2. home-theater
  3. 1215397954

LCD HD TV Picture Quality Lacking

My Dad recently purchased a Sony Bravia LCD and my father-in -law just bought a Magnavox LCD. These are the 1st HD tv's I've had a chance to spend time viewing. Compared to standard televisions I find the color on both TV's to be unnatural (even after adjustments) and the pictures often lack clarity, and definition. They are fuzzy (cloudy looking). My Dad's Sony is connected to a digital HD cable box from the cable company. My father-in laws' LCD is still connected to a standard digital cable box. In the stores when I've seen true High Definition demos, like the NFL it is awesome. Are there any LCD televisions out there with natural looking color? (especially skin tones) Is this cloudy affect, lack of clarity and definition present on all these HD TV's or are there exceptions? Are there HD TV's that are clear in Non HD broadcasts? I do realize the source of the signal matters greatly, but why would my old JVC look clearer, more focused, and have more natural colors than these LCD tv's? Frankly before I shell out the cash, I want to see better performance than I saw from their TVs? Is this a question of something I heard about called "calibration."
Adjustments have been made to my Dad's TV by me and it still looks subpar unless it's an HD broadcast and some of those look unnatural too. Thanks for your thoughts.
foster_9

Showing 2 responses by gmood1

gmood1
1,251 posts
 
Yes the best way to see what these TVs can do, is to use an antenna for HD broadcast or go Direct TV / Dish.
Cable TV hasn't quite caught up yet. Especially the channels still broadcasting in analog.

Quality also varies depending on the model and set. The lower line Bravia looks OK, the top of the line models do have better color contrast by comparison. I think Mitsubishi's LCDs has a terrific picture as well. Sharp and Samsung are good ones.

As you've pointed out, it is all about the signal received. Hook up a true Hi Def source..especially 1080p and no analog TV can match them.
gmood1
1,251 posts
 
I like both Plasma and LCD. Both work well depending on the environment they are in. For a well lighted room the LCD is the better choice. They are much brighter by comparison. Mine a (Sharp) has a light sensing mechanism. The more light that enters the room the brighter it becomes.The screen also absorbs light.Plasmas have a glass/glossy screen. They look great in a dark room, but have glare in a sun filled room.

LCD is lees likely to have burn in, plasma will eventual have burn in. If you use your display as a computer monitor, the Lcd is the better choice.

So all this must be taken in to account when choosing between the two.
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