Get an exclusive sneak peek into our new project. >>> Click Here

Standard Definition on HD TVs

730 Views 5 Replies 5 Participants Last post by phaworth, Oct 10, 2006

phaworth

Discussion Starter · Sep 27, 2006

I'm just starting to look around for an HD capable TV and concentrating on DLP 1080p models. All the sets I've looked at in the stores have great picture quality for HD signals but standard definition shows look really bad compared to what I see on my Sony KV36XBR400. This seems to be the case on LCD and plasma sets as well.

Since it will be another couple of years before HD becomes universal, I'll still be watching a lot of standard definition TV so is it possible to get a good standard definition picture on these new technology sets or are they just not designed to deal with standard definition?

The standard definition signals I have seen in the stores were from DirecTV which what I have at home also.

Thanks,

Pete

Save

Status: Not open for further replies.

1 - 6 of 6 Posts

Porkpie

· #2 · Sep 27, 2006

Judgement cannot be made by looking at SD signals in a store. The TV's are totally at the mercy of the signal, and most time SD signals in store are very poor.

I have a 46E2000 series and the SD picture (minus the blacks) is every bit as good as my 27" Sony Trinitron CRT. I was totally stunned by how good the picture was given the screen size and the fact it was regular cable.

I had looked at a 55A2000 in the store and the SD picture was brutal. Bottom line is that as long as you feed it a good signal, SD can look good.

Save

MSpeed6

· #3 · Sep 27, 2006

i have a e2000. Older SD programming like returns of simpsons/seinfeld/knight rider looks like crap. Newer shows look great though, saw "Hereos" on money and looked good but i'd say you should upgrade to hd cable. Why buy a hd tv when you can use it to its full potential.

Save

golenskd

· #4 · Sep 29, 2006

After reading the posts on various threads here I also was worried about SD PQ. I bought a Samsung HL-S4266W about 6 weeks ago and have been very impressed with the PQ on SD. I hooked my old Sony Trinitron 32XBR up in the bedroom and the quality on the Samsung is definitly better.

Save

dsl_steve

· #5 · Sep 29, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by golenskd
After reading the posts on various threads here I also was worried about SD PQ. I bought a Samsung HL-S4266W about 6 weeks ago and have been very impressed with the PQ on SD. I hooked my old Sony Trinitron 32XBR up in the bedroom and the quality on the Samsung is definitly better.

My experience exactly also with an HL-S4266W. Especially SD on the Discovery Channel. I do believe this is where the smaller screens have their advantage over larger screens.

Save

phaworth

Discussion Starter · #6 · Oct 10, 2006

Thanks for all the replies.

I guess it sounds like it is possible to get good qood quality SD on HDTVs, by the sound of things. I just wish I could see it in the store. I know they TVs are set up properly in the stores, but if HDTV looks good on any given set and SD doesn't, it feels like it's not a setup issue. Unless, of course, these TVs allow different setup parameters for different signal definitions.

Just to confuse matters, I read something on the web the other day that claimed CRT technology always has and alwyas will be better at showing SD programming than DLP, LCD, Plasma, etc for technical reason that were way beyong my understanding.

And I guess I'm now confused about the Feb 2009 deadline. It appears that is the deadline for TV stations to start broadcasting digitally, not necessarily HD just not analog. If that is the case, then since I'm getting all digital signals from DirecTV now, it doesn't seem like that deadline makes any difference to me. Hopefully competetive pressure will force most of the stations to broadcast HD but doesn't seem like that is a requirement.

Pete

See less See more

Save

1 - 6 of 6 Posts

Status: Not open for further replies.

Top Contributors this Month