option. I did the same thing you did with comcast to watch HD. Unfortunetly, with DirecTV you have to have an HD reciever and HD acesss in order to recieve the HD channels.