So, without swimming thru 50 pages of posts...what's the consensus on using this for TV? I wanna slap this on the wall of my bedroom, and wire up the audio via a small surround system.

Also, a post said the Optical Digital out is changed on the V2. Is it gone, or is it now exposed for easier access?

How does one tell V1 from V2 when purchasing? I'm eyeing this up at Costco for $$$. Yummay!

Thanks

EDIT>>

mod note: no price other than MSRP, please. Thanks

I've had my V1 since August (one of the original shipments) and I'm very happy with the unit. It's bright enough for variable lighting circumstances, is an appropriate size, and most importantly my wife liked the appearance.
DVD's via HDMI are terrific, though like all LCD's you're not going to get much details in interior scenes. Something like Finding Nemo is splendid.
I dumped the speakers (another selling point of the Sceptre) and replaced them with a Bose Acoustimass III. I know, Bose blows, but on my stand mounted system the little black tweeters nicely complement the Sceptre, the woofer (not a subwoofer) conveniently hides out of sight of the wife, and since the system is relatively efficient, it can be driven by the unit's anemic amplifier to adequate volume.
I'm sure a full surround system would be better - my son has the Hsu Ventriloquist to drive his 50" Fujitsu plasma and driven by an HK 635 sounds great.

Ive run warcraft 3 at 1920x1080 ( had to modify registry ), COD2, Lineage 2, WoW, Ragnarok online, and King Kong, and I have not noticed any type of stuttering to my eyes.
But, I have run the judder test and the bars do not move smoothly. There is slight stutter/judder and "breaking" in the bars.
I have also used the NTSC tuner and SD tv looks mediocre and better suited for SD tvs. It is still watchable as it definately is sharp.

Downloaded the 1080p movie from windows and it does stutter/judder compared to the 720p movie. Currently I don't even have 1080p media, so I am not too concerned. But if a fix is announced I definatley would want it.

To my eyes, this monitor is pretty damn perfect as a PC display. It does everything well, and jumping from a 17" crt is a drastic change for me O_O
Now to get the x360 and DOA4......

HDNOW,

Well Sceptre tech support thought my card was good enough to run 1080. I've ran plenty of software in the past with a weaker card and the system reacts differently than what judder does. It isnt an issue of things slowing down, it's the flickering with a lot of screen movement. This monitor really needs to run at its native resolution to look its best. I'd really hate to have to run it at less to get games to work (I dont expect you'd spot judder in office type applications). I actually did try running Civ IV at a lower res, but it just wasnt crisp enough, or the proportions were wrong, etc. Besides the short test with WoW, I havent really experimented across other software. If it happens ONLY in CIV IV I'll really be confused. :confused:

Harper

Zima500,

Were you running all of those (besides the stated wc3) at 1920x1080? Unfortunately, I only have WoW to compare with you, and as I said, I also didn't see any apparent judder during the short test I did. The judder occurs with movement onscreen and, I'm assuming, a lot of information going across to the TV. Movies, trailers, video all seem to cause it at 1080P. Just sitting there in Windows, or even in Civ 4, there was no judder... once I scrolled on the map, judder.

I do agree with you on the other assessments though. I have a 19" CRT I used for my computer and this is a huge improvement. I actually still keep it to the side so when the wife wants to watch TV or play a game, I can still use the system on the tube. The clarity and detail on the desktop is awesome and besides the juddering, Civ IV looked fantastic. HD OTA looks good as well and SD, well, it's worth than a CRT and better left to SD tvs, as you said. When sitting at a reasonable distance from the screen, I don't see any pixelation during movies or games. I reckon that with higher def movies/games, you can sit closer. With CiV IV, I sit like 2-3 feet from the screen and it still looks awesome.

Harper

reio-ta,

It is highly likely that Sceptre would only want to replace (if necessary) as few TVs as possible. I'm not really sure if this is something that can be fixed with a firmware upgrade. I suspect the hardware they put in is the problem, but only at 1920x1080P.

Whatever is the problem it happened in whatever was changed from v1 to v2. I doubt the hardware changed significantly. It sounds like the bugs that were fixed from v1 to v2 were all firmware related. Its more likely that code that was changed to fix a bug introduced more OPS between cycles causing it to be unable to complete whatever it has to do in 1/60 sec and reducing the max refresh rate. They are probably scrambling to see how to recode to avoid the delay.

Easiest thing is to revert to the previous version and introduce each code fix one at a time until the cuplrit is found and just leave that fix out. Then you have to regression test it all.

Their biggest problem is going to be how to deploy the fix to the bad TVs. It wont generally be a user-upgradeable function and require returning the set. Hence they want to limit awareness of this problem to only those who are actively annoyed by it, enough to be willing to return the set. Considering costco with its infinate return policy could have a LOT to do with the attention they are placing on this. If it were sold through any other retailer they would just stall until your return period expires.

As an alternative they are probably trying to see if there is any fix they can introduce on the PC side where it would be user upgradeable. Since as you have found it is hard to override applications setting the refresh rate to 60hz, they are probably facing the same issues right now.

Its a tough call on their part as you see... they just wont be able to handle a mass return to manufacturer, fix, and reship ... they would sooner tell you to return it to costco... cheaper for them.

Lee

I second that. I see the problem with both HDMI and VGA 1080p connections.
Harper:

I can personally attest that the problem exists on the VGA port. And a few posts above you someone reports that it exists over DVI at 720p and 1080i as well. I would like to see an official list (preferably from Sceptre) as to what configurations have this problem. But it looks to me likes its a problem with all external sources which is probably a deal killer for me.

Hopefully they tested this new 42" model a bit more carefully. Maybe that will be my replacement...

-J

Just ran a few tests. Looks like I get judder on 720P as well coming from the PC over DVI. Tried it with my desktop set to 1920x1080, 1360x768, and 1280x1024 just to be sure. Judder shows on all. The reason I tried the 1280x1024 is that I noticed it was one of the few resolutions the monitor will actually display at the top left.

Harper

Edit: Just to clarify, by "tests" I mean I ran the same WMV clips from Microsoft in 720P as well as 1080P, having set my desktop resolution to what I wrote above. Juddering occurs at the same points during the clip (though not necessarily in the same location on the monitor). For example, in the Coral Reef adventure clip, juddering is most apparent with the underwater shot of the wave, just after you see the old man underwater with the kids.

I'm interested in the 42" display as well. Haven't received my coupon book yet either, when is it expected to be available? Hope it's not TOO much more expensive.

I've had my new Sceptre now for about a week. In several ways it is an impressive set for the money. However, there are three problems that may cause me to sent it back.
1) HDMI hang with DirecTV TiVo HD PVR. This has been reported on several TiVo forums, but I have yet to see a resolution. When connected to the TiVo using the TiVo supplied HDMI to HDMI cable the TiVo box will hang some time after the Sceptre is turned off. Turn the TV off, wait some time, turn the TV back on, no HDMI signal. Note that during the time the TV is off, the TiVo has not recorded any programs. Only way to reset is to turn the TiVo power off then on again. Had to use component video because of this.

3) Cannot use the zoom function to successfully display standard resolution letterboxed tv shows. Zoom puts the image too low on the screen. This was reported a couple of pages ago on this forum. This may be a function of component video connection. Don't remember seeing it before I gave up on HDMI.
Would appreciate comments and suggestions.
thanks


On the HD Tivo, if you switch the TV input to something other than HDMI before you turn off the TV, you can avoid this problem for now. You can also go Component input and I really have not notice a lot of difference between the 2.

On the Zoom, you can also get around by switching to the other set of source inputs, If you are on source PC, switch to something in source AV then back and the zoom should be centered correctly.

Until Sceptre fixes this problem (but the HD TIVO problem may not be their fault as it was reported to happen with some other display also). At least there are workarounds.

So the general consensus is that this is a very good TV but why the low price? You can't really find a comparable LCD TV for that price, especially one that does 1080p.

Also, does Costco carry this TV in store? I know the current rebate deals are for online but I would like to see this TV with my own eyes first.

carmichael,

I believe the naga is only available online. I havent seen it at the store itself and the online site may even say something like "only available online" etc.

Consensus... well, I think most people believe it looks very nice, but there are glitches that ruin it for some and slightly ruin it for others and some that aren't affected because they are either using v1 or don't use the TV in a way that brings out the problems.

I have yet to see another 37" LCD at that price with those features.

Harper

Sceptre 42" LCD 1920 X 1080
Coupon is good online only for Mar.6 to Mar.12 2006.
No Cost stated but $XXX Off.

I got my 37inch Sceptre LCD two days before. Cabled it in 1/2 hour with TV, VCR and PC. For me, the systems works great, no issues.

In fact, The sceptre TV sound system is far better than Vizio 37 inch which I returned it.

Sceptre also has mentioned three color systems - NTSC, PAL and SECAM - looks like we can play all over world systems - but region code may matter.

Tested the system with PC and some games looks great - no issues. Original package has got HDMI to DVI cable also.

Over all, very much satisfied with the price and perfomance. Thank you all those whoever commented on all these 51 pages.

Personally, I feel it is a good buy I made this year.

Silicon.

Has anyone received an update from Sceptre Tech support yet. I want to buy this
lcd from costco before the sale ends. The judder issue is what is holding me back. Does any one think that Sceptre can fix it with a firmware update.
If not I may go for the new 42 inch 1080p, but it probably will cost almost twice the 37 incher. :(

I have some questions

1. How does this Montior look on the xbox360
2. Im Yet to Get a Video card and will be using Onboard right now, when i go to the native res it will work for the montior right
3. How is the Onboard Tuner, i plan to use this mostly for PC Montior but i might watch some TV everyoen once in a while, and will getting a Computer HD Tuner help?

Just a FYI: I bought one of those HDMI Y-Splitters. It does not allow you to have two units hooked to it and plugged into the tv at the same time. The TV will not show either DVD or DirecTV. You can only hook one unit to the splitter at a time. If anyone else has tried this and they got it to work, please let me now. Don't want anyone else to waste there money trying.

Happy Holidays

DyeLooper

Not familiar with your particular splitter, but in general a splitter is for taking one source and splitting it to two displays simultaneously. You are trying to use it backwards. What you want is probably called a "switch".

Man, i cant wait for the 42" sceptre! 42" was my first choice size, but i went with the 37" because thats all they had at 1080p. but nowwwwwwwwww, i hope its not too expensive and all this judder problem is gone too.... i feel like this 42" sceptre set is going to be a great set!!!!

OK, so I got mine a couple of days ago from Costco.

Wrestled through 51 pages on these forums and find that despite all the kvetching, about judder and tearing, there really is very little wrong with this TV.

It took a while to figure out that without an HDTV cable box 1080 matters little, but now that I got mine hooked up (via component mind you) I have *nothing* to complain about.

My tips:

#1 - get an HD cable box *and read the manuals* of the latter
(I have IOTV/CableVision, they handed me a 8300HD *without*
a manual, it wasn;t until I downloaded the latter from the
Scientific Atlanta site that I found out about the required *initial
setup*)

#2 - dump the speakers (which sound only bad if your stand does
not assist the base in resonation) and hook up the audio through
your cable box

OK guys, happy new year... I'm off to enjoy the HD fireworks on TV ;-)

S.

Got mine a few days ago.

Picture is sweet. I am using high def cable box.
I like the look of the set. Clean
Ditched the speakers to save space and use my own.

Strange things
The volume is slow to respond, I have to hold it down for 5 seconds before any change is made, but after the initial change the volume responds quickly.

Had some random distortion when watching a dvd. Changed the timing under the debug menu to 2 and that fixed it. Only problem is that when I switch back to the hdmi input (cable box) i see the distortion again. If I change the memory timing to 3 it goes away. I am currently using s video for the dvd, i will try a component cable and see if that will fix it.

One question. My cable box does not have hdmi, only dvi. (I use an adapter) I have to run audio cable to the monitor to get sound. Which input should I use? I want to use the hdmi input for good quality picture but there are no sound inputs for that connection. Where should I plug in the rca audio cables?

I don't think it'll cost anywhere near twice the 37".. Right now, the sceptre and maxent 37" have a $100 difference, and the 42" maxent now is $$$... so I suspect by March, you'll see this new 42" set priced about $$$ to $$$..[EDIT]

Has anyone received an update from Sceptre Tech support yet. I want to buy this
lcd from costco before the sale ends. The judder issue is what is holding me back. Does any one think that Sceptre can fix it with a firmware update.
If not I may go for the new 42 inch 1080p, but it probably will cost almost twice the 37 incher. :(

EDIT>>

no price or coupon talk, please. Thanks

When I first got the tv setup, I too was impressed and didn't think there was much to worry about. If judder kept itself to 1080P resolutions, it wouldn't be a significant problem at this point in time for me. However, judder is MUCH more prevalent. As others have stated before, it occurs at varying resolutions. I have yet to see it from OTA, but I have seen it from 480P console games on the component input, and 720P / 1080P on the HDMI->DVI connection. Keep in mind that the juddering is not something that occurs continuously on the screen at one time. It tends to happen when there is fast motion or the scene is changing rapidly. (Maybe it only occurs in progressive.. ??)

Examples: Coral Reef when we see the underwater view of the wave. Amazon clip with the monkey climbing up the tree. (There are other points in these clips when it occurs, but those were the most evident to me). In CIV IV, I get it everytime I move the map. When my wife was playing Pacman World, it occured only at certain points where there was mist or smoke.

I also happen to get random black lines that appear on the screen briefly and sporadically when I play CIV IV, but I have yet to see that from any other source, so I can't say it's a TV flaw just yet (though it doesnt happen when I play the game on my CRT).

Anyhow, it's great this tv is sold via costco, since we can all return it at any time for a refund. I encourage anyone who gets this tv to try out all the things we've talked about on this thread as soon as you can, since it is ultimately better to know the ins and outs of the tv you've purchased earlier rather than later.

Harper

OK People i am going to be using this for my HTPC, should i get this or the Westyton, if the Westy please link me to the page to buy it thanks :)

I'm quite confused at this "judder" that you all speak of. If it appears like the video is not lined up and it kind of moved to the right or left for half a second, like it is "sliding", this is not new to me. I have a 6800gt and previously had a crt monitor, and I have been noticing this weird video effect for some time. It always occurs on FPS games at random times and on other PC games such as Prince of Persia and Call of Duty 2. Also, they occurred at any resolution I set my crt monitor to.

So, I tested the sceptre out with these games that "juddered" on my CRT, and yes they still occurr. But is the sceptre lcd at fault? Personally, I do not believe it is.

( I have slightly tested HD videos, such as the videos form windows, and have not seen the judder issue, but a slow down in the video play)

World of Warcraft runs extremely smooth at 1920x1080 and there is absolutely no juddering at all. Same with Fable, no juddering is ever apparent, even at different reesolutions. This is apparent with a number of PC games, including WC3, Ragnarok Online, and many others.

So, how can the sceptre judder only on a select number of games and yet not on others? This monitor is not at fault to the extent in which everyone claims it is. My old crt had "juddering" on a few FPS games, yet I never thought that is was actually "juddering", as I did not actually know what it meant.

I believe the issue pertains more to graphics drivers than the sceptre monitor itself. Although, when juddering does occurr in the games that Ive noticed have previously had it, it is more apparent than before. But, this monitor is so much larger, so I think that is the reason.

This issue varies per person, so some find it unnoticeable, and others not. I sure am confused of what everyone stated on this thread, although I am not so critical on a monitors specs, other than ghosting and sharpness.

Maybe the issue is more apparent in some monitors than others?

Well I've had my Sceptre for about 3 weeks now. V2 here. I only use this for DirecTv HD, and DVD. Picture-SUPERB. I have a 38” RCA HD Tube in the basement, the Sceptre keeps up easily on picture quality. SD is ok, my wife does not seem to complain. I also have a OTA Antenna hooked to my DirecTV HD H10 receiver. Picture is great. Antenna is in the attic and has a long run to the basement and back up one floor. When it comes into the basement, that is where I have an Amplifier, to re-boost the signal again. I use my stereo system for all my sound. Optical out from all my DVD, H10, Laserdisc player directly to my receiver. I did find one dead pixel, lower portion of panel, just right of center. Will I return it, (NO), I purchased it thru Costco and am very happy that I didn’t have to purchase a extended warranty. Costco rules. 1080I/720P High def or DVD is awesome. I cannot complain. Sporting events are spectacular, Letterman/Leno/Conan look like they are sitting in my living room. Just bought a Harmony 880, had to call tech support to get the inputs to change properly. Everyting is working smoothly now. I could not tell you about the antenna inputs on the Sceptre since I am using the DirecTv HD Receiver. Still doing some tweaking with the color settings, really found some good numbers. Have no idea what they mean by tearing/Judder while using a computer. Although, I did hook up my old laptop and all appeared fine (1024 x 800?). Then I hooked up a friends new laptop and at 1600 x 1200 ? and 1920 x 1080 the screen would just jump a lot in the center of the screen back and forth. Is this tearing/Judder? All in all, I am very happy with this purchase, all the other tv’s I’ve had have been Sony’s or Pioneers. This was a drastic change, and I’m ecstatic. Can they improve on this unit, I hope so I can look forward to 1920 x 1080 with no problems. March 42”-I’m definitely in- Someone Email and tell me about the coupon.

Contrast 29
Brightness 32
Sharpness 5
Color 35
Tint +2
Vivid off
Skin off
Green off
Blue H
Gamma off

I have been fiddling with dve to calibrate the monitor. I just about lost it when I tried to set brightness and could not see the outside bars at all using my dvd player. I used my computer and the vga connection and then I could see everything and set brightness correctly. I need to fix whatever is wrong with my dvd player hookup.

My question is, will I need to calbirate each input seperatly or do the setting I use through my vga input apply for all the inputs.

I've had my new Sceptre now for about a week. In several ways it is an impressive set for the money. However, there are three problems that may cause me to send it back.
1) HDMI hang with DirecTV TiVo HD PVR. This has been reported on several TiVo forums, but I have yet to see a resolution. When connected to the TiVo using the TiVo supplied HDMI to HDMI cable the TiVo box will hang some time after the Sceptre is turned off. Turn the TV off, wait some time, turn the TV back on, no HDMI signal. Note that during the time the TV is off, the TiVo has not recorded any programs. Only way to reset is to turn the TiVo power off then on again. Had to use component video because of this.
2) Contrast. Not just the normal black level complaint, but any dark color ends up displayed as black. For example dark suits just look black with no detail at all. One can see some details by turning the brightness up real high, but this display is bright enough without this. All of the standard color settings "Sports", Cinema"... exhibit this problem.
3) Cannot use the zoom function to successfully display standard resolution letterboxed TV shows. Zoom puts the image too low on the screen. This was reported a couple of pages ago on this forum. This may be a function of component video connection. Don't remember seeing it before I gave up on HDMI.
Would appreciate comments and suggestions.
thanks

Thanks to Harper and Wiz33 for your responses.
I sent a question to Sceptre technical support...
Hello,
If I connect my new 37 inch Sceptre TV to my new HR10-250 DirectTV HD TiVo PVR, then the combination works at first, but the PVR hangs if I turn the TV off. I have seen several posts about this on the internet, but no resolution.
Is there a solution? Right now I am running with component video but this is not an ideal solution and may cause me to return the TV to Costco.
thanks

Just got back the following Rocket Science response:

Dear Customer,
Your HD receiver has many problems, please ask your DirectTV personnel to switch another model/brand of HD receiver/recorder for you. It's not the TV's problem but the set-top box's problem.
Best Regards,
Sceptre Technical Support Group

Wow! All I need to do is call DirecTV and get my TiVos replaced with another brand of HD PVR!!! Why didn't I think of that???
...Wait... maybe because....
a) I just paid $hundreds for each of them.
b) The reason I went with DirectTV is because they had HD TiVos. I've had two series 1 TiVos for 7 years.
c) No other DirecTV PVR exists, and won't for approx 6 months until the non-TiVo mpeg 4 units come out.

Now in Scepter’s favor, they are probably right in the fact that this is TiVos fault. However, it also is apparently possible to work around this problem at the TV end. I remember somewhere that JVC had this problem with some of their TVs and fixed it. On the other hand, this is v2.0 of the Sceptre and they didn't appear to fix much.
So to summarize my three complaints above.
1) Nobody is likely to fix this any time soon. Have to use component input.
2) Contrast. Done some more experiments and read previous posts on this forum. I conclude that if you use the preset video settings, you can simply not see more than half your picture. Watched "Rome" the other day on HBO. Interior scene an night. Only faces were visible until I switched to user mode and played with contrast and brightness. Then background textures magically appeared! I would strongly suggest that Sceptre users check out some previous appends on this and use "user mode" for video settings.
3) Confirmed that the zoom displaced image problem only exists on Component Video, not HDMI. As wiz33 suggested.

So, if you have a HD TiVo, you will have to play with different inputs constantly to get everything to work right.
This could have been a great TV. Still is a good buy in some ways. What a shame it is spoilt by poor attention to detail, inadequate testing and buggy software...

It's getting more likely that mine is going back.
Thanks

Zima500,

As I mentioned in a previous post, I've seen the judder on the Sceptre from Xbox games in 480P (connected via Component). Also, if it were the video card on the computer, I suspect during playback, the judder would be constant. But it's not. When I watch those 1080P or 720P WMV clips, juddering occurs at only certain portions during the video. My best guess at the common denominator is a rapid change in color or contrast, or otherwise an area of the image that puts strain on the processing of the TV. Furthermore, the juddering does not occur at the exact same position on the monitor. Additionally, I played the 720P video with my NEC CRT (my computer is connected to the Sceptre via DVI and the CRT via the VGA cable) and there was no juddering. Finally, the judder test software pointed out earlier in this thread lead everyone with this Sceptre to see the judder problem, and it's disappearance when lowering the frequency to 53.xxx mhz. But frequency cannot be adjusted from DVD or Console or otherwise non-PC sources.

As I understand it, Juddering is when you get a thin band (about 1/2" - 1") of flashing/distortion that stretches horizontally across the monitor for a length of time dependent on what is being displayed.

As for why it occurs in some games and not others, I can only suspect the answer is in the technicality of the graphic engine (sprites vs polygons... I dont really know). In CIV IV, at 1920x1080, there is A LOT going on on the screen. I will chalk up a non-smooth scroll to my vid card (I have the ATI x800XL with 256 megs, so it's pretty good) but the juddering that occurs is the same as when it see from the other sources. I've noticed it tends to occur when I move from revealed map, to dark areas. Video tends to have more color, contrast, movement, and complexity, which is why we see judder there more often.

I havent tried the other games you mentioned on this monitor, but I've seen juddering across enough different sources now to know for myself that it is a real problem. If you all the games you play have no juddering, great. But what about the games you will play a few months from now?

Harper

So, how can the sceptre judder only on a select number of games and yet not on others? This monitor is not at fault to the extent in which everyone claims it is. My old crt had "juddering" on a few FPS games, yet I never thought that is was actually "juddering", as I did not actually know what it meant.
Read the past posts. People used same PC, cables, software, etc. in both tests. V1 no judder. V2 judder. V2 53Hz no judder. Test reproducable by others. That sounds like monitor to me.

harper: I think your definition of judder is incorrect. I'm not sure what you are describing, but its not judder. Do some googling. My quick definition: Something was filmed to move across your screen at a constant velocity, but instead appears to move jerkily, moving slowing, then quickly, slowly, quickly, etc. Judder problems are very visible when the camera is doing a steady pan across a country-side.

Now, some judder is unavoidable. Like films on DVD: they are shot at 24 fps, but displayed at 60Hz. Do some googling on 3:2 pulldown.

My Sceptre V2 (over VGA) was showing very bad judder at 60Hz as well as some tearing (that might be what you are seeing). My monitor is much better at 53 Hz. The tearing is gone and the judder is certainly improved (if not entirely gone).

I have been fiddling with dve to calibrate the monitor. I just about lost it when I tried to set brightness and could not see the outside bars at all using my dvd player. I used my computer and the vga connection and then I could see everything and set brightness correctly. I need to fix whatever is wrong with my dvd player hookup.

My question is, will I need to calbirate each input seperatly or do the setting I use through my vga input apply for all the inputs.

I had the same problem with the Digital Video Essentials test pattern. The side bars would never appear, no matter what brightness setting I used on the component input on the Sceptre. If I had more time, I would see if the bars were visible on my old JVC CRT for comparison. (After all, this problem could stem from the DVD player.) But the fact that you had the same problem makes me suspicious about the TV. Anyone else have DVE to give this a try?

As for per-input calibration: I'm fairly certain that you will need to make adjustments for each input.

Incidentally, did anyone else have trouble getting the "Black Level" setting to do anything at all on the PC input? It seems to have no effect whatsoever. I consider this a bug, since all 4 of my LCD computer displays allow me to set the brightness of the display... I can't imagine why this one would be different.

My Sceptre V2 (over VGA) was showing very bad judder at 60Hz as well as some tearing (that might be what you are seeing). My monitor is much better at 53 Hz. The tearing is gone and the judder is certainly improved (if not entirely gone).

So you're saying that you have to set the refresh rate down to 53Hz to get it to work? With a refresh rate so low, doesn't it cause the screen to flicker and make your eyes hurt?

Ah, well then I switched them I guess. But it is something I saw in the Judder test software so I assumed it was judder.

Ok, now I need to do a Replace, and change all my references of Judder to Tearing :D

Anyhow, I'll be bringing my back to Costco and not getting a 3rd. Thinking of going plasma this time around.

Harper

So you're saying that you have to set the refresh rate down to 53Hz to get it to work? With a refresh rate so low, doesn't it cause the screen to flicker and make your eyes hurt?

No, LCDs don't flicker. The LC response time is too slow to allow flickering. Both a curse and a blessing of LCD monitors/TVs. They are more restful on the eyes but they can exhibit motion artifacts (like fast motion blur) not seen with other technologies.

Further update and issues.

I tried attaching the Tuner RCA ANT200 indoor antenna with sceptre 37 inch. Alas, I found the NTSC tuner is missing or it is inside the TV part! Wrote a mail to sceptre waiting for answer.

However, ATSC tuner was available, able to connect and get the channels very well.
I could get around 12 channels

The screws to attach the speaker with TV are bad (some of them) and unable to unscrew as they are rotating without coming out. Found the platic part and iron part of the screw are lightly made, just added a drop of super glue to fix plastic and iron part o the screw tight. It resolved, hope no issues later.

Though this is not major issues, sceptre should be more careful in manufacturing and quality control.

Hmmmm, sceptre quality control must be very careful!

My remote went dead! I am able to use Sony TV codes for discrete power operations but nothing else. Can someone send me a CCF file containing all the remote codes? Thanks is advance.

PM me for a email address to send.

Further update and issues.

I tried attaching the Tuner RCA ANT200 indoor antenna with sceptre 37 inch. Alas, I found the NTSC tuner is missing or it is inside the TV part! Wrote a mail to sceptre waiting for answer.

However, ATSC tuner was available, able to connect and get the channels very well.
I could get around 12 channels

The screws to attach the speaker with TV are bad (some of them) and unable to unscrew as they are rotating without coming out. Found the platic part and iron part of the screw are lightly made, just added a drop of super glue to fix plastic and iron part o the screw tight. It resolved, hope no issues later.

Though this is not major issues, sceptre should be more careful in manufacturing and quality control.

Hmmmm, sceptre quality control must be very careful!

The antenna connector may have fallen off. Mine has a RCA by F connector adapter for both antenna connections. I was using a friction antenna cable connector and when I pulled it off the adapter came with it. I just pushed it back in to the TV.

I had the same problem with the Digital Video Essentials test pattern. The side bars would never appear, no matter what brightness setting I used on the component input on the Sceptre. If I had more time, I would see if the bars were visible on my old JVC CRT for comparison. (After all, this problem could stem from the DVD player.) But the fact that you had the same problem makes me suspicious about the TV. Anyone else have DVE to give this a try?

Incidentally, did anyone else have trouble getting the "Black Level" setting to do anything at all on the PC input? It seems to have no effect whatsoever. I consider this a bug, since all 4 of my LCD computer displays allow me to set the brightness of the display... I can't imagine why this one would be different.

Don't know about the 37" Sceptre, but DVE works just fine on my 30" Sceptre. Black bars setup perfectly on component in. This is with a Samsung 850 DVD player. Downstairs, I've got a way more expensive MITS player and a 34" Panasonic. Can't see the DVE black bars on the downstairs setup. I'm certain that it's the player since I had previously setup the bars when I had a Pioneer player. Haven't bothered to swap the two DVD players, but will swap out the disappointing, but expensive, MiTS box one of these days.

Am following this forum carefully since I have become interested in the 37" or the soon to be released 42" set.

Don't know about the 37" Sceptre, but DVE works just fine on my 30" Sceptre. Black bars setup perfectly on component in. This is with a Samsung 850 DVD player. Downstairs, I've got a way more expensive MITS player and a 34" Panasonic. Can't see the DVE black bars on the downstairs setup. I'm certain that it's the player since I had previously setup the bars when I had a Pioneer player. Haven't bothered to swap the two DVD players, but will swap out the disappointing, but expensive, MiTS box one of these days.

Am following this forum carefully since I have become interested in the 37" or the soon to be released 42" set.

My DVE works just fine using the vga and the component input. The s video cable was at fault with my setup.

I have come across some other odd things. When I switch from one input back to the hdmi input, the screen is split. I see the same picture on both sides like it has a split screen. If i change the channel on my cable box then the picture goes back to normal. I can get it to repeat this every time. I run the cable box output at 1080i

Adjusting the tv volume initially takes about 5 seconds and then responds normally. The volume bar comes up on the screen right away, it just takes a while before it will move.

One other question. I have never had a lcd tv before and have nothing to compare to. It just seems like the blacks lack definition. Like if a person is wearing a black suit with grey stripes, i can barely make out the stripes. If I watch the same show on a regular tv it seems I can make the stripes out better. Is this a normal thing with lcd?
Bear in mind that I still have yet to fully calibrate the tv.

Never mind the last question. I have done some more reading and realize that this is normal.

Whatever is the problem it happened in whatever was changed from v1 to v2. I doubt the hardware changed significantly. It sounds like the bugs that were fixed from v1 to v2 were all firmware related.

But we do know that the hardware was changed (perhaps significantly) from Ver. 1 to Ver. 2. The Ver. 2 tuner board is different since it no longer has a SPDIF port, and the Ver. 2 I/O port board has changed since there is now a "mystery" port on the back panel. If the "mystery" port is to allow firmware upgrades, this in itself reflects another significant change since there would have been no apparent way to have upgraded the firmware on the Ver. 1 set.

It would not be out-of-the-question that all of the circuit boards in the Ver. 2 could be different than in Ver 1 without Sceptre changing the model #. Westinghouse has apparently switched to a completely different panel with their 37" - moving from an 800:1 to a 1000:1 panel on the fly without changing the model designation.

And AFAIK, there were NO bugs in Ver. 1 that were addressed/fixed in Ver. 2 (losing lamp setting, allowing to turn off autocontrast, etc.)


(BTW. It appears that Costco has extended the Rebate period until Jan 31st. My hunch is that this will be a continual, rolling rebate...Edit, it is unclear whether Costco is meaning to extend both the coupon and the rebate. They clearly show the price available now reflecting both, but the fine print is contradictory)

The antenna connector may have fallen off. Mine has a RCA by F connector adapter for both antenna connections. I was using a friction antenna cable connector and when I pulled it off the adapter came with it. I just pushed it back in to the TV.

Thanks John, I have already informed sceptre support with detailed screen shot of NTSC tuner part with my tv serial, part no. They said that i am missing BNC connector and sending that connector by mail.

Your analysis exactly fits it.

Silicon

Is it just me or is the Input switching slowwwwwwww. Seems weird to wait doing it with the harmony remote.

Does anyone have a weird problem with the activities where if you select one activity, The inputs won't switch correctly the 2nd time you goto that activity. Say instead of switching all the way to DVI it just goes to DTV and for anotehr activity instead of going to component it goes to just TV.

Anyone with a harmony remote have this similar problem?

[/QUOTE]Anyone with a harmony remote have this similar problem? [QUOTE]

No, I do not. I talked with a Tech dude at Harmony and he spent an hr with me, my Harmony 880 works great with my Sceptre. You do have to hold the remote at the screen for a few seconds while it changes inputs. It does find them though. I wanted to speed up the changing of the inputs, but you can only program the 880 as fast as your slowest input change on the Sceptre. That being TV Cable input, that one seems alot slower then the others. Hope this helps.

DyeLooper

I'm not using a harmony, but do want to program macros for the input changes. I want it to be as quick as possible, but to do so need to determine the minimum pauses between the commands. Trial and error has been frustrating inasmuch as sequences that seemingly work fine, don't work consistently.

Did the Harmony rep. provide any information on how long the pauses are between commands? Anybody else have such information? (It is my understanding that there simply are no discrete commands to change inputs, so this macro with pauses approach seems to be the only solution).

Anyone with a harmony remote have this similar problem?

No, I do not. I talked with a Tech dude at Harmony and he spent an hr with me, my Harmony 880 works great with my Sceptre. You do have to hold the remote at the screen for a few seconds while it changes inputs. It does find them though. I wanted to speed up the changing of the inputs, but you can only program the 880 as fast as your slowest input change on the Sceptre. That being TV Cable input, that one seems alot slower then the others. Hope this helps.

DyeLooper

Hmmm now i'm really worried my remote might be defective. it simply doesn't send the signals to change the inputs more than once which obviously doesn't change to the right input at all. So instead of Component I end up at CableTV and instead of DVI I end up at DTV

The thing that really puzzles me is that it works the first time I try it. Otherwise I have to resync it to the computer for it to work again =/ Well At least I know it's not the sceptre. Maybe the software is buggy?

I use the harmony 659. I had to call tech support to get things set up correctly as the web site would not let me. It works pretty good now but I still have to correct the inputs half of the time. That is actually another gripe of mine about the Sceptre. I really wish I could go straight to an input instead of having to cycle through all of them.
I have noticed a bright spot in the upper right corner of the screen. Not obvious to anyone unless I point it out and it is only noticable during bright scenes. It is about the size of a thumb tack. To describe it (it looks like someone is shining a pen light onto the screen) this, along with the split screen bug and the input switching thing makes me consider taking it back. But the pic is soooo nice.

When I talked to the rep that helped me with my Harmony. He was very knowledgable, maybe get ahold of the person who set mine up. My harmony name is (dyelooperr) All my inputs work great, Him & I worked together doing the timing of the inputs. Some of the things you can use the sceptre remote for still dont work on my Harmony, but I am not worried about those at this time. I wish ya'll luck

DyeLooper

Guys: My question is not related to this TV but on connecting my sharp TV to my laptop. Can you please point me to the right place since many of you are already using your TV as a monitor.

--------

Guys:

I am trying to connect my Sharp LC-37D5U TV to my laptop using VGA on laptop. I am using VGA-DVI adapter where VGA goes into my dell 6000 laptop and DVI-DVI cable into the TV on one end and into the adapter on the other. The laptop does not recognize any new hardware. I know Sharp TV has a DVI-I input. I think my cable is DVI cable is DVI-D.

RadioShack Adapter: http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2049614&cp=&kw=vga+to+dvi&parentPage=search

DVI Cable: Gefen


What am I doing wrong? Your input shall be appreciated. Thanks!

Make sure your cable has C1-4 in this picture:
http://www.interfacebus.com/Design_Connector_Digital_Visual_Interface_DVI_Bus.html

Next make sure you configure the Sharp DVI port to be "PC Analog"

I took delivery of my Sceptre X37SV-NAGA about a month ago, and I am very happy with my purchase. After scanning all of the forums, I really wasn't sure what to expect, but given Costco's return policy, I figured I had nothing to loose but time. I went with the Sceptre b/c at the time, the Westy was more expensive, not in stock anywhere, and [IMO] less attractive. I have a D* HD Tivo, and use an HDMI to HDMI connection. Aside from inherent LCD HDTV issues, such as poor black levels, I think the picture is outstanding. My previous set was a 32" Samsung 1080i CRT connected via component, and the difference is night and day. Not only does HD content look fantastic, but much of my SD content looks great too, which was a nice surprise since I still watch a lot of the D* geek channels between 265 and 289. The HD Tivo does a very good job upscaling to 1080i, and the Sceptre performs the 1080i to 1080p deinterlacing without any visible artifacts. I definitely seem to get a better picture when I let the HD Tivo do the upconversion though. The only artifacts I have really noticed are when watching certain DVDs on an older 480i DVD player (my 480p player crapped out a few months ago), but only when viewing close-up. That being said, most of the DVDs I watch scale up to 1080p beautifully - especially Pixar flicks. I also like the way that when paired with the HD Tivo, I never have to fiddle with anything. The HD Tivo automatically scales the picture and aspect ratio to match the source, and the 1080i output setting seems to look the best for all content, so I don't have to toggle that either. This pairing has proved to be very low-maintenance combination. My only experience with using the Sceptre as a PC monitor is through the VGA port, driven by an HP TC1100 tablet - which is definitely not an optimal combo. The results are ok, but I didn't expect much. It's good enough to check out sports scores, and other text-based content.

I paid $1499, plus 5% tax and $75 in shipping. It came in a week, with only one stuck pixel in the top right corner, which can't even be seen unless the screen is blank - and even then, only from 5 feet or less. Since the poor Sceptre has taken so much abuse in this forum, I felt compelled to share my positive experience. I fully admit that I am not an HD expert, but I have definitely seen enough high dollar HD setups to know what looks good and what doesn't. As an HDTV, this is definitely worth checking out.

Now, I just need to get a 1080i or 1080p DVD player, and then I should be set. I sure hope it works as well for me when the PS3 rolls out.

P.S. No handshake or remote issues either....

ok...just saw the cable, I have the single-link DVD-D cable from the pictures on the link u mentioned above. so it does not have the C1-4. But I thought that DVI-I port can take DVI-D as well. Is that not true? Or does PC use really use C1-4 connectors?

ok...just saw the cable, I have the single-link DVD-D cable from the pictures on the link u mentioned above. so it does not have the C1-4. But I thought that DVI-I port can take DVI-D as well. Is that not true? Or does PC use really use C1-4 connectors?
The DVI-I port can accept DVI-D, DVI-A, and DVI-I cables. By accept I mean physically allow the plug to be connected. The actual VGA data though is carried on the pins I mentioned (plus others) so even though the DVI-I port "accepts" your DVI-D cable, the data for VGA is missing.

You need to use a DVI-I or DVI-A cable, which has those pins available.

The DVI-I port on Sharp can use DVI-D input, but your laptop is sending out VGA/DVI-A. The dongle you are using just changes the pin configuration from that of 15-pin dsub to DVI-A/DVI-I style.

Alright. Thanks for the clarification. Then I shall purchase the DVI-I cable now. Just gonna buy from monoprice I think. You dont think I should get a particular brand, right?

I can highly recommend monoprice.

Thanks :) I had a good experience with them as well. Thanks once again for your input.

Quick Q. I want to use the cable to watch DVDs on my LCD TV. Its better using the VGA-DVI cable for watching DVDs than using S-Video, right?

Under most normal situations the VGA would be better that svideo as an interconnect. One can create artificial situations or oddball problems could arise that could make svideo better, but I'd stick with VGA unless there is some issue.

Looking for some advice
I want to connect my computer, dvd, cable box to my sceptre.
The dvd has s-video and component (the three seperate red green and blue) outputs
the cable box (high def) has dvi and component outputs
the computer has vga and dvi

I am willing to buy adapters or whatever you suggest

The monitor only has one hdmi plus a bunch of others as you all know. what do you think is the best way to connect all 3 to the monitor?

Also, what software do i need to control the video output of the computer to the monitor? I would prefer linux software but if I must use windblows software I will.

Has anyone had any problems with red artifacts on the left hand side of the screen? They are about 1 inch from the left and runs all the way up and down the screen. If I set the memory delay to 2 they almost go away but I can still see them during dark seens. If I set the delay to 1 they go away but then the blacks have blue specs. Hopefully this is just with this unit and a replacement will correct this.
This is with the hdmi input from cable box running 1080i.

Plug the cable box into the HDMI port. Plug the computer into the VGA port. Get rid of the DVD player and play DVDs through your computer (I bet it will look better anyway).

-J

Plug the cable box into the HDMI port. Plug the computer into the VGA port. Get rid of the DVD player and play DVDs through your computer (I bet it will look better anyway).

-J
have to keep the dvd player, wife and kids will freak. Besides, I need the optical out for digital surround.
But from you post it seems i should use the vga port for the computer. Will a dvi to vga adapter be ok? I want to keep the original vga port going to my main monitor.

I got my x37 v2 a few days ago. So far I haven't dug into it much because I'm having a few issues and don’t have a ton of time. Anyone got ideas?

Dell D 8400 with Radeon x300(OEM) hooked up with DVI to HDMI cable that came with the screen. (This happens on the VGA D-Sub too!)

1. I can't get 1920x1080 to fit the screen. The edges of Windows are past the edges of the X37. (IE can't see start menu, system tray etc...)
I can barely see the start menu on 1680x1050 Best I can think is the x300 is compensating and not running 1:1.

2. The color stinks! I get pink vertical lines on gray gradients and there are blocks of colors (blue, red, green) that show up on pictures and they flicker. The letters that I'm typing now have a green hue around them and shadows of themselves. I’ve tried all the adjustments in the X37 menu and the Catalyst control center without luck. YIKES!

3. If I have a good connection through HDMI, switch the source, and then come back the X37 won’t sync back with the signal from the PC and I get the blue standby screen.

I've shredded through some of these postings but haven't found something like this yet. I'm thinking it's the video card, but thought I'd ask before I spent the $ on a better card. Yes, it's got the latest ATI drivers installed! I've seen on other posts most people run NVIDIA, but I've always been an ATI fan. I'm not gaming too much on this machine and was thinking x850xt should cut it. Anyone else running that setup?

Once I get these resolved I’ll start testing with other devices looking for the other posted issues too!

Thanks, and I appreciate all the help!

Also, what software do i need to control the video output of the computer to the monitor? I would prefer linux software but if I must use windblows software I will.

I'm driving this TV from linux. Here is the modeline that is working pretty good for me:

ModeLine "1920x1080" 158.318 1920 2440 2480 2640 1080 1084 1089 1125 +hsync +vsync

Note that this is a 53 Hz refresh rate. I was suffering from the dreaded tearing/juddering at 60 Hz. I still judder some with this modeline, but that may just be my HTPC. If you want to do something similar with Windows you will probably need Powerstrip. I don't have Windows, so someone else will have to help you there.

Note also that this is over the VGA port. I haven't been able to get the DVI/HDMI port to work at 1920x1080. Apparently there are bandwidth issues here w.r.t. DVI and you need to use a reduced blanking modeline (whatever that means). VGA is working so well for me that I haven't been very motivated to get 1920x1080 working over DVI. Lower resolutions like 1024x768 work fine over DVI for me (no special modelines required).

I got my x37 v2 a few days ago. So far I haven't dug into it much because I'm having a few issues and don’t have a ton of time. Anyone got ideas?

Dell D 8400 with Radeon x300(OEM) hooked up with DVI to HDMI cable that came with the screen. (This happens on the VGA D-Sub too!)

1. I can't get 1920x1080 to fit the screen. The edges of Windows are past the edges of the X37. (IE can't see start menu, system tray etc...)
I can barely see the start menu on 1680x1050 Best I can think is the x300 is compensating and not running 1:1.

2. The color stinks! I get pink vertical lines on gray gradients and there are blocks of colors (blue, red, green) that show up on pictures and they flicker. The letters that I'm typing now have a green hue around them and shadows of themselves. I’ve tried all the adjustments in the X37 menu and the Catalyst control center without luck. YIKES!

3. If I have a good connection through HDMI, switch the source, and then come back the X37 won’t sync back with the signal from the PC and I get the blue standby screen.

I've shredded through some of these postings but haven't found something like this yet. I'm thinking it's the video card, but thought I'd ask before I spent the $ on a better card. Yes, it's got the latest ATI drivers installed! I've seen on other posts most people run NVIDIA, but I've always been an ATI fan. I'm not gaming too much on this machine and was thinking x850xt should cut it. Anyone else running that setup?

Once I get these resolved I’ll start testing with other devices looking for the other posted issues too!

Thanks, and I appreciate all the help!

I have none of those problem with a rev 1 unit while hooked up to my laptop with a X700.

I got my x37 v2 a few days ago. So far I haven't dug into it much because I'm having a few issues and don’t have a ton of time. Anyone got ideas?

Dell D 8400 with Radeon x300(OEM) hooked up with DVI to HDMI cable that came with the screen. (This happens on the VGA D-Sub too!)

1. I can't get 1920x1080 to fit the screen. The edges of Windows are past the edges of the X37. (IE can't see start menu, system tray etc...)
I can barely see the start menu on 1680x1050 Best I can think is the x300 is compensating and not running 1:1.

2. The color stinks! I get pink vertical lines on gray gradients and there are blocks of colors (blue, red, green) that show up on pictures and they flicker. The letters that I'm typing now have a green hue around them and shadows of themselves. I’ve tried all the adjustments in the X37 menu and the Catalyst control center without luck. YIKES!

3. If I have a good connection through HDMI, switch the source, and then come back the X37 won’t sync back with the signal from the PC and I get the blue standby screen.

I've shredded through some of these postings but haven't found something like this yet. I'm thinking it's the video card, but thought I'd ask before I spent the $ on a better card. Yes, it's got the latest ATI drivers installed! I've seen on other posts most people run NVIDIA, but I've always been an ATI fan. I'm not gaming too much on this machine and was thinking x850xt should cut it. Anyone else running that setup?

Once I get these resolved I’ll start testing with other devices looking for the other posted issues too!

Thanks, and I appreciate all the help!

#2 (the color stinks) Try the memory delay, I get the same pink noise unless I change the delay to 2.

#3 I get the same thing but what I get is a split screen with the same image on each side. If i switch channels on the cable box it corrects itself.

I have a VHF/UHF antenna in the attic, which has never worked too well with NTSC --- I think that the cable run is too long, even with an amplifier in the attic. However, the HDTV transmitters are only 6 miles away, and I'm hoping to get a much better digital signal than I have analog. From what I've read, this same antenna might just work, so I should try it before getting an HDTV-specific antenna. Is that correct?


There is no sure thing as an HDTV antenna. it is just a marketing ploy. HDTV signal is broadcast over the UHF/VHF spectrum

HTPC'ers,

Just a heads up...I switched back to NVIDIA's 78.01 just to check some things out. The "Advanced Timings" screen now works perfectly, all settings stick. I was able to ditch Powerstrip and just use the drivers to dial it down to 53.307Hz. I also believe that the 78 series supports Component out...that the 81 series broke (I use DVI-HDMI). The card is a Gigabyte NV-66T128VP (6600GT) using the latest BIOS (5.43.02.66 March '05). HD looked good even though this driver supposedly doesn't do HD De-Interlacing.

P

I got my x37 v2 a few days ago. So far I haven't dug into it much because I'm having a few issues and don’t have a ton of time. Anyone got ideas?

Dell D 8400 with Radeon x300(OEM) hooked up with DVI to HDMI cable that came with the screen. (This happens on the VGA D-Sub too!)

1. I can't get 1920x1080 to fit the screen. The edges of Windows are past the edges of the X37. (IE can't see start menu, system tray etc...)
I can barely see the start menu on 1680x1050 Best I can think is the x300 is compensating and not running 1:1.

2. The color stinks! I get pink vertical lines on gray gradients and there are blocks of colors (blue, red, green) that show up on pictures and they flicker. The letters that I'm typing now have a green hue around them and shadows of themselves. I’ve tried all the adjustments in the X37 menu and the Catalyst control center without luck. YIKES!

3. If I have a good connection through HDMI, switch the source, and then come back the X37 won’t sync back with the signal from the PC and I get the blue standby screen.

I've shredded through some of these postings but haven't found something like this yet. I'm thinking it's the video card, but thought I'd ask before I spent the $ on a better card. Yes, it's got the latest ATI drivers installed! I've seen on other posts most people run NVIDIA, but I've always been an ATI fan. I'm not gaming too much on this machine and was thinking x850xt should cut it. Anyone else running that setup?

Once I get these resolved I’ll start testing with other devices looking for the other posted issues too!

Thanks, and I appreciate all the help!


I am having color issues as well, using the hdmi to dvi i have 2 visible redish bands running down the left side about 8 inches apart. I have tried all the settings on the x37 i can see and while some seem to make less it doesnt go away, any ideas?

Well I returned mine. :( Bought a sony KDF-E42A10. :) Plugged it in, pic is nice, no strange colors running down the left hand side. No fiddling with memory delays. Volume respons like it should. When I switch inputs everything stays correct, no split screen. The Sceptre could be a nice tv but the bugs were just to much. The sony just feels and looks more solid. Yes, I lost resoltion, but for me the Sceptre was to buggy.

So, is this set even worth thinking about? I see the costco price and I think... not bad for a cheap bedroom set. But, then I flash back to my "cheap" LCD issues with Syntax and have serious second thoughts. Do I take a chance on a set that is affordable or not? We just moved and the timing was perfect were the syntax set went back for a full refund and I've got that money to play with, but I've also got another room now that needs a display.


One big concern from reading is the HDTivo issue, can Sceptre really say it's the tivo's fault? I'd think that there's some communication problem between the display and the tivo when the set turns off that confuses the tivo, but I know NOTHING about DHCP or even DVI singal, is it bi-directional where the set talks back to the STB? I have never had an issue with my PR0-630HD, but that's using a HDMI->DVI cable. I have no devices in the house that work DVI->DVI. But, it sure sounds like the Sceptre is really the problem. The TS response another user posted was funny, proof they don't know of what they speak.



I'm also confused of the use of judder in this thread are folk (aside from the one that corrected himself to say 'tearing') using the wrong terms? Is this the tear that isn't uncommon on LCD displays? I didn't read the full 53+ pages so it may have been addressed somewhere else, but I'm asking because I can't read and it takes me a full day to "read" one page of posts.


Costco and the nice return policy is a HUGE reason to think about this set, but there are others too. I'm just really unsure about the quality after dealing with Syntax. Can you believe Syntax QA only had ONE Samsung HD STB that was used for testing the 27 and 30" sets that were released last year? How that for making sure it will work with what consumers have?!?!?! I could go on for hours about what they did poorly, I'm thinking these other companies are also in it for the quick $.

I got my x37 v2 a few days ago. So far I haven't dug into it much because I'm having a few issues and don’t have a ton of time. Anyone got ideas?

Dell D 8400 with Radeon x300(OEM) hooked up with DVI to HDMI cable that came with the screen. (This happens on the VGA D-Sub too!)




Well I'll admit I'm new to much of this HDTV LCD Stuff!
I fixed most of my issues through the Catalyst driver. Buried deep in the settings are choices to add HDTV resolutions. I kept thinking the settings had to be 1080P because most of the talk here regards that. I added the 1080i settings and found the sweet spot on 1080i optimized (1776x1000 @ 30hz) Most of the 3 issues cleared up.

I'll start looking for some of the other issues later today and get back what I've found. Thanks! ;')

1. I can't get 1920x1080 to fit the screen. The edges of Windows are past the edges of the X37. (IE can't see start menu, system tray etc...)
I can barely see the start menu on 1680x1050 Best I can think is the x300 is compensating and not running 1:1.

2. The color stinks! I get pink vertical lines on gray gradients and there are blocks of colors (blue, red, green) that show up on pictures and they flicker. The letters that I'm typing now have a green hue around them and shadows of themselves. I’ve tried all the adjustments in the X37 menu and the Catalyst control center without luck. YIKES!


