You guys are correct to a point, 1080 is 1080 and it is more pronounced on larger screens but progressive signal is always superior to interlaced. Think of it this way on, a 32" crt tv a dvd will look superior to a standard cable or sat signal, even though both are 480 on a smaller screen. Only difference is dvd is a progressive signal. Same could be said for blu-ray verses hd broadcast. I will admit the gains are smaller but completely noticeable on any quality display 50" or larger. As for the op's original question, if the tv is a native 1080p display and you are using hdmi to connect the two, the problem almost certainly is with your direct tv receiver. Could be you are missing a setting somewhere or it's a software/hardware issue. Heck it could be a hdcp issue on one end or the other(I hate hdmi). If you have blu-ray player connected with hdmi and it works you can eliminate the tv and hdcp from the equation. Hope that helps.