SD : Poor quality of SD channels

[Hom3r]

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.

[daveeb]

Originally Posted by Hom3r

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.

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).

[spiderplant]

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.

[Mad Max]

Originally Posted by Hom3r

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.

Can you not watch in HD?

[Carth]

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?

[Hom3r]

Originally Posted by spiderplant

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.

Samsung 40" & Samsung 32" 3D

Originally Posted by Mad Max

Can you not watch in HD?

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 ----------

Originally Posted by Carth

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?

Yep Samsung 40" & Samsung 32" 3D

If HD is OK surely the cable is as well?

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

[spiderplant]

Originally Posted by Hom3r

Samsung 40" & Samsung 32" 3D

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.

Originally Posted by Hom3r

If HD is OK surely the cable is as well?

Correct. The cable isn't the problem.

[Carth]

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

[cheekyangus]

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.

[GrimUpNorth]

Originally Posted by Hom3r

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

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 .

[Hom3r]

Originally Posted by GrimUpNorth

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 .

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.

[Dude111]

Originally Posted by daveeb

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.

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)

[daveeb]

Originally Posted by Dude111

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)

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 ).

Originally Posted by Dude111

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)

But they would only be in SD...