Poor quality of SD channels
 

We pay VM a hell of a lot of money each month, yet the SD channels quality is poor.

The small print text on some programs is virtually unreadable.

I guess they are using a very high compression etc.

The best way to describe the quality, it's like the dodgy pirate VHS\Betamax tape a guy would bring round in the back of a transit van.

Re: Poor quality of SD channels
 

Must admit I find it hard to watch anything in SD these days, as you say some of the cable SD content is very poor. Part of the problem is the upscaling required to display it in 1080 on most tv's (assuming that's what you're watching it on).

Re: Poor quality of SD channels
 

What size screen do you have and how far away do you sit?

As for the small text, which channels? I do suspect some assume you are watching in HD.

Re: Poor quality of SD channels
 

Can you not watch in HD?

Re: Poor quality of SD channels
 

I have no problems with SD channels, my TV is a 10 year old 37" Plasma though ;)

I very much doubt Hom3r has one of those £130 TV's from Argos, so wondered if a duff lead could be the problem?

Re: Poor quality of SD channels
 

Samsung 40" & Samsung 32" 3D

Sometimes we have programs clashes and one has to be recorded on a +1

---------- Post added at 13:42 ---------- Previous post was at 13:40 ----------

Yep Samsung 40" & Samsung 32" 3D

If HD is OK surely the cable is as well?

Re: Poor quality of SD channels
 

Have to say, don't have any problem on my 49" Sony Bravia - we watch the BBC1 SD channel for the local news & weather.

Re: Poor quality of SD channels
 

And how far away do you sit? You need to be between 5 and 8 times the screen height away. If you are closer than 8 feet from the 40", or 6.5 feet from 32", you will be able to see the pixels on a SD picture.

Correct. The cable isn't the problem.

Re: Poor quality of SD channels
 

Just had a quick flick around t'interweb (yes, bored) and the general consensus seems to be the problem of upscaling the SD to the much higher HD (or UHD).

I've no idea 'cos I don't play with mine (in case I bugger up a decent picture), but can you 'tone down' the upscaling to get a decent balance between HD and SD?

People with much better knowledge than I would obviously know where/how to fiddle with menus and settings . . . if that's the way to go.

I think the advances in technology have now left SD floundering when viewed on newer TV's, when this Plasma eventually dies I'll be grabbing a second hand one to replace it ;)

Re: Poor quality of SD channels
 

The resolution of Standard Definition varies.

Main channels, like the PSBs, tend to be 720x576 or 704x576.

Smaller channels, even from big broadcasters, can be 544x576.

Some have their main channel on 720x576 and +1 version on 544x576.

And not all channels of the same resolution are equal either. I've seen some 544x576 channels that have much better picture than other ones. I'm no expert, but I suspect some of this is that they use better encoders. There's multiple factors at play, not just encoders.

Re: Poor quality of SD channels
 

I'm surprised that happens often if you've got a V6 and two Tivo's you must be well in to double figures for recordings before you need to shift recordings to +1's :shocked:.

Re: Poor quality of SD channels
 

I have the V6 in my room, and the living room TV is a TiVo.


We are about 8ft from the screen which is above the fire (not real fire).


My dad videos loads of stuff, weekend garbage is the worst for me, and setting up is easy on the TV downstairs, rather than use the awful app the VM have.

Hmmmm I always have watched and loved SD..... I dont loike HD,its too wide.........

I did watch some HD channels on an SD TV one time and they looked good (Too wide on those sets though)

Re: Poor quality of SD channels
 

I always thought wide screen was a huge improvement, after all your eyes are positioned side by side not vertically stacked (apologies to those with a different setup ;)).

Re: Poor quality of SD channels
 

But they would only be in SD... :confused: