I had a pair of RTV-4040's (gave one to mom; the arsenal now consists of RTV-2020, RTV-4040, two RTV-5040) I never recall seeing any differences between the two that were as drastic as you describe.
What version of software are the units running (411-zones to find out)?
I've seen a number of reports (and my own experience confirms it) that the contrast can be a bit inconsistant with the VGA output when when you change channels or recordings (the black level floats up and down a bit - enough to be noticeable, but not "washed out").
If you are not using the VGA/component out, ENSURE that it is disabled as from what I've read/heard it WILL degrade the quality on all outputs.
(I've never personally confirmed this, but it makes sense and I believe the source was one of the Sr. members here that knows a hell of a lot more about the encoders on these things than I do...)
RTV-4k RF tuners are notorious for less than ideal picture quality - does the problem persist if you swap the RF input sources for the units? or does the problem follow the RF source? Also, is a washed out show still washed out if you stream it to the other unit for viewing? (and what about the other way around?)
Does the problem persist if you use composite or S-video input for the recodings?
What version of software are the units running (411-zones to find out)?
I've seen a number of reports (and my own experience confirms it) that the contrast can be a bit inconsistant with the VGA output when when you change channels or recordings (the black level floats up and down a bit - enough to be noticeable, but not "washed out").
If you are not using the VGA/component out, ENSURE that it is disabled as from what I've read/heard it WILL degrade the quality on all outputs.
(I've never personally confirmed this, but it makes sense and I believe the source was one of the Sr. members here that knows a hell of a lot more about the encoders on these things than I do...)
RTV-4k RF tuners are notorious for less than ideal picture quality - does the problem persist if you swap the RF input sources for the units? or does the problem follow the RF source? Also, is a washed out show still washed out if you stream it to the other unit for viewing? (and what about the other way around?)
Does the problem persist if you use composite or S-video input for the recodings?