Virgin Media TV signal

[Adam]

I've just 'upgraded' to a fancy new LCD TV and I'm less than impressed with the picture I'm getting from my cable TV. It tends to look a bit blocky and jagged (especially on text or high contrast areas). Anyone else had problems? And do you have any tips?

At the moment I'm not convinced it's better than my CRT TV (for sale for ?50, by the way, in the wanted/offered forum), but I'm hoping I can do something to improve the picture!

[ct]

Do you have a v+ box, if so are you connecting it to your tv with a HDMI cable? If not, my first tip would be to get a hdmi cable for your v+ box. Might be worth confirming what your setup is and what you've done so far.

CRT technology was/is brilliant for standard definition TV and it's unlikely your LCD will produce better looking SD quality. The real advantages come from PS3 games, Blu-ray, HD content (try channel 108 BBC HD as an example)and the fact that the TV itself looks a lot sleeker.

Another tip would be to search for your TV model on AVForums.com and you might be lucky and find that there's a thread with users giving tips on the best settings for your TV.

[Adam]

Thanks CT. Yes, I'm using V+ with HDMI (supplied by Virgin). BBC HD looks pretty good, but I'm surprised by the imperfections on the other channels. Also DVD looks pretty poor. Surely the new LCD TVs shouldn't only be good with hi-def sources?

I've had a bit of a look on AV Forum etc, but no one else seems to have these problems! My Panasonic is apparently one of the best 32" TVs around!

Might try to get Virgin round to have a look.

[will dex]

Hi CT,

cable is broadcast at a lower definition than the 400-odd lines of standard definition. it is at ;least 4 times less definition than hi-def and is very poor (i know as in ed reception via aerial ive had to resort to it myself). Id say upgrade and get high def cable, or better, -get any other tv signal possible!.

if you can wait you can get HD freeview in 2012.

cable is SH*** and should have stayed in the 80's. (unless u upgrade to HD and get free broadband etc in the deal)

your definition cannot get any better as the picture is broadcast over such a low bandwidth it will never look good no matter what tv you use (try putting diesel in a ferrari..)(sorry)

Will

[ct]

Will

I'm not sure your SD v HD is right as I dont believe that anyone is transmitting 1080p (and as I understand it wont for the forseeable future). I'd also say that cable is comparable if not better than other TV solutions and it's less affected by other influences such as weather.

I'd also say the definition can be improved - upscaling - and the v+ box upscales standard def. Ok it's artificial but there you go

Adam

One way of looking at it is that your TV is probably set up in 1080p (1920x1080) mode and if your watching standard def (720x576) then your tv (or the source) has to literally make up the extra pixels. If you're not happy with the DVD player too then I'd imagine it's the TV that's causing you concern, not Virgin. Try changing some of the display settings in the settings page on the Virgin Media service - try cycling through the 1080i, 720p and widescreen settings until you find one you think looks better). Also, is your DVD player an upscaling player with HDMI? If not I'd recommend buying one, you'll definitely see improvements (have a look around avforums, i'm not sure what the latest budget recommendation is but i'd imagine it'd be a Sony for circa ?50).

You say you've looked at Avforums, but have you looked for a thread on settings? If you've a decent panasonic I'm sure there will be a thread somewhere on which a load of people will have posted the optimal settings for your TV, if you cant find it I'd recommend turning off all the special settings (probably featured on a sticker on the TV). I'm sure you'll soon start to appreciate your TV

If you wander into a high street retailer and tell them of your issue, they'll probably try and sell you something like a Monster HDMI cable. From all the stuff I've read it's just a waste of money spending tons on HDMI cables

[ruffers]

Good stuff from ct there but I think you do need to bear in mind that whatever you do your lcd will be struggling to be as good as the crt for standard def, plenty you can do to make it better though as described.

[will dex]

Hi CD,

TO CLARIFY:

hd= 720P not 1080p

1080p = full HD.

(standard def is about 480i)

you can get HD from sky or cable in 1080i/720p

you can only get full hd from blu ray disc (1080p).

upscaling helps a little as it "guesses to fill in the gaps", but in fast moving scenes it cant guess as fast as the image changes and thus definition reverts to that of the transmission hence my comment the definition cant get better.

this forum is a minefield ..

[zephyr]

I have had an LCD TV with my virgin cable for nearly two years. I got a V+ box in January. The picture is usually pretty good but does rely on the correct settings.

There are some channels which sometimes are not very clear - my son commented that the picture for the Croatia-England game was awful.

It is also alot to fo with the power levels of the signal from Virgin Media.

I would highly recommend looking at the articles and posting your issues on http://www.chetnet.co.uk/portal/

Unlike ANY other A forum, Chetnet is run unofficially by Virgin Media and ex NTL/Telewest employees and caters specifically for Virgin Media issues. If it not a 'gripe' site so you don't get people having a go at VM

I would definately recommend it - you will get a answer from people who work with digital tv for Virgin

[will dex]

cheers zephyr!