TVDRIVE Picture quality

petulia · 12-04-2006, 8:37 PM

Dose anyone with a TVdrive and a big LCD or Plasma +32inch, think the picture quality has impved with use of the hdmi connection on standard channels

*cyberheater* · 12-04-2006, 9:33 PM

I've got mine connected up to a 45inch Sagem DLP via hdmi and it's a huge step up in quality. A lot of the channels are near DVD quality now.

Jonny1973 · 12-04-2006, 9:40 PM

Near DVD quality?????

DVDs are only standard definition. I'd expect HD to blow DVD out of the water.

choddo2006 · 12-04-2006, 9:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonny1973

Only DVD quality!!

If that's the case, I'm glad I don't have cable.

He's talking about SD channels.

pythagoras · 12-04-2006, 10:20 PM

Yes, the SD channels are a lot better via the new STB and HDMI connection. I have the old STB and the old 32" wega crt in the bedroom and I cant believe how bad that looks, in comparison, on SD channels.

Regards

John.

KableMan · 12-04-2006, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cyberheater

I've got mine connected up to a 45inch Sagem DLP via hdmi and it's a huge step up in quality. A lot of the channels are near DVD quality now.

Excellent! I'm getting TVDrive connected tomorrow for my 50" Samsung so I'll be able to give feedback then on the SD and HD performance. I must admit I was a little worried about the SD performance via HDMI but this sounds good.

What do you have your output set to? 720p or 1080i or is there an Auto option? I want to make sure that if any scaling happens it's my TV that does it rather than the TVDrive as I'm sure the scaler in my DLP is going to be better.

KevinPedrick · 13-04-2006, 7:34 AM

only issues with SD is that you can no longer warp/adjust the picture so you're stