Sceptre X37SV-Naga review [Text View] - Page 8

Cee9

02-01-06, 04:15 PM

Hmm, I just e-mailed Spectre regarding ASTC/QAM capability and their response was "yes":

My e-mail: -------------------------------------------------------------------

Hello:

Is the X37SV-Naga ATSC tuner QAM capable (able to receive clear unencrypted
digital channels from cable TV service)?

-Thanks

Spectre response: -------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Customer,

Yes.

Best Regards,
Sceptre Technical Support Group

--------------------------------------------------------------------

From reading all the previous threads, the tuner isn't QAM capable. So, either their tech support is clueless or they've changed to a new tuner with QAM support. Can anyone verify QAM support in X37SV-Naga latest revision?

Brian_R170

02-01-06, 05:30 PM

How long has it taken Sceptre cs to get back to people via email? I sent them a request for a firmware upgrade RMA on Monday and nothing yet.

I've e-mailed them at least 5 times with response times ranging from 2 days to 2 weeks. The responses that took the longest were questions about products that were not yet released. E.g. I asked them questions about the X37SV back in June which took 2 weeks and I asked them a question about the X42SV last week and it took 1 week to receive a response.

mikea28

02-01-06, 06:38 PM

will792

02-01-06, 09:57 PM

Polypro

02-02-06, 03:18 PM

Just received the RMA forms. They email you a .pdf form that you FAX back, then they issue a call tag. I emailed them on Tuesday. Pretty pleased with their support so far in regards to recognizing the bug, getting a fix out pretty darn quick, and the process for getting it fixed. We'll see how it goes. Gonna suck watching SageTV on a 17" CRT for a while though :)

P

ericjut

02-02-06, 04:01 PM

Wow, QAM support would really change things for me. I'd probably buy the set right now if it supported unencrypted QAM. Should be pretty easy for anyone with cable to check for us...

I don't know about the 37v2, but I assure you that the 37v1 didn't support QAM.

If you read the other 37 thread, you'll find out that we had a clear "No" when we asked them about QAM or cablecard support.

Sceptre CSRs have been known to be vague and slow in their responses, but I don't remember them lying to us... So I'm a little surprised of their answer. Maybe he misread you and was thinking that you were talking about the 42" model?

-eric

jay_cee

02-02-06, 04:52 PM

bhart89

02-02-06, 06:47 PM

I just received my Naga 37 yesterday. I'm a newbie when it comes to AV stuff so can someone please let me know how to tell if I got a "fixed" unit or if it needs to be sent back for some upgrade? Also, if it isn't to much trouble, what will this "upgrade" fix? I've seen reference of jaggies but in layman's terms, what is the problem? I have Directv and with the standard programming (no HD receiver yet) the picture is less than stellar yet with my Samsung up-converting DVD player set on 1080i the picture was outstanding to my untrained eye.

RedFive99

02-03-06, 06:23 AM

After reading through all 59(!) pages of this thread over the last two days, I finally decided to "pull the trigger" and order the Sceptre X37SV-NAGA. Based on my anticipated uses for the panel, I think it'll work out great. I'll be connecting the following to the unit when it arrives:

Comcast/Motorola DCT-6412 HD DVR (DVI -> HDMI)
Xbox 360 (Component and/or VGA)
Xbox (Component)
GameCube (Component)
PlayStation 2 (Component)

The game consoles will be switched through a Pelican System Selector Pro. I might try connecting a simple antenna to the ATSC tuner just to try picking up DTV.

I'll be attempting to control the unit with my Harmony Xbox 360 remote. Hopefully the programming won't be too horrible. I hope someone discovers and shares codes for discrete inputs by then. :)

Lastly, I'll be comparing the Sceptre X37SV-NAGA to my current tv -- a Sony KV-30HS420 30" CRT HDTV.

I'm hoping to mount the Sceptre to my wall. Based on input from this thread, I ordered the Peerless 32"- 63" Flat Panel TV Tilting Wall Mount (Costco Item #937804). Note that this is not the smaller Peerless wall mount that is advertised on Costco's web site with the Sceptre. Hopefully it will work out, but if not, I can always take it back.

Thanks so much for all 59 pages of this thread! I'm looking forward to posting my results as soon as I receive the panel.

Polypro

02-03-06, 11:54 AM

I just received my Naga 37 yesterday. I'm a newbie when it comes to AV stuff so can someone please let me know how to tell if I got a "fixed" unit or if it needs to be sent back for some upgrade? Also, if it isn't to much trouble, what will this "upgrade" fix?...

bhart,

The main problem is for HTPC'ers...driving the panel through the HDMI port using DVI mode, or VGA port from the graphics card. At 60Hz the panel "judders", ie... on any panning scene there is a start/stop quality to the picture. To fix it to ~90%, you need to set the graphics driver, either through the driver itself or Power Strip, to ~53.307Hz. For me, I would be happy with this work-around if a fix wasn't available...I only really notice it with sports and it's acceptable (to me). I don't drive the set with any other device, so you'd need input from any STB users, etc... To see if it's fixed on your set, other than using a PC and Judder Test, you can see if the Black Level setting sticks, or the Backlight setting sticks after Power On/Off.

P

jpconard

02-03-06, 01:12 PM

jpconard

02-03-06, 01:15 PM

What does the black level setting actually do?

Zoglog

02-03-06, 01:40 PM

NeoUrsa

02-04-06, 01:49 AM

Red5 I too have this set and purchased the mount you did just today. I had a different mount that just wouldn't work. Toss a msg back if the Peerless works for you. I have a wall that needs to be patched and painted ASAP

I'm hoping to mount the Sceptre to my wall. Based on input from this thread, I ordered the Peerless 32"- 63" Flat Panel TV Tilting Wall Mount (Costco Item #937804). Note that this is not the smaller Peerless wall mount that is advertised on Costco's web site with the Sceptre. Hopefully it will work out, but if not, I can always take it back.

Thanks so much for all 59 pages of this thread! I'm looking forward to posting my results as soon as I receive the panel.

Razor(Blades)

02-05-06, 01:18 AM

Nocman418

02-05-06, 02:43 AM

So as far as DVI PC 1920x1080p input goes, this judder problem can be fixed by setting the refresh rate to 53? I'm fine with that.... I'm sure the firmware upgrade is just a matter of converting 60 to 53 internally (at the tv instead of pc).

How about Halo 2 on Xbox? ie 480p via component video? Judder there?

What I'm not fine with is that their firmware upgrade cannot be done by us techies. Thats BS.. It can be done... There must be a data interface on the TV for them to do it in house and I'm pretty sure we could con them into letting us take a "look" at the firmware. If my tv has any judder problems, I'll take peek inside and see if i can find some sort of interface.. Then again, they could use some sort of "device" to flash instead of a flash app on a pc.

Just thinking out loud.

(note: I do not own the display. I am speaking based on knowledge obtained from extensive research on this product)

I read that you have to change the refresh rate to precisely 53.307hz. Now to me, that doesn't make sense. As long as it is roughly 53hz that should be fine right? What is strange to me is when using the program Powerstrip I can't seem to set it exactly to 53.307hz. What happens is when I click accept to apply the 53.307hz it automatically changes to 53.295hz. It is very strange. I have tried several times and it always changes to 53.295hz, very bizarre.

By the way, I am trying this on my laptop. It is a Dell XPS GEN 2 (with a 7800 Go GTX). I tried messing around with the refresh rate and when I set it to 53.61 it seems to be perfect, but that is about the only one I found to be acceptable. All of the others make the screen on the laptop blur and shake. Do you guys know if it will be acceptable to have it at 53.61hz? Do you know if messing around with this might potentially damage my laptop screen? The blurring and shaking scares me a lot considering I spent roughly $4k on the laptop.

I really want to purchase this Sceptre (TOMORROW!), but with all this, I don't know if it is worth it. If I get it I will be using it for Standard cable, OTA HD, DVD's, games on my laptop, websurfing, etc... I am hoping this display will be the only one I need. I am trying to "kill alot of birds with one stone" here. I just don't know if I should get it now or hold out for a while. I have already been holding out for 6 months on buying a monitor, in my search for the one that will best suit my needs.

Responding to your question about component 480p Xbox:

I would think it would be just fine with no judder. From the research I have done, it seems as if only the HTPC's are affected by it. I believe it only has to do with the video card refresh rate. I could be wrong though. Hopefully someone here can clear things up. The way I understand it, as long as what you are doing is separate from your PC, then there will be no judder, hence people saying that everything is ok when they change the refresh rate on their video card. If there happens to be a judder when watching a DVD or OTA HD or SDTV or HDTV, then there is no way in hell I would buy it.

Please wonderful AVS people, help us with these questions.

Polypro

02-05-06, 03:06 AM

Nocman,

Setting the refresh rate to ~53Hz will get you to about 90%...the judder is still there. Whether it's acceptable or not is individual. To me it is. Your specific setup will dictate the actual Hz setting, but anything close to 53.3 will work. With a Gigabyte NV66T128VP using Forceware 82.12, I can set 53.307 in the driver, without Powerstrip. If you use PS, checking "Fine Granularity" will give you smaller adjustment options.
LCD's are tough...if it can't take the setting, it'll display "No Signal". As far as Set Top Boxes and DVD Players, someone else will have to chime in...I have one box that does it all.

P

Brian_R170

02-05-06, 10:59 AM

Anybody had problems with remotes that quit working?

The remote on my version 2 set quit working as of this morning. That's the reason I returned the v1 (well that and the stuck "Vol+" button, which probably would never have happened if the remote didn't stop working).

With the v1 set, I had thought that one of my kids dropped it, but with this one, I know that's not the case because it was working fine last night after they went to bed and I picked it up off the coffee table this morning and it doesn't work... no response from any of the buttons, and new batteries don't help. I remembered reading that the v2 remote codes are partially sony-compatible so I programmed an old universal remote and I can turn the set on and off with it (but that's about it). At least I know it's the remote that's broken and not the TV.

I'll send the remote back to sceptre, but in the meantime, can anyone tell me if a pre-programmed universal remote will work?

mixtapem

02-05-06, 05:59 PM

when will the 42in be available on the website??cuz im not seeing it now
edit: does anybody know what inputs will support 1080p on the new 42in when it becomes available

RedFive99

02-06-06, 01:29 PM

stranx44

02-06-06, 02:02 PM

when will the 42in be available on the website??cuz im not seeing it now
edit: does anybody know what inputs will support 1080p on the new 42in when it becomes available

Search function ftw!

Learn it, live it, love it...

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=626213&page=2&pp=30

RedFive99

02-06-06, 07:18 PM

I'll let you know as soon as I get the TV and mount. Unfortunately, my order is still "in process." :(

Just received shipping confirmation of my Sceptre! Much quicker than I thought it would be. However, the mount that I ordered along with the TV was not included in the ship confirmation mail, so who knows when that will arrive.

Regardless, when it does arrive, I'll post my experience with the Peerless mount and the Sceptre TV.

Evenstar

02-06-06, 09:49 PM

Well, I think I finally found a software application that proves that my Sceptre has this judder problem. It is so clearly noticeable on my Sceptre X37 that I feel I need to do something about it now--if there is anything to do.

It is a really nice aquarium screensaver. You can download a demo version for free from dreamaquarium.com.

Anyway...the stationary foreground and background and swaying plants are all stable but each of the fish swim around in a small jerky irregular or jittery/jumpy movement and same with the bubbles. _Is this the perfect judder demo?_ It is so finally incremented that you might not notice it at all at first glance. And I also think I have accepted judder off and on for a long time. But, after sinking $1.5K into the Sceptre I would like to do something about jutter, if that is what I am seeing now, if I can.

I am also wondering if it could be some kind of frame rate issue? I use a nVidia GeForce 7800 GT though and I do not expect it to be the problem. My guess is that this is where I start playing with PowerStrip3.6 and JudderTest1.1? I have downloaded both but frankly I want to wait and see what Sceptre says or what help I can get from them before I maybe wreck things but good.

Any confirmation or thoughts on this would be appreciated. I just notice that Coxxxx has continued their discount on this HDTV through March 31st now so I can continue to play the game of trying to get a good TV from Sceptre if I want. Unfortunately, IIRC judder requires a firmware update from the Sceptre warehouse in Ontario, California. I may have to consider that but first I have to see if my new Sceptre solves the other big problem...the dead HDMI input? And then whether the firmware upgrade is worth it over using PowerStrip or ignoring the whole issue--which is what I have been doing. Since I haven't noticed judder much recently in my gaming maybe it isn't worth fixing?

Thank you.

mixtapem

02-07-06, 12:56 PM

so does anybody have a rock solid answer for this sceptre accepting 1080p thru the HDMI input..ive seen conflicting reports that it does/doesnt???

sledge1234

02-07-06, 01:15 PM

There have been NO conflicting reports in this thread - the X37SV-Naga does accept 1080p signal on the HDMI input.
Naturally, the only tested 1080p source so far have been HTPCs.

so does anybody have a rock solid answer for this sceptre accepting 1080p thru the HDMI input..ive seen conflicting reports that it does/doesnt???

mixtapem

02-07-06, 01:56 PM

ive seen some people claim that theres didnt work on some other sites..whether or not they had it hooked up correctly is another story ..thanks for the clear up i think ive made up my mind on this 37in or the 42in model comin soon

Nukezm

02-07-06, 11:42 PM

I received my Sceptre X37SV-NAGA last week. I don't use it as a monitor just as a TV hooked up to my cablevision Scientific Atlanta DVR. I want to hook it up via HDMI but am still waiting for the cable I ordered. Here's my questions: With this setup, do I really need the new firmware? I hate to send it back. It arrived with no dead pixels that I can see, but shipping it scares the heck out of me. Will hooking it up via HDMI make a difference compared to my present component connection (YpbPr)? Finally, what does this backlight setting do and with HDMI will I be able to access it? Thanks for any help.

vnitto

02-07-06, 11:57 PM

I have the same set-up as you. I have the Sceptre X37SV-Naga hooked up via HDMI to a Cox Scientific Atlanta 8300HD DVR.

The picture looks great. No worries about jitter. I compared HDMI to component inputs from the DVR and didn't notice any difference. I now have my DVD player hooked up via component and the DVR via the HDMI. The TV works great. If you want to see the comparison while you wait for your HDMI cable to come in you can just get a HDMI cable from wal-mart and return it when your ordered HDMI cable arrives. THey have a good return policy. Let me check if you can access the blacklight level in HDMI mode : Yes, you can, under the "lamp" setting on the "picture" menu.

BSteely

02-08-06, 01:25 AM

So the firmware upgrade fixed the backlight setting getting lost.

Do they have anything like this to fix the version 1 set? I thought my backlight setting was OK, but I see that the number stays at what you left it, but the lighting actually goes up to around 4. I usually run at 2.

Now I just run a black screen saver and leave it powered up.

That's a really bad idea. CCFL lamps have limited life. You are consuming their life while running a black screen. Not recommended to run 24/7. TV will be about half as bright as new in 3 years if you do this.

Nukezm

02-08-06, 11:09 AM

I have the same set-up as you. I have the Sceptre X37SV-Naga hooked up via HDMI to a Cox Scientific Atlanta 8300HD DVR.

Thanks for the feedback. Do you know what the backlight setting actually does?

Evenstar

02-08-06, 03:16 PM

I think right now I am a happy camper at long last with the X37. I just received my last Sceptre X37SV-Naga and this one I'm going to keep! Although neither Sceptre nor Cxxxxx.com seem to have any interest in set s/n's, it looks like this new one has had the firmware upgrade and has had a QC inspection for other problems I ran into with the two other Sceptre X37's I tried. Here's why:

1. The HDMI input works. I hooked up my PC's DVI out using the new Sceptre supplied DVI to HDMI cable and get as perfect a PC DVI picture as the VGA picture gives. I can't see any difference. Same if I run a PC video to VGA or DVI. I can't "see" any difference in quality or sharpness and I used the Nokia Monitor Test to help "see" a difference if I could.

2. The Dream Aquarium judder disappeared. The new TV monitor exibits no judder. Although I wasn't aware of judder from playing the same video DVDs on my earlier sets they play fine on this lastest set. And the fish and bubbles in the Dream Aquarium screen saver program movement is smooth.

3. The lower bezel is straight so the screen Auto screen positioning works perfectly. The bottom scan lines are not cut off by the bezel warping up in the middle.

4. NO, not one, defective pixel or sub-pixel or however you want to describe it.

5. From the Nokia Monitor Test the focus is sharper. I know this is very subjective but I really "feel" it from this test and from XP's Desktop text & icon appearance. This was an added bonus I had not expected. Maybe it has something to do with the judder firmware upgrade? Maybe I'm dreaming? :)

It took three tries and likely, though I have no proof of it, the firmware upgrade to get a X37 that really seems to be working right and worth the $1.5K price and it took some of this forum's help to keep trying.

Over the phone Cxxxxx.com mentioned that they were not aware of any Sceptre problems resulting in out of normal returns. It is obvious though that there is no real accountability with what stock is what. When I returned my old Sceptre set yesterday they don't even track the serial number or part number. All they verified was that I was returning a X37 from the front bezel and that the order number matched.

So, I suggest ordering a new X37 and if it doesn't fix your problems returning it and ordering another until you get one that works and/or until Cxxxxx gets the message and does something different. Their warranty is certainly wonderful and considering the price we pay I don't think this is abuse. Sceptre may have gotten it right now and maybe their sets from this point on will all be perfect. I hope so.