I know the top issues are because you are not in DVI mode on the TV - press the SOURCE PC button until you get to DVI showing as the source.

Has anyone had any problems with red artifacts on the left hand side of the screen? They are about 1 inch from the left and runs all the way up and down the screen. If I set the memory delay to 2 they almost go away but I can still see them during dark seens. If I set the delay to 1 they go away but then the blacks have blue specs. Hopefully this is just with this unit and a replacement will correct this.
This is with the hdmi input from cable box running 1080i.
Are you running the TV source set to DVI?

ya you need to make sure your on the pc source dvi else screen doesnt sync up right, i had that issue initially. Anyone have any ideas on these vertical color bands? i want to make sure its not jsut some setting i can change and that it is problem with the set. Please let me know if anyone has any ideas, you can see what im talking about in the pic i posted earlier

ya you need to make sure your on the pc source dvi else screen doesnt sync up right, i had that issue initially. Anyone have any ideas on these vertical color bands? i want to make sure its not jsut some setting i can change and that it is problem with the set. Please let me know if anyone has any ideas, you can see what im talking about in the pic i posted earlier

It gives me a black screen and "DVI-No Signal" when I switch over. Only HDMI and HDCP work. As mentioned in my first post, I have to shut down the machine once I switch inputs because it won't pick up the signal again. I don't get the half screen like some. I don't have the color bands or the funny flickering pixels with the settings I mentioned in the first post. I think I might see this "jitter" everyone is talking about when I open up menus. I'm still "testing."

ya needs to be SOURCE PC and then DVI not HDMI or anything else. Once i did that it syncs up fine. my issue are these color problems with the vertical redish band running down the left side and middle. Can see with black screen or when other colors against it. I can see when computer is off so i dont think its a computer issue but i cant figure out monitor setting to clear it up

ya needs to be SOURCE PC and then DVI not HDMI or anything else. Once i did that it syncs up fine. my issue are these color problems with the vertical redish band running down the left side and middle. Can see with black screen or when other colors against it. I can see when computer is off so i dont think its a computer issue but i cant figure out monitor setting to clear it up

A picture would help but it sounds like an issue I had with an Olevia Syntax. It developed 2 narrow vertical bands on all inputs. Syntax said it was a defective display and sent me a new one.

Are you running the TV source set to DVI?

I could never get that input to work. I used a dvi to hdmi adapter and then the tv would accept hdmi or hdcp as the inputs.

A picture would help but it sounds like an issue I had with an Olevia Syntax. It developed 2 narrow vertical bands on all inputs. Syntax said it was a defective display and sent me a new one.


http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=31&threadid=1775816

Check this thread, i have link from there apparently i you cant go to it from here

Can see the bands there

ya needs to be SOURCE PC and then DVI not HDMI or anything else. Once i did that it syncs up fine. my issue are these color problems with the vertical redish band running down the left side and middle. Can see with black screen or when other colors against it. I can see when computer is off so i dont think its a computer issue but i cant figure out monitor setting to clear it up

Cool! I had to shut the pc off, then switch to dvi then turn the pc back on. It stayed with dvi and didn't auto detect HDMI. This is the best picture I've seen on this screen! I switched over to the 1920x1080p and WOW! I become more and more impressed with this X37 the more I mess with it! That's why I'm here, because y'all! Thanks! I'll keep testing and tweaking! ;')

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=31&threadid=1775816

Check this thread, i have link from there apparently i you cant go to it from here

Can see the bands there

Those are wider than the bands I had but still similar. I would call Sceptre tech support and report the problem. Syntax had me e-mail a picture of display and sent me a new TV as soon as they looked at the picture.

I'm running Windows on it using 1920x1080 with DVI input now, and it looks fantastic. But I'll build a Linux box to drive it too, and buy an HDMI switch to share it. Have you tried DVI output from your linux box and using the following mode line:
ModeLine "ATSC-1080-60p" 148.5 1920 1960 2016 2200 1080 1082 1088 1125

or

ModeLine "ATSC-1080-60p" 148.4 1920 1960 2016 2200 1080 1082 1088 1125 +hsync +vsync

It should look the same as in Windows. That's what I'm gonna try.

BTW, I couldn't be happier with it.



I'm driving this TV from linux. Here is the modeline that is working pretty good for me:

ModeLine "1920x1080" 158.318 1920 2440 2480 2640 1080 1084 1089 1125 +hsync +vsync


Note that this is a 53 Hz refresh rate. I was suffering from the dreaded tearing/juddering at 60 Hz. I still judder some with this modeline, but that may just be my HTPC. If you want to do something similar with Windows you will probably need Powerstrip. I don't have Windows, so someone else will have to help you there.

Note also that this is over the VGA port. I haven't been able to get the DVI/HDMI port to work at 1920x1080. Apparently there are bandwidth issues here w.r.t. DVI and you need to use a reduced blanking modeline (whatever that means). VGA is working so well for me that I haven't been very motivated to get 1920x1080 working over DVI. Lower resolutions like 1024x768 work fine over DVI for me (no special modelines required).

You have select DVI (NOT hdmi or hdcp) from the "source PC" button, and then power on the computer and then set resolution to be 1920x1080 in windows, then Bingo! pix-2-pix super clear picture shows up.

I couldn't be happier with my unit. All I need to do next is to build a linux box to drive it and buy an HDMI switch to share it among multiple HDMI/DVI sources (OPPO upconvert dvd player, 2 PCs, and future PS3).


I got my x37 v2 a few days ago. So far I haven't dug into it much because I'm having a few issues and don’t have a ton of time. Anyone got ideas?

Dell D 8400 with Radeon x300(OEM) hooked up with DVI to HDMI cable that came with the screen. (This happens on the VGA D-Sub too!)

1. I can't get 1920x1080 to fit the screen. The edges of Windows are past the edges of the X37. (IE can't see start menu, system tray etc...)
I can barely see the start menu on 1680x1050 Best I can think is the x300 is compensating and not running 1:1.

2. The color stinks! I get pink vertical lines on gray gradients and there are blocks of colors (blue, red, green) that show up on pictures and they flicker. The letters that I'm typing now have a green hue around them and shadows of themselves. I’ve tried all the adjustments in the X37 menu and the Catalyst control center without luck. YIKES!

3. If I have a good connection through HDMI, switch the source, and then come back the X37 won’t sync back with the signal from the PC and I get the blue standby screen.

I've shredded through some of these postings but haven't found something like this yet. I'm thinking it's the video card, but thought I'd ask before I spent the $ on a better card. Yes, it's got the latest ATI drivers installed! I've seen on other posts most people run NVIDIA, but I've always been an ATI fan. I'm not gaming too much on this machine and was thinking x850xt should cut it. Anyone else running that setup?

Once I get these resolved I’ll start testing with other devices looking for the other posted issues too!

Thanks, and I appreciate all the help!

You have select DVI (NOT hdmi or hdcp) from the "source PC" button, and then power on the computer and then set resolution to be 1920x1080 in windows, then Bingo! pix-2-pix super clear picture shows up.

I couldn't be happier with my unit. All I need to do next is to build a linux box to drive it and buy an HDMI switch to share it among multiple HDMI/DVI sources (OPPO upconvert dvd player, 2 PCs, and future PS3).
I don't know how Sceptre has implemented there HDMI 1080p support but from the description of how you enable PC 1920x1080 display, it sounds like HDCP is not supported for 1080p. If that is the case then it seems Sceptre will be limited to 1080i input when BluRay/HD-DVD comes around as they will require HDCP support for the HDMI output, which it appears Sceptre only supports up to 1080i. The same issue might be present for Windows Vista with HiDef video playback (but not for windows desktop)

If I'm reading this incorrectly someone please correct me.

I don't know how Sceptre has implemented there HDMI 1080p support but from the description of how you enable PC 1920x1080 display, it sounds like HDCP is not supported for 1080p. If that is the case then it seems Sceptre will be limited to 1080i input when BluRay/HD-DVD comes around as they will require HDCP support for the HDMI output, which it appears Sceptre only supports up to 1080i. The same issue might be present for Windows Vista with HiDef video playback (but not for windows desktop)

If I'm reading this incorrectly someone please correct me.

1080p@60 from PC works on all HDMI, HDCP, DVI settings on the Sceptre HDMI input. The HDMI and HDCP have overscan and the picture does no fit on the screen, the DVI is 1:1.

Would you folks that have just gotten your monitor take a few minutes and run juddertest? It would be interesting to see if Sceptre has fixed the ripping/tearing in the latest batch of these monitors. I'm still trying to figure out what to do about mine...

1080p@60 from PC works on all HDMI, HDCP, DVI settings on the Sceptre HDMI input. The HDMI and HDCP have overscan and the picture does no fit on the screen, the DVI is 1:1.
Thank you for the clarification that PC mode is mainly to turn off overscan. The labelling of these options is somewhat confusing.

Would you folks that have just gotten your monitor take a few minutes and run juddertest? It would be interesting to see if Sceptre has fixed the ripping/tearing in the latest batch of these monitors. I'm still trying to figure out what to do about mine...


I got mine last week, and running juddertest at 1080p causes the jagged lines, reducing down to 53hz via powerstrip eliminates

When I talked to the rep that helped me with my Harmony. He was very knowledgable, maybe get ahold of the person who set mine up. My harmony name is (dyelooperr) All my inputs work great, Him & I worked together doing the timing of the inputs. Some of the things you can use the sceptre remote for still dont work on my Harmony, but I am not worried about those at this time. I wish ya'll luck

DyeLooper


hmm the harmony software is a bit slow, is there a direct URL? Also what is a harmony name? heh

on a side note it looks like Sceptre Jacked themselves up on the V2 of this TV. It's really dissapointing because you would think they would improve upon thier mistakes.

Did anyone post their contrast and brightness settings for TV watching in this thread as of yet? This thread is 50+ pages and it would take me a long time to find it. If so, can someone guide me to the right page or post them again?

Thanks very much.

Try Post 880 on Page 30.

Did anyone post their contrast and brightness settings for TV watching in this thread as of yet? This thread is 50+ pages and it would take me a long time to find it. If so, can someone guide me to the right page or post them again?

Thanks very much.

Somebody ran a Spyder on it: 133 contrast, Color Temp at high, Lamp at 0. Black Level doesn't matter as it doesn't work. This is for HDMI. I use my decoders for the rest of the adjustment (HTPC).

P

Bit of a strange question...

I'm looking at the Sceptre but live in Canada. Does anyone know, can you order this TV from Costco online with a Canadian member ship?

Is there any Canadians out there that have got this unit?

Any help would be great, thanks!

D

Thanks guys for the TV settings...I'll try that.

Another question...for PC sound I'm plugging into the line in on the Sceptre and then trying to use the red and white line out from the Sceptre to my receiver. (I'm not sure I can go from my laptop directly into my receiver because I don't see that type of input on the receiver...I'm just using the headphone jack out). Anyway....I can't hear the PC sound from my receiver. Am I doing something wrong....I can't tell if it's the Sceptre settings or if it's something with my receiver.

Any ideas would help. I'd like to go directly into my receiver from the laptop but not sure it that's possible.

nygiants: Just go to radioshack (or equivalent). They'll sell you a "headphone-->RCA" cable that will allow you to plug your laptop directly into your receiver.

Not sure what's wrong with your Sceptre hookup, but you really don't want it in the path anyway.

My Harmony Name-My Login to the Harmony Website. They can probably find who helped me by my harmony login name.

DyeLooper

Try these:

Contrast 29
Brightness 32
Sharpness 5
Color 35
Tint +2
Vivid off
Skin off
Green off
Blue H
Gamma off


DyeLooper

I just received a coupon book from Costco that shows a 42" 1080i Naga going on sale in March. As one of the original purchasers of the 37" model I have been quite satisfied with my Naga but the idea of the extra screen size and 1080i makes me glad I bought it from Costco. I will now be working on my wife till then to convince her that the 37" would look great in the bedroom and that the new screen would be a better fit for the home theater room (or as she calls it the "boy's room"). If I can't talk my wife into the 42" I may be taking the 37" back to Costco if that doesn't work. This is why you buy from Costco and not Good Guys.

I just received a coupon book from Costco that shows a 42" 1080i Naga going on sale in March. As one of the original purchasers of the 37" model I have been quite satisfied with my Naga but the idea of the extra screen size and 1080i makes me glad I bought it from Costco. I will now be working on my wife till then to convince her that the 37" would look great in the bedroom and that the new screen would be a better fit for the home theater room (or as she calls it the "boy's room"). If I can't talk my wife into the 42" I may be taking the 37" back to Costco if that doesn't work. This is why you buy form Costco and not Good Guys.

Why do you think that the 42" is going to be 1080i? Surely it will be 1080p like the 37".

Why do you think that the 42" is going to be 1080i? Surely it will be 1080p like the 37".

As far as I know the Naga is capable of both 1080i and 1080p but either way it will be similar to the 37" just a lot "bigger"

I received that coupon book also. I'm curious what the price will be for the 42". I'm sure the specs will be similar to the 37".

You have select DVI (NOT hdmi or hdcp) from the "source PC" button, and then power on the computer and then set resolution to be 1920x1080 in windows, then Bingo! pix-2-pix super clear picture shows up.
Okay...X37SV. PC has PCI Express with Sapphire Radeon X800GTO 256MB. I hook up the DVI to HDMI cable to the Sceptre. Boot PC and Sceptre remains black with "no signal". Only way I can see Windows XP desktop is with VGA PC source. From Catalyst controls (latest version issued last December) I can set 1920 x 1080 @30 or 60 Hz but get shimmer/jitter effect in screen and it is sized way way off. Switch to DVI source and the screen is still black with "no signal". Turn off PC and reboot and screen remains black with "no signal". Turn off PC and disconnect VGA cable...reboot and Sceptre screen remains black with "no signal".

My gut feeling is that the X800GTO is at fault and that my easiest solution is to upgrade to a card that supports HDTV better and supports PC and HDTV out of one DVI-I plug converted to VGA for that source on the Sceptre.

A friend has a Nvidia 6800 which has two DVI-I outputs and he converts one to VGA to the Sceptre and it all works flaulessly.

I'm interested in DVI too--especially if the PC gaming pictures really are significantly better. BUT will the Sceptre display all PC resolutions up to the Sceptre's max resolution through the HDMI DVI connector or will it only display HDTV resolutions?

I would like to do my PC gaming via the VGA input and reserve the HDMI DVI connection for the Xbox 360 (and/or later the PS3) assuming it would be a notch better then component and HDTV wouldn't be an issue.

If you had to start all over again what/whose graphics card would you get and why for best gaming affects?

Does ATI's Avivo Technology really produce more vivid colors?

Thanks much for the input.

--Evenstar (now continuing to read the last posts of this thread for answers that I have just asked :)

As far as I know the Naga is capable of both 1080i and 1080p but either way it will be similar to the 37" just a lot "bigger"
I don't believe 1080i is similar to 1080p at all. What max PC VGA resolution does this 42" give? If they are saying 1080i then they are limiting it to that aren't they?

--Evenstar

Bit of a strange question...

I'm looking at the Sceptre but live in Canada. Does anyone know, can you order this TV from Costco online with a Canadian member ship?

Is there any Canadians out there that have got this unit?

Any help would be great, thanks!

D

I live in the US and my order was shipped from Canada so I am guessing yes.

I don't believe 1080i is similar to 1080p at all. What max PC VGA resolution does this 42" give? If they are saying 1080i then they are limiting it to that aren't they?

--Evenstar

Sceptre's website states the 37" screen is capable of "both" 1080i and 1080p. I would think this depends on what is input to the screen. As far as the 42" goes, there is only Costco's coupon book to go by and it states "1920 x 1080 resolution". The 42" specs should be at least as good as the 37" and perhaps they will finally add the optical out and address some of the other quirks from the original NAGA. Only time will tell.

I use the VGA connection to my HTPC (PIV-3.4, 2GB DDR, ATI AIW 800 XT, HDTV Wonder) and it displays at 1920 x 1080. As the computer boots up the on-screen display indicates 640 x 480 and then switches to 1920 x 1080 after Windows loads. I also just hooked up my new Sony 400 disc DVD/CD/SACD changer through the HDMI input and the up-scaled picture looks very close to that of my HTPC through VGA. Sweet!!!!!!!

The DVI-I port can accept DVI-D, DVI-A, and DVI-I cables. By accept I mean physically allow the plug to be connected. The actual VGA data though is carried on the pins I mentioned (plus others) so even though the DVI-I port "accepts" your DVI-D cable, the data for VGA is missing.

You need to use a DVI-I or DVI-A cable, which has those pins available.

The DVI-I port on Sharp can use DVI-D input, but your laptop is sending out VGA/DVI-A. The dongle you are using just changes the pin configuration from that of 15-pin dsub to DVI-A/DVI-I style.


sfhub: Thanks for the info. If I use this cable (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10209&cs_id=1020905&p_id=602&seq=1&format=2&style=) from Monoprice, will the signal be sent in 480i or can it be sent in 720p/1080i as well? Also, would I be able to see the video/dvd on TV in widescreen format, just like I can on my laptop? With s-video I can only do 4:3 it seems. Thanks.

sfhub: Thanks for the info. If I use this cable (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10209&cs_id=1020905&p_id=602&seq=1&format=2&style=) from Monoprice, will the signal be sent in 480i or can it be sent in 720p/1080i as well? Also, would I be able to see the video/dvd on TV in widescreen format, just like I can on my laptop? With s-video I can only do 4:3 it seems. Thanks.
I've lost track of what display you are using. I'm answering specifically for the Sharp displays. Yes that cable will work fine.

