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HDTV picture quality question...

Here goes...my first post and it's not even audio related...you'll have to excuse me...cause I'm desperate.

I just purchased a Toshiba 34HDX32 and I've got a problem. Watching DVD's are good, I know it'll be better once I get all my cables...I've ordered them and they'll be here in a week. BUT, my main concern is the picture quality of regular TV. I used to have an older ('99) 27" Samsung and when watching TV, it looked not half bad. Now, on the Toshiba, the image is all pixelated, fuzzy, just generally unclear. Anyway, any ideas on how to improve the picture if at all possible?

Here's what I have:
Toshiba 34HDX82
Satellite (Starchoice, I'm here in Canada)
- Yes, it has S-video out but my bettercable Silver Serpent has yet to come...so that'll improve the image...right? In the meantime, I'm using a standard video cable.
- The majority of channels; ALL major stations (ABC, CBS, NBC, local, etc.) have this problem.
- The channels that do look GOOD, and yes, they look real good are the higher channels (Discovery, TLC, the Food network, etc.)
- The satellite receiver itself is hooked up via a standard/generic F-pin/CATV/Coax cable. I'm thinking of replacing this but have no idea what to get...I was looking at MIT but someone out bid me on those. Anyway, ANY help is much appreciated. Thanks for your time!
spencer23
edesilva
768 posts
 
Might be as simple as the source. If some channels look good and others don't, it may be that the signal the satellite is retransmitting is simply poor. You may notice more when you have a larger/better resolution TV b/c your frame of reference has changed. Another possibility is that, if you have a multisat system, you may be receiving one satellite better than the other. I don't know whether you have, like DirecTV, SAT A, B & C or not.

Beyond that, might be some issue as to the way the TV is upconverting the signal. You might want to try the gurus on www.avsforum.com or see if there is a thread there on your particular Tosh.
jcaudio's avatar
jcaudio
237 posts
 
This is fairly normal on digital sets as they try and convert the analogue signal to digital. You can fix this by adding a inexpensive line doubler like the Divio from the satellite. You will notice on HDTV satellite broadcasts this is not present. That is because it is digital from the outset.
You will also get used to it over time. I have on my digital set. It is much worst on larger screens than smaller sets.
spencer23 OP
2 posts
 
Thanks for your help guys. I'll check out the avsforums and look into that Divio line doubler. As for my satellite provider...Starchoice, which is a Canadian provider, receives signal from 1 of 2 satellites; Anik F1 and Anik E2. Anik F1, which is newer and larger, carries the bulk of the English-language programming. Anik E2 carries mostly French and ethnic programming...and I don't watch any of the latter programming. But anyway, I'll keep looking into it and again, thanks for your help!

sw.
matt8268
92 posts
 
A quick check with your satellite provider may be able to confirm whether or not it's the source. I know on my DirecTV certain channels definitely look better than others, and within that, look better or worse at different times of day (prime time usually higher quality). May want to check around to see if there's a different satellite provider with better signal quality.

Also, don't know how it is in Canada, but in California now you can pick up a $15 antenna, hook it through a HDTV receiver to your TV, and pick up all the local channels (NBC, ABC, CBS, etc.) in crystal clear HD.
glen's avatar
glen
714 posts
 
Matt, That's interesting. You say you can pick up the HD signal for local channels with a $15.00 antena? Where do you get the antena? What part of CA are you from? I guess you still need the HD converter box with five video outs to the tv?
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