RedFive99

02-08-06, 05:07 PM

Sceptre may have gotten it right now and maybe their sets from this point on will all be perfect. I hope so.

I hope so too! I expect to take delivery of my X37SV-Naga tomorrow and I'll post my findings here. Is there any definitive way I can check to see if the set has had a firmware upgrade or not? Is there a version number or something similar exposed in the menus?

pcotter

02-08-06, 06:49 PM

I asked Sceptre technical support whether, if I were to order a set today from [our favourite online warehouse], it would have the upgraded firmware - this is what they said:

Dear Customer,

I can't confirm that but I do know we are shipping "corrected" units to them now.

Best Regards,
Sceptre Technical Support Group

My new set arrives tomorrow, so hopefully it'll be "corrected" - I'll post an update on Friday.

pcotter

02-08-06, 06:58 PM

By the way - the last set (which I returned) seemed to have a problem with over-saturated reds on the s-video inputs. when I ran an s-video cable from my Directv receiver (non-HD - what's the point? There are so few satellite HD channels anyway, and my understanding is they are over-compressed) , via my receiver to the set, and any red was a big blob. I was watching skiing and the writing on a skier's goggle strap made the side of her head look like a whoopee cushion. Anyone else seen this? Maybe it was just a bad set.

I also couldn't see a way to tone down the red level in the menus. Is there just no control for this in the S-video input menus?

Thanks to everyone who's contributed tothis thread, it really helped me decide what to spend my (limited) money on. (Though I wish they hadn't removed that optical out :( )

Nocman418

02-09-06, 02:17 AM

Hey everyone. I just received the Sceptre today and I can confirm that the "judder" problem has been fixed in the units they are shipping now. Very good news. I set up the display today and it is absolutely beautiful. I do however, have one problem. I sure hope you guys will be able to help me on this. I would appreciate it so much.

I hooked up my laptop via DVI to the HDMI on the Sceptre. It is in 1920x1080p. On far left side of the monitor (from the very far left end of the monitor to approx 1- 2 inches out) there are vertical lines that flicker (and sometimes are only flickering in the bottom portion of the left side of the monitor and then near the top left side, without being in the middle and some of the time it will be from the bottom to the top, but it does still remain within 2 inches out from the far left side of the monitor) and it seems like it might be static, like some sort of interference, but the strange thing is it only affects that one area. The lines that flicker are multiple colors (blue, purple, etc.. and sometimes you can't tell what color, if any) I also played a DVD and the same thing happened. I played Half Life 2 and the same thing occured. I don't have cable TV hooked up yet, but I did switch the source to DTV even though it doesn't pick up any channels and I did notice the problem with doing that as well.

donsev

02-09-06, 08:18 AM

1. The HDMI input works. I hooked up my PC's DVI out using the new Sceptre supplied DVI to HDMI cable and get as perfect a PC DVI picture as the VGA picture gives. I can't see any difference. Same if I run a PC video to VGA or DVI. I can't "see" any difference in quality or sharpness and I used the Nokia Monitor Test to help "see" a difference if I could.

5. From the Nokia Monitor Test the focus is sharper. I know this is very subjective but I really "feel" it from this test and from XP's Desktop text & icon appearance.

I believe that #5 actually answers #1. I don't recall what problem you may have had with the HDMI connection/setting, but using DVI *should* give you a noticeably sharper/cleaner image than using VGA. As in many things though, you have to know what you are looking for and what images and patterns to use to demonstrate the difference - and using the XP desktop and text is one of the easiest tests. If your videocard supports both VGA and DVI output, you can set up an A/B comparison and you should be able to quickly spot the difference.

2. The Dream Aquarium judder disappeared. The new TV monitor exibits no judder. Although I wasn't aware of judder from playing the same video DVDs on my earlier sets they play fine on this lastest set. And the fish and bubbles in the Dream Aquarium screen saver program movement is smooth.

"I am also wondering if it could be some kind of frame rate issue? I use a nVidia GeForce 7800 GT though and I do not expect it to be the problem. My guess is that this is where I start playing with PowerStrip3.6 and JudderTest1.1? I have downloaded both but frankly I want to wait and see what Sceptre says or what help I can get from them before I maybe wreck things but good."

IMO, there really is no risk in installing the PowerStrip and JudderTest software (you can simply uninstall once the testing is done), and it would be very helpful to others to know for certain that the shipping units do indeed have the firmware upgrade that fixes the juddering issue @ 60Hz.

(Our thanks in advance if you can, but we understand your hesitation in messin' with something once it finally works to your satisfaction).

donsev

02-09-06, 08:32 AM

Hey everyone. I just received the Sceptre today and I can confirm that the "judder" problem has been fixed in the units they are shipping now.

If you don't mind, could you elaborate on how you are able to confirm the absence of the judder issue - are you running the JudderTest @ 60Hz?

I hooked up my laptop via DVI to the HDMI on the Sceptre. It is in 1920x1080p. On far left side of the monitor (from the very far left end of the monitor to approx 1- 2 inches out) there are vertical lines that flicker (and sometimes are only flickering in the bottom portion of the left side of the monitor and then near the top left side, without being in the middle and some of the time it will be from the bottom to the top, but it does still remain within 2 inches out from the far left side of the monitor) and it seems like it might be static, like some sort of interference, but the strange thing is it only affects that one area.

There have been several prior references to flickering lines in this thread. Did you double check that you have the HDMI port set to DVI and not HDMI or HDCP? Do you have any device with component cables that you could use to check that connection as well?

IIRC, there is a menu setting for a timing delay that may be useful. You may also want to simply contact Sceptre Tech Support, the reports are that on these type of issues they are usually responsive.

Edit - Found an earlier post

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.

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

Nocman418

02-09-06, 09:06 PM

If you don't mind, could you elaborate on how you are able to confirm the absence of the judder issue - are you running the JudderTest @ 60Hz?

There have been several prior references to flickering lines in this thread. Did you double check that you have the HDMI port set to DVI and not HDMI or HDCP? Do you have any device with component cables that you could use to check that connection as well?

IIRC, there is a menu setting for a timing delay that may be useful. You may also want to simply contact Sceptre Tech Support, the reports are that on these type of issues they are usually responsive.

Edit - Found an earlier post

I hooked up my laptop via DVI to HDMI and then played Half Life 2 and Counter Strike Source from my PC and there was no judder at all. I read that the monitors that did have the judder issue, it was very very noticeable. In fact, so bad that it was almost unbearable. I am not aware of what the "judder test" is, but I can assure you there was no judder and if there was I would have noticed it.

Thank you so much for the help!!! Without your response, I would have definitely not been able to figure out what the problem was which would lead to me eventually returning it. I can't begin to thank you enough! I set the memory timing (delay) setting to 3 and that is what fixed it. 4 was what it was in where it was having the problem. So, if any of you guys are having this issue, 3 will probably work for you : )

....

That has all been taking care of thanks to you, but I am having another problem. I never thought buying a TV would be so much of a hassle. If it wasn't for avsforums, I would seriously going insane. I have my laptop hooked up to the monitor via DVI. Games are wonderful and websurfing is awsome. The issue now is with playing DVD's. My laptop has an (Nvidia 7800 Go GTX) in it, which is the best laptop video card out now. When I play DVD's they look like absolute crap. They look about the same as watching standard cable or a little bit worse. DVD's are extremely grainy and it is very washed out, colors are terrible, very dull

I spent most of today reading through this thread to find any answers to my problem, but everyone seems to be playing DVD's on their PC's perfectly fine and are quite stunning (which they should be). I did read that it might be a "scaling" issue. Possibly that the DVD player in the laptop isn't upconverting the DVD, or something? I really have no clue at all. All I want to do is watch a DVD, but it just looks horrible. Please, oh please, I beg you guys to help me. I am new to all of this and I am having a very hard time trying to figure these things out. I just want to thank you guys again for always helping. I hope one day I will be knowledgeable enough to help you guys answer some questions. That will be a while though : )

jay_cee

02-09-06, 09:24 PM

Since you are playing the DVD over the PC, this is likely a software issue. Have you tried some different software players and different DVDs? Different players may do the upscaling differently. I know that the latest nvidia cards have a lot of hardware acceleration for MPEG-2 streams. You should be able to try turning the HW acceleration on and off. And also some DVDs are just very poorly mastered. Garbage in - garbage out.

Also, are you sure that your computer is driving the TV at its native 1920x1080 resolution?

Is there any chance that your software player is changing the the screen resolution downto 720x480 when you play DVDs?

ericjut

02-09-06, 09:55 PM

Try other software DVD players:
- WinDVD (http://www.intervideo.com/jsp/Home.jsp)
- PowerDVD (http://www.cyberlink.com/multi/products/main_1_ENU.html)
- TheaterTek (http://www.theatertek.com/)

All of them lets you download to try for a few weeks.

Play with the options on all of them to figure out which one you like the best in terms of video quality.

Also, I would specifically try other MPEG2 decoders (NVDVD, Media Concept, etc...)...

And definitely visit this forum: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=26

-eric

Nocman418

02-09-06, 10:24 PM

jay_cee, I haven't tried any different players yet, but I have tried quite a few different DVD's and they all look quite horrible. Currently I am using CyberLink PowerDVD 6 Deluxe, which is supposed to be pretty darn good. Where exactly do I turn the hardware acceleration on or off? Yes, the computer is driving the monitor at 1920x1080 (according to the Nvidia Display Driver settings)

EDIT:

You are absolutely right, the software player is in fact changing the screen resolution down to 720x480 when I play DVD's.

How in the world could I possibly change that?

Here is what the configuration looks like in PowerDVD:

Player Information:
Player Region Code: 1
Current Drive: D:
Title Region Code: 1

Display Information:
Video Mode: Progressive
Display Mode: DirectDraw
FourCC Code: YUY2
Surface Type: Overlay

Video Attributes:
Video compression mode: MPEG-2
TV system: 525/60 (NTSC)
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Display Mode: Only Pan&scan
Source picture resolution: 720x480 (525/60)
Frame Rate: 30.00
Source picture letterboxed: Not letterboxed
Bitrate: 5.94Mbps

Audio Attributes:
Audio Coding mode: Dolby Digital
Sampling Rate: 48kHz
Audio application mode: Not specified
Number of Audio channels: 6
Number of Audio streams: 2

Subpicture Attribute:
Number of Subtitles: 4

Hardware Information:
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) M processor running at 2128 MHz
3DNow! Technology: Not Detected
Enhanced 3DNow! Technology: Not Detected
3DNow! Professional Technology: Not Detected
IA MMX Technology: In Use
IA Streaming SIMD Extensions: In Use
IA SSE 2: In Use
Video Accelerator: DirectX VA (not in use)
Multispeaker Audio Device: SB Audigy 2 [FEC0] (not in use)
SPDIF Output Device: SB Audigy 2 [FEC0] (not in use)

sfhub

02-09-06, 10:27 PM

You are absolutely right, the software player is in fact changing the screen resolution down to 720x480 when I play DVD's.

How did you determine the player has switched to 720x480 resolution?

What you wrote only says the source material (ie the DVD) is 720x480.

If the display says it is receiving 720x480 then that would be conclusive.

Nocman418

02-09-06, 10:30 PM

You are correct sfhub. Thank you for clearing that up. I can't determine that the player has switched to 720x480 resolution. It was just the source material. I have no idea what to do now.

-EDIT

According to the display itself, it says it is in 1920x1080p

jay_cee

02-10-06, 12:47 AM

Nocman418

02-10-06, 03:30 AM

I've never heard of a player actually changing resolution when playing a DVD, but it seems possible in theory. If the TV says 1920x1080 when you press the "info" button, then that is not the problem.

I would definitely try some different software players.
Have you tried any video clips downloaded from the Internet? Just wondering if its DVDs only or all video. Sorry I can't offer more help - I'm a linux user (where players and drivers are an even bigger mess). You might try soliciting some help over at the Nvidia forums. I've gotten a lot of Linux help there and I'm sure their WIndows area is 10 times better.

I pressed the info button and it did say it was in 1920x1080, so I guess that rules that out, which is good.

In addition to PowerDVD 6 Deluxe, I tried TheaterTek which ericjut recommended. I would have tried WinDVD, but I did the trial version a while back on my laptop, so I couldn't do that. Thanks for the suggestion with the Nvidia forums. I will have to check that out.

I also hooked up a standalone DVD player via component which was doing 480i, and I must say that the 480i even looked better than playing DVD's through my laptop to the Sceptre. I tested several DVD's too. I wonder what the heck is going on.

I did watch and download some video clips from the internet. They weren't any better.

donsev

02-10-06, 08:38 AM

The issue now is with playing DVD's. My laptop has an (Nvidia 7800 Go GTX) in it, which is the best laptop video card out now. When I play DVD's they look like absolute crap. They look about the same as watching standard cable or a little bit worse. DVD's are extremely grainy and it is very washed out, colors are terrible, very dull

I also hooked up a standalone DVD player via component which was doing 480i, and I must say that the 480i even looked better than playing DVD's through my laptop to the Sceptre. I tested several DVD's too. I wonder what the heck is going on.

I did watch and download some video clips from the internet. They weren't any better.

Just remember to keep in mind the limited resolution that DVDs deliver compared to the panels native resolution - and that a good SD broadcast signal *can* be as good or better than even a moderately well mastered DVD. And it is possible that a standalone DVD player connected through component input can provide an image equal to a HTPC DVD player set at its defaults and without calibration.

So, have you calibrated the DVI input (with Avia or DVE) when using the laptop? (Each input has its own calibration setting memory.)

Have you turned down the backlighting on the Sceptre? That could easily wash out the color.

Are you stepping back (5'-8' or more) to evaluate the PQ? If you are watching at the same distance as you are used to with your laptop, the Sceptre will look much coarser than the laptop because of the much tigher pixel pitch on the laptop.

How do the DVD's look on the laptop (focusing mostly on color)? The correct gamma, contrast and brightness are likely very different between the laptop LCD panel and the Sceptre panel. You can usually correct these in the software DVD players configuration/video settings, or globaly in the settings for the video card driver.

BTW, unfortunately, video games will not necessarily reveal the juddering issues that was(is?) present in the earlier sets. The more definitive test is the JudderTest program that is mentioned earlier in the thread.

RedFive99

02-10-06, 06:00 PM

I finally received my Sceptre 37" yesterday afternoon and after setting it up and playing with it last night, I'm quite impressed! I didn't notice any of the issues mentioned by those with the v2 model without the firmware upgrade, so I'm inclined to believe that I received a model with that firmware upgrade already in place.

Quick thoughts on it below. I'll write a more thorough review later if I have the time.

12" PowerBook via DVI -> HDMI: Looks mind-blowingly good! This is the only 1080p source I have to connect, but man, do I wish I had more. It looks so good that I am seriously considering building an HTPC for this TV. "Upscaling" DVDs by running them through Apple DVD Player and making them fullscreen looks very good considering no other software is running to assist the picture.

Comcast/Motorola HD DVR via DVI -> HDMI: SD looks the same as it did on my 30" HD CRT, HD looks great! However, I find that I really need to sit a bit further back from the 37" than the 30" to properly enjoy it. Artifacts in the video signal are much more apparent both due to the fact that this is an LCD instead of a CRT and because the screen is larger. When I move back, however, it looks fantastic. HDMI/HDCP sources provide overscan, DVI source does not.

Xbox via component cables: I tried 480i, 480p and 1080i from the Xbox on both games and XBMC. Upscaling DVDs to 1080i looks pretty good. XBMC UI looks phenominal in 1080i.

GameCube via component cables: I played Chibi-Robo in 480p. Looks about what you'd expect from a 1080p LCD scaling up 480p 4:3 content.

Xbox 360 via VGA and component: I tried VGA first, just because I have the cable and I was curious. It looks fine, but as was mentioned earlier in the thread, 1360 x 768 is the maximum widescreen resolution you can get via VGA. Moving to component, I set the 360 to output at 1080i. It looks great! I tried the Fight Night Round 3 demo and it is very close to photorealistic. Nice.

ATSC tuner: I plugged in a ribbon-style FM antenna just to see if I could pick anything up. I picked up two local stations, surprisingly. They both looked good at 1080i.

I didn't notice any dead or stuck pixels, but I didn't look very close for them, either. Can anyone suggest a tool for verifying dead/stuck pixels and to verify judder is gone using Mac OS X? I don't have a PC close enough to the TV to check it out.

Hopefully I'll write more about it tonight!

JAK666

02-10-06, 08:42 PM

RedFive99:

Don't know about a Mac OSX based judder test (I'm a Version 1 person) but a good pixel checker can be found here :

http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/10793

It's called PiXel Check 1.2 and is freeware---good luck!

Nocman418

02-10-06, 09:47 PM

NeoUrsa

02-11-06, 05:52 AM

Re5 I got the stand you/we both ordered. I'm not sure if you received yours yet. But does line up and should work fine. I'll be mounting mine after the wall is painted.

I noticed the speakers are a tad annoying on the bass. They bottom out and sort of pop. I won't be using these all said and done but just annoying in the awe a new toy.

I don't know if it was mentioned, but you can use a component to vga cord to use the VGA in as another Component input.

Jason Merrick

02-11-06, 06:16 PM

I don't know if it was mentioned, but you can use a component to vga cord to use the VGA in as another Component input.
Are there any downsides to using the VGA port this way? Are Component to VGA cords readily available at local stores, or is it something I would need to order online?