If you configure the Sharp DVI-I port as PC analog it will accept resolutions like 800x600 1024x768, 1280x1024.

If you configure the Sharp DVI-I port as AV analog it will accept 480p/720p/1080i.

Your laptop may or may not be able to send out HDTV resolutions. It can range from very easy, to need some cajoling, to can't get it working.

Yes, I do have the Sharp 37'' LCD. So I can setup sharp both as PC-Analog and AV analog while pulling the video feed from my laptop. Did not know that. When the cable comes, I shall try that. Does any option have any drawbacks/advantages? This (http://www.ati.com/products/mobilityradeonx300/specs.html) is the graphics card on my dell laptop. Mentions this line "Optimized support for wide-aspect LCD panels and HDTV output". Not sure what it means though :)

I was torn between ordering the Westy 37" or the Sceptre 37" for use almost entirely as a PC monitor.

After reading all the judder issues with the Sceptre I am going with the Westy - even though its 12 ms response time is slower. After reading the Westy threads and some PMs with West owners that is not a major issue.

I just spent a lot of $$ upgrading my PC for gaming on a large display at 1080P. That includes two NVIDIA 7800GT OCs in SLI mode. I do alot of PC gaming, especially Battlefield 2 and NO WAY will I accept this judder people are talking about on the Sceptre.

If antyone from Sceptre is reading this (or cares) I suggest you fix the problems. I can tell you first hand it is costing you sales. Not just this 37" unit but perhaps your upcoming 42"er as well. I will very soon be in the market for a 42" LCD for my bedroom. Wifey says since I spent the $$ on the 37" LCD for my PC as well as the PC upgrades I HAVE to get a bigger TV for our room. Oh, well, I guess she twisted my arm - anything to keep her happy :) I can tell you that I will likely NOT seriously consider the 42" Sceptre due to all the negatives I am reading here about the 37" model.

I'm thinking of purchasing the Sceptre X37SV. I've never owned an HDTV and am anxious to get one and this unit fits my budget. My primary usage will be for TV (SD & HD) and DVD viewing. I may try it as a PC monitor, but it won't be the primary use. I've read about many problems with this unit but most seems to be due to using it as a PC monitor.

Without me having to read all the posts in this thread ... will the X37SV do what I want it to do or is this unit not worth considering?

Thanks.

well i just returned mine to costco because of the color bar issue i stated earlier. It had that judder issue as well. Im going to reorder from costco now and hopefully one that arrives wont have any issues :) else its back to 24" dell

I'm thinking of purchasing the Sceptre X37SV. I've never owned an HDTV and am anxious to get one and this unit fits my budget. My primary usage will be for TV (SD & HD) and DVD viewing. I may try it as a PC monitor, but it won't be the primary use. I've read about many problems with this unit but most seems to be due to using it as a PC monitor.

Without me having to read all the posts in this thread ... will the X37SV do what I want it to do or is this unit not worth considering?

I'm using this TV in the same way you wish too. I love it, just wish it had 1 more HDMI, other then that, it's GREAT!!

DyeLooper
Thanks.

I'm thinking of purchasing the Sceptre X37SV. I've never owned an HDTV and am anxious to get one and this unit fits my budget. My primary usage will be for TV (SD & HD) and DVD viewing. I may try it as a PC monitor, but it won't be the primary use. I've read about many problems with this unit but most seems to be due to using it as a PC monitor.

Without me having to read all the posts in this thread ... will the X37SV do what I want it to do or is this unit not worth considering?

Thanks.

I hate to knock this monitor but I had to return mine. I dont know if it was just mine but I always had to adjust the memory delay when I switched for my dvd to my hi def cable box, or I had blue vertical streaks on the left side. also had a weird issue with the volume as it would be slow to respond, about five seconds. I emailed sceptre about the memory delay issue and this is there response.

Dear Customer,

Most likely your 2 units of inputting into the TV has different operating
frequencies next to each other. There is no way to solve this except maybe
trying another brand of dvd player?

so in other words, i have to buy equipment to match the monitor. No thanks.

I purchased a sony wega 42a10 and I love it. Great pic and it just plain works great. But, in all fairness, this is a tv. the sceptre, in my opinion, is more of a monitor. If you can deal with the bugs, the sceptre has the resolution.

Looks like Sceptre has posted the initial specs for the 42" LCDTV with pictures.

Looks like they are going with an external "media" box for all inputs.
Same Remote.
No apparent optical out.
1920x1080 (including 1920x1080@60 PC input)
Almost identical inputs as the 37"
Detachable bottom mounting speakers (westinghouse 37" style)

Find info here:
42" Sceptre Spec Page (http://www.sceptre.com/Products/LCD/Specifications/spec_X42SV-Naga.htm)

Find Pics here:
42" Sceptre Pics (http://www.sceptre.com/Products/LCD/Specifications/View_x42sv-Naga.htm)

Pretty much what I was expecting. I was hoping for an accessible optical output however. Hopefully they at least fixed all the bugs from the 37".

I have the version one set and love the picture when driven from my htpc. But the auto contrast problem on the component input is driving me crazy. I think this set is going back to Costco as soon as I decide what to replace it with. I have called Sceptre several times about this problem. I get the we’re working on it, I’ll let the engineers know about this, we’ll call you back as soon as it’s resolved. I’ve had this set since early September and now the problems with version 2.These guys just blow you off with an I don’t care blasé attitude. Thank God I bought it from Costco and that’s the only reason I took a chance with it. I suppose the 42inch is an option only because of Costco.

I went to CES, on the top of my list are the Syntax signature and the Westinghouse 42 and 47 1080p sets. I know Costco has sold some Syntax sets in the past. The perfect situation for me would be Costco selling the Syntax signature line; it’s a very special set indeed. Check out the threads on it.

Notice one of the features on the specs page:

" PC VGA Max resolution 1920 x 1080 @ 60hz"

Leads me to think that they are making sure the judder problem isnt there :)

I'm sort of a newb and have some easy questions (I think) about the 37" Sceptre that I just received.

1. Is there a DVI input on the Sceptre...I didn't see it. I have my STB hooked to the TV with an HDMI to HDMI connection. Picture is great...I think it's better than component. I'm thinking about getting a better DVD player but the HDMI connection on the set is being utilized by the STB. Is there a seperate DVI input on the Sceptre I can use for a new DVD player? I don't see it. What is that input port to the right of the HDMI input? It seems to small to be DVI so I'm not sure what that was....I didn't look at it closely enough.

2. I briefly hooked up my laptop to the set through VGA and was pretty happy with the results at 1080P. I was curious about this judder issue people are talking about. I know what it is but I'm not that familiar with it. At what point are people experiencing this judder?

3. Why is there a video selection labeled HDCP...I just read this is some type of content protection but should I be using it? Is there a difference between the HDCP and the HDMI selections?

4. I get a little confused about 1080i vs 720P resolutions. Isn't progressive always better? All I know is my STB sometimes transmits HD channels in 1080i or 720p and the Sceptre correctly displays the res in the upper left. I read that some people prefer 1080i...why would that be?

Thanks guys...you guys are always very helpful.

I must say the remote that comes with all of these TVs is a piece of crap. I wish they'd at least make them somewhat aesthetically pleasing, instead of looking like it belongs to some '80s VCR.

On a side note, the media box for the 42" is in a interesting idea...

I notice that all of the spec data on the 42" is just a direct copy of the 37" data (size, weight, pixel pitch, etc). So the only real new information at this point are the pictures.

I'm sort of a newb and have some easy questions (I think) about the 37" Sceptre that I just received.

1. Is there a DVI input on the Sceptre...I didn't see it. I have my STB hooked to the TV with an HDMI to HDMI connection. Picture is great...I think it's better than component. I'm thinking about getting a better DVD player but the HDMI connection on the set is being utilized by the STB. Is there a seperate DVI input on the Sceptre I can use for a new DVD player? I don't see it. What is that input port to the right of the HDMI input? It seems to small to be DVI so I'm not sure what that was....I didn't look at it closely enough.

2. I briefly hooked up my laptop to the set through VGA and was pretty happy with the results at 1080P. I was curious about this judder issue people are talking about. I know what it is but I'm not that familiar with it. At what point are people experiencing this judder?

3. Why is there a video selection labeled HDCP...I just read this is some type of content protection but should I be using it? Is there a difference between the HDCP and the HDMI selections?

4. I get a little confused about 1080i vs 720P resolutions. Isn't progressive always better? All I know is my STB sometimes transmits HD channels in 1080i or 720p and the Sceptre correctly displays the res in the upper left. I read that some people prefer 1080i...why would that be?

Thanks guys...you guys are always very helpful.


1) DVI uses the same HDMI port. You need to get a HDMI<->DVI cable. There isn't a seperate port. I'm not sure about the mystery port you are asking about. It might be the USB port for firmware upgrades.

2) For me, the judder/tearing is very visible when playing video over VGA or DVI. I'm not sure about the other inputs. This may primarily be an issues for Home Theater PC users. I don't have any component or HDMI sources to test those inputs. If I put the monitor in HDMI mode while being driven by my PC, it appears as if the judder/tearing gets better, but is still somewhat visible. The real way to test this is to drive the monitor from your PC and run the "juddertest" application.

3) Dunno

4) Complicated question/answer. I'll defer to google and/or someone else.

Make sure your video card is outputting and detecting the digital display (DVI to Sceptre). The easies way to sort this out is to:
- remove your graphics adapter from the Device Manager (if you are using Windows) and shut down PC.
- unplug the VGA conection from your video card
- plug in your DVI-to-HDMI between the PC and Sceptre
- set Sceptre to DVI mode
- Start PC - it should find the graphics adapter and output to the only available device - Sceptre on DVI
- Set resolution to 1920x1080
- Update graphics driver to whatever version you favor.

Okay...X37SV. PC has PCI Express with Sapphire Radeon X800GTO 256MB. I hook up the DVI to HDMI cable to the Sceptre. Boot PC and Sceptre remains black with "no signal". Only way I can see Windows XP desktop is with VGA PC source. From Catalyst controls (latest version issued last December) I can set 1920 x 1080 @30 or 60 Hz but get shimmer/jitter effect in screen and it is sized way way off. Switch to DVI source and the screen is still black with "no signal". Turn off PC and reboot and screen remains black with "no signal". Turn off PC and disconnect VGA cable...reboot and Sceptre screen remains black with "no signal".

My gut feeling is that the X800GTO is at fault and that my easiest solution is to upgrade to a card that supports HDTV better and supports PC and HDTV out of one DVI-I plug converted to VGA for that source on the Sceptre.

A friend has a Nvidia 6800 which has two DVI-I outputs and he converts one to VGA to the Sceptre and it all works flaulessly.

I'm interested in DVI too--especially if the PC gaming pictures really are significantly better. BUT will the Sceptre display all PC resolutions up to the Sceptre's max resolution through the HDMI DVI connector or will it only display HDTV resolutions?

I would like to do my PC gaming via the VGA input and reserve the HDMI DVI connection for the Xbox 360 (and/or later the PS3) assuming it would be a notch better then component and HDTV wouldn't be an issue.

If you had to start all over again what/whose graphics card would you get and why for best gaming affects?

Does ATI's Avivo Technology really produce more vivid colors?

Thanks much for the input.

--Evenstar (now continuing to read the last posts of this thread for answers that I have just asked :)

I have another question regarding PC hookup to this Sceptre. I have a Dell 600m hooked up via VGA (no DVI out on laptop) and I am getting a good picture at 1080P.

My plan is to add a Dell dock station so I can just swap the laptop in and out when I feel like it with everything else connected. The dock station has a DVI out that I would like to use instead of VGA (I assume it will be a better picture?)

Question...Is the dock station just a pass through from my graphics card to the Sceptre? In other words, if I hook up the DVI out of the dock station into the Sceptre, will I still get the same res (1080P) that I do now going directly from laptop VGA to Sceptre?

I don't want to buy the dock station if I can't get the same res out of it that I do now.

Just to add, I know this is not an ideal set up for an HTPC but it's a workaround for the moment. All I have to do is add a $70 dock station and I have a full working HTPC since I have many other components already.

Thoughts?

I was torn between ordering the Westy 37" or the Sceptre 37" for use almost entirely as a PC monitor.

After reading all the judder issues with the Sceptre I am going with the Westy - even though its 12 ms response time is slower. After reading the Westy threads and some PMs with West owners that is not a major issue.

I just spent a lot of $$ upgrading my PC for gaming on a large display at 1080P. That includes two NVIDIA 7800GT OCs in SLI mode. I do alot of PC gaming, especially Battlefield 2 and NO WAY will I accept this judder people are talking about on the Sceptre.

If antyone from Sceptre is reading this (or cares) I suggest you fix the problems. I can tell you first hand it is costing you sales. Not just this 37" unit but perhaps your upcoming 42"er as well. I will very soon be in the market for a 42" LCD for my bedroom. Wifey says since I spent the $$ on the 37" LCD for my PC as well as the PC upgrades I HAVE to get a bigger TV for our room. Oh, well, I guess she twisted my arm - anything to keep her happy :) I can tell you that I will likely NOT seriously consider the 42" Sceptre due to all the negatives I am reading here about the 37" model.

I, too, do a lot of gaming on my 37" through my PC and the issues you mention simply don't exist. This my be because I have the original release of the Naga but I can tell you my gaming experience is faultless on this screen. In the early pages of this post and others there was a lot of discussion concerning the "Westy" vs Naga. With the Naga you get built-in ATSC and NTSC tuners along with HDMI support. The lack of HDMI is huge. I just purchased a sony 400 DVD disc changer that has upscalled HDMI output and the component output doesn't support 1080.
My amp has HDMI switching (2 in - 1 out) that works great with the Naga. I have read that the upcoming release of Windows Longhorn is supposed to block HDTV output on screens that don't support the latest digital interfaces and that could be a problem with the westinghouse. (I am assuming we are speaking of the model that has 2 DVI ports with no HDMI).

There are certainly some points made about the Naga that would be great to have addressed (i.e. poor documentation, remote, lack of optical audio out). But overall this screen flat out rocks when used in a HTPC environment. Far Cry at 1920 x 1080 looks great and the weapon on screen looks as big as the real thing! I had to go back and replay the game because of the incredible detail that was lacking at 1024 x 768. Battlefield 2 looks almost 3D but the only playback issues I have are with my ATI AIW 800XT 256 MB AGP video card and not the Naga.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy the 42" when it come out when you realize that the competing screens from Sharp and others cost twice as much. Don't forget the Costco factor as the big retailers are not going to let you return your purchase just because you don't like it a couple of months after purchase

So looking at the pictures of the 42" media connection box
http://www.sceptre.com/Products/LCD/Specifications/View_x42sv-Naga.htm

it looks like there is only 1 rf input. If it has a NTSC and ATSC tuner, it's going to need 2 rf inputs. Where's the other one? :confused:

1080p@60 from PC works on all HDMI, HDCP, DVI settings on the Sceptre HDMI input. The HDMI and HDCP have overscan and the picture does no fit on the screen, the DVI is 1:1.

"The HDMI and HDCP have overscan and the picture does no fit on the screen"
Are they supposed to be this way? Not 1:1? Or its manufacturer's mistake?
Mine is v2 and cannot get 1080p@60 HZ from PC through HDMI, HDCP. I think your is v1, right?
These problems have bothered me for a while and I am thinking if I should return it.
The Westy LVM-37W1 is getting cheaper and cheaper. Maybe I will get that one if I return this set.
BTW, the power consumption of this TV is 180w or higher? I only can find this information on Costco website, not on Sceptre's or its manual (it only shows max power input is 320w). I feel the panel is a kind of "warm" when my hand is as close as 2-3 in. to the screen. The other similar size LCD TVs seem not as warm as this one. Maybe that is my personal feeling.

Notice one of the features on the specs page:

" PC VGA Max resolution 1920 x 1080 @ 60hz"

Leads me to think that they are making sure the judder problem isnt there :)

That means they won't fix the problem that HDMI/HDCP cannot get 1920p @ 60hz on X37 v2 and implies that the 42" set will have the same problem as X37 v2?

I believe the overscan is by design for non computer video sources.

I now have ver. 2 and had ver. 1 before. I was unable to get ver. 1 to work on DVI/HDMI from PC. I have ver. 2 working.
See my post above for the way it worked for me.

"The HDMI and HDCP have overscan and the picture does no fit on the screen"
Are they supposed to be this way? Not 1:1? Or its manufacturer's mistake?
Mine is v2 and cannot get 1080p@60 HZ from PC through HDMI, HDCP. I think your is v1, right?
These problems have bothered me for a while and I am thinking if I should return it.
The Westy LVM-37W1 is getting cheaper and cheaper. Maybe I will get that one if I return this set.
BTW, the power consumption of this TV is 180w or higher? I only can find this information on Costco website, not on Sceptre's or its manual (it only shows max power input is 320w). I feel the panel is a kind of "warm" when my hand is as close as 2-3 in. to the screen. The other similar size LCD TVs seem not as warm as this one. Maybe that is my personal feeling.

