My First HD TV, SD Looks Lousy

[Pixl]

Just got it yesterday. I get a few HD channels on my poor peoples cable line up and they look great. But everything else I have is SD. Cable, FTA satellite, DVD, 5 TiVo's. These look much better on the old tube tv. Can I get a better picture without throwing everything away.

Jim

 

[Hemi 6.1]

Well, Cable depending on how its connected, like a Digital cable box would be the best SD PQ if its connected s-video.
But if its just the coax coming out of the wall right to your TV, then you can't really expect much.
I'm assuming its not that way,

But with all that hooked up to one tv, I would love to know what device your using thats degrading the signals??

MY opinion of those Audio Video Switch boxes are they provide poor PQ.

Thats from personal use.

But a Model TV and some hints on how all this is connected would help.

 

[lparsons21]

Yes, more info needed.

How big is new HD TV compared to your older tube TV? And certainly, which HDTV did you get? And how are your devices connected?

 

[Van]

He'd have to get commercial grade switch boxes for it to look good with all of that gear on one tv.

 

[Hemi 6.1]

He'd have to get commercial grade switch boxes for it to look good with all of that gear on one tv.

Exactly. :up

 

[yaz96]

He'd have to get commercial grade switch boxes for it to look good with all of that gear on one tv.

Even then, it's SD. It's just not gonna look good on an HDTV compared to HD sources. It will always look better on his old SD TV.

 

[dfergie]

Yeah, SD unless it comes from FTA is going to be so compressed & down rezzed will look terrible... it's like going from 8 track (with bad tracking) to a pristine LP on a good sound system

 

[Paul Wozniak]

Who watches SD?

 

[Hemi 6.1]

Who watches SD?

I prefer HD , But I have nothing against SD, and will not prevent me from watching something just because its SD.

SD PQ isn't that bad IMO.

 

[MikeD-C05]

I have Toshiba hd tvs in my house. They make hd and sd look about as good. I also have satellite from DISH. I wouldn't think of using cable for video, because their digital boxes freeze up and pixelate more than Satellite in a storm . I only use cable for internet.

 

[yaz96]

I have Toshiba hd tvs in my house. They make hd and sd look about as good. I also have satellite from DISH. I wouldn't think of using cable for video, because their digital boxes freeze up and pixelate more than Satellite in a storm . I only use cable for internet.

You're saying HD and SD look as good as each other on your TV's?? They must not be larger that 32" then. And HD should still look better by a mile.

 

[MikeD-C05]

I have a 42" hd tv and Toshiba makes SD look good on an HD screen. That is why I picked Toshiba years ago when I first entered into hd. I had a Mitsibishi hd tv and it sucked so bad that SD was unwatchable. I had to trade it back in really fast and got a Toshiba instead. You can still see a difference between HD and Sd but Sd is okay to watch without major artifacting ,pixelation on screen. Isn't that what you were complaining about in the first place?

 

[Pixl]

Wow, thanks for all the replies.
Here is what I have:

37" LG LD450
Cable Tv is direct cable in, no box.
DVD - AV1
1 TiVo - AV2
4 other TiVo's - Channel Plus modulator ch 119, 121, 123, 125

Old Tv was Sharp 27" has about the same size picture as the new 37" when in the 4:3 mode for SD.

Honest, this setup put a decent picture on the tube tv, I don't know why much newer tv, digital everything isn't retro compatible with the existing technology of SD.

 

[Hemi 6.1]

Is your DVD player Progressive scan, Or Upconvert?
If so try hooking it up either Component or HDMI , that should improve a little as far as the PQ goes on your DVD player.

 

[mike123abc]

Who watches SD?

I have to agree. I cannot remember the last time I watched SD at home.

 

[MikeD-C05]

I've been watching quite a bit over my 922 and play on application. A whole lot of internet shows that are in sd. I 've been watching a lot of Hula.com over the play on application .

 

[Kevinw]

To use an automotive analogy, your new TV works best with premium gas(HD Signal). It still works on regular fuel ( SD signal) but not as well. Your old TV was designed for SD so it works well on regular and not at all with HD

My suggestion is to upgrade the fuel source for your high performance tv. If your staying with cable upgrade to a HD tuner, I imagine your DVD player is not progressive scan- has no component outputs. Upgrade to a blu ray player.

Now for all those Tivo's I have no suggestion other than they are likely old and they are what they are. Lots of newer technology out there.

You should also upgrade your FTA tuner to an HD one also

There are many of us that have upgraded over the years and have piles of outdated equipment stashed away in a closet.

 

[Pixl]

Is your DVD player Progressive scan, Or Upconvert?
If so try hooking it up either Component or HDMI , that should improve a little as far as the PQ goes on your DVD player.

This is worth a try. I have component outputs on the dvd and one of the TiVos. Just never messed with component video before.

To use an automotive analogy, your new TV works best with premium gas(HD Signal). It still works on regular fuel ( SD signal) but not as well. Your old TV was designed for SD so it works well on regular and not at all with HD

My suggestion is to upgrade the fuel source for your high performance tv. If your staying with cable upgrade to a HD tuner, I imagine your DVD player is not progressive scan- has no component outputs. Upgrade to a blu ray player.

Now for all those Tivo's I have no suggestion other than they are likely old and they are what they are. Lots of newer technology out there.

You should also upgrade your FTA tuner to an HD one also

There are many of us that have upgraded over the years and have piles of outdated equipment stashed away in a closet.

Kevin, I know you are telling me like it is. I just don't want to throw out everything in the house all at once. I thought I would be able to upgrade a little at a time. Might be easier to take the wide screen back Sears and watch my tube tv a few more years.

To use an automotive analogy, your new TV works best with premium gas(HD Signal). It still works on regular fuel ( SD signal) but not as well. Your old TV was designed for SD so it works well on regular and not at all with HD

They will tell you at the auto dealer NOT to put regular gas in such a vehicle. But when buying electronics the only thing they want to talk about is the extended warranty maintenance agreement and the in store credit card. They didn't all your recordings and cable service will look lousy on this tv.
I think the tv mfg. should put SD enhancing circuitry in and use it as a selling point.

 

[Hemi 6.1]

This is worth a try. I have component outputs on the dvd and one of the TiVos. Just never messed with component video before.



.

Yep, Try and use the best possible connections at all times.

I do the same, I have 4 HDMI, 2 Component, connections on my 52 inch sony.

• HDMI

Directv HR23
Philips 1080i DVD Upconvert
Sony Bluray

• Component

Play Station 2
Wii

 

[Kevinw]

T


Kevin, I know you are telling me like it is. I just don't want to throw out everything in the house all at once. I thought I would be able to upgrade a little at a time. Might be easier to take the wide screen back Sears and watch my tube tv a few more years.

Start small add an HD cable Box with DVR, Look for used equipment. Lots of people shelved component only HD equipment when they upgraded for HDMI. Most cheap Blu ray players up-convert Sd discs pretty well.

You could look for a decent AV receiver and run everything through it. Some do a decent job of up converting SD