Sorry for the newb questions, I just ordered my Sceptre and it's scheduled for delivery Monday. It'll be my first HDTV. I want to connect my DVD player, Xbox 360 and a HD cable box... wondering how I'm going to do it. Anyone know if the Time Warner SA 8300 HD box has the DVI/HDMI output enabled? For some reason, I think I have to use component out of it to get HD.

On the other hand, what's the least expensive way to do component switching? Any cheap workarounds? Or do I have to buy a dedicated component switch?

Brian_R170

02-11-06, 06:59 PM

Are there any downsides to using the VGA port this way? Are Component to VGA cords readily available at local stores, or is it something I would need to order online?

Sorry for the newb questions, I just ordered my Sceptre and it's scheduled for delivery Monday. It'll be my first HDTV. I want to connect my DVD player, Xbox 360 and a HD cable box... wondering how I'm going to do it. Anyone know if the Time Warner SA 8300 HD box has the DVI/HDMI output enabled? For some reason, I think I have to use component out of it to get HD.

On the other hand, what's the least expensive way to do component switching? Any cheap workarounds? Or do I have to buy a dedicated component switch?

I don't know about using the VGA as a component input on this TV, but I purchased one of those cables from monoprice.com a couple months ago and it was very inexpensive. The product ID was 2173 which is a 12-foot version. They have a 6-foot version too.

DouglasteR

02-11-06, 08:17 PM

Nocman418

02-12-06, 02:50 PM

My DVD's no longer look horrible! They look great now (not grainy). I tried a bunch of different software DVD players and I found that using TheaterTek + NVIDIA PureVideo Decoder works very well. Before that I was using Cyberlink PowerDVD 6 Deluxe and for some reason it doesn't seem to scale very well over a large screen. I am so glad I found out that the DVD issue was the software I was using. Thanks guys!

I was watching season 1 of the show "24" on DVD last night and after carefully watching for a few episodes I noticed that the LCD doesn't seem to perform that well in a dark room, so I turned on a light and that helped a little, but that wasn't the culprit. In somewhat bright scenes the colors looked very washed out, in darker scenes (moderately dark), they became too dark and were difficult to view, but some scenes looked rather good, mainly when it was a closeup of a face in a brighter scene. Also, sometimes there is a reddish or yellowish or greenish tint to the scenes. The only thing I have adjusted on the TV is the lamp setting. It has a scale of 0-7 and I set the lamp on 0. Anything else is too bright.

I think what I need to do is calibrate the the Sceptre. I have my laptop connected to the Sceptre via DVI. When in DVI there aren't really any options in the menu on the Sceptre to change all the color settings and all that. My question is how do you calibrate this monitor in DVI? From what I have read on this thread it seems that I need to calibrate through my laptop (the HTPC). How do I go about doing this? The thing is colors look really good in websurfing or playing games, but that isn't the case for watching DVD's. Do I need to calibrate the colors within TheaterTek? I played with that a little bit, but there aren't really that many options.

mariog7

02-12-06, 03:22 PM

I think I am confusted with too much info from searching.

I am thinking about buying this TV from Costco, but I understand that all their TV's require a firmware upgrade, where I would have to ship the TV back.

What exactly is this defect - is it related to using this TV as a PC monitor? I just intend to use it with my comcast HDTV box, not using it as a TV. If this is the case, should I not worry about getting the firmware upgraded? Thanks.

mikea28

02-12-06, 03:28 PM

is there anyway to check what firmware version you have? my impression is no, other than to run juddertest, but i thought i'd ask anyways since nobody has stated this explicitly (that I coudl find).

bshor

02-12-06, 05:03 PM

Any new info on the QAM issue?

nathan_h

02-12-06, 05:13 PM

Any new info on the QAM issue?

Doesn't look like anyone has a confirmed success with trying to use this TV as a QAM tuner, and tech support certainly said it won't work with v1 (long before v2, so that shouldn't be read as an indication that v2 would or does support it).

gc_chi

02-12-06, 05:57 PM

Xbox via component cables: I tried 480i, 480p and 1080i from the Xbox on both games and XBMC. Upscaling DVDs to 1080i looks pretty good. XBMC UI looks phenominal in 1080i. How did you get DVDs to upscale to 1080i from X360? When I use the DVD player, the Sceptre goes into 480p mode.

Xbox 360 via VGA and component: I tried VGA first, just because I have the cable and I was curious. It looks fine, but as was mentioned earlier in the thread, 1360 x 768 is the maximum widescreen resolution you can get via VGA. Moving to component, I set the 360 to output at 1080i. It looks great! I tried the Fight Night Round 3 demo and it is very close to photorealistic. Nice. Finally someone else with VGA cable impressions. You didn't notice any tearing effect when using the VGA output?

Chi

Drat Pons

02-12-06, 06:38 PM

ben1000

02-12-06, 06:50 PM

Howdy...

I recently bought the 37" from Costco...

No Judder as far as I can see, so perhaps the firmware is upgraded... I have run Juddertest at 60hz and can't see any judder. Videos with pans seem smooth to me.

I tried 53MHz too, and couldn't see any difference. Back to 60 now.

I had the static-bars on the left side, too. Lowering the memory solved this for me as well, as previously posted.

To try to confirm the firmware upgrade, I wonder if the version number or date is in the debug screen. Mine says:

DEBUG 0111
06/01/16 14:58
T370HW01
1920X1080

I wonder if this means the firmware was installed Jan 16th, 2006? If so, it would seem to be the new version...

Can anyone with the old firmware confirm this? Anyone with the new firmware post theirs?

Thanks,

Ben

JAK666

02-12-06, 07:29 PM

ben1000:

How did you access the debug screen?

thx--

ben1000

02-12-06, 08:37 PM

Howdy...

Sorry. It's been posted before so I didn't want to repeat..

To access the debug screen, locate the buttons on the TV (not the remote), and press the 3rd and 4th from the left at the same time.

Best,

Ben

bigjuice

02-12-06, 09:14 PM

Nocman418

02-13-06, 12:02 AM

DouglasteR

02-13-06, 05:41 AM

Post some screens guys !!! :D

s2ktaxi

02-13-06, 05:59 AM

I've been comparing the X37SV and the X42GV and noticed a couple of differences. Does anyone have any idea as to whether the non-square pixels and slightly less brightness will affect the new unit negatively? I particularly wonder about the non-square pixels when used as a computer monitor.

The X37SV pixel pitch is .4275 H and .4275 V and brightness of 600 cd/m2.
The X42GV pixel pitch is .1615 H and .4845 V and brightness of 550 cd/m2.

Drat
I think the H # for the X42 is wrong... it's too far off given the 16x9 ratio...

ben1000

02-13-06, 10:39 AM

??? Screens of what?

B.

pete4

02-13-06, 11:42 AM

I've been comparing the X37SV and the X42GV and noticed a couple of differences. Does anyone have any idea as to whether the non-square pixels and slightly less brightness will affect the new unit negatively? I particularly wonder about the non-square pixels when used as a computer monitor.

The X37SV pixel pitch is .4275 H and .4275 V and brightness of 600 cd/m2.
The X42GV pixel pitch is .1615 H and .4845 V and brightness of 550 cd/m2.

Drat

37" specs are per full pixel, 42" specs are per each subpixel, in other words 42" pixel size is .4845x.4845. and each pixel consists of red, green and blue subpixel of .1615x.4845 size. Cool, now we have more choices for 1080p displays.

NeoUrsa

02-13-06, 01:21 PM

Hey Guys,
I just bought this TV and it's supposed to arrive soon...which mount is it that you guys bought?

Thanks, Dwaine

Peerless 32-63" Model DFPT420S

You can get away with other mounts mind you, but this gives me options to swap out the set if ever choose to.

DouglasteR

02-13-06, 02:01 PM

??? Screens of what?

B.

Of the Sceptre in action, in PC or Xbox360 ! :D

And by the way, Direct TV or any other Digital TV can be plugged directly ( from the antena ) to the ATSC tuner ?

Thanks in advice :cool:

ericjut

02-13-06, 02:10 PM

Hi guys, I was waiting for the 42" model to come out to order, but after seeing the huge price difference between the 2 units, I'm willing to give the 37" another chance.

I used to own a v1, but had many issues with it. I contacted Sceptre about them (please see post #576 - http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6131219&&#post6131219) and I would like to ask all of you that received your updated 37" if you have any of the issues below.

Problem #1: On HDMI-DVI input, "Black Level" in the first menu doesn't do anything. The slider goes from 0-12 and absolutely nothing changes between 0-12. Could you please let me know what this setting is supposed to do?

Problem #2: Again on HDMI-DVI input (other inputs don't seem to have this problem), If you put anything else than 7 on the "Lamp" option, which is the backlight, the setting will always be put back to 7 (max) the next time you turn on the TV.
To repro:
1. Select HDMI->DVI
2. Put something white on your screen (open your browser fullscreen).
3. Go into the menu -> Lamp and put the slider to "0" (notice the light output to be a lot less than "7").
4. Turn off the TV
5. Turn on the TV (notice that the light output is back to very bright).
6. Go into the menu -> Lamp and notice that the slider is still at "0" even with the current max brightness.
7. Play with the backlight setting by going to "1" and then back to "0". Notice that the second you change the value, it corrects itself.
Is there a way to fix this issue?

Also, another problem that used to plague the v1 was about losing the DVI/HDMI connection from a PC when switching inputs (on some video cards).

Can anybody confirm that those issues have been fixed with v2 and/or v2+firmware update?

Thank you in advance.

-eric

mixtapem

02-13-06, 03:22 PM

does anybody here watch alot of sports or play xbox360 and experience motion blur or blurring of any kind with this set??any input would be great

nygiants

02-13-06, 03:41 PM

I thought I'd post since I've had my Sceptre 37" for a month or so now. Overall, I like the TV but like the others, I am experiencing some annoying issues. I know they may have already been discussed earlier in this thread but it's probably just as easy for us to discuss again than for us to search through 60 pages of posts.

1. Does anyone have this issue with the component hookup from a STB? I know I saw this somewhere in an earlier post. When watching certain scenes, particularly darker scenes, the screen appears to be trying to adjust the brightness on its own so you see the picture get darker and lighter as scenes change. This may be normal but I defintely don't think so. Others may not be bothered by it but I see it and am annoyed by it.

2. I have my laptop (docking station) hooked up via VGA and my card is an ATI 9000 (64MB). I know it's an older card but it seems to work fine. I watch DVD's through and external DVD burner hooked to the laptop and use WinDVD software 4.0 (older version). I set the res to 53MHZ and it seems to work fine for a while. However, while watching I'll notice a very slight judder in the picture. It's not bad at all but it causes the sound and picture to be very slightly out of sync from that point forward. Now, can someone tell me if this is my VGA card, DVD player software, DVD Burner (hardware), or the Sceptre itself that is causing this? It's hard to pinpoint the cause of the problem.

Thanks to all for the great discussions on this topic.

jay_cee

02-13-06, 04:23 PM

1) I think this is a "feature". Search for "auto contrast" (I think) in this thread and you'll find many other reports of it. I don't use the component inputs, so I haven't see this myself. I don't recall anyway of turning it off.

2) Are you using the TV for sound as well as video? I haven't seen this from my computer, but I'm using external audio. Now, I have noticed some sound/video synchonization problems when watching ATSC TV (TV audio out going to my receiver). My gf claims that power cycling the TV will fix them, but I haven't really debugged it very much since I watch live TV very, very rarely. (I'm 98% HTPC).

RedFive99

02-13-06, 05:01 PM

RedFive99

02-13-06, 05:03 PM

Re5 I got the stand you/we both ordered. I'm not sure if you received yours yet. But does line up and should work fine. I'll be mounting mine after the wall is painted.

Awesome! For whatever reason, mine took a lot longer to arrive than the TV did. In fact, the wall mount just arrived today. I'm hoping to get started mounting it on the wall this evening. Thanks for the info!

RedFive99

02-13-06, 05:04 PM

Pics of it running on X360 please ? :D

I'll see if I can take some tonight. :cool:

RedFive99

02-13-06, 05:06 PM

Any new info on the QAM issue?

I forgot to test this when I got my TV. Should I just connect the incoming cable from the wall into the ATSC tuner input on the Sceptre? Let me know and I'll try it out.

RedFive99

02-13-06, 05:07 PM

How did you get DVDs to upscale to 1080i from X360? When I use the DVD player, the Sceptre goes into 480p mode.

Finally someone else with VGA cable impressions. You didn't notice any tearing effect when using the VGA output?

I didn't use the Xbox 360 for 1080i upscaled DVDs, I used my Xbox running Xbox Media Center.

I didn't notice any tearing when using the VGA input, but I only used it for a very short amount of time before switching to the component cables for higher resolution.

Jason Merrick

02-14-06, 12:49 AM

mixtapem

02-14-06, 12:55 AM

Well, I ordered my Sceptre on Friday 2/10 and received it today 2/13... pretty amazing!

Overall I love it!

Initial concerns are:
- Sounds like ANY bass at all bottoms out the speaker, even with Bass set to 0 and Loudness set to OFF.

- My UEI-manufactured TimeWarner cablebox remote can't control the volume of the TV with any of the Sony codes.

Any fixes for these issues?
i also have TWC and this is what worked for my tv:
1: Turn on your TV
2:Press Select + Mute TOGETHER until the power buttons blink in seqeunce
3: Press and hold Channel Up button until the device turns off release channel up button
4: Press mute if the device turns back on press select to lock in the code. if the device that turned off is not back on press channel down one step at a time until that device turns back on. press select to lock in that code.

this is what i did for my tv and it worked dont know if u have the same remote
hope it works

Nocman418

02-14-06, 03:51 AM

When I press the power button on the remote or TV it goes into standby mode which changes the LED changes from green to red. Is there a way to "fully" turn the TV off instead of leaving it in standby mode.. The reason I ask is because the monitor is in my bedroom very close to my bed and when it is in standby mode it makes a buzzing noise that comes out of the back of the monitor. It is really getting annoying. When the monitor is turned on, it doesn't make that noise though. It must have to do something with electricity building up when in standby mode and it has no other way to release it. That is the only thing I can come up with. I hope there is a solution to this other than unplugging the darn thing.

DouglasteR

02-14-06, 11:01 AM

jay_cee

02-14-06, 11:10 AM

kwill

02-14-06, 03:25 PM

you could plug it into a surge protector and switch that off- not a great solution, but at least you would not have to unplug it.

kwill

02-14-06, 03:31 PM

My X37SV arrived yesterday. It replaced an Ilo 32inch lcd. I am pleased so far, other than the cheap speakers. Has any one found replacement speakers that match (in color, size, and form?)

Also, is the ATSC tuner on everyone's set extremely slow when changing stations? I have 3 different STBs that change the stations with virtually no delay.

gc_chi

02-14-06, 04:33 PM

I didn't use the Xbox 360 for 1080i upscaled DVDs, I used my Xbox running Xbox Media Center.

I didn't notice any tearing when using the VGA input, but I only used it for a very short amount of time before switching to the component cables for higher resolution. I see. Can you explain the setup in more detail?

Are you playing the DVDs off of the Xbox or your PC feeding to the Xbox?

This could be an ideal solution for me to upscale DVDs without getting a new computer with XP Media Center.

Chi

RedFive99

02-14-06, 08:35 PM

I see. Can you explain the setup in more detail?

Are you playing the DVDs off of the Xbox or your PC feeding to the Xbox?

This could be an ideal solution for me to upscale DVDs without getting a new computer with XP Media Center.

Chi

More info on XBMC is available at http://xboxmediacenter.com. You'll need to mod your Xbox to use the software.

While XBMC does upscale DVDs from 480i/p to 1080i, you won't get the same sort of quality boost that you would get from using software on an HTPC such as DScaler and ffdshow to properly upconvert and process the video.

SacTownMan

02-15-06, 12:28 PM

I am having a difficult time hooking up my new Sony 400 disc upscalling HDMI DVD player through the Naga's (Version 1) HDMI port. I've tried adjusting the settings on the Sony's HDMI output from Auto to 1920 etc. but with no success. The component video and S-vid work fine but no luck with the HDMI. I have cycled through the various HDMI options on the NAGA and even switched out the HDMI cable. I am getting a new Yamaha HTR-5990 2 in - 1 out HDMI switching receiver this week and I'm concerned that the problem is with the NAGA and not the SONY. I can't think of any way to check out if the problem lies with the Sony as I have no other HDMI devices to compare to the NAGA. I've followed this thread since it's inception and can't remember if others have had the same problems. If the problem is with the NAGA then it's going back for the 42" in three weeks. Any ideas?

DouglasteR

02-15-06, 12:39 PM

I'll see if I can take some tonight. :cool:

Sorry to be asking :( , but where is the photos of the xbox 360 running on the Scepter ?!

Sorry, but i really need to see if it performs well ! ;)

Thanks very much :D

Ah yes, post your review too :D

RedFive99

02-15-06, 02:41 PM

Sorry to be asking :( , but where is the photos of the xbox 360 running on the Scepter ?!

Sorry, but i really need to see if it performs well ! ;)

Thanks very much :D

Ah yes, post your review too :D

Sorry, I've been waiting until I finally got it mounted on the wall, which I finally did last night! Once I get my cables straightened out and set up, I'll take a few pictures of it running Xbox 360. Any particular games you want to see?

Speaking of which, I can also verify that the Peerless 32-63" (Model DFPT420S) wall mount works perfectly with the Sceptre 37". It's sitting happily on my wall as I write this!