<snip>
With the Naga you get built-in ATSC and NTSC tuners along with HDMI support. The lack of HDMI is huge. I just purchased a sony 400 DVD disc changer that has upscalled HDMI output and the component output doesn't support 1080.

My amp has HDMI switching (2 in - 1 out) that works great with the Naga. I have read that the upcoming release of Windows Longhorn is supposed to block HDTV output on screens that don't support the latest digital interfaces and that could be a problem with the westinghouse. (I am assuming we are speaking of the model that has 2 DVI ports with no HDMI).
<snip>

My understanding is that HDCP is compatible with DVI as well as HDMI.

My understanding is that HDCP is compatible with DVI as well as HDMI.

Yea, I'm not really sure just what the impact of the Windows upgrade would be. The article I read seemed to indicate that high def content through the PC would not be able to be played back on most "non-compliant" monitors (their words) but I don't know if this included those with DVI or not. If you know more I would love to hear about it because it sounds as if this could impact anyone who depends on a Windows based HTPC.

My point was related to the fact that prior to purchasing a HTPC type monitor like the Westinghouse or Naga it would make sense to check it out first. If the reports of Version 2 problems are true I'm glad I got the original.

I still stand by my support for this monitor as the center of a HTPC setup. As long as it's backed by Costco it still is a safer bet than something bought at Best Buy.

I'm by no means an expert on this, so I'm going to use the 'my understanding' phrase again.. :)

My understanding is that HDCP (and of course the content) is what determines whether the monitor will show the signal or not. If the content requires HDCP, and the monitor is HDCP compliant, and the rest of the hardware in the chain is is HDCP compliant then your ok. So if an HTPC has DVI output, and the DVI implementation (including drivers) supports HDCP, and the monitor has DVI/HDMI input which supports HDCP then all is ok. sigh.

This all reinforces your very good point that prior to purchasing anything you need to some checking first.

BTW, thanks to everyone in this thread - I'm currently in the 'research' phase for getting a 1080p to use with my HTPC and threads/forums like this are invaluable. I think I would have had the Sceptre by now if it weren't for having to do the 53Hz workaround thing. So then I tried to buy the Westinghouse but I just couldn't get past that ugly (IMO) silver color - I much prefer black or dark.

http://www.gizmodo.com/gadgets/peripherals/this-just-in-power-strip-smarter-than-tara-reid-147929.php

I am sure this occurred to many of you that you could get a powerstrip to turn the Sceptre on and off with your other equipment. I am not sure if the settings would be right when the power came on. I am waiting for a version with the tearing fixed myself.

In a thread about the 20" naga over at Fatwallet, a guy posted the following. (who obviously just bought his) Maybe there is hope.

I was all set to buy this set at about page 30 or so, but I forced myself to read through all 55 pages, and man did it suck to learn of V2.

I'm pretty torn, but I think the solution is either to wait for a fix, or wait until the Dell 2407wfp comes out, and buy two of those, or two 2405fpw. (Not sure how important HDCP is for the future for me.)



Fatwallet post:

Date Posted: Jan/11/2006 6:04 PM
Rating:rating: 0

I just received a e-mail from Sceptre and they now have a fix for the "jitter" issue. The LCD has to be RMAed and they will fix the issue and send back.

Way to go Sceptre, this si the quickest reponse I have ever seen on the part of a hardware company.

Now that is interesting - I'm a little confused about the context though. Are you sure this post is talking about the 37" TV and not a 20" monitor (which might have its own jitter problems)? I should be on Sceptre's email list for this problem, and I have not received an email.

In a thread about the 20" naga over at Fatwallet,

As I said, it is about their 20" monitor. However, it seems to be the a similar issue, from the way people describe it. I've requested a copy of the email from the poster, but he has not shown back up.

I must say the remote that comes with all of these TVs is a piece of crap. I wish they'd at least make them somewhat aesthetically pleasing, instead of looking like it belongs to some '80s VCR.

On a side note, the media box for the 42" is in a interesting idea...


Except there will be least cables form the entertainment cabine to the TV or easy to access different kind of AV sources, the one of the big advantages of this media box for the 42" HDTV is no need to sent whole TV back to do some fixes, update, or even upgrades, just this couple pounds of box. The TV may be can count as a big monitor itself. :cool:

I guess it was my bragging: For the first month I had it, my Sceptre X37SV had zero HDMI handshake issues with my HR10-250 HD DVR, but then, the day after I mentioned this in a post, I began to experience the handshake problem on a fairly consistent basis. Any ideas on why this problem would have surfaced a month later?

Here's what Sceptre has to say about the judder and other problems. Woo hoo!

Dear Customer,

A firmware is produced to fix the problem and dvi lamp and black level problem. It is currently in beta phase. When it is released we will notify our customers.

Best Regards,
Sceptre Technical Support Group

Here's what Sceptre has to say about the judder and other problems. Woo hoo!

Dear Customer,

A firmware is produced to fix the problem and dvi lamp and black level problem. It is currently in beta phase. When it is released we will notify our customers.

Best Regards,
Sceptre Technical Support Group

That's great! I'll be a huge fan of this TV if they can get some of those problems fixed
(especially the judder/tearing).

When you guys said that this TV has crappy speakers you weren't kidding...the bass sounds so hollow. My junky 2 speakers with bulit in subs that came with my Compaq in 1999 sound 2938479384x better.

Here's what Sceptre has to say about the judder and other problems. Woo hoo!

Dear Customer,

A firmware is produced to fix the problem and dvi lamp and black level problem. It is currently in beta phase. When it is released we will notify our customers.

Best Regards,
Sceptre Technical Support Group

Way to go Sceptre! This is amazing. Hardware guru's...how will they do it?

P

When you guys said that this TV has crappy speakers you weren't kidding...the bass sounds so hollow. My junky 2 speakers with bulit in subs that came with my Compaq in 1999 sound 2938479384x better.

Had to cut cost somewhere...that's where I'd want them to.

P

Had to cut cost somewhere...that's where I'd want them to.

P

Oh I agree, at least they make it easy to get rid of them and use other ones.

Is there an FAQ for this monitor yet. I.E. testing software, setup info, cables that should be optained , known conflicts.etc.etc. ...or is this thread of 55 pages kind of a fluffed up version of one? If there is one could someone post a ?shortcut to it? Thanks, since I just got mine last week and am still building the stand for it to set at the end of the bed. Would like to know what the best way to deal with Spectre support if anyone has a good in with them. Plus it would be nice if they could host a customer support person to moderate for a Spectre forum. A company where I bought my laptop had a nice forum and the moderators were the support people, so the latest info always ended up getting out to the forum members first on updates, new products and rumor squelching.

i would love to sign up to beta test the fix!

I just got my 37" back from the firmware update. They emailed me about the firmware being ready couple days ago, and since I live in SoCal, I went over by myself to get it done. Anyways it seems the firmware solved a couple of issues. I don't see the juddering anymore in vga or dvi. Also the DVI lamp buggie and black level buggie seems to be fixed as well. Yeah, just thought I should mention it to you guys. I think they started to email people last week since I got my email on thursday.

I just got my 37" back from the firmware update. They emailed me about the firmware being ready couple days ago, and since I live in SoCal, I went over by myself to get it done. Anyways it seems the firmware solved a couple of issues. I don't see the juddering anymore in vga or dvi. Also the DVI lamp buggie and black level buggie seems to be fixed as well. Yeah, just thought I should mention it to you guys. I think they started to email people last week since I got my email on thursday.

So you have to take it somewhere? Where did you take it? Their City of Industry address(I'm in SoCal as well)? Are most people going to have to send it in? I think we were hoping for something field-upgradable (since they added that USB port).

yeah, I took it in myself since I didn't want to deal with shipping and all those BS, and I don't know what UPS does to my TV and don't want it mishandled. I took it to their City of Industry place for the update. No, I don't think it's doable at home, they said it has to be done in house. Got to take a peek at the 42". Looks quite nice. Hopefully they solved all the 37" problems on the 42". I was browsing their site and saw the put up the specs already on the 42" so if anyone's interested it's there.

Hi all,

I just got this email from Sceptre (in response to an email asking for an update on the judder problem):

Dear Customer,

The issue has been solved. There is a firmware available. We can call
tag
the TV back and have it fixed if you fill out the form and request it.
Thanks.

Best Regards,
Sceptre Technical Support Group


There was a zip sceptre_INF.zip attached. Don't know what for they're talking about.

Any thoughts?

Now the question is who is going to pay the shipping? I'm glad there's a fix, but ~$100 to ship it back...



P

Now the question is who is going to pay the shipping? I'm glad there's a fix, but ~$100 to ship it back...



P

Either Sceptre or Costco if you know what I mean...

Hopefully for the non-Costco buyers, Sceptre will pick up the tab - they are clearly and totally responsible for this.

Is there a way to check the firmware version? (sorry, I haven't read all the thread). If so, could someone with the fix/update post their info and someone with the problem but without the fix post theirs?

Thanks!

Did you notice on the Sceptre site- the 42" comes in two different colors.
Black and Black/Silver-Wonder what Costco will carry.

DyeLooper

It's good to know there is a updated firmware to fix these problems.
The question is how long will it take to ship this TV to Sceptre, get it fixed and send it back? 2 weeks or longer?
I cannot have no TV in my living room for 2 or 3 weeks, even though I have another TV at home.
I hope Sceptre can send the wire (if there is a special one needed) and updated firmware to the owners. By doing so, I think that will save our time and their money for shipping. Otherwise, people may think it is easier to fix this problem by reorder one and return the defective TV when they get the new, firmware-updated one.

I decided I could go for a better video card then the X800TGO whether it fixed not getting the max resolution problem or not. Installed a XFX GeForce 7800GT (not the GTX) and discovered not only could I finally get a sharp VGA 1920 x 1080 x 60 Hz Desktop but the card also recognized the monitor as Plug and Play and would not let me set any resolution past the monitor's max native resolution, i.e., I can no longer push things to 1600 x 1200 for instance.

So, that side of the problem now appears solved. Next or new problem is that I tried the 7800GT DVI output to the HDMI(DVI) input and got...nothing. I was expecting to see a slightly sharper/better DVI Desktop then the VGA Desktop but instead got nothing at all on any of the PC sources (or the VA sources). I then moved my Moxi box to the 37" and hooked up its DVI output to the HDMI X37 input and got really strange results. I tried all the PC and AV sources again but found the only one remotely active was DVI:

Black screen for a few seconds then a flash of blue screen for less then a second. Then this would repeat irratically a number of times. Then a still TV image that was not properly formatted and sometimes included another unformatted still image would come up on the screen for maybe 5 seconds and then the screen would blank out again and the whole thing would start over. The Sceptre tech already has suspected the HDMI input is at fault. I have some doubts as I see this whole technology very uncertain. Still I am going to get another one from Costco and return this one and we'll go from there.

If anyone has any knowledge of what I tried to describe above and understands or thinks I do have a defective HDMI connector or not please add your comments on that. I have tested the Component input with my Xbox and it seems to work fine giving me a good Xbox screen for a 480 (i or p?) game. I feel like I need a viable working HDMI input too.

Thank you.

--Evenstar

Great news on the judder fix! If it really is fixed I would like to finally order one from Costco. How will I know that the new models being shipped have the updated firmware? I would assume they do since it is drop-shipped, but some confirmation would be nice...

well i just got mine delivered 2 days ago and it still has issue, i just sent sceptre email waiting for them to reply

yeah, I took it in myself since I didn't want to deal with shipping and all those BS, and I don't know what UPS does to my TV and don't want it mishandled. I took it to their City of Industry place for the update. No, I don't think it's doable at home, they said it has to be done in house. Got to take a peek at the 42". Looks quite nice. Hopefully they solved all the 37" problems on the 42". I was browsing their site and saw the put up the specs already on the 42" so if anyone's interested it's there.

What number did you call to setup the schedule to bring in the unit? I am about 20 minutes from them and can take it in as well. If you be kind enough to provide the number that you call or the method you use to schedule the fix, that would be great.

TIA

hmmm I live pretty near city of industry too, I might want to try.

But before that anyone know if they ever fixed the issues with the V1 and if they have a fix for those issues?

I am surprised that we are not getting more results in already. I thought everyone would be all over this fix already.

Would someone please define briefly what this term "judder" is and what hookup to the Sceptre causes it? I do not have any PC VGA source problems that I am aware of but this HDMI hookup seems to be a bad of worms and I do not get any good results yet inputing DVI to it. I am planning on replacing the Sceptre but would like to be clearer on the apparent video issues first if at all possible.

Thank you.

--Evenstar

Do some googling for "judder" and "tearing" for the best descriptions. In summary - judder is "jumpy" video playback. A smooth scenic pan across a countryside will not look smooth. Tearing is a visibile discontinuity in the picture: The top half of the screen is displaying frame x and the bottom half is displaying frame x+1 and you can see a line of sorts at the discontinuity.

Video playback over both DVI and VGA exhibit both judder and tearing at a 60Hz refresh rate.

The most obvious way to test for it is to install Powerstrip and Juddertest. Run Juddertest and look for nice smooth moving bars.

Now if you get the unit from now, would it have the update or
would you have to return it to Sceptre, adding a few dollars to
the cost of the unit. Maybe I should wait a while till the new ones
get into the stores.

Perhaps the next person who actually visits them in City of Industry, CA for an upgrade/repair can directly ask the following & post the results:

1) What is serial number and or date for production cutover for the fixes to V2 (should it be called V2R, for revised/repaired?)
2)Will they ever bother to fix V1 units?
3) Aside from using Costco's liberal return policy, what are the logistic plans/costs for people who have units and can't carry in the unit to their facility in City of Industry, CA?
4) Are there any plans to ever sell these LCD televisions thru the (brick & mortar) Costco stores and not just on Costco's website?

(I've not been able to get any clarification on these issues from Sceptre via emails...)

Thx---

Do some googling for "judder" and "tearing" for the best descriptions. In summary - judder is "jumpy" video playback. A smooth scenic pan across a countryside will not look smooth. Tearing is a visibile discontinuity in the picture: The top half of the screen is displaying frame x and the bottom half is displaying frame x+1 and you can see a line of sorts at the discontinuity.

Video playback over both DVI and VGA exhibit both judder and tearing at a 60Hz refresh rate.

The most obvious way to test for it is to install Powerstrip and Juddertest. Run Juddertest and look for nice smooth moving bars.
Your explanation was quite adequate. Thank you. I confirmed that I don't have either problem when playing two different DVDs from the PC VGA input. I can't test the HDMI DVI input because that so far has been broken all along and is why I'm going to try at least one X37SV replacement.

I talked to Sceptre support and they said, and I almost quote the guy, that in order to get the firmware update you have to send in your X37SV. It is not a s/n or production issue. Seems hard to believe but that is what he said.

I think that anyone who has issues with their Sceptre should work directly with their technical support to understand and iron out your particular problems. It appears to me at least that exactly what peripherals you hook up to the Sceptre can make a HUGE difference in how it runs and what problems it might have. This might explain why this "firmware upgrade" appears to not be a "production upgrade".

--Evenstar

Anyone know when the 42" will be available?? If its soon I will wait for 32 instead of getting 37. Does anyone know what the price will be? [EDIT].

EDIT>>

mod note: no coupon talk, please. Thanks

evenstar: I would recommend that you install and run Juddertest just so you know what you are dealing with. The judder/tearing can be hard to see on a DVD if you don't quite know what you are looking for, or have a side-by-side comparison with a properly working display. I absolutely have judder/tearing over both VGA and DVI.

There have been others in this thread who didn't believe that they had the problem until they ran Juddertest. Given the reports on this forum and the fact that there is now a firmware fix, I'm inclined to believe that everyone has this problem, including you.

Best Regards - J

I am in the market for a new TV and Im thinking of getting either this 37", or the Maxent MX-42X3, which is 42". Both are similarly priced (I have a low budget). I dont mind having a 37 versus a 42 because I sit close to the screen. Is this a better TV for me? This would be used for watching alot of TV, playing Xbox 360, and browsing PC with. Thanks.

Your explanation was quite adequate. Thank you. I confirmed that I don't have either problem when playing two different DVDs from the PC VGA input. I can't test the HDMI DVI input because that so far has been broken all along and is why I'm going to try at least one X37SV replacement.
--Evenstar

I would bet that you have the problem if you play the right content. Most of the time, I don't see it, but it's very obvious when playing particular content. It's really easy to cause it while playing a first-person-shooter game.

If I were you, I'd wait a few weeks to get a replacement. The firmware will definitely make it into production because they're losing money every time sombody returns a unit or sends one in for and upgrade.

evenstar: I would recommend that you install and run Juddertest just so you know what you are dealing with. The judder/tearing can be hard to see on a DVD if you don't quite know what you are looking for, or have a side-by-side comparison with a properly working display. I absolutely have judder/tearing over both VGA and DVI.

There have been others in this thread who didn't believe that they had the problem until they ran Juddertest. Given the reports on this forum and the fact that there is now a firmware fix, I'm inclined to believe that everyone has this problem, including you.

Best Regards - J
Juddertest will have to wait until I get the replacement X37SV-Naga and can use the HDMI DVI source successfully. If I can see a good DVD movie display via my PC and VGA why should I detect something so minor at this point? If the new monitor plays a DVD movie from the PC or from the Moxie DVI with Judder or Tear then I'll have to deal with it but first I have to get this DVI input working. And since I bought it from Costco I'm nothing out of pocket but time so far.

