[Dunkyboy1]

I have a 40" Sony Bravia LCD which we watch SD freeview on, (the only alternative is Satalite for us), there is no analouge signal anymore. Problem is, the picture quality is terrible on such a large screen.
I have posted elsewhere on this, and it seems that it's not going to get better anytime soon.
We get a full strength signal and the tv is 100% working ok.
So, i'm thinking of doing something like....

1. Get a new TV, ( Panasonic TX32LZD81 with built in freesat), hoping that a smaller screen coupled with freesat will give me a good picture
or
2. Keep the Sony, and get a Foxsat reciever/recorder, hoping that this would give a decent picture
or
3. Keep the Sony, and get the 'Pay once-watch free' from sky, hoping that this will be the solution
or
4. keep the Sony and get a sky package of some kind.

Does anybody have any recommendations on any of the above, or got anything better to suggest.
I really need to do something before i go blind.

[grahamlthompson]

There's something wrong somewhere, my Sony Bravia has an excellent SD picture from freeview.

Photo here

4shared.com - photo sharing - download image SD_component.jpg

Look carefully you can see individual fly away hairs

[Dunkyboy1]

thanks for a swift reply.
I can only say that even the independant engineer from the shop we bought it from confirmed that the tv was perfect, he even played some HD footage through it from his laptop and the picture was incredible, but back on SD free view the picture on things like football especially is terribly blurry, it makes your eyes hurt after a while.

the engineer said he sees the same thing 3-4 times a week here in Cumbria, where we were the first to be switched over to digital. He said something like the screen is to big for the signal, (words to that effect).
If the TV is ok, and we get a full signal, then what else can you do
Seriously, it really is awful.

[grahamlthompson]

Originally Posted by Dunkyboy1

thanks for a swift reply.
I can only say that even the independant engineer from the shop we bought it from confirmed that the tv was perfect, he even played some HD footage through it from his laptop and the picture was incredible, but back on SD free view the picture on things like football especially is terribly blurry, it makes your eyes hurt after a while.

the engineer said he sees the same thing 3-4 times a week here in Cumbria, where we were the first to be switched over to digital. He said something like the screen is to big for the signal, (words to that effect).
If the TV is ok, and we get a full signal, then what else can you do
Seriously, it really is awful.

The only answer I can come up with is that the TV is just too big for the distance you view it from. Try moving away from the TV I watch from about 2.5m, get closer you can see the picture artefacts. With HD you can get a lot closer before the defects are obvious. The SD picture is generally poorer on Sat (Especially ITV channels) so going down this route won't help ar all for SD material.

[kat2]

There are possibly three solutions to your problem
solution (1) get a new high gain arial
Professional High Gain Digital Aerial Labgear LAB450W/S
Labgear LAB450W/S Professional High Gain Digital Aerial - Screwfix.com, Where the Trade Buys

solution (2) perhaps the onboard freeview tuner isnt up to scratch possibly look at an external freeview box such as Humax

solution (3) perhaps the gain (ERP) of your local transmitter isnt very powerfull?
if this is the case then perhaps consider purchasing a freesat
box (satellite dish and freesat box)

freesat unlike skys offering does offer hd channels without subscription, and, although not alot of content yet the box's can be manually scanned to pick up extra chanels on the sky platform.
Lets not forget the target market of this type of screen
its high resolution so naturally its target market is hd.
kat
freesat - What's On

[grahamlthompson]

Originally Posted by kat2

There are possibly three solutions to your problem
solution (1) get a new high gain arial
Professional High Gain Digital Aerial Labgear LAB450W/S
Labgear LAB450W/S Professional High Gain Digital Aerial - Screwfix.com, Where the Trade Buys

solution (2) perhaps the onboard freeview tuner isnt up to scratch possibly look at an external freeview box such as Humax

solution (3) perhaps the gain (ERP) of your local transmitter isnt very powerfull?
if this is the case then perhaps consider purchasing a freesat
box (satellite dish and freesat box)

freesat unlike skys offering does offer hd channels without subscription, and, although not alot of content yet the box's can be manually scanned to pick up extra chanels on the sky platform.
Lets not forget the target market of this type of screen
its high resolution so naturally its target market is hd.
kat
freesat - What's On

If the OP does not get picture breakup or pixellation then getting a stronger signal won't improve his picture at all. Digital signals are not like analogue where the picture gradually decays to snow as the signal declines. With digital the picture remains identical as the signal declines until you get to the point where interference pushes the signal over the digital cliff giving picture breakup and pixelation. A further reduction causes total picture loss.

Have a look at the graph here

Freeview/Freesat Digital TV

[spinaltap]

Three years ago I was on the verge of buying an LCD panel - and was prepared to spend serious money (panels were much more expensive then).

When the time came to pull my wallet out I was dismayed at the abysmal picture quality on several LCD panels - from the likes of Sony, Loewe and even B&O.

I then had a comprehensive demonstration of a Panasonic Plasma alongside Panasonic LCD - and the plasma won easily (with none of the artifacts, smearing or blurring that were present on the LCD).

Even at 7' viewing distance, the plasma is a pleasure to watch with SD material - and because of this close distance, I opted for the 37' screen, which, even at 16' viewing distance is more than acceptable.

If I were buying again today, I would still go for the plasma.

[Supersonic]

Originally Posted by spinaltap

I then had a comprehensive demonstration of a Panasonic Plasma alongside Panasonic LCD - and the plasma won easily (with none of the artifacts, smearing or blurring that were present on the LCD).

That's exactly what I found. However, I also find that - depending on the channel - my Humax Foxsat generally gives a better SD picture than my ntl box and is on a par with the built-in Freeview of the Panasonic, so the Freesat box might be worth a try. Shame it's not easy to just borrow one to see what it's like.

[Dunkyboy1]

Well i went out and asked about in various Tv shops and the general consensus is i'm stuffed. Sony Bravias like mine are really only for HD and will not EVER be any good for SD.
Pity i didn't know this before spending the thick end of £600 , well you live and learn..

So i have been offered the following advice

1. Buy a smaller screen size (32" max)
2. Buy a Panasonic
3. Do NOT buy a Sony Bravia

all i need to do is decide if i should get a LCD or Plasma and this is where i need some guidence.
As previously stated we watch only SD freeview, and the kids use the Wii now and again. Viewing distance is about 8 - 10ft.
Reading other threads, peeps have said that Plasma is better for SD freeview, anyone got any thoughts on this.
I have looked at the Panasonic TX32LZD85, these seem to be well thought of, but its a lcd so ????????
any takers on this
I realise ive gone a bit off topic here...