I did play around with screen resolution going into the Sceptre from the Xbox 360 last night. Both 720p and 1080i look great. To my eyes, I don't see a huge difference, though I do detect a bit more detail in the 1080i picture. The high-def trailers from the Xbox Live Marketplace (X-Men 3, Mission Impossible 3, etc) look really, really good!

st vitus

02-15-06, 03:58 PM

csh1259

02-15-06, 04:15 PM

I am brand new to the world of HD having purchased my Sceptre X37SV from Costco approximately 6 weeks ago, so far I have been pleased. One thing that I do have a question about is the display resolution. I have my set hooked up to my cable box via a DVI to HDMI connection. The sound is connected to my Bose Lifestyle system with RCA jacks along with using the component video connection for the DVD player. One thing I have noticed is that while watching a DVD the monitor shows a 576I signal. All other times it shows 480 even when displaying the HD programming thru the cable box. I contacted my cable company and they told me the signal should be 720 but that is not what my display shows. I contacted Sceptre tech support about this and they told me it should automatically display in 720. Am I doing something wrong and not being able to get the higher resolution to display? This is the first message I have posted so hopefully I have done it correctly. Thanks in advance for any help, this forum has been a great source of information.

Tarooka

02-15-06, 05:50 PM

... One thing that I do have a question about is the display resolution. I have my set hooked up to my cable box via a DVI to HDMI connection. All other times it shows 480 even when displaying the HD programming thru the cable box. I contacted my cable company and they told me the signal should be 720 but that is not what my display shows.

Check the setup menu on your cable box, it should give you the option to address the DVI/HDMI and set resolution. The default from the box is 480. Accessing the setup menu on some cable boxes is a bit of a mystery, but you power off evrything then press a couple of buttons simultaneously (not sure which ones)and you get a 1970's looking menu - you should see something labled output. Your cable company (mine is Comcast) can give you exact directions for your brand of box.

Good Luck.

DouglasteR

02-15-06, 09:02 PM

Sorry, I've been waiting until I finally got it mounted on the wall, which I finally did last night! Once I get my cables straightened out and set up, I'll take a few pictures of it running Xbox 360. Any particular games you want to see?

Speaking of which, I can also verify that the Peerless 32-63" (Model DFPT420S) wall mount works perfectly with the Sceptre 37". It's sitting happily on my wall as I write this!

I did play around with screen resolution going into the Sceptre from the Xbox 360 last night. Both 720p and 1080i look great. To my eyes, I don't see a huge difference, though I do detect a bit more detail in the 1080i picture. The high-def trailers from the Xbox Live Marketplace (X-Men 3, Mission Impossible 3, etc) look really, really good!

No prob man, its because im soo freakout for this monitor, a friend of mine is going to NY and get two, one for me and for him, and im going to use it as monitor for the Pc and Xbox360, i would like to see some Dead Alive 4 screens, PGR3 too would be fine ! All in 1080i of course :D

And some pics of the unit and it on windows too !

THANKS !! i reallllllllyy appreciate :D

joshrand

02-15-06, 11:08 PM

I just got my X37SV and am having a strange problem with the sound.

I have connected the monitor to a computer (Mac Mini) per the instructions in the manual (DVI->HDMI cable connected between HDMI port on tv and DVI port on computer, and 1/8" stereo cable connected between PC Audio In port of tv and headphone jack on computer).

I push the "Source PC" button on the remote until it says "DVI 1920x1080" and I turn some sound on the computer, and hear nothing. Changing the volume on the monitor does not help.

I can confirm the the speakers and volume control is working, since if I switch "Source AV" until I get "Cable" then I am able to get television audio okay.

Now if I leave the monitor set to "DVI" and turn it off, then back on, I hear the computer audio come through loud and clear for about 1/2 second before it cuts out with a click (it clicks off at about the same time the blue screen changes to the signal image). If I power cycle many times in a row, once in a while the sound will stay on and continue to work fine until it is turned off.

Once I have the sound staying on after power cycling, if I press the "Source PC" button (which changes to VGA, on which there is no input) the sound stays on. If I press "Source PC" again, it stays on on, but then it turns off when the "DTV" mode comes on, and when I reach DVI again, the sound does not come back on and it requires power cycling some number of times to get it to work.

Sometimes power cycling 5 or 6 times in a row will be enough to make it work, although just now I have tried over 30 times and I can't get the sound to stay on at all.

Has anyone seen this problem? Any idea what is causing this / how to fix it?

Jason Merrick

02-15-06, 11:46 PM

Okay, ran into a new problem...

When I turn the TV on, the volume is about 80% louder than it should be and has way too much bass. By switching to a different source and then back to the HDMI input, I hear a quiet screaching "digital" type sound and the volume/sound return to normal. The original TV speakers are not connected. I am using a set of Philips 2.1 PC Speakers connected through the headphone jack on the Sceptre. The TV is connected to my TWC SA 8300 HD via the HDMI port.

Also, when I turn off my TV the cable box automatically shuts off (due to HDMI?), is there a way to stop this from happening? It screws up my Harmony remote's control of the system since the cable box turns on, then the TV turns on, which turns the cable box back off.

As for my earlier issues with the TW remote, it will control the Power and the mute function of the Sceptre, but wouldn't control the Volume, which was crucial. The new Harmony remote for the Xbox 360 controls the Sceptre just fine, but brings up whole new issues as mentioned above.

I'll try to post any updates as I find them. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

RedFive99

02-16-06, 02:55 AM

Attached are some photos of Dead or Alive 4 running on Xbox 360 at 1080i displayed on the Sceptre 37" LCD.

As per request, I'll take some photos of Project Gotham Racing 3 displayed on this set as well.

RedFive99

02-16-06, 03:11 AM

Attached are some photos of Project Gotham Racing 3 running on Xbox 360 at 1080i displayed on the Sceptre 37" LCD.

DouglasteR

02-16-06, 06:25 AM

Oh man !! Thank you sooo much !! The screens RLZ ! :D

If im not abusing, can you take some photos of the Ninja gaiden VS someone in the "watch" method in DOA4 ? When the fight start, in my friend plasma 42 i can see huge details on his head ! :rolleyes:

And, take some photos of the unit itself please !!

Thank you !! Sorry if im been rude or something :p

NeoUrsa

02-16-06, 12:19 PM

I thought I'd take some photos of the mount and Tv mounted on the wall in the middle of the install since there were questions about it.

The top right box has 2 HDMI terminals while the bottom has audio out, component in, AV in, CATV, ANT. They're met with the same lower down on the wall for the cabinet. I have yet to put in the IR Receiver eye.

A note on the wall, I've found it best to have a darker color behind the set. This wall went from white to a Mustard Gold. I've also added a Lutron IR dimmer. There are 2 ceramic painted wall sconces on either side to help set the mood, backlight and to hide the mount from a side on angle. I'm a nut a about sconces, love em.

I still have to set up the surround sound, but most of it is in place from the last install.

Couple of notes on the set itself:

1. Great value for the specs, You really can't beat it (so complaints should end here BUT)
2. Bass bottoms out on the unit speakers, but you really should have seperate receiver/amp
3. OTA HDTV is excellent. I won't pay the "man" extra for the network prime time channels, I'm in the Yellow area for antennas.
4. Cable SD is painful at times esp. switching from HD OTA
5. Don't bother with Component DVD, get a good one like the Oppo DVI

http://members.aol.com/neoursa/mount.jpg
http://members.aol.com/neoursa/mounted.jpg

jay_cee

02-16-06, 01:41 PM

DouglasteR

02-16-06, 02:47 PM

DouglasteR

02-16-06, 02:54 PM

BSteely

02-17-06, 02:43 AM

donsev

02-17-06, 10:57 AM

Hey guys. After all the talk about the JudderTest, I am just going to go ahead and do it. I downloaded JudderTest and Powerstrip. I have Juddertest ready to go, but I don't know what I should put in for the settings. There are quite a bit of settings and I don't really know how to test for the "judder".

Sorry Nocman, didn't notice this request before - hope this helps;

AFAICT there are 2 tests provided by JudderTest v1.1. Judder test has green vertical bars which scroll horizontally across the screen. There are various screen stats at the top and at the bottom it tells you how many seconds the test has been running along with how many frames were dropped. There are keyboard shortcuts which allow you to change the refresh without exiting the test. Basically you adjust the refresh until there is no judder or dropped frames.

The second test is the Buffer test. This test has 12 vertical bars at fixed locations across the screen. It will illuminate each bar in sequence. If any bar location does not flash, frames are being dropped.

This is all probably documented somewhere.

The test that we really care about in this thread is the "scrolling bar" test, not the buffer test. The bars should scroll across the screen completely smoothly, with no jittering, jumping, skipping, or pausing. In addition, the bars should remain intact at all times, and should NEVER separate (even for a split second) into a "torn" bar where the top half is separated from the bottom half.

At 60Hz, the Sceptre v.2 sets show both of these problems. The bars seem to "skip" when scrolling, and occasionally they tear.

And just FYI, the "frames dropped" counter at the bottom of the screen is not providing info about how many frames your TV dropped (how could it?), but rather how many frames the test program dropped due to CPU activity (usually hardware interrupts or other threads running). It is simply letting you know that if you just saw a glitch, it was probably not caused by your display, but rather by the fact that JudderTest was not able to display output due to other computer activity. This glitch info is reported by video drivers via WMI. Reporting this counter back to AVSForum is not important for our purposes.

So for those with the Firmware version dated 06/01/16, could you supply some feedback on JudderTest as well as to ericjut's list of bugs from post #1829 (IMO, I would add the "auto contrast" as a bug if it cannot be turned off).

donsev

02-17-06, 11:05 AM

mrayborn

02-17-06, 03:00 PM

Hello All.

I just got my Scepter 37" from our favorite online merchant. Looks like it has the new firmware. Debug screen shows 0111, 06/01/16 14:58, T370HW01 so I think it has the firmware with the fixes in it.

So far so good. I've had it one day. Watched some high-def last night via MYHD-120 card VGA to the monitor. I don't have the DVI daughter card so it's VGA until I decide what to do next.

Using the Scepter as a monitor for general PC use works fine at 1080p via VGA. But the scepter won't do 1080p using MYHD via VGA as it maxes out at 1080i. I've found that falling back to 1280x1024p for MYHD works fine and gives a very nice picture.

I'll be playing with the ATSC tuner in the Scepter tonight to see if it's any better than the MYHD at reproducing HDTV.

RedFive99

02-17-06, 05:43 PM

Brian_R170

02-17-06, 07:57 PM

Last night I was going to try connecting a device to the "VGA-YPbPr" input using the VGA -> Component adapter, only to find out that the adapter was not included with my TV! I emailed Sceptre tech support and they replied that the adapter is optional and must be purchased. They also emailed me an order form for the adapter. It's $15 + $5 shipping. That seems like a bit much for this type of cable. Can I obtain this adapter elsewhere or is a custom device that I must order from Sceptre?

Check out monoprice.com. Search for product ID: 2170. They also have awesome deals on DVI-to-HDMI and any other cables you might need for your new set. Shipping is very reasonable when you purchase several cables.

DouglasteR

02-17-06, 10:37 PM

Cee9

02-18-06, 02:07 AM

I forgot to test this when I got my TV. Should I just connect the incoming cable from the wall into the ATSC tuner input on the Sceptre? Let me know and I'll try it out.

Yes, and let it scan for digital channels. TIA

mrayborn

02-18-06, 11:34 AM

Check out monoprice. Search for product ID: 2170. They also have awesome deals on DVI-to-HDMI and any other cables you might need for your new set. Shipping is very reasonable when you purchase several cables.

I don't think you can use that cable for PC-VGA to Monitor Component Video.

This cable doesn't support a computer monitor video port, or Y , Cr, Cb Video. Your video source should provide a YpbPr Component Video Signal from the HD 15 video ports to use this cable.

This cable can not convert the video signal from one type to another. Both devices must be compatible with the same signal. Do not assume that this cable will work just because you have a VGA port (ie. you can't use this cable to connect your PC to a device that only accepts component video, since PCs do not output component video).

This cable is for Satellite TV, HDTV, Component RGB Video, Y Pb Pr Video and most LCD Projectors.

Brian_R170

02-18-06, 11:56 AM

I don't think you can use that cable for PC-VGA to Monitor Component Video.

I'm not 100% certain because I don't have the Sceptre adapter, but it's extremely unlikely that the $15 accessory cable from Scepter has active logic in it to actually convert component signals to VGA. I believe switching the input on Sceptre to "VGA-YPbPr2" causes the VGA port to act like a component port which uses this standard cable.

RedFive99

02-19-06, 03:17 AM

Yes, and let it scan for digital channels. TIA

From what I can tell, my Sceptre seems to support QAM.

I connected the cable from the wall to the ATSC tuner input on the Sceptre and went into the DTV sub-menu. Once in the sub-menu, I was presented with four choices of channels to scan for: Air, Cable STD, Cable HRC and Cable IRC. Neither Air nor Cable HRC produced any results. However, when I chose Cable IRC, the tuner picked up almost 100 channels! I skimmed through the results and found a whole bunch of channels, including my digital cable channels and some HD channels! I haven't had a chance to thoroughly go through the results, but as far as I can tell, QAM works. Now if only I had that v1 optical audio output...

I'll post more once I've had a chance to go through the channels.

EDIT: It appears that the "Cable STD" option works for QAM as well. I'm not sure what they mean by STD, HRC and IRC, but STD seems to pick up more channels than the IRC option, while HRC picks up none. Also, only a very few of the stations have any data that apears in the program guide on screen. Does that mean that those channels are coming through ATSC instead of QAM? It's a bit confusing.

EDIT 2: I've attached a photo of the "About" section of the DTV sub-menu for comparison.

RedFive99

02-19-06, 03:20 AM

Check out monoprice.com. Search for product ID: 2170. They also have awesome deals on DVI-to-HDMI and any other cables you might need for your new set. Shipping is very reasonable when you purchase several cables.

Thanks for the tip on the cable at monoprice.com! I love that place. I got a bunch of toslink optical audio cables from there not long ago. :)

I'm probably going to pick up the cable from them, so I'll post here once I get it and let you know if it works.

RedFive99

02-19-06, 07:20 PM

Attached is a photo of the "debug" information displayed on the Sceptre for anyone who might be curious. Could somone who has the v1 or the earlier version of the v2 post their debug info as well?

Mine reads:

DEBUG 0111
06/01/16 14:58
T370HW01
1920 X 1080

mikea28

02-19-06, 09:25 PM

Jason Merrick

02-19-06, 09:56 PM

I don't think you can use that cable for PC-VGA to Monitor Component Video.
Yes, you can. I am using the 2173 (12 ft version of the same cable) right now.

This is my first HDTV and I'm curious if the quality difference between the HDMI and the component should be significantly noticeable? I just switched from an HDMI cable to the abovementioned Component to VGA cable and I can see a pretty big decrease in quality. I'm just not sure if it's the broadcast I happen to be watching (NBA All-Star game) or if it's the cable. I'm seeing significantly more pixelation during motion and the reds seem even more grainy than before.

Also, no one has replied to my issue with the audio problem when I first turn on the TV. The bass is about 200% of what it should be and I have to switch inputs for it to level out correctly. Any one else have this problem? At first I thought it might be another HDMI quirk, but now I'm using the PC input to feed the TV and the headphone out to my external speakers and the problem remains.

ANYONE???

ericjut

02-19-06, 10:10 PM

I'm not 100% certain because I don't have the Sceptre adapter, but it's extremely unlikely that the $15 accessory cable from Scepter has active logic in it to actually convert component signals to VGA. I believe switching the input on Sceptre to "VGA-YPbPr2" causes the VGA port to act like a component port which uses this standard cable.

Just wanted to chime in about the RGB - component cable.

I'm not sure about the Sceptre unit, but I can confirm that some TVs and projectors support a component source from a VGA input when used with a VGA-component cable. That means that, just like you said Brian, the cable is just that... a cable. The work is done by the TV or projector. You would have to be able to switch the input type on the display unit, but otherwise it works great (I had a Sharp projector that I was using that way).

Finally, while the 37" doesn't have it written as directly as the 42" model, here's what you can find on the spec sheet of the 42":
"VGA 15-pin D-sub x 1(or as 2nd Component YPbPr port with optional cable)". Since both units seem to have the same functionality, it wouldn't be a stretch to think that the 37" supports it too.

-eric

NeoUrsa

02-20-06, 02:13 AM

Yes you can use a VGA to Component cable on this set yielding an extra component port. I've tried it it works. HOWEVER, If you're doing this for DVD for example I would suggest an HDMI/DVI input.

Tarooka

02-20-06, 11:20 AM

RedFive99 - are you definitely able to watch unencrypted HD cable channels with your sceptre? One way you can be sure it's coming through QAM/cable is to check the channel number of the HD stations. If they look somewhat like you'd expect them to OTA (ie NBC17 is 17.1, 17.2, etc.), then it's not QAM. If it's some random other number, it probably IS via cable/QAM.

If this TV somehow magically does do QAM, I may be sold on it. I'm sure there are others here that can verify.

I with you mike. If, RedFive replies positively then this TV is on order. I would also like for someone to respond about alternative speakers, detatched from the unit.

Love this site. :)

donsev

02-20-06, 12:37 PM

From what I can tell, my Sceptre seems to support QAM.