Just in case you think I am too optimistic about all this I have my doubts that the replacement X37SV will fix the DVI problem. So far this whole HDTV affair has been nothing but rocket science. I'm now two different HDTV models into it, each one has had a dead pixel, and each one has been full of trouble. Upgrading my PC video card at least got the VGA side of things looking spectacular.

just got my sceptre 37" in the other day. looks great except i have these thin blue vertical lines that are evenly spaced throughout the picture. its not always noticable, but most of the time you can see it.

i'm using the sceptre as a tv, hooked up to a hdtv dvr via the component cable. looks like i'll be returning it soon.

its not always noticable, but most of the time you can see it.



?

I've lost track of what display you are using. I'm answering specifically for the Sharp displays. Yes that cable will work fine.

If you configure the Sharp DVI-I port as PC analog it will accept resolutions like 800x600 1024x768, 1280x1024.

If you configure the Sharp DVI-I port as AV analog it will accept 480p/720p/1080i.

Your laptop may or may not be able to send out HDTV resolutions. It can range from very easy, to need some cajoling, to can't get it working.

Ok. I got the cable and connected my laptop to TV. I now see 'monitor' connected to my laptop when I go into the Advanced section of the video adapter, but I do not see any picture on the TV, even when I toggle between the latptop screen and monitor. :( Any pointers? TV's DVI input is set at Analog PC.

just got my sceptre 37" in the other day. looks great except i have these thin blue vertical lines that are evenly spaced throughout the picture. its not always noticable, but most of the time you can see it.

i'm using the sceptre as a tv, hooked up to a hdtv dvr via the component cable. looks like i'll be returning it soon.

Try the memory delay setting in the debug menu. 3rd and 4th buttons, on the TV, from the left...press simultaniously, hit 1 on the remote, left or right arrow try 3 or 4.

P

Ok. I got the cable and connected my laptop to TV. I now see 'monitor' connected to my laptop when I go into the Advanced section of the video adapter, but I do not see any picture on the TV, even when I toggle between the latptop screen and monitor. :( Any pointers? TV's DVI input is set at Analog PC.
What resolution are you sending to the display? Start with 640x480 as a baseline test. 1024x768, 1280x768, 1280x1024 shoud also work.

Perhaps the next person who actually visits them in City of Industry, CA for an upgrade/repair can directly ask the following & post the results:

3) Aside from using Costco's liberal return policy, what are the logistic plans/costs for people who have units and can't carry in the unit to their facility in City of Industry, CA?

Thx---

When I contacted Sceptre on returning for repair a defective 30" unit, within the 1 year warranty, I was told their return policy is "You pay the shipping there, they pay the shipping back". NOT the answer I wanted to hear.

When I contacted Sceptre on returning for repair a defective 30" unit, within the 1 year warranty, I was told their return policy is "You pay the shipping there, they pay the shipping back". NOT the answer I wanted to hear.

I think that is pretty typical among manufacturers. I would say this is a different situation however because they have been shipping a defective product that didn't function as advertised.

Sceptre is paying for all of the shipping for the firmware update.

Try the memory delay setting in the service menu. 2nd and 3rd buttons, on the TV, from the left...press simultaniously, hit 4 on the remote, left or right arrow try 3 or 4.

P

when i hit the 2nd and 3rd buttons (channel down and volume +) simultaneously nothing happens. when i then hit 4 on the remote the tv changes to channel 4.

am i doing something wrong here?

thanks..

What resolution are you sending to the display? Start with 640x480 as a baseline test. 1024x768, 1280x768, 1280x1024 shoud also work.

Ok. will look into that and report back.

I would bet that you have the problem if you play the right content. Most of the time, I don't see it, but it's very obvious when playing particular content. It's really easy to cause it while playing a first-person-shooter game.

If I were you, I'd wait a few weeks to get a replacement. The firmware will definitely make it into production because they're losing money every time sombody returns a unit or sends one in for and upgrade.
Unfortunately I can't wait a few weeks as the Costco sale ends the end of January. Of course they might extend this sale again too but I don't know.

It is too bad and not a good reflection on Sceptre's Technical Support when they tell me that the only way I can get the firmware update is by sending the set in and not by waiting for an updated production model.

It doesn't matter. I'll get another one that hopefully won't have a bad pixel and that whose HDMI will work my DVI signals properly. THEN, if I experience seeing any of this judder and/or tearing I'll at least have a set I want to keep.

Someone said Sceptre was paying shipping both ways and some have said only one way. Guess that is another question to work out?

Thanks.

--Evenstar

when i hit the 2nd and 3rd buttons (channel down and volume +) simultaneously nothing happens. when i then hit 4 on the remote the tv changes to channel 4.

am i doing something wrong here?

thanks..

My bad bro, I was at work and going from memory. PM sent and post edited.

P

My bad bro, I was at work and going from memory. PM sent and post edited.

P

w00p.. you are the man. thanks! my tv memory delay was set to 2, i moved it to 4 and the tv looks great now. :)

i noticed the other numbers on the remote let you adjust other things, do you happen to know what they control/do? the 100 key in the lower left of the pad makes the tv freak out with green in a matrix kinda way.

LOL! Yup...I was adventurous too:) All the other stuff seems to be HEX codes. I ran them up and down and nothing was obvious, changewise.

P

P.S. Another poster gave the info on the debug menu after talking to Sceptre TS.

I just returned my Sceptre today. Basically, in addition to all the documented problems, I decided that it wasn't worth enduring the ghosting and weak blacks just to get a resolution my eyes can't even resolve at proper view distance.

This is still a decent TV if you want an LCD, but watching an LCD picture for a while helped me realize just how much better the picture on Plasma is. I ended up getting the Pioneer 4360 at Best Buy.

If anyone gets this model before the end of the month, please let us know if the tearing and judder has been fixed. I would like to buy one before month-end, but do not want to return it to get a firmware update the day I receive it. Thanks

Wow, I finally recieved the HDMI-DVI converter cable that was missing when I initially purchases this monitor, and I can see a huge difference in the sharpness levels. Color and other video aspects are the same, but the difference in sharpness is huge. I can see jaggies where I never seen them before. Only downside is that I have to crank up anti-aliasing because of the image sharpness allowing me to see these jaggies.

This is transitioning from VGA to DVI.

My guess is that the price will have to stay low after the end of the month. And, Costco must keep their price below them. Also, I think there will be a price decrease when the 42" arrives. Just a guess though, I have no inside info.

Wow, I finally recieved the HDMI-DVI converter cable that was missing when I initially purchases this monitor, and I can see a huge difference in the sharpness levels. Color and other video aspects are the same, but the difference in sharpness is huge. I can see jaggies where I never seen them before. Only downside is that I have to crank up anti-aliasing because of the image sharpness allowing me to see these jaggies.

This is transitioning from VGA to DVI.
Your report makes me feel good. I'm getting my second X37 next week and hopefully PC VGA via the DVI to HDMI cable (I was missing mine originally too) to the X37's HDMI/DVI input will work now. I've been getting nothing from the PC or the Moxi box so far.

The VGA input works great though. Maybe DVI is to sharp if you are focussing in on jaggies? When you crank up the antialiasing do the jaggies disappear?

Do you have any dead pixels?

I sent an e-mail to Sceptre Tech Support Friday asking "if I buy the 37 inch next week from C***** will it have the firmware fix for the judder issue.

I got back a one word answer "NO"

I followed up with did they know when they would be available with the fix or should I wait for the 42.

They responded that there wasn't a time line and it depended on how fast C**** sold their units and that I should probably wait for the 42.

At least they were honest. It appears that there is no plan to fix the inventory that C***** has on hand.

I sent an e-mail to Sceptre Tech Support Friday asking "if I buy the 37 inch next week from C***** will it have the firmware fix for the judder issue. --> I got back a one word answer "NO"

I followed up with did they know when they would be available with the fix or should I wait for the 42. --> They responded that there wasn't a time line and it depended on how fast C**** sold their units and that I should probably wait for the 42.

At least they were honest. It appears that there is no plan to fix the inventory that C***** has on hand.

Thanks. This both supports and refines what tech support told me too. Since I have yet to see judder and/or tearing on my set I have gone ahead with my replacement order that will hopefully fix my HDMI/DVI input problem(s).

I got my set in August , the video is mostly ok but there is a very loud buzz in the VGAinput mode so that I have to use external audio.

S video input has color edge bleeding, but using component input is ok.
Do these problems exist with the January version?

I am planning to return the 37 but need a replacement that the 42" would fill. I especially like the idea of an external input box, hopefully only that would have to be returned if upgrades are needet.
Gene

What resolution are you sending to the display? Start with 640x480 as a baseline test. 1024x768, 1280x768, 1280x1024 shoud also work.

Finally I got it to work at 1280x768. How do I get to 720p or 1080i?

For 720p/1080i, you need to set the Sharp display for AV Analog mode.

720p is the same as 1280x720. Not all graphics card will do 1080i. You need to research how to enable for your graphics chip.

Hi, this forum is just amazing - filled with tons of info for a newbie like me...but i'm a bit overwhelmed and hope someone can help here. I am thinking of getting this Sceptre 37, but am a bit technically challenged when it comes to understanding all the ins and outs..bottom line - is this worth it? I'm really not used to spending close to $2K on something sight unseen that I'm not even sure how to use or hook up (friends will help with that!) many thanks for any and all help......linda

For 720p/1080i, you need to set the Sharp display for AV Analog mode.

720p is the same as 1280x720. Not all graphics card will do 1080i. You need to research how to enable for your graphics chip.

Tried AV Analog but nothing shows up on screen when I select it but PC Analog works.

Tried AV Analog but nothing shows up on screen when I select it but PC Analog works.
AV Analog will not sync at 1280x768, so if you change the display config prior to changing the resolution, you won't see anything on the screen.

I don't have your model Sharp, I have the 45", but I've done analog and 720p/1080i over the DVI port in analog mode. It works fine.

1080i can get tricky as some cards have issues or are more difficult to configure interlace, but it does work.

ok. so what resolution should I attempt to output from my laptop, for 720p? I shall give it a shot. If the video card does not directly support it, I shall read on Powerstrip as well. I did notice that 'force 720p/1080i' were one of the options on my video card but for some reason they were greyed out.

ok. so what resolution should I attempt to output from my laptop, for 720p? I shall give it a shot. If the video card does not directly support it, I shall read on Powerstrip as well. I did notice that 'force 720p/1080i' were one of the options on my video card but for some reason they were greyed out.

Maybe you guys should take this into a seperate thread. You are starting to pollute this thread and it would benefit other people to be able to find your conversation under a relevant heading.

-J

K I just asked sceptre about if I could upgrade the firmware on the V1 here's what they said

Dear Customer,

Return your set to Costco, and exchange for a new set. Then walk in with that set to do a firmware update with us, thanks.

Best Regards,
Sceptre Technical Support Group

Hi Guys -A newbie and confused. My Sceptre 37 delivered last week. Picture great! Component connections, no problem.

However, when I hook my cable box (Scientific Atlanta 3250) up to my monitor(Cable DVI to Sceptre HDMI/DVI) - and sound (cable digital out Rca plug to Sceptre in Mini plug), I have no sound. My Time Warner guy says I have a problem with the Sceptre... I question it.

Can anyone turn my lights on??

Thanks

I think you need to use the analog audio out.

That doesn't seem to work either. ??

Thanks, Schuyler

Well, I decided to return my units this past weekend. I received an RMA from Sceptre and all, but I finally decided that I am gonna wait for the 42" instead. I am hoping that the 42" is free of all the bugs that plagued the 37" version.
Good luck to all the 37" owners. I will be back again when I get the 42" setup.

Hi Guys -A newbie and confused. My Sceptre 37 delivered last week. Picture great! Component connections, no problem.

However, when I hook my cable box (Scientific Atlanta 3250) up to my monitor(Cable DVI to Sceptre HDMI/DVI) - and sound (cable digital out Rca plug to Sceptre in Mini plug), I have no sound. My Time Warner guy says I have a problem with the Sceptre... I question it.

Can anyone turn my lights on??

Thanks

It should be pretty easy to verify whether or not there is an audio signal coming out of your cable box. Do you have a stereo (or something else that is known good) that you can plug that mini-plug into? If there is a signal there then the problem is definitely with the Sceptre whether its a configuration issue or hardware problem.

Now...I just noticed that you said "cable digital out RCA" from your cable box. Is that a digital audio output? That might explain things, the Sceptre will only take an analog audio input. Make sure you are using an analog output from the cable box (like Bill said above).

I wouldn't recommend going down this path at all if you can avoid it. The Sceptre has pretty lousy speakers. You'll get much much better sound quality from an external sound system.

Hi, this forum is just amazing - filled with tons of info for a newbie like me...but i'm a bit overwhelmed and hope someone can help here. I am thinking of getting this Sceptre 37, but am a bit technically challenged when it comes to understanding all the ins and outs..bottom line - is this worth it? I'm really not used to spending close to $2K on something sight unseen that I'm not even sure how to use or hook up (friends will help with that!) many thanks for any and all help......linda

I have not owned this set, but I sell and install lots of LCDs. This set has specific appeal for users who intend to connect it to a computer or other means of displaying high-resolution static content- pictures, Internet, etc. At 1080 it has about twice the resolution of the next closest standard. It is also of special interest to those who would sit close and use it as a home theater display. Even though I am pretty well-versed at all these quirks and want to display jpegs on the new set, I have decided that there are just too many bugs with this unit. The similar Westinghouse unit has its problems, including a slower response time spec. If you're prepared to send the unit in for a firmware upgrade at some point, and fall into one of the special groups above, then this set may be worth the trouble. The Costco return policy certainly helps. Otherwise, I'd get a Sharp.

Man do I have a love/hate relationship with this TV. The picture is so nice, but there are so many problems...

My latest discovery: There is some sort of weird power consumption issue with my V2 set.

I am using this TV as part of a new HTPC setup that consists of the Sceptre (being driven over DVI), a Shuttle PC, and a new Receiver w/ surround sound speakers. I live in an old house with old wiring and am a little bit concerned about having all this new gear on one old circuit. So I rigged up a little current tester and started looking at the power consumption of the various components.

Here is what I discovered on my Sceptre: If the TV is set to "DTV" (or anything except DVI or VGA I think) when I turn the TV on the current draw is a little less than 1A. If the TV is set to "DVI" or "VGA" when I turn it on, the current draw is a little less than 2A. Now if I start pressing the "source PC" button on the remote and change the input away from DVI and VGA, the current draw immediately drops down 1A. Furthermore if I keep cycling through the inputs and come back to DVI or VGA, the current draw _stays_ at 1A.

My conclusion is that when the TV powers up in DVI or VGA mode, its coming up in some bad state that is somehow using an extra 110W of power (picture some chip inside the TV just sitting there cooking). I'm a little bit alarmed.

I'm going to kick off an email to tech support...I'm kind of hoping that they are aware of this and the new firmware will fix it.

ps - it would be great if someone else could try this experiment so we could tell if this is another design flaw, or just a manufacturing fault in my set.

My conclusion is that when the TV powers up in DVI or VGA mode, its coming up in some bad state that is somehow using an extra 110W of power (picture some chip inside the TV just sitting there cooking). I'm a little bit alarmed.


Could it be like a Refrigerator, Amp, Motor- or your AC unit. When these units first initially power up they have a surge of power utill they stabilize (which is usally milliseconds). Then they run at there intended powere usage. Just a thought

DyeLooper

I am having problems which no one else seems to have. I had a ver.1 set from August which was damaged in shipment so that had to go back. It also had some bad pixels so I probably would have sent it back anyway. The second set was a ver.2 and I was thrilled. No bad pixels, incredible picture, everything was great. Then about a month later I began to hear a sporatic popping sound coming from my speakers. It sounded like firecrakers. It began low, but over the course of a month it gradually became louder. There was no regularity to these pops. Some days there wouldn't be any and some times there would be several. It happened
without warning and would startle you when it happened. One day it just went POP! It blew out my new receiver and the tv would no longer put out any sound from it's analog audio out connection. So that set went back. I received set #3 about 2 weeks ago and right out of the box using it's own speakers it gives off these intermittent popping sounds from the speakers. Well I am due to get my repaired receiver back next week and there is no way I am hooking it up to this set again. And, by the way this 3rd set has bad pixels too. I have had enough. I am waiting for the 42" and then this set goes back.

Could it be like a Refrigerator, Amp, Motor- or your AC unit. When these units first initially power up they have a surge of power utill they stabilize (which is usally milliseconds). Then they run at there intended powere usage. Just a thought

DyeLooper

It occurred to me last night that it might be related to the backlight problem. I know that there are some circumstances that the backlight comes back full strength when the TV is power cycled. I haven't really paid too much attention to that issue since it didn't really bug me, but that could explain the big difference in power consumption.
(I can't imagine what else inside the TV could draw an extra ~100W without just frying to a crisp)

edit: Just searched through this thread a bit (not an easy task). It sounds to me like I'm just seeing the backlight reset it itself to '7' when the TV is powercycled and somehow it "remembers" the correct setting if I cycle through all of the digital inputs. That's reassuring - that its a known problem with a fix.

Anyway - if that is really the explanation, I'm pretty pleased with the power consumption on this set.

