New TV drive and Samsung HDTV

markie581 · 27-04-2006, 13:24

Hello,

I apologise from the start, but I am a bit of a dinosaur when it comes to new technology....... but here goes.

I have recently had TV drive installed, and have conected it to my Samsung LE32R51BD HD ready TV, via the HDMI cable supplied by the engineer. I have to say that the picture displayed by the standard chanels (BBC, ITV etc) is very poor, with pixelation around words and smaller items. Even the HDef content is nothing compared to the standard I saw when I bought the TV in the shop. I have tried altering the contrast/ brightness etc, to no effect. I now have to try and justify spending a grand on a TV to the missus, for a picture that is worse that our original TV and older Telewest box... I know that the content displayed by the terestrial channels is no where near as good as Hdef content, by for an LCD TV connected via HDMI, you would expect a clearer picture (I hope). I have noticed that when you press the menu page that brings up the Telewest options, the smaller picture displayed to the right is crystal clear.
Could anybody answer the following questions?

1. Will a more expensive HDMI cable improve the picture from the one displayed now?

2. Is my TV just rubbish?

Thanks for reading......

Neil · 27-04-2006, 14:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by markie581

1. Will a more expensive HDMI cable improve the picture from the one displayed now?

Very unlikely as HDMI is a digital signal. It's possible you may have a faulty cable but very unlikely.

Quote:

Originally Posted by markie581

2. Is my TV just rubbish?

No again!

Have you set the TV Drive to output at 720p or 1080i?

to the site too.

Graham M · 27-04-2006, 14:28

Google for the model number: LE32R51BD and check the sites out, there are some pretty poor reviews of this set, I hope they've fixed the problems with it

And others have reported a "poor" picture too

markie581 · 27-04-2006, 17:52

Thanks for the replies.....

I have also read mixed reviews about the TV, but on the whole, They were mostly positive ones. The problems experienced by buyers have all now been fixed by Samsung......... but thats for another thread..

I have researched the internet with regards to HDMI cables, and cannot inderstand why some retailers are selling them from between ÃƒÆ’Ã†â€™ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…Â¡ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£25, upto nearly ÃƒÆ’Ã†â€™ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…Â¡ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£80. Surely to justify such a hefty price tag, then there must be some difference, or are they simply priced for people like me who would buy one, thinking more money, better picture??

In reply to Neil, I have tried both settings to no avail.

BBG · 29-04-2006, 11:49

Hi Markie

I've the exact same set, bought it last Nov for the XBOX360 and upcoming TV options - and plumped for TVDRIVE after being with sky.

I'd agree that even using the HDMI, some channels don't look that great, while others look fine if not pretty darn nice (Deal or no Deal for example on C4 - and Lost on E4).

However, have you tried watching PRIDE yet, on of the HD programs? It really is impressive - give it a go, see what you think - if that's no good either, well....lets cross that bridge when we come to it.

ctxited · 29-04-2006, 18:17

Hi BBG

Im sorry to jump in on this thread, but I just got a Samsung Plasma and TVDriveinstalled, and I would like to know what the HD stuff is like.

I can't figure out what is HD and what isn't. Is there a way to know, or perhaps a section I cant find on the TV guide just for HD programs.

Its just with you saying 'have you tried watching PRIDE yet, on of the HD programs' - the HD Programs ?

Cheers
Ctx

BBG · 29-04-2006, 19:04

Hi mate - no probs.

Now I'm going off memory as I'm upstairs right now and am still getting familair with the menu's.

Go to the main menu and select Teleport Life. This then gives options for like Music video's, C4 on demand (brand spanking new) and at the botom - HD stuff. "ok" this, and choose HD programs - then have a looksie about.

Some of the Blue Planet stuff looks great, some doesn't - but go across with the left/right buttons to find Pride - which is the best I've seen so far (though someone said the Supervolcano Wild Weather thingy is great too).

Hope this helps buddy.

ctxited · 29-04-2006, 19:26

WOW !!!

Cheers for that !!!

Ctx

BBG · 30-04-2006, 18:18

doth that mean you found and enjoyed it? lolol

OLDGOLD · 01-05-2006, 19:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBG

Some of the Blue Planet stuff looks great, some doesn't - but go across with the left/right buttons to find Pride - which is the best I've seen so far (though someone said the Supervolcano Wild Weather thingy is great too).

Hope this helps buddy.

I watched the Supervolcano progs yesterday. I think it's a bit of a mixed bag. At times it is jaw dropping, especially some of the distant outdoor shots and the volcano eruptions. The rest seems about DVD quality.

One thing I did notice was a lot of jerkiness to the picture, such as when there is slow or relative slow panning of the camera. But don't know whether this is my tele, Telewest's broadcast or the TV Drive.

iceman · 18-05-2006, 02:31

Remember the only things being shown at HD quality on telewest at the mo is a few selected programmes available via the teleport thingy. Altho normal programmes should be a slightly better quality through HDMI as its a lossless signal transfer, unlike scart.

Oh, btw im a sales assistant on tv's, so any questions you lovely people have, i can ask the reps i get in my store!

LiviGordo · 28-06-2006, 22:42

So is it likely that in order to enjoy HD channels thru the HDMI connection you have to sacrifice every other non-hd channel for quality. I have to say that the component hd connection looked better for all the channels. Surely HDMI is supposed to be the best? Using a Philips 37 inch LCD and I'm not impressed with the non-hd channels.

iceman · 29-06-2006, 10:06

No you shouldnt be sacrificing quality on the non-hd channels as the connection your using would be a better quality than scart. So technically you should get a better picture on the non-hd channels.
The problem im having is that on some non-hd channels, their coming through in 4:3 as opposed to 16:9. And im still baffled as to why this is. The regional samsung rep for my store hasnt got a clue, but ive got my telewest rep trying to find out for me now. I'll post up when I have the answer!

ctxited · 29-06-2006, 18:34

Iceman

when you use a HDMI cable, the TV will only display in original aspect ration, the TV will not zoom / squash / stretch the picture etc..

If a picture is broadcast in Widescreen, thats how a TV receiving its signal down a HDMI cable will show it.

You will find that if you connect the TV Drive to you TV via a Scart lead, then the TV will zoom / stretch / squash the picture.

I think that really, its just worth putting up with the original aspect ration, afterall, at least the people dont look short and fat lol !!

I am sure that someone on this forum will know the technical reason why, but I dont - I just know that thats how it is.

Cheers
Ctx