However, when I chose Cable IRC, the tuner picked up almost 100 channels! I skimmed through the results and found a whole bunch of channels, including my digital cable channels and some HD channels! I haven't had a chance to thoroughly go through the results, but as far as I can tell, QAM works. Now if only I had that v1 optical audio output...

I'll post more once I've had a chance to go through the channels.

Yes, this would be quite the shocking surprise if somehow the tuner was QAM capable. Red, when you say you skimmed through the results, do you mean you skimmed through the listing, or actually viewed the channels? Did you pick one of the channels that is only available as a digital channel?

Analog cable has the capacity for what, 125 channels, so it is possible to pick up ~ 100 channels with a regular Std Cable scan. Who is your cable provider?

DouglasteR

02-20-06, 12:43 PM

I with you mike. If, RedFive replies positively then this TV is on order. I would also like for someone to respond about alternative speakers, detatched from the unit.

Love this site. :)

Me too ! I can barely wait to get a Sceptre to me ! :p

ofdm

02-20-06, 01:47 PM

However, when I chose Cable IRC, the tuner picked up almost 100 channels! I skimmed through the results and found a whole bunch of channels, including my digital cable channels and some HD channels! I haven't had a chance to thoroughly go through the results, but as far as I can tell, QAM works. Now if only I had that v1 optical audio output...

So I was bored last night and hooked up my cable to the ATSC port and did the scan. I only subscribe to RoadRunner and no other service from TimeWarner Cable. The scan on Cable IRC found over 88 channels!!! I guess I can ditch my antenna and just use the "free" channels for now. The channels had locals in HD, and then other channels like discovery, TNT, ESPN etc.. in SD.

ONLY drawback is it takes a week and half to change channels but picture quality looks better then Directv.

-ME

DouglasteR

02-20-06, 02:26 PM

So I was bored last night and hooked up my cable to the ATSC port and did the scan. I only subscribe to RoadRunner and no other service from TimeWarner Cable. The scan on Cable IRC found over 88 channels!!! I guess I can ditch my antenna and just use the "free" channels for now. The channels had locals in HD, and then other channels like discovery, TNT, ESPN etc.. in SD.

ONLY drawback is it takes a week and half to change channels but picture quality looks better then Directv.

-ME

Am i able to get channel only putting the antena cable of directv directly to the tuner ?? :eek:

ericjut

02-20-06, 03:23 PM

bigsid05

02-20-06, 03:35 PM

Ooh.. QAM tuner is very nice. I may need to send mine back for a V2, or maybe I'll just wait for the 42".

DouglasteR

02-20-06, 03:45 PM

DouglasteR

02-20-06, 03:59 PM

See if someone can help me understanding some facts about cable tv and Digital HD TV

Here in Brasil we have two types of Payed Cable TV or Satelite TV

1 - Is the NET ( yes it name is that ) , it is cabled and transmits a wide of 125 channels, some uncrypted and other encrypted. Its analog and stereo. This one should use the NTSC tuner and tune only the uncrypted channels right ?

2 - Second is DirectTV, feed by Satelite to earth. it has a conversor and a Dish to capture the channels, it have only encrypted signals ( i think ). If the channels were uncrypted, i possible could use it directly to the ATSC tunner ?

3- All those words QOA and stuff, what they meaning ?! Can someone possible point some site whit explanations !?

Thanks for the help !! :)

ofdm

02-20-06, 04:03 PM

Please ! post a wide range of pics !! In Games, windows, Xbox360 and the unit itself, thanks for the anwser ! :D
Send me your Xbox360 and I can post some pics of it..

-ME

DouglasteR

02-20-06, 04:07 PM

Send me your Xbox360 and I can post some pics of it..

-ME

Its appear that you have the same problem than me, I CANNOT find ANY X360 on sale for a fair price ! OMFG ! This is the first case that i have the money and cant buy ! :mad:

Either that you can post some pics of the monitor and it on windows :D

donsev

02-20-06, 04:19 PM

I finally got my second 37" unit... and all I can say is WOW! :) Looks like the Sceptre guys were busy. :)

I'll post a full review of my findings, but really quickly, I can also confirm that the ATSC tuner is also a QAM tuner (unlike the v1 model). It works with HD channels (in my case the unscrambled locals of the Seattle area)...

-eric

Great news Eric. It looks then that this Tech Support reply posted in message #1758, dated 02/02/06 was technically correct (if intentionally short on detail);

Hmm, I just e-mailed Spectre regarding ASTC/QAM capability and their response was "yes":

My e-mail: -------------------------------------------------------------------

Hello:

Is the X37SV-Naga ATSC tuner QAM capable (able to receive clear unencrypted
digital channels from cable TV service)?

-Thanks

Spectre response: -------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Customer,

Yes.

Best Regards,
Sceptre Technical Support Group

--------------------------------------------------------------------

From reading all the previous threads, the tuner isn't QAM capable. So, either their tech support is clueless or they've changed to a new tuner with QAM support. Can anyone verify QAM support in X37SV-Naga latest revision?

Which means that we may have sufficent justification for declaring that sets with Firmware 06/01/16 now be considered Version 3 sets!

Ver.3;
Definitely revised firmware
Apparently judder @ 60Hz fixed
Other bug fixes?
Apparently QAM support (via new tuner board?)

I almost hate to ask that anyone with a later Ver 2. model (pre 06/01/16 firmware) connect their cable feed to the ATSC tuner and see if you happen to receive unencrypted digital/HD channels as well.

ofdm

02-20-06, 10:27 PM

Its appear that you have the same problem than me, I CANNOT find ANY X360 on sale for a fair price ! OMFG ! This is the first case that i have the money and cant buy ! :mad:

Either that you can post some pics of the monitor and it on windows :D

No, I spend enough time watching TV, I don't need to sit around and play games also. I would post some pics of windows but I can't:
"Your Post contains one or more URLs or image calls, please remove them before submitting your message again. To prevent the abuse of spam, we have set this restriction in place until after you make 5 posts."

Oh well..
-ME

DouglasteR

02-20-06, 10:42 PM

No, I spend enough time watching TV, I don't need to sit around and play games also. I would post some pics of windows but I can't:
"Your Post contains one or more URLs or image calls, please remove them before submitting your message again. To prevent the abuse of spam, we have set this restriction in place until after you make 5 posts."

Oh well..
-ME

PM whit the pics please :o

joshrand

02-20-06, 10:42 PM

Some basic debugging first: Have you tested the audio output of your PC with some other speakers? Can you reproduce the the problem with another source driving the TV audio input?

Side comment: The Sceptre speakers are pretty bad, you will do better with almost anything else. I'm using an external 5.1 receiver for all audio (computer, TV, DVD). Its so much nicer.

Yes, I am using a Mac Mini that I use all the time with regular desktop speakers, so I know the audio output it working. Note that I also know the audio output is working because the audio output _does_ work for a few seconds while the screen is blue, and occasionally stays on for longer than that, so of course there is output from the computer. I also tried connecting my iPod to the audio input, and it doesn't make any difference: normally audio comes on during blue screen and then off when the picture shows up, rarely it stays on for the duration.

Note that I seem to have the newest of all version numbers I have seen posted. I have the 06/01/16 version number on the main debug screen and the H/W: R0.2 S/W: M4.70C on the ATSC tuner.

I wonder if no one has "heard" this problem because no one actually uses the TV speakers?

RedFive99

02-20-06, 11:38 PM

RedFive99 - are you definitely able to watch unencrypted HD cable channels with your sceptre? One way you can be sure it's coming through QAM/cable is to check the channel number of the HD stations. If they look somewhat like you'd expect them to OTA (ie NBC17 is 17.1, 17.2, etc.), then it's not QAM. If it's some random other number, it probably IS via cable/QAM.

If this TV somehow magically does do QAM, I may be sold on it. I'm sure there are others here that can verify.

The channels are definitely not over-the-air then, because the HD locals are on channels like 83-1, 83-5, etc. I can verify that I'm receiving the HD locals, because I could find ABC and FOX at 720p, while the other broadcast networks are in 1080i.

Although as someone else said, it takes FOREVER to change channels using this tuner. But hey, at least you can tune QAM!

joshrand

02-20-06, 11:41 PM

I received my set about a week ago, and have main firmware dated 06/01/16, tuner H/W R0.2, and tuner S/W M4.70C.

I am in the Boston area and plugging my cable directly into the ATSC tuner and doing an "auto scan" on "Cable STD" mode yields 127 channels (although including 54 audio-only channels). It seems that QAM is indeed working!

I get HD and SD versions of all broadcast channels, plus many cable channels as well.

However, I wonder if with all the fixes they put into this version of the set, whether they might have introduced some new bugs.

The two issues I am having are the following:

(1) Audio inputs do not switch correctly (see other post in this thread).

(2) I consistently see noise on the screen in the form of horizontal bars. I have attached some screenshots. Using the ATSC tuner, this shows up in the form of fairly consisent green bars, about 1/2" in height, and the extent to which they appear in a particular area of the screen depends on the underlying signal, although it seems always biased towards the left side of the screen. However, the bars appear (faintly) even when switched to a channel that has no video (and is therefore an otherwise black screen). On DVI input, this manifests itself as a more colorful noise pattern, and is always most prevalent near the left side of the screen, although a few "scintillating" pixels are found elsewhere on the screen as well.

Has anyone seen this on previous versions of the set? Can anyone with a new version confirm whether or not they have these problems as well? (I could just have a bad set, and would like to know whether to send it back)

Great news Eric. It looks then that this Tech Support reply posted in message #1758, dated 02/02/06 was technically correct (if intentionally short on detail);

Which means that we may have sufficent justification for declaring that sets with Firmware 06/01/16 now be considered Version 3 sets!

Ver.3;
Definitely revised firmware
Apparently judder @ 60Hz fixed
Other bug fixes?
Apparently QAM support (via new tuner board?)

I almost hate to ask that anyone with a later Ver 2. model (pre 06/01/16 firmware) connect their cable feed to the ATSC tuner and see if you happen to receive unencrypted digital/HD channels as well.

RedFive99

02-20-06, 11:41 PM

Yes, this would be quite the shocking surprise if somehow the tuner was QAM capable. Red, when you say you skimmed through the results, do you mean you skimmed through the listing, or actually viewed the channels? Did you pick one of the channels that is only available as a digital channel?

Analog cable has the capacity for what, 125 channels, so it is possible to pick up ~ 100 channels with a regular Std Cable scan. Who is your cable provider?

I actually viewed the channels. I can definitely receive my HD locals through QAM on the Sceptre. I'm using Comcast for cable.

ofdm

02-20-06, 11:58 PM

However, I wonder if with all the fixes they put into this version of the set, whether they might have introduced some new bugs.

I only get green bars after a few 7&7's.. Other then that its in the clear on the set I received last week.

-me

ericjut

02-21-06, 01:15 AM

Here's my look at the v3 X37SV-Naga. I used to own a v1, but it was crippled with lots of problems I couldn't live with at the time (see http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6131219&&#post6131219 for more information).

I tried to repro every of the problems I had and here's what I found:

Problem #1 - Black Level on DVI does nothing: They disabled it now.

Problem #2 - Lamp setting on DVI resetting to 7 on power cycle: Fixed.

Problem #3 - PIP aspect ratio problem: Still there.

Problem #4 - Delete multiple channels being a pain: Still there.

Problem #5 - QAM: They did it!

Problem #6 - Blotch problem: The new unit I got is a lot better.

Also, not on my original list:

Problem #7 - DVI switch: Couldn't repro it, so they must have fixed it.

Problem #8 - Judder: Ran JudderTest, the animation was smooth on the DVI input at 1080p. The program listed that I lost 3 frames over 60 seconds of playback, but I think it was when I moved the mouse. I really think it's fixed.

-----

In the last few hours of playing with the unit, there's only one new problem that I've encountered: The "DTV->Setup->Opacity" setting gets lost on a power cycle (goes back to completely opaque). It's definitely not something big... but it's worth noting nonetheless if you don't like the big opaque info menu.

I've played with the NTSC tuner, QAM tuner, PC via DVI input at 1080p and Xbox360 via the component at 1080i. The NTSC quality is mediocre and I'm not planning to use it, but every other input I've played with exceeded my expectations. I actually forgot how crisp 1080p is on an HTPC. The real surprise was with the XBox360. I used to connect it to my Sharp using the VGA cable at 1360X768 (native res) and thought that the image couldn't be sharper. I was wrong! 1080i looks breathtaking.

I've attached a few photos, but they really don't give justice to the quality I'm seeing (+ we're limited to 800X640, which is a little hard to show off 1080p with).

Hope this information helps a little...

-eric

ericjut

02-21-06, 01:31 AM

Here's a few more shots (one of them proving that the ATSC tuner supports QAM, HD-NBC is QAM channel 83.1 in Seattle).

I wish I could show you the clarity of 1080i on a 1080p screen. I've been watching HD for over 6 years now on 720p screens and I didn't know what I was missing until now. :) Anybody that says there's no difference between 720p and 1080p haven't seen real 1080i/p content on a 1080p.

-eric

ericjut

02-21-06, 01:36 AM

Has anyone seen this on previous versions of the set? Can anyone with a new version confirm whether or not they have these problems as well? (I could just have a bad set, and would like to know whether to send it back)

Josh, I'm not seeing either of your problems on my screen. I would return it if I were you.

-eric

DouglasteR

02-21-06, 07:34 AM

Josh, I'm not seeing either of your problems on my screen. I would return it if I were you.

-eric

Can you post some pics of the unit !? And playing the 360´s ? on DOA4, to be exactly, the Halo armored girl VS ninja gaiden in that Forest scenario ! :D

Sorry if im asking toooo much, but i cant even sleep, im waiting to get mine.

Im so satisfied that Sceptre is trying to fix the problems, and anwsering the public fast as possible !!

Sceptre FTW :D

donsev

02-21-06, 11:24 AM

I received my set about a week ago, and have main firmware dated 06/01/16, tuner H/W R0.2, and tuner S/W M4.70C.

I am in the Boston area and plugging my cable directly into the ATSC tuner and doing an "auto scan" on "Cable STD" mode yields 127 channels (although including 54 audio-only channels). It seems that QAM is indeed working!

I get HD and SD versions of all broadcast channels, plus many cable channels as well.

Josh, I assume that you have Comcast. If that is the case, I believe that, along with the digital retransmission of the analog channels (2-79?) and the Music Choice channels (which by my count there should be 46?), there are only 3 other unencrypted SD (true) digital channels - WGBH World, WGBH Kids and WGBH Create. And then of course the half dozen or so local HD channels. Does this make sense? Can you access the WGBH Digital channels? Do you receive any other unencrypted (true) digital channels (besides the music channels)?

The two issues I am having are the following:

(1) Audio inputs do not switch correctly (see other post in this thread).

(2) I consistently see noise on the screen in the form of horizontal bars. I have attached some screenshots. Using the ATSC tuner, this shows up in the form of fairly consisent green bars, about 1/2" in height, and the extent to which they appear in a particular area of the screen depends on the underlying signal, although it seems always biased towards the left side of the screen. However, the bars appear (faintly) even when switched to a channel that has no video (and is therefore an otherwise black screen). On DVI input, this manifests itself as a more colorful noise pattern, and is always most prevalent near the left side of the screen, although a few "scintillating" pixels are found elsewhere on the screen as well.

(I could just have a bad set, and would like to know whether to send it back)

I can not offer any advice on the audio problem since it seems to be unique and I do not have the set. But on the video problem, this may be a version of the memory delay issue;

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.

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.

Howdy...

To access the debug screen, locate the buttons on the TV (not the remote), and press the 3rd and 4th from the

left at the same time.

This has cleared up similiar video noise problems in the past. And I would also strongly suggest contacting Sceptre Tech support before returning the set. IMO, they have been helpful to other posters who have had out-of-the-box issues like this.

Pecs

02-21-06, 11:33 AM

I'm debating between the sceptre and a sony 34" XBR960 CRT. Do any of you know how the picture quality compares for OTA HD broadcasts which is what I will be using it for most of the time?

Thanks!

donsev

02-21-06, 11:37 AM

I tried to repro every of the problems I had and here's what I found:

Problem #1 - Black Level on DVI does nothing: They disabled it now.

Problem #2 - Lamp setting on DVI resetting to 7 on power cycle: Fixed.

Problem #3 - PIP aspect ratio problem: Still there.

Problem #4 - Delete multiple channels being a pain: Still there.

Problem #5 - QAM: They did it!

Problem #6 - Blotch problem: The new unit I got is a lot better.

Also, not on my original list:

Problem #7 - DVI switch: Couldn't repro it, so they must have fixed it.

Problem #8 - Judder: Ran JudderTest, the animation was smooth on the DVI input at 1080p. The program listed that I lost 3 frames over 60 seconds of playback, but I think it was when I moved the mouse. I really think it's fixed.

Eric, thanks alot for the testing and feedback. Below is a reply from kylef re: the lost frames reporting in JudderTest;

And just FYI, the "frames dropped" counter at the bottom of the screen is not providing info about how many frames your TV dropped (how could it?), but rather how many frames the test program dropped due to CPU activity (usually hardware interrupts or other threads running). It is simply letting you know that if you just saw a glitch, it was probably not caused by your display, but rather by the fact that JudderTest was not able to display output due to other computer activity. This glitch info is reported by video drivers via WMI.

Now, how about seeing if the "auto contrast" feature/bug is still there :)
(Come to think of it, does the Sceptre "auto contrast" on the VGA connection when that is set to YPbPr? If not, that might be an alternative to the using the regular component connections if they do still auto contrast)

1. Does anyone have this issue with the component hookup from a STB? I know I saw this somewhere in an earlier post. When watching certain scenes, particularly darker scenes, the screen appears to be trying to adjust the brightness on its own so you see the picture get darker and lighter as scenes change. This may be normal but I defintely don't think so. Others may not be bothered by it but I see it and am annoyed by it.

Reply;

1) I think this is a "feature". Search for "auto contrast" (I think) in this thread and you'll find many other reports of it. I don't use the component inputs, so I haven't see this myself. I don't recall anyway of turning it off.

And testing to see if the Sceptre handles 1080i deinterlacing properly (Weave instead of Bob as the Westy 37" reportedly does) :) :)

Tested and Failed: throwing away half the Resolution by Gary Merson
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=608670

ericjut

02-21-06, 11:54 AM

don,

If you tell me how to test the "auto contrast" problem as well as how to definitely know if we bob vs any other deinterlacing, I'll be happy to share my findings.

All I can tell you is that from my point of view, 1080i (from the QAM tuner) never looked better. And I'm not seeing weird contrast issues for my 360 when using the component input (and consoles are almost a stress case for this since they go to extremes often).

-eric

mikea28

02-21-06, 12:42 PM

sweeeeet - very impressed that QAM made it into the latest build, although they probably couldn't avoid it since I'd imagine all the latest tuner hardware is QAM enabled. I wonder how many other TVs have QAM support that nobody knows about?

So how long exactly is "forever" to change channels? Can someone time it? Is there any sort of TV Guide On-screen support?

This whole QAM thing has just made my decision that much harder. Down to this Sceptre, the Philips 37PF7230 and the Vizio L37.

Mike99

02-21-06, 01:16 PM

ericjut

02-21-06, 03:08 PM

So how long exactly is "forever" to change channels? Can someone time it? Is there any sort of TV Guide On-screen support?

It's well over a second to switch channels... makes "channel surfing" painful... but if you know what you want to watch, who cares really? :)

There's EPG support, but so far, only Fox and WB showed up with something. I'm sure mileage will greatly vary depending on your local cable co. There's an actual EPG page showing the programs to be played... I'll take a snapshot tonight if I remember.

But to be very frank... I bought a Sharp 37" with TVGOS support and it's been very flaky as a feature. So flaky (sometimes not working for over a month) that I decided to turn it off because it was annoying me too much seeing it fail to download the data.

BTW, I've found another thing on the v3 that could be counted as a bug: You can set favorites in the channel menu, but the 2 favorites buttons (Fav up and Fav down) just pop up a list with your favorites (they don't get you to switch the channel up and down). It's probably due to the 3rd party tuner not supporting the Fav Up/Down functionality... Again, small annoyance more than anything else...

-eric

ericjut

02-21-06, 03:11 PM

Is there any big box store or chain that has these sets on display? I know Costco has them on-line, but my local stores do not stock them. I'd like to see one in person. Any suggestions?

Mike in the Chicago 'burbs

This question has been answered oh so many times: No, there is no way to see this TV locally unless somebody near your area has one. I would suggest you order it and try it at home and if you don't like it, return it to your local Costco that will reimburse you the whole amount + shipping if you're not satisfied.

-eric

ericjut

02-21-06, 03:16 PM

Can you post some pics of the unit !? And playing the 360´s ? on DOA4, to be exactly, the Halo armored girl VS ninja gaiden in that Forest scenario ! :D

Sorry if im asking toooo much, but i cant even sleep, im waiting to get mine.

Im so satisfied that Sceptre is trying to fix the problems, and anwsering the public fast as possible !!

Sceptre FTW :D

Sorry, I don't own DOA4... but, as per your request, I already posted a couple of pictures off of my XBox360 yesterday. Besides, taking content pictures of a TV is pretty hard (especially if you want to show the actually resolution)....

Also, I'm not sure what you want to get from having pictures of the TV itself, since plenty of pictures are already available on their website: http://www.sceptre.com

-eric

DouglasteR

02-21-06, 03:33 PM

Sorry, I don't own DOA4... but, as per your request, I already posted a couple of pictures off of my XBox360 yesterday. Besides, taking content pictures of a TV is pretty hard (especially if you want to show the actually resolution)....

Also, I'm not sure what you want to get from having pictures of the TV itself, since plenty of pictures are already available on their website: http://www.sceptre.com

-eric

Yup, i already saw the site pics, but they dont make justice, i want real pictures, from real owners, dont need to be in motion, only the unit itself, the back, it on windows, and all other stuff too ! But thanks for the help :D

By the way, anyone knows if this http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11097803&whse=&topnav=&browse=&s=1 Wall mount work on Sceptre ?! It looks quite good !! :p

bigjuice

02-21-06, 10:40 PM

ofdm

02-21-06, 10:55 PM

I don't know if I am the only one but does your ATSC tuner that the cable plug into seem kind "loose"?

I was able to take mine out and put it back into the tv by just a slight little tug on it.
Dwaine
Yes you can pull the connector out but I don't know about loose. I have pulled it out several times (the connector) and I can just push it back in (the connector) and its pretty snug (the connector).

bigjuice

02-21-06, 11:14 PM

Yes you can pull the connector out but I don't know about loose. I have pulled it out several times (the connector) and I can just push it back in (the connector) and its pretty snug (the connector).

Thanks...I guess it's kinda snug but I didn't expect it to come out. Makes me think that one day it will just pop out if someone yanked on the cable too hard or something.

ofdm

02-22-06, 01:14 AM

Thanks...I guess it's kinda snug but I didn't expect it to come out. Makes me think that one day it will just pop out if someone yanked on the cable too hard or something.
Better to pop out then to break out... I think thats what they were thinking..

viggster

02-22-06, 10:01 AM

joshrand said - I received my set about a week ago, and have main firmware dated 06/01/16, tuner H/W R0.2, and tuner S/W M4.70C.

Was this a fresh order straight from the warehouse or was this a return? I'm wondering if they're shipping new sets with the new firware.

sledge1234

02-22-06, 11:42 AM

Eric, thanks alot for the testing and feedback. Below is a reply Now, how about seeing if the "auto contrast" feature/bug is still there :)
(Come to think of it, does the Sceptre "auto contrast" on the VGA connection when that is set to YPbPr? If not, that might be an alternative to the using the regular component connections if they do still auto contrast)

My ver. 2 with the original firmware does "auto contrast" VGA-YPbPr and VGA-PC

mystic818

02-22-06, 12:08 PM

Hi,

I'm new to this thread and was wondering if someone could assist me. I just placed an order for the sceptre 37" (my first HDTV). I am planning to hook it up to my PC (specs below) and use it as a monitor, tv and video recorder. I only have basic cable from comcast (Bay Area, CA). It would be a great help if someone can answer a newbie's questions! THANKS IN ADVANCE! :)

Questions:
1. What kinds of cables/connectors will I need besides the ones supplied with the tv?
2. Would I only need to buy an antenna to be able to view my local, unencrypted HD channels using the ATSC/QAM tuner? Any antenna recommendations? I don't know if they are selling the silver sensor anymore...
3. If I want to make a system with a video recorder (like Tivo), in which I am able to record at least two shows simultaneously, how many tv tuner cards would I need? If the sceptre has an ATSC and NTSC card, would I be able to use those to record tv shows?
4. Which tuner cards are recommended to work with MCE and the sceptre? I would like a tuner that is able to handle both analog and digital signals (or would that not matter since the sceptre can do that?). If possible, I would also like one that has FM capabilities. Is the ATI HDTV Wonder (digital/analog), Hauppauge tuners [WinTV-PVR150MCE (analog), WinTV-GO-PLUS (analog), WinTV-PVR500MCE (dual analog tuners)], or Dvico tuners any good? Any that don't recognize the "flag"?
5. In terms of a remote, would I be able to use the sceptre one or should I get a MCE compatible remote? Any recommendations?

Computer specs:
Dell Dimension E510, P4 processor 650 w/HT, 3.4GHz
WIN XP MCE 2005
2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz
256MB PCI Express x16 (DVI/VGA/TV-out) ATI Radeon X600 SE HyperMemory
80GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache (will be installing another internal HD plus external HDs)

jay_cee

02-22-06, 12:22 PM

1) My Sceptre came with both a VGA cable and a DVI/HDMI cable. I've heard that some people didn't get a DVI/HDMI cable with their TV.

2) You'll need some sort of antenna. I'm getting pretty good OTA ATSC reception with a $10 circular UHF antenna. But your needs really depend on where you are.

3) Your PC (cards) will need at least one tuner (sounds like you want two) to record shows. The TV tuners can't be used for that.

4) There is a Home Theater PC forum here, that is probably a better resource for PC specific questions.

5) The sceptre remote isn't all that hot. My audio receiver (I definitely recommend using an external receiver/speaker setup) came with a learning remote that I set up with the Sceptre. I'm pretty happy using that remote for both audio and TV.

ericjut

02-22-06, 01:38 PM

Sorry for the off-topic answer, but since I know most of the answers... :)

1) The v3 37" I just got came with the DVI/HDMI and VGA cables, so you should expect to have all the cables you need to connect to an HTPC.

2) If you're planning to use the ATSC tuner for OTA (off the air), then you'll need an antenna. There are full forums that have info on this. If you're planning to use the ATSC tuner as QAM, all you need is to connect your coax cable to the TV and pay for your cable service. :) You don't need to have more than the most basic cable service to get access to QAM channels btw.

3) If you plan to install MCE, you'll need at the very least a NTSC tuner that's "MCE compatible". This will not let you record HD. Just like Jay said, you won't be able to use any of the tuners on the TV for that. Also, if you want to actually record HD/digital channels, be warned that MCE currently supports only OTA ATSC. There is no way to get it to work with a QAM tuner. The only other way to record HD via cable services is a back door way by using a firewire connection with a Cable box (send me a PM if you need more info on this).

4) As Jay said, you'll find a lot more info on the HTPC thread regarding this. There's nothing about any card that's Sceptre specific... But to start you with your research... there are two tuners above that are ATSC tuners (the ATI and Dvico), both work in MCE2005 for OTA, but even if the Dvico is a QAM tuner, it is not supported in MCE2005. Believe me, I played with one for over a year with one. But note that with the crappy software that it comes with, the Dvico will be able to record unencrypted shows using QAM (don't look for a way to record encrypted shows, there is none other than the cable companies' PVRs).

5) If you're planning to use MCE, you should get the remote. The Sceptre remote will be good only to turn the TV on or off in your usage. The rest you'll have to use a mouse and keyboard if you don't have the remote. You shouldn't have any issues to find an OEM MCE remote.

BTW, if you're planning to be a serious HTPC user, 80GB will DEFINITELY not be enough. For HD recording, a movie typically takes about 20GB of space, so you can imagine how fast you would fill your drive...

-eric

kwill

02-22-06, 05:34 PM

To those of you who actually have the unit- have you ditched the speakers? If so, what are you using? I opened another thread in the speaker section hoping to find flat black wall mount speakers. Not much response over there.

ericjut

02-22-06, 05:52 PM

galaxy99

02-22-06, 06:23 PM

2) If you're planning to use the ATSC tuner for OTA (off the air), then you'll need an antenna. There are full forums that have info on this. If you're planning to use the ATSC tuner as QAM, all you need is to connect your coax cable to the TV and pay for your cable service. :) You don't need to have more than the most basic cable service to get access to QAM channels btw.

Hi, I just got this unit from Costco Oh, well, I have non-HD Directv linked with a DVR/DVD play with my current TV. I tried to hook this equipment with this 37" LCD, but failed. I couldn't get the connection right, and it says no signal... I am totally new to this HD things and need lots of help from your high-tech fellows here.

Anyways, I try to go back to Cable service and I believe it will make things much easier. However, if I need HD programming, I will be charged $7.99 more each months by Charter with 6 extra HD channels. I actually don't watch TV that much. I would be happy enough to watch my local channel in HD quality in S. Cali. I was thinking about by an HD antenna to receive local HD signal. But I see above said that basic cable service will be able to access QAM (??) channels... Can anybody explain what it is to me.

ericjut

02-22-06, 06:44 PM

galaxy99,

The no signal is probably due to the fact that you're not in the input. Which kind of cable are you connecting your setup to the TV? SVideo? Composite? In any case, you need to select the right source to see it.

I don't know if Charter in your area has local HD channels broadcasted in the clear, but if they do, you don't need to be pay them any fees and you can access them directly from an analog service. Basically, cable companies don't advertise it, but the coax coming to your house delivers all the analog channels as well as the digital ones. Most digital channels are encrypted and require you to have a cable box or cable card to access them. But unencrypted digital channels can be tuned by what we call a QAM tuner.

I suspect the $7.99 would be for second tier channels, like DiscoveryHD, InHD and the like and would require you to have a cable box or CC to watch. I strongly suggest you find your local thread on this forum to get all your answers regarding this: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=45

-eric

Jason Merrick

02-22-06, 07:08 PM

kwill,

On my side, I left the speakers in the box. I'm using a pair + little sub from Harman Kardan that I got from Costco works really well, but it's not really an option for wall mounting. You may want to visit your local BestBuy/Fry's/Magnolia/VideoOnly and look at embedded speakers... They could work really well in this case.

-eric
Eric,

I posted my problem earlier about connecting external speakers. I had a set of Philips 2.1 speakers connected to the Sceptre (tried both Headphone out & RCA out) and whenever I turned the TV on, the sound was distorted, with the bass being cranked way up and the volume higher too. I had to change to another input on the TV and back to get the sound right. This was a pain to do everytime I turned the TV on, so I ended up returning the speakers and using my Onkyo receiver for audio instead. It's a bummer, because the Philips speakers (MMS430) sounded pretty amazing and I don't like having to keep my receiver on all the time just for TV viewing.

Did you experience this problem at all?

ericjut

02-22-06, 07:12 PM

Jason,

Not to my knowledge... Do you get this problem on both the Audio out (two RCA cable) and the headphones out? I personally use the headphones output.

-eric

galaxy99

02-22-06, 08:44 PM

But unencrypted digital channels can be tuned by what we call a QAM tuner.

-eric

Hi, Eric

Thank you for your patient explanation. I just post something in L.A. Charter thread to answer questions. But, can you enlighten me about QAM tuner? How can I get QAM tuner if I like to receive free local HD channels in the air. Thanks a bunch.

bigjuice

02-22-06, 09:51 PM

Hi, Eric

Thank you for your patient explanation. I just post something in L.A. Charter thread to answer questions. But, can you enlighten me about QAM tuner? How can I get QAM tuner if I like to receive free local HD channels in the air. Thanks a bunch.

Basically, the QAM tuner is embedded in the ATSC tuner that your Sceptre has at the back...Its the one on left hand side if you are looking at the back of the TV.

If you want Over the Air channels then you will need to buy an antennae...the instructions below is if you have cable with at least the very basic subscription.

Take the cable coming from your wall and plug it into that ATSC(QAM) tuner and then select DTV using one of the soure buttons (your owners manual can help you get here since I can't remember which one off the top of my head, the manual has all of the next steps actually).

Select the menu and then the enter button (carraige return signed button in the middle of the circle)

Toggle all the way over to the right Icon on the On Screen Display and select the sub menu.

Then go to Cable STD and choose to do the automatic scan...it will take about 10 or 15 minutes

About halfway through the scan your channels found will start to show up on the little table on the dispalay...

And those will be the channels you are able to get...

Good Luck...remember your owners manuals has all the above info also.

Dwaine.

Brian_R170

02-22-06, 10:39 PM

Hi,

I'm new to this thread and was wondering if someone could assist me. I just placed an order for the sceptre 37" (my first HDTV). I am planning to hook it up to my PC (specs below) and use it as a monitor, tv and video recorder. I only have basic cable from comcast (Bay Area, CA). It would be a great help if someone can answer a newbie's questions! THANKS IN ADVANCE! :)

Questions:
1. What kinds of cables/connectors will I need besides the ones supplied with the tv?

For what you've listed, you won't need anything, but if you want to connect a VCR or DVD player, you might need more cables.

2. Would I only need to buy an antenna to be able to view my local, unencrypted HD channels using the ATSC/QAM tuner? Any antenna recommendations? I don't know if they are selling the silver sensor anymore...[QUOTE]

A cheap antenna will work, but I suppose it depends on the quality of the signal where you live. I've been using the super cheap thing that came with my WinTV PVR250MCE. It works great and it fits behind my set when it's mounted on the wall.

[QUOTE]3. If I want to make a system with a video recorder (like Tivo), in which I am able to record at least two shows simultaneously, how many tv tuner cards would I need? If the sceptre has an ATSC and NTSC card, would I be able to use those to record tv shows?

You can't use the Sceptre's tuners because the TV doesn't have any video output connections. There are cards availble for the PC that have dual tuners (e.g. the WinTV PVR500), or you can install two tuner cards in your PC.

4. Which tuner cards are recommended to work with MCE and the sceptre? I would like a tuner that is able to handle both analog and digital signals (or would that not matter since the sceptre can do that?). If possible, I would also like one that has FM capabilities. Is the ATI HDTV Wonder (digital/analog), Hauppauge tuners [WinTV-PVR150MCE (analog), WinTV-GO-PLUS (analog), WinTV-PVR500MCE (dual analog tuners)], or Dvico tuners any good? Any that don't recognize the "flag"?

There are better forums than this one for that kind of info. Try the HTPC forum here or go to HTPCNews.com or similar sites.

5. In terms of a remote, would I be able to use the sceptre one or should I get a MCE compatible remote? Any recommendations?

Well, the Sceptre remote isn't very good. Mine quit working completely. You don't necessarily need one that's MCE compatible. Depends on whether you want a single remote for everything. I'm currenly looking into the Logitech Harmony series, but havn't decided, yet.

Mike99

02-23-06, 01:31 AM

It appears this set has 2 RF inputs, NTSC & ATSC. From what I gather here, QAM support is thru the ATSC input. Is this correct so far?

If I use Comcast RF cable right out of the wall (no STB), that means I need to split the signal in order to receive analog channels thru the NTSC input and the local HD channels (non-scrambled) thru the ATSC/QAM input. Is this also correct?

Does the set automatically switch RF inputs when selecting between analog or ATSC/QAM signals? Or do you have to manually select via the remote? No big deal either way, I'm just curious. I just saw this set at a computer store & it looked good with the aquarium screen saver from the PC. Unfortunately no video cables were near this set to see what a HD TV program looked like.

Mike

ericjut

02-23-06, 01:59 AM

Mike,

For your first two assumptions, you are correct. You can split the signal and send one to the NTSC input, which will give you analog reception, and the other to the ATSC tuner, which will give you access to the digital channels.

As for the switch, it's basically different inputs on the TV. In other words, you can watch analog channels on the "TV" input OR watch the digital channels on the "DTV" input. They don't even use the same software, as the menus and information panels are different.

-eric

biznus97

02-23-06, 02:48 AM

How have these sets been w/ dead pixels? Is the backlighting pretty even?

Jason Merrick

02-23-06, 03:04 AM

Jason,

Not to my knowledge... Do you get this problem on both the Audio out (two RCA cable) and the headphones out? I personally use the headphones output.

-eric
I tried both, and the results were the same. My TV is a "ver.3" or late ver.2 if you prefer. I've only had it for about 10 days.

JunkyardDogg

02-23-06, 03:04 AM

Hey everyone, I was looking at this TV for my family room. It will be our second HDTV and will be mainly used to watch HD programming. Movies will be in the theater with the CRT, so I am not so concerned about DVD picture quality. I currently have a 32" SD CRT and sit about 7-10' away from the screen. Do you think that this screen will be too small? I don't need a huge tv and I really like the price of this LCD. I have been trying to search this thread, but nothing returned and 65 pages is alot of reading!

mystic818

02-23-06, 09:51 AM

Sorry if this is not the right place to ask, but I thought that this is more of a sceptre-specific issue since not all lcd tvs have built in NTSC/ATSC/QAM tuners. Thanks to everyone again!

You can't use the Sceptre's tuners because the TV doesn't have any video output connections. There are cards availble for the PC that have dual tuners (e.g. the WinTV PVR500), or you can install two tuner cards in your PC.

So basically I can't utilize the tuners that come with the sceptre? That means it will just act as a large monitor? So I will have to plug in the cable from the wall into the tuners in my pc and just use those tuners to get my analog and OTA digital channels (no QAM capability)?

You can split the signal and send one to the NTSC input, which will give you analog reception, and the other to the ATSC tuner, which will give you access to the digital channels.
-eric

Or would I just need to split the cable signal into three...one for the NTSC input on the sceptre, one for the ATSC tuner on the sceptre, and one for the pc tuner card?

Would it be better to just go with a unit like tivo?

kkrull

02-23-06, 10:09 AM

Anyone try to take the shiny Sceptre logo off?
Does anyone know how it is attached?
Did anyone who took the bezel apart to look for the SPDIF connector notice?

It would be nice to not have the big "ATSC - HDTV" on the upper left or the "X32" on the upper right part of the bezel. I wonder if they sell touch up paint?

kkrull

02-23-06, 10:12 AM

Do folks receiving new units with the latest firmware still think the speakers are poor?

I was in a rush to see the olympics and hooked them up and they didn't seem that bad.

kkrull

02-23-06, 10:15 AM

How have these sets been w/ dead pixels? Is the backlighting pretty even?

Just got my v3. No dead pixels.

I only notice the unevenness of the backlighting I am looking at a solid bright color screen. When I am actually watching any programming it looks great.

Mike99

02-23-06, 10:51 AM

kelliot

02-23-06, 10:51 AM

Basically, the QAM tuner is embedded in the ATSC tuner that your Sceptre has at the back...Its the one on left hand side if you are looking at the back of the TV.

If you want Over the Air channels then you will need to buy an antennae...the instructions below is if you have cable with at least the very basic subscription.

Take the cable coming from your wall and plug it into that ATSC(QAM) tuner and then select DTV using one of the soure buttons (your owners manual can help you get here since I can't remember which one off the top of my head, the manual has all of the next steps actually).

Select the menu and then the enter button (carraige return signed button in the middle of the circle)

Toggle all the way over to the right Icon on the On Screen Display and select the sub menu.

Then go to Cable STD and choose to do the automatic scan...it will take about 10 or 15 minutes

About halfway through the scan your channels found will start to show up on the little table on the dispalay...

And those will be the channels you are able to get...

Good Luck...remember your owners manuals has all the above info also.

Dwaine.

Stupid me, I've had the TV since Thanksgiving and only checked the regular feed for operation, not the ATSC feed. I did, and now I get QAM and am much happier. I just wish I could remap channels.

bluemax50

02-23-06, 11:51 AM

Polypro

02-23-06, 01:06 PM

I'm happy enough with my early v2 set, that I might not send it in for the firmware fix. No banding that I can see.

mystic: There are only a few HTPC apps that allow QAM with a QAM card (Dvico)...MCE isn't one of them. I run SageTV and that doesn't have QAM support either. I think Got All Media, GBPVR, and maybe Meedio have QAM support.

Has anyone sent their set to Sceptre for the fix yet? I've had the forms but havn't boxed her up yet.

P

Astral Abyss

02-23-06, 01:31 PM

I've been looking for a 37" plasma for under 2k and was hoping to try the Spectre. I just returned a Westinghouse 37" because of vertical banding which drove me crazy during dark scenes and certain color combinations. My biggest issue is trying to determine whether this issue with uneven backlighting is a really big issue with the Spectre. I am little gun shy with all the reported issues with uneven backlighting and similar issues with so called inexpensive 37" LCD's. How big of a problem is it?? I'll be using this set 80% of the time for HD cable and DVD's but need to go LCD because of room brightness and glare. I'm convinced after having the Westinghouse for a week this is the way to go. Is this blooming or backlighting problem I read about very common in the Specter 37"?

I don't notice any backlighting issues with my Sceptre. It's not perfect if you look way off angle, but then again neither is my 19" Viewsonic VP912b LCD, which it looks the same as.

I've been watching the Olympics using my antenna hooked up to the ATSC tuner. Man it looks nice. My folks have a 42" Panasonic plasma and Comcast HD cable and I like watching it on my 37" Sceptre better. The signal is coming in 1080i.

By the way, I originally had the v2 model and I took it back and ordered a new one. This newer one looks a bit different, in addition to having the fixes. The stand on my v2 was black plus the shiny insert, this one is dark grey like the TV plus the shiny insert and has rubber stand-offs on the bottom that stick out further than my other one did.

Now that I can finally use this with my computer without judder issues, I couldn't be happier. Everyone who's seen this TV at my house loves it... even the pizza guy, haha.

donsev

02-23-06, 05:43 PM

Stupid me, I've had the TV since Thanksgiving and only checked the regular feed for operation, not the ATSC feed. I did, and now I get QAM and am much happier. I just wish I could remap channels.

Interesting! kelliot, could you post the Firmware information on your set - the instructions on accessing the debug screen are posted earlier in this thread.

And don't feel bad, you may be one of the first members with a Ver. 2 who has even tried testing for QAM support.

So when did the Ver. 2s start supporting QAM?? (Polypro, have you tried it on your early Ver. 2?)

I wonder how many users that have returned their sets might have kept the unit if they discovered that it actually did support QAM. (One unexepected benefit can make up for several small disapointments).

donsev

02-23-06, 06:01 PM

I don't know if Charter in your area has local HD channels broadcasted in the clear, but if they do, you don't need to be pay them any fees and you can access them directly from an analog service. Basically, cable companies don't advertise it, but the coax coming to your house delivers all the analog channels as well as the digital ones.
-eric

Just to clarify a bit, the FCC requires that cable companies provide all local HD broadcasts unencrypted, but only to subscibers of "basic" service (whatever their lowest tier service is). So, if your cable provider carries local HD broadcast at all, they must be made available, unencrypted, to basic subscribers. (Of course you have to have a digital STB or tuner to decode the digital signal).

This doesn't mean that they will be automatically blocked/filtered if you have a higher priced analog tier, simply that they are required by law to make them available only to basic tier users without add'l fees (aside from the rental of the aforementioned digital cable box, or in this case, a QAM capable set).

donsev

02-23-06, 06:13 PM

don,

If you tell me how to test the "auto contrast" problem as well as how to definitely know if we bob vs any other deinterlacing, I'll be happy to share my findings.

-eric

Eric, thanks for the offer. Unfortunately, I don't know how much additional info I can add.

From what others have posted, on any component connection, the unit appears to attempt to automatically adjust the panel contrast, leading to a distracting brightening on dark scenes and a darkening on light scenes. (I hope I have that right). I can only imagine that it appears like the "light pumping" that occurs on some DVD players when dealing with Macrovision copy protection (and is very annoying).

As to the bob/weave question, the "Throwing away half the resolution" thread I mentioned earlier is a very interesting read (although a bit technical, and I am not sure I completely follow the issues). In the thread are several screen shots and .ts files that you can download to try to determine if you panel "passes the test". sfhub has a rather detailed analysis of his efforts to evaluate his Sharp and a Sony unit and provides some insightful commentary.

NeoUrsa

02-23-06, 08:10 PM

I think I have the judder issue. Please help me confirm this...

I have an Oppo DVD player DVI to HDMI. Play set at 1080 on dvd player. TV set to DVI (best picture vs. HDCP) Resolution is 1920x1080. The graphics on the menus, the movies themselves especially when paused or still frame (such as title menu or setup menu) jidders, shakes.

Checked Debug:
05/10/31
T370hw01

Set purchased at 1/24/06 at C*****. Would this be a clear indication of this issue or is there something else I should be considering. Oppo Dvd player at 720p looks/works fine. Quality is best at its 1920x1080 setting but the judder can give you a headache.

jay_cee

02-23-06, 08:26 PM

NeoUrsa

02-23-06, 09:41 PM

That's definitely not the judder issue.

I bet your DVD player is output 1080i. Could it have something to do with the interlacing? How does the video look when not paused?

Maybe an interface timing issue? Somewhere in this thread there are instructions for accessing a service menu that will allow you to adjust some timing settings.

Yes, the output is selectable up to 1080i. In DVI mode the picture looks the best, not as grainy. DVI is Better than HDCP, smoother. BUT its shakey and its noticable.

I upgraded the firmware in the Oppo just now, that didn't resolve anything. I tried adjusting the memory on the debug mode 2-3-4 nothing solves it. There is no shake in HDMI/HDCP mode only in DVI.

Jason Merrick

02-23-06, 10:11 PM

Do folks receiving new units with the latest firmware still think the speakers are poor?

I was in a rush to see the olympics and hooked them up and they didn't seem that bad.
Yes, I've had mine for a week and a half, it's got the latest firmware info on the debug screen, so I'm pretty sure the speakers are the latest available. I had heard the reports of poor sound quality, so upon first using my Sceptre, I thought they weren't that bad. But it only took a few hours to become completely annoyed with the speaker problems. The main problem I noticed was on any sound that had a musical bass track. It would sound like when a speaker bottoms out at top volume. I tried turning the bass all the way down and the loudness off, but it didn't affect this problem.

I got 1000% superior sound by connecting a set of 2.1 speakers to the headphones out jack, but encountered a whole different set of problems that I've posted about, so now I just use my A/V receiver to control the audio. :rolleyes:

bigjuice

02-24-06, 02:57 AM

Yes, I've had mine for a week and a half, it's got the latest firmware info on the debug screen, so I'm pretty sure the speakers are the latest available. I had heard the reports of poor sound quality, so upon first using my Sceptre, I thought they weren't that bad. But it only took a few hours to become completely annoyed with the speaker problems. The main problem I noticed was on any sound that had a musical bass track. It would sound like when a speaker bottoms out at top volume. I tried turning the bass all the way down and the loudness off, but it didn't affect this problem.

I got 1000% superior sound by connecting a set of 2.1 speakers to the headphones out jack, but encountered a whole different set of problems that I've posted about, so now I just use my A/V receiver to control the audio. :rolleyes:

Same here...I think the speakers degrade over time. My last one I had for abou 1 week before it went to hell...I have the current ones mounted but it is turned all the way down.
I use my bookshelf phillips magnavox

Evenstar

02-24-06, 02:46 PM

Yes, I've had mine for a week and a half, it's got the latest firmware info on the debug screen, so I'm pretty sure the speakers are the latest available.
What debug screen is this ?? I'm not aware of any for the X37 Naga that I have.

Thanks.

kkrull

02-24-06, 03:15 PM

So do you think the poor sound is the amp?

Or do you think that the speakers could be replaced with some decent speakers?

There is clearly room for a better crossover. I can't even tell that the bass is being filtered out at all.

The three speakers are mounted in parrallel with a 3.3μF 80°C resister on the tweeter. The midrange speakers weigh 10 oz tops.

The midrange speakers are on four 2 3/8 in mounting holes. The tweeter is on a 2 1/2 in mounting hole.

http://www.ezarchive.com/krash/AlbumSpace/77YF1R2BXE/SceptreA.jpg

http://www.ezarchive.com/krash/AlbumSpace/77YF1R2BXE/SceptreB.jpg

I bet that $30 worth of speaker parts would make a big difference. Any speaker builders in the crowd?

Evenstar

02-24-06, 04:44 PM

I am having a sound problem and/or I don't understand the sound potential of the X37: I run a stereo cable from my motherboard--onboard sound output to the PC audio input on the X37. (Green connectors & verified stereo cable continuity checks are physically good.) When I look at the Sceptre menu options it skips over the Sound/Music icon so I might suspect that the Sceptre sound when hooked up to a PC functions only as passthrough with no control? Is this true?

The PC audio s/b in stereo. I ran an independent three speaker system from the PC and I get correct stereo sound in the game and with the speaker test.

Clearly the Sceptre internally changes the audio from stereo to mono. WHY ??

Thank you.

bluemax50

02-24-06, 05:04 PM

So what's the deal with the Spectre? Does it make a good televison for HD viewing ? I'm confused after reading all the info in this tread. Reading the issues with this TV would really scare most people from buying It. Seems to have problems with flashing screens if you use the one component input . Has only one HDMI input which I guess works but if you use this for a cable box input your back to having to use the component input for other devices like a DVD Player which I guess would get back to the bad auto contrasting feature which so many complain about. The speakers are junk. Seems to me if you can live with the blooming or uneven backlighting all thats left is using it as a PC monitor. Someone must have one Spectre television that actually works somewhere!!! With all of the units being sold it just can't be as bad as this thread would imply. Is anyone happy with their purchase?

danwheeler

02-24-06, 08:43 PM

i'm going to scream if I see one more person call it a "Spectre"

(sorry Bluemax)

bluemax50

02-24-06, 08:50 PM

i'm going to scream if I see one more person call it a "Spectre"

(sorry Bluemax)
I stand corrected.....

DouglasteR

02-24-06, 09:52 PM

I stand corrected.....

Hehe its more normal that you guys could think :D

Sceptre FTW :o

Evenstar

02-24-06, 09:58 PM

I am having a sound problem and/or I don't understand the sound potential of the X37...
The later is correct...I got phone feedback from Sceptre that the sound board in the Sceptre that the PC audio feeds into and that the cable box cable feeds into doesn't do stereo. So if you want TV stereo you have to use the RCA jacks and if you want PC stereo you have to...use the RCA jacks too. It is kind of stupid that the PC audio jack itself is stereo and the supplied audio cable is stereo but the Sceptre internal support is monaural only.

As a friend pointed out...maybe it is time to go surround sound 5.1 and remove and store away never to use again the Sceptre speakers.

EL_RIEL

02-25-06, 01:36 AM

:( guys, please answer this.. does this Sceptre display has latency issues?
Specifically, display lag..

Please look a this thread to read what i mean:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=644950&page=1&pp=30

I dont want to buy this LCD to discover that the display has a lag, so when playing videogames it becomes a MAYOR issue. It seems a good buy, has a nice price and supports great resolution.
Im not talking about LCD response time, i mean display lag because of internal video processing.

please !

EL_RIEL

02-25-06, 01:38 AM

one more question,

How do you know the version of the display? i have read here that there are at least 3 diferent versions.. v1 v2 v3
Does the displays at retail now, lets say amazon, are the latest version, with less problems? or is there a chance i can get a faulty display..

Thanks !!

deadedkid

02-25-06, 02:51 AM

I'm having three problems with my sceptre:

1. I am using a xbox 360, but for some reason there are green, blue, and red dots all over the screen. Especially when there is dark colors or fast moving object.

Can this be a problem with the HD components of 360?

2. The second problem is with all other videos or images shown on screen besides my 360. There are strange problems with my tv showing black verticle lines on white back ground and light areas on screan.