I am having problems which no one else seems to have. I had a ver.1 set from August which was damaged in shipment so that had to go back. It also had some bad pixels so I probably would have sent it back anyway. The second set was a ver.2 and I was thrilled. No bad pixels, incredible picture, everything was great. Then about a month later I began to hear a sporatic popping sound coming from my speakers. It sounded like firecrakers. It began low, but over the course of a month it gradually became louder. There was no regularity to these pops. Some days there wouldn't be any and some times there would be several. It happened
without warning and would startle you when it happened. One day it just went POP! It blew out my new receiver and the tv would no longer put out any sound from it's analog audio out connection. So that set went back. I received set #3 about 2 weeks ago and right out of the box using it's own speakers it gives off these intermittent popping sounds from the speakers. Well I am due to get my repaired receiver back next week and there is no way I am hooking it up to this set again. And, by the way this 3rd set has bad pixels too. I have had enough. I am waiting for the 42" and then this set goes back.


Since this doesn't seem to be a common problem and you have had it twice, have you considered the possibility that it is something in your house? A power spike when the refrigerator turns on, etc?

Since this doesn't seem to be a common problem and you have had it twice, have you considered the possibility that it is something in your house? A power spike when the refrigerator turns on, etc?

I've had audio buzz on my ver.1 and ver.2 sets. There are no sudden pops, but constant buzz that is present on all TV inputs and changes with brightness of the video displayed. I have not used the TV audio out to a receiver.

Have you guys tried using a line conditioner? eg: Panamax, Monster Cabel? I have a Panamax and have not had any of these problems. I also live in a newly wired 4 year old home though.


DyeLooper

Does anyone think It would be ok to return the Sceptre V1 for a V2 then take it over for a firmware upgrade? I think i'd save money and I'd get a V2 upgraded.

I just got my HTPC working and hooked up again and I'm having some trouble. If I have the TV (ver 2) on and switched to DVI input, then I boot up the HTPC, it works fine. However, if the TV is off when I turn on the HTPC or if I switch the TV to one of the other inputs and then back to the HTPC, I get no video from the HTPC. The display just says "NO SIGNAL".

This worked when I had the ver 1 set, but since then, I have also changed the video card from a Radeon 9600 to a Radeon 9800 Pro and updated the drivers.

I believe certain video cards will not enable their DVI output unless they see the monitor, which does not happen unless it's on. I think you can fix this with a driver upgrade.

I believe certain video cards will not enable their DVI output unless they see the monitor, which does not happen unless it's on. I think you can fix this with a driver upgrade.

I think this is correct. I have a video card with two DVI outputs and noticed I can't switch between the plugs while Windows is running making me believe during boot up it will only run off the plug that is being used during boot up.

Costco has now extended the coupon and rebate through March 31. And you can now get 5 rebates.

Costco has now extended the [offer] through March 31.

Makes sense. If they didn't, they'd be selling the 37" and 42" for the same price six weeks from now.

Costco has now extended the coupon and rebate through March 31. And you can now get 5 rebates.

What do you mean by now you can get 5 rebates?

He probably means limit 5 per customer vs limit 1 per customer (on the rebates)

I dropped my 37" v2 (I guess) to Sceptre yesterday, tech support said via e-mail: 30mn in and out for the firware upgrade.
I waited 3hours for it (but their staff were quite very nice people) because I had an old chip in (I brought mine Dec 12 05???) they had to remove it and put another one in and do a flash .. no more jitterering now.. very good, black level work too.
But I had a lot of flashing pixels that wasn't there before, I took care of this by entering
the debug menu and adjusting the memory delay.
In the upcoming 42" Sceptre said that only the breakout box will have to be returned
if upgrade occur. They said that because it's a different Bios the jittering doen't affect
the new 42" but I caution that info just because no set are out yet..
best to all
very good forum indeed and a lot of helpfull people here :)

well i have little corner problem with my next 37 sort of looks like when you dog ear a page in a book, the bottom right corner color is not right. So they said to return to costco again. Supposedly the 42 will be out in march without that issue (the judder issue) so says sceptre

Dear Customer,

42" will be available in March withOUT that problem.

Best Regards,
Sceptre Technical Support Group


So im thinking ill just keep using my small lcd for a month and then get this 42 inch. I really dont want to order another 37 and then have to ship it back to them to fix. What you guys think?

-Vinman

Guys:

Please stop the Costco talk or this thread will be closed, or posts will be deleted. The thread topic is the X27SV. Any discussions/posts about the set, as it relates to Costco, are to be posted in the Costco master thread at the top of the page.

Thanks all.

Guys:

Please stop the Costco talk or this thread will be closed, or posts will be deleted. The thread topic is the X27SV. Any discussions/posts about the set, as it relates to Costco, are to be posted in the Costco master thread at the top of the page.

Thanks all.


Hahahaha, oh man. Am I the only one who got a good laugh at the irony of that post?

On topic; has anyone sent their sceptre monitor by mail instead of physically bringing it there for the forceware update? Is the charge for shipping the monitor to sceptre confirmed? Does sceptre fully pay for the shipment dealing with this forceware update?

i just got a reply from sceptre customer support when i initially had the blue vertical line problem (which was fixed by adjusting the memory delay). they just told me to return it. ts kind of odd considering i asked about changing the memory delay in my initial email to them.

Dear Customer,

Blue vertical lines means the panel is damaged. Please exchange it with your retailer, thanks.

Best Regards,
Sceptre Technical Support Group

Hahahaha, oh man. Am I the only one who got a good laugh at the irony of that post?

On topic; has anyone sent their sceptre monitor by mail instead of physically bringing it there for the forceware update? Is the charge for shipping the monitor to sceptre confirmed? Does sceptre fully pay for the shipment dealing with this forceware update?

Sceptre will pay for shipping both ways. I emailed them and they confirmed this, but I am waiting to send my set in until after the superbowl. Hopefully getting the update won't take too long.

I may be selling my Sceptre 37" (Ver 1) to my uncle, which will enable me to replace it with the new 42" Sceptre due out in March. But I will have to help him get the TV wired up to his Comcast Cable service since he is 89 years old and not technically inclined. He currently has a 32" analog Sony XBR tube set and does not have or need a cable box, but I suspect he will need a box for the Sceptre when he upgrades to HD service.

We get our HD OTA, so I know nothing about cable and have never subscribed to it. But I would like to hear from anyone who subscribes to Comcast HD to find out what my uncle will need to get and what the connection is (Component? HDMI?) between Comcast's HD Cable Box and the Sceptre. Can anyone help?

Thanks.

Ken Flick

Ken,

Comcast will charge $30 to bring a HD box to your Uncle's house and set it up. They provide a Component cable. Your Uncle could buy his own HDMI cable and run it from the box to the Sceptre - but, the picture quality is the same.

The HD cable box that I got also serves as a DVR.

I'm very happy with my Sceptre and Comcast, especially after they added an amplifier to the line to increase the signal.

I'm having an issue with my HDMI out connection. Yesterday I connected my cable box to this monitor through the s-video input, but when I pressed the source pc button to switch back to my DVI connection, the monitor displayed a high temp neon green color that would not go away from restarting the computer. So then I disconnected the DVI cable from my pc and reconnected, and everything was back to normal.

Then, about 2 minutes later, the screen turns neon green again (this is all through DVI source-pc). I examine the other video sources, and no faults at all. So, after seeing it is only an issue with the DVI source, I attempted to reconnect the HDMI cable . As I watched the screen while I loosened the cable, I noticed it return to normal video output. When I finished removing the HDMI-DVI cable and reconnected again, it no longer detected any signal at all. Ive restarted my pc only with the HDMI-DVI cable connected; unplugged all cables to the monitor; unplugged monitor power cable; powered on monitor before pc; check debug mode and memory settings; update mobo drivers; update nvidia drivers (using 6800gt); reconnected my video card; and even used another HDMI-DVI cable whichi sceptre sent me an extra (sent an rma form that I haven't received the HDMI cable and they sent me two of them), only to realize I have wasted much time in solving the issue.

I did a search on HDMI output goiong dead, and have found many problems relating to mine that concerned other LCD tvs and even Tivo systems. The HDMI outputs were crapping out. I even read a few issues with DVI outputs dying out on other LCDs. Maybe my HDMI output just crapped on me? Maybe this is why sceptre is making a seperate media box fro thr 42" LCD? Confused because it displayed neon green on DVI source exactly when I tested the s-video connection with my cable box, and then totally crapped out minutes later when I disconnected the HDMI-DVI cable.

I'm having an issue with my HDMI out connection. Yesterday I connected my cable box to this monitor through the s-video input, but when I pressed the source pc button to switch back to my DVI connection, the monitor displayed a high temp neon green color that would not go away from restarting the computer. So then I disconnected the DVI cable from my pc and reconnected, and everything was back to normal.

Then, about 2 minutes later, the screen turns neon green again (this is all through DVI source-pc). I examine the other video sources, and no faults at all. So, after seeing it is only an issue with the DVI source, I attempted to reconnect the HDMI cable . As I watched the screen while I loosened the cable, I noticed it return to normal video output. When I finished removing the HDMI-DVI cable and reconnected again, it no longer detected any signal at all. Ive restarted my pc only with the HDMI-DVI cable connected; unplugged all cables to the monitor; unplugged monitor power cable; powered on monitor before pc; check debug mode and memory settings; update mobo drivers; update nvidia drivers (using 6800gt); reconnected my video card; and even used another HDMI-DVI cable whichi sceptre sent me an extra (sent an rma form that I haven't received the HDMI cable and they sent me two of them), only to realize I have wasted much time in solving the issue.

I did a search on HDMI output goiong dead, and have found many problems relating to mine that concerned other LCD tvs and even Tivo systems. The HDMI outputs were crapping out. I even read a few issues with DVI outputs dying out on other LCDs. Maybe my HDMI output just crapped on me? Maybe this is why sceptre is making a seperate media box fro thr 42" LCD? Confused because it displayed neon green on DVI source exactly when I tested the s-video connection with my cable box, and then totally crapped out minutes later when I disconnected the HDMI-DVI cable.

I am one of those people who had problems with D* HDTV TiVo HDMI connection and the Sceptre. I emailed Sceptre technical support and got a less than helpful response. They told me that it was TiVo's fault and I should request "a different type of PVR" from D*. Well, I almost took their advice... I shipped the Sceptre back and kept the TiVo. I have recently purchased a 26 inch JVC LCD, which will do me until better 1080p displays come out. No HDMI TiVo problems at all.
It is probably the case that there are problems at both ends of the HDMI link. However the Sceptre is certainly less than robust in this area. It's software is less than robust in several areas.
I wish I could say otherwise, but I don't regret taking my Sceptre back.
Would consider the 42 inch, maybe, IF they had a major software update...

Hey everyone,

So far I'm pretty satisfied with me Sceptre 37" Version 2 LCD. However I have noticed one disturbing issue with DVD player back via HDMI. I have the Oppo Upconverting DVD Player, and I've noticed with almost any DVD playback, I see all sorts of white dots or dashes that flash randomly over the entire picture. It's hard to describe but it almost looks like artifacts in the picture. Does that make any sense to anyone? Could this be my Oppo DVD player, or is it the jitter/tearing problem that many are having on the set?

I don't have these issues when watching TV or HDTV on this set via my Explorer 8300HD box... at least not to a point where I have noticed it.

Any and all help is truly appreciated!


Thanks in advance!

Hey everyone,

So far I'm pretty satisfied with me Sceptre 37" Version 2 LCD. However I have noticed one disturbing issue with DVD player back via HDMI. I have the Oppo Upconverting DVD Player, and I've noticed with almost any DVD playback, I see all sorts of white dots or dashes that flash randomly over the entire picture. It's hard to describe but it almost looks like artifacts in the picture. Does that make any sense to anyone? Could this be my Oppo DVD player, or is it the jitter/tearing problem that many are having on the set?

I don't have these issues when watching TV or HDTV on this set via my Explorer 8300HD box... at least not to a point where I have noticed it.

Any and all help is truly appreciated!


Thanks in advance!

That sounds like it might be a timing issue. If you search this thread (try keywords "timing", "memory") you find a few posts about accessing a service menu and adjusting the interface timing.

That sounds like it might be a timing issue. If you search this thread (try keywords "timing", "memory") you find a few posts about accessing a service menu and adjusting the interface timing.

Thanks for the quick reply! I'm assuming you mean a service menu on the TV and not the DVD player, right?

Thanks again.

I'm trying to set up some macros on my learning remote. I've noticed that some of the TV controls are "state based". The PC Input is state based, that is you press the same button and it cycles through DVI, VGA, etc. The on/off button is also state based.

I know that many mainstream TVs do this too, but they often have undocumented discrete remote codes to force the TV to a particular state. ie, one code turns the TV on, another code turns the TV off. Anyone know if these codes exist for the Sceptre?

Thanks - J

Thanks for the quick reply! I'm assuming you mean a service menu on the TV and not the DVD player, right?

Thanks again.

yes that's what I meant (in the TV). I haven't had this problem myself, so I haven't mucked with the service menu. But I know there are instructions for getting into it and adjusting the timing somewhere in this thread. Sceptre tech support could probably help you too.

Jay_cee:

I posed that very question about discrete remote codes to Sceptre tech support a few weeks ago and was told that there are no discrete codes for the Sceptre inputs. I took that answer with a grain of salt and proceeded to try various sony codes and to haunt the remote central forum etc. in the hope of turning up some undocumented discrete codes for the tv. I struck out completely.

You've probably noticed from this thread already that the remote is not completely "state-based" inasmuch as a switch from analog to digital input (or vice versa) always starts with the same input (eg, when switching from an analog to digital input, it always starts with DTV regardless of what the last state was). From that information, it is possible to begin constructing macros because you always now what "state" it begins with when switching inputs. I've gone that way, but had a miserable time trying to get the timing right (it seems that the digital inputs switch slower than the analog, and I tried to minimize the delays between macro steps, but couldn't find any meaningful consistency--eg,different steps require different delays and sometimes longer delays made the macro less predictable than shorter delays).

Bottom line is that I now have macros that work about 90% of the time, and which are very, very slow (the family had to be taught, with incomplete success to continue pointing the remote at the TV for an extended period after hitting the button so that the macro could continue executing).

I haven't given up hope that there are undocumented discrete codes that just haven't been found yet. Please do continue looking and please, please, post anything you find. The TV would be so much more user-friendly if there were discrete codes for the inputs.

Ah - that's a good clue about forcing it into known input state. I previously missed that, but I wasn't paying much attention to the remote sub-threads until today. Thanks for the help. I'll experiment with that some tonight.

-J

Just a quick note to say I got the v2 set today from CCo and ran juddertest and it definitely still has the bug.

The units shipping from Costco do not have the fix, someone already asked Sceptre about this. You have to send it for a firmware upgrade.

Its a little strange that new shipments still have the judder bug. I thought earlier in this thread somewhere, I had read that orders made through various vendors were drop shipped from Sceptre. If that's the case, why wouldn't Sceptre just ship units with updated firmware?

Even if that is the case, they are probably all packaged for shipment and sitting in a warehouse.

But why would I want to order something that is broken, just to mail it back to get it fixed? Especially when Sceptre passed on the ability to fix it now for a much lower cost (rather than paying for shipping 2-ways). If I were Costco, I'd be furious, since most people will likely use Costco's return policy instead of making Sceptre pay the shipping!

Doesn't make much sense to me either, but that's what they're doing...

Guys:

Please stop the Costco talk or this thread will be closed, or posts will be deleted. The thread topic is the X27SV. Any discussions/posts about the set, as it relates to Costco, are to be posted in the Costco master thread at the top of the page.

Thanks all.

Moderator

In case you guys missed it, here it is AGAIN.

Thanks

Dear Mod,
How do you have a meaningful discussion of a tv that is only available from one source without mentioning the source?

By discussing the set and not the source of purchase. Discussion of the set in relation to where it was purchased is to be had in the master thread.

If the only thing you guys can come up with to discuss in relation to this set is Costco, well, it makes me wonder if this thread has run it's course.

One of the recent major themes is the availability of a firmware upgrade for one of the two versions. An important aspect is whether to send the tv to the manufacturer or return to C****o.
I understand the goal of keeping retailers separate from products but it doesn't work very well with single source products. I think Dell is a good example of the difficulty where the manufacturer can be the retailer.

I would like to purchase this set from any supplier if I were assured that said supplier had a FIXED version. All suppliers of this set are drop-shipping from Sceptre in California and therefore sets should be delivered with the correct firmware.

I hope someone at Sceptre is noting this, since it will cost them FAR more money to fix it "in the field" instead of "at the factory". Plus they are losing sales altogether since consumers don't like to buy items only to send them back to the manufacturer.

I apologize for mentioning suppliers by name in my post, it isn't that important, but continuing to sell a broken item that is drop-shipped is a very strange business practice (to say the least).

One of the recent major themes is the availability of a firmware upgrade for one of the two versions. An important aspect is whether to send the tv to the manufacturer or return to C****o.
I understand the goal of keeping retailers separate from products but it doesn't work very well with single source products. I think Dell is a good example of the difficulty where the manufacturer can be the retailer.This post is a perfect example, since as you say, the set is ONLY available from costco.

There was no reason to mention WHERE it would be returned, since everyone already knows where it would be returned.

This is the last warning. Any further Costco posts will be deleted without notice. I will not close the thread because a few cannot follow rules.

Thanks all

FWIW - this set is also available at target.com and newegg.com.