3. The problem are my speakers. For some reason whenever I change the channel or 360 to regular TV there is a loud annoying popping noise.

All the problems are very noticable and very bothersome can someone please help me out here. Or any ideas before I go to order another from costco and return this one. Thank you for reading and hopefully replying.

Falcore1

02-25-06, 08:28 AM

Mine went back to Costco!!!!!!!!!!
It is not the speakers-its the AMP.
Oh, one more thing the TUNER died after 5 weeks.
RUN away from this one!

ericjut

02-25-06, 12:21 PM

Falcore1,

Because you has a faulty unit doesn't mean that everybody should stay away from it. Especially when you can just return it and get a replacement at no charge to you.

Sorry you had problems with yours... But even if the rate of faulty units is higher than bigger brands, I would still recommend it because there's nothing else at that price point that's substancially more stable right now.

-eric

bigjuice

02-25-06, 01:10 PM

I am pretty pleased with my purchase...I don't use it for anything other than TV viewing so I can't answer half of the questions.

I figured out sometime ago that it was the amp because when I connected external speakers to the same outputs I got the same popping sound. (that was before I found out that they all got the same speaker problem).

I didn't want to turn on my reciever everytime I want to watch TV but I a doing it right now...this current V3 that I have has the speakers connected but they are turned way down.

If the thing develp problems....like Eric said, I will take it right back.

Pocky Is God

02-25-06, 07:11 PM

So...good buy or not? I have DirecTV and a Panasonic XR55 going to Home Theater Direct Series Three surround speakers, so the sound issue does not bother me. I basically want this for TV viewing; some light PC use (mostly Emulators and the like). And I do have a Costco card.

Worth it? Not? Anything in this price range that is better? The only other LCD I am considering is a whole lot more expensive, it's a 42" Samsung LCD.

kelliot

02-25-06, 09:00 PM

Interesting! kelliot, could you post the Firmware information on your set - the instructions on accessing the debug screen are posted earlier in this thread.

And don't feel bad, you may be one of the first members with a Ver. 2 who has even tried testing for QAM support.

So when did the Ver. 2s start supporting QAM?? (Polypro, have you tried it on your early Ver. 2?)

I wonder how many users that have returned their sets might have kept the unit if they discovered that it actually did support QAM. (One unexepected benefit can make up for several small disapointments).

MIne has essentially the same info as previously posted, R.02 HW, M4.10C S/W. Mw v 1.21. That's what tipped me off that I was doing something wrong. Mine was shipped on 11/16/2005.

deadedkid

02-25-06, 10:38 PM

Well, thanks. Guess i'll be returning it for another sceptre, and then turn down my amp. It shakes my whole house. I'm not even going to bother emailing or calling sceptre.

smallwheels

02-26-06, 02:04 AM

ericjut

02-26-06, 05:18 AM

Has anyone figured out how to EDIT the DTV channel list? (This is on a Rev 2 set.) Auto scan builds a channel list containing all the channels that come in Over-the-air. There is an "edit" screen in menus that lets one lock out a channel, but the settings don't stick. When one exits the edit screen, a "do you want to save" dialog comes up for a split second with "no" highlighted, and then its back to the previous menu, with no chance to say "yes".

I'ld really like to delete the shopping channel!

smallwheels,

The v3 also has this behavior... the problem is that you're pressing on the "exit" button (which cancels all your changes). Though I do agree with you about the dialog showing up for a split second being misleading.

Just try to press "menu" instead to exit from that page and the prompt will stay and let you save it.

-eric

mystic818

02-26-06, 11:05 AM

2) If you're planning to use the ATSC tuner for OTA (off the air), then you'll need an antenna. There are full forums that have info on this. If you're planning to use the ATSC tuner as QAM, all you need is to connect your coax cable to the TV and pay for your cable service. :) You don't need to have more than the most basic cable service to get access to QAM channels btw.
-eric

Eric, thanks for all your help.

I just received my tv and I tried to plug in the coax cable from the wall into the ATSC tuner on the tv, but it didn't work. The screen showed "no or bad signal". I have regular (analog) cable service.

When plugging in the coax cable into the NTSC tuner, I noticed some of the channels are grainy and don't look that good (probably because it's analog and I believe the cable in my house are split between many rooms). Is there a way that I can improve the quality?

Thanks in advance!

bluemax50

02-26-06, 11:31 AM

ericjut

02-26-06, 12:10 PM

Eric, thanks for all your help.

I just received my tv and I tried to plug in the coax cable from the wall into the ATSC tuner on the tv, but it didn't work. The screen showed "no or bad signal". I have regular (analog) cable service.

When plugging in the coax cable into the NTSC tuner, I noticed some of the channels are grainy and don't look that good (probably because it's analog and I believe the cable in my house are split between many rooms). Is there a way that I can improve the quality?

Thanks in advance!

1. Did you go to the DTV input (In the PC Input group)?
2. Did you go into the ATSC menu and tried to automatically find the digital channels on one of the 3 choices (Standard cable, HRC and IRC)? It's set by default to ATSC, which means that QAM channels won't show up. Also, be patient as most QAM channels are in the 70s and up on a spectrum of 1-125, which means that pretty much over half of the progress bar will be done before you find your first channel.
3. Did you try to find more information about what's available in your local in this forum: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=45 ?

As for the analog problem, I would suggest you do what bluemax50 suggested, as it may also fix your QAM problem. If your signal is too low or noisy, the digital channels will also be too low for the tuner to pick them up, and unlike analog channels that partly show up with grain and/or snow, digital channel just don't show up at all if the signal is too low.

The QAM tuner in the Sceptre does have a nifty feature, it will show you the signal strength when you try to setup the channels manually. But you'll need to find at the least one channel that you have in your area to tune on. Go to the HDTV forum I listed above and look for your local thread (cable thread if there's one) and then search for QAM information. On my local thread, people periodically post a QAM channel list there... maybe yours will too. If not, just ask, I'm sure somebody in your area comes here and has a QAM tuner.

Once you have a channel number, you can go to the ATSC menu and try to manually tune to that channel. There, you'll see the signal strength. If it's below 60%, you have a noisy line and/or weak signal. If it's over 80% and you don't see anything on that channel, that means the channel is encrypted. In between 60-80% will vary depending on the tuner. Sometimes, you will be able to tune the channel, but there may be cases where the channel might break up.

Oh and in case you're wondering, you might find channels that will show premium content that don't always work. Those are "OnDemand" video streams of other users in your neighborhood. So much for privacy, heh? :) QAM tuners pick them up, but they usually don't like it when there's FF, REW, Stop or Pause done to them (my Fusion3 QAM PC card was crashing when one of those operation was performed by the listener. The Sceptre tuner just seems to lose the signal). In any case, if you can even see them, I'm pretty sure the cable companies will do something about that soon enough.

Finally, I just want to reiterate... your mileage WILL vary. While Comcast in the Seattle area provides all the local channels in the clear (and in HD), it's certainly not the case for all regions. And while Cable companies are "required" to offer them, some regions are still fighting to get them. The HDTV forum is the best place to get information about your local area.

-eric

bluemax50

02-27-06, 07:59 AM

Well after hours of reading this forum and other reviews I took the plunge and ordered the Sceptre last night from my local warehouse store's web site. This will be the third LCD brand in two weeks for me as the last two didn't work out. I'm buying the TV for a bright room for movies and some PC work but primarily for HDTV via a comcast/Motorola 6200 cable box and a Oppo DVD player. We'll see how it goes. My first display was the Westinghouse 37" which had an awesome picture with plenty of inputs, unfortunately it suffered from the vertical banding problem and they had no more in stock. This Saturday I stopped by my local warehouse store and bought the Vizio L37. Great TV with lots of inputs but it had a really dark display making low light video unwatchable, worst I've ever seen on a LCD display. I'm hoping the Sceptre turns out to be the right choice. One thing I've learned quickly is just why there can be a 1-2k difference in cost of the 37" LCD displays! It's been really difficult to find a 37" for under 2k that actually works well without either low light viewing problems or really shoddy quality control. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Sceptre has worked most of the bugs out of their display, we'll see!!!

donsev

02-27-06, 09:52 AM

MIne has essentially the same info as previously posted, R.02 HW, M4.10C S/W. Mw v 1.21. That's what tipped me off that I was doing something wrong. Mine was shipped on 11/16/2005.

Ken,

Could you also provide the info from the other screen that we believe shows the firmware date;

Attached is a photo of the "debug" information displayed on the Sceptre for anyone who might be curious. Could somone who has the v1 or the earlier version of the v2 post their debug info as well?

Mine reads:

DEBUG 0111
06/01/16 14:58
T370HW01
1920 X 1080

Anyone else with a Ver. 2 discover that the QAM tuner is enabled?

chuck5395

02-27-06, 02:57 PM

Just got mine delivered this morning (took the day off to play with it). I too am unable to get the QAM tuner to work. I can't seem to find the sub-menu you guys refer to that allows you to select the source (ie: cable-std).

I select DTV as the source. Press Menu. Goto far right icon (TV).
I'm presented with three choices:
Edit / Auto Scan / Manual Scan

Where is the option to select Cable-Std?

Thanks

ericjut

02-27-06, 03:44 PM

chuck5395

02-27-06, 04:14 PM

eric,
After pushing the "Auto Scan" option, it just starts to scan. There are no sub menu selections.

This is under the Channel menu, correct?

ericjut

02-27-06, 04:23 PM

I'm at work, so I can't tell you either way... but tonight I'll take snapshots...

-eric

chuck5395

02-27-06, 04:53 PM

Just in case, here are the steps I take:
1. press SOURCE PC until I get M:DTV
2. press menu
3. select DTV from the menu
4. press enter to go the Sub-Menu
5. select CHANNEL
6. enter password
7. select Auto Scan from the menu
- It immediatly starts scanning with no options

mrayborn

02-27-06, 04:59 PM

Hello All.

I was having a problem watching the Olympics in that the bass was always too loud. I couldn't hear the commentary as well as I liked because of all of the background noise.

Turns out that in playing with the controls I must have pressed the "sound" button on the remote and had selected "pop". Anyway once I selected "user mode" I found that I could then use the OSD to configure the Bass and Treble setting to my preference.

The wierd part is that you have to select the "user mode" using the "sound" button on the remote, then you can adjust the settings using the OSD menu.

ranbirsahni

02-27-06, 05:09 PM

Polypro

02-28-06, 01:39 AM

Just scanned with my original v2 set, no QAM channels showed up...but...none showed up on my Fusion5 HDTV PCI tuner either. So I don't think my Comcast Branford, CT basic package is sending QAM.

P

donsev

02-28-06, 07:50 AM

Just scanned with my original v2 set, no QAM channels showed up...but...none showed up on my Fusion5 HDTV PCI tuner either. So I don't think my Comcast Branford, CT basic package is sending QAM.

P

Thanks for checking - unfortunately not a definitive result. (I know that Comcast is QAM, but each town could be operating differently).

Anyone else with a Ver. 2 test QAM? Please post your results.

donsev

02-28-06, 07:54 AM

All the knowledgable user of sceptre 37"

I have no sound from the speakers which are connected
tried
PC out/in connection
Audio on dvd
HDMI on dvd and tvit is samsung 941 it also fails to go beyond 480i on dvd
no go donot know what to do to get sound
I also have 3 flickering lines on the left top corner
bought it from castco 3 weeks ago plz help!!!

Do you have sound when using the internal tuners (NTSC or ATSC)?

If not, double check the connections from the unit to the speakers.

You could also try connecting headphones directly to the headset (3.5mm) jack. If there is no sound there, it may be a defective unit.

Rbyers

02-28-06, 08:25 AM

I have a question for someone with a 37" Sceptre. I have a 30" Sceptre in my bedroom. It's fine for this purpose. BUT, I notice that there is a color shift/fade as you move off axis. No problem in its current location, but would be a problem in the family room where someone is always watching off axis. How is the 37" set in this regard?

bluemax50

02-28-06, 09:48 AM

Well I ordered the Sceptre 37" online from a Warehouse store Cxxxxx.com Sunday night and got shipping confirmation last night. Scheduled delivery to Western Massachusetts is March 6th. Hopefully it will arrive in one piece and my search for a 37" LCD display that doesn't break the bank will be over. Primary use will be HDTV viewing thru a Comcast/ Motorola 6200 series cable box and DVD's thru an Oppo DVD player. I'll certainly report how it goes when it gets here and to whether the digital tuner is capable of receiving digital cable stations or not. This will be the third brand of 37" display I've purchased, hopefully this one is a keeper and there aren't any problems. I loved the Westinghouse 37" because it has awesome picture quality even in dark scenes but suffered from a vertical banding which I believe is caused by uneven backlighting. The second set was a Vizio L37 which has awesome features like dual tuners but suffered from terrible contrast issues while watching any dark scenes making them impossible to see, what a shame because I liked everything else about the Vizio but after all I'm buying it for the display quality not the tuners. So now I'm going to try the Sceptre and if that doesn't work out I'll look for a good Westinghouse 37" or just go with the 37" Panasonic Plasma instead.

chuck5395

02-28-06, 09:53 AM

chuck5395

02-28-06, 10:45 AM

More information on my QAM issue. When I go to manual entry of channels, I am limited to a range of channels between 2 and 69. This doesn't seem right because I'm supposed to find these channels at 76-2 and 76-3 and so on....

And by the way, has anyone every gotten through to Tech Support on the phone? I keep ending up on their voice mail.

ericjut

02-28-06, 10:53 AM

bluemax50,
Best of luck to you on your new purchase. Mine arived yesterday. I had it on a SD cable channel when the wife walks in and comments about the poor picture quality. Problem is that I have not been able to get the QAM to find any channels on our Comcast cable. I just can't seem to find the proper way to scan the channels like others have done in this forum.

I also found that our ol' Toshiba SD-1600 just isn't up to the task of working with this new TV. Guess I'll need to venture out into the fray of upconverting DVD players....

Need to get the WAF (Wife Aproval Factor) up a few points soon.

-Chuck

Chuck, I've attached some snapshots of the options I was talking about regarding QAM tuning.

1. Press "Menu" when on the DTV input (one of the "Source PC" inputs).
2. Press Left once to get into the DTV menu that has only one entry called "Sub-Menu".
3. A new menu appears (see picture #1), select "Channel -> Auto Scan"
4. A page appears (see picture #2), notice at the top of the rectangle, if you go left or right, you can choose between Air, Cable STD, Cable HRD, Cable IRC. For QAM try any but "Air".

If you don't have the same menus showing, maybe you should verify the version of your unit, maybe you got the v2 or even a v1 (see multiple posts earlier to know how to do this).

gl

-eric

chuck5395

02-28-06, 11:10 AM

eric,
Thanks for posting those pics. The menu's do not match mine. I've attached some screen shots from my TV. Guess I'll need to figure out which version they sent me.

Pecs

02-28-06, 11:40 AM

eric,
Thanks for posting those pics. The menu's do not match mine. I've attached some screen shots from my TV. Guess I'll need to figure out which version they sent me.

Chuck, where did you purchase yours from? It seems like people that were ordering from C***** were getting the latest version...

bluemax50

02-28-06, 11:46 AM

chuck5395

02-28-06, 11:54 AM

Chuck, where did you purchase yours from? It seems like people that were ordering from C***** were getting the latest version...

Eric,
Yes, I did order it from C*****. Attached are the debug and about screens.

bluemax50,
Thank you for that recomendation. I'll look into it.

chuck5395

02-28-06, 12:05 PM

Just got off the phone with Sceptere (tech support and then sales).
Tech Support says that the one I received does not have QAM. He said my best bet was to return it and order another one.

Sales says that the one offered via the "vendor that shall not be named" does not come with QAM. When pressed for more info he dumped me over to Tech Support where I ended up on voice mail again.

QAM is a deal breaker for me. Guess I need to pack this one up and return it. I've not decided if I'm going to order another one yet.

Pecs

02-28-06, 12:13 PM

Strange that they would ship different units to different vendors. Well where did everyone who has QAM buy their units?

bluemax50

02-28-06, 12:28 PM

Strange that they would ship different units to different vendors. Well where did everyone who has QAM buy their units?

Well my TV shipped from Cxxxx.com's warehouse yesterday, if it arrives without QAM capability and I can't update it myself via some type of software upgrade it won't be staying long!! Fact of the matter is without QAM capability the TV is not worth as much as the same product with it. Is Sceptre using Cxxxx to dump down rev product??. Lucky for me I can return it locally.

Polypro

02-28-06, 12:38 PM

Thanks for checking - unfortunately not a definitive result. (I know that Comcast is QAM, but each town could be operating differently).

Anyone else with a Ver. 2 test QAM? Please post your results.

Here's their blurb at the bottom:

* Standard Cable (Basic Cable plus Expanded Basic Cable) must be purchased in order to receive Channels 2 through 98 with any Digital Cable Package. Customers who subscribe to Basic Cable only will receive up to 26 channels in addition to those included with the Digital package of their choosing.
High-Definition (HD) channels, including local signals, are subject to availability. A High-Definition (HD) television set (not provided), cable box and remote control are required. A High-Definition or Digital Cable box is required to receive Digital Cable channels. ** HD local broadcast signals are included with Basic Service subscription and HD cable box (see equipment pricing). *** Minimum service level required to receive this channel. ++WGBY Digital Broadcast channels are available as part of a Basic cable subscription. A digital cable box and remote are required. A Digital access charge applies to customers who do not subscribe to a minimum level of digital service. Some restrictions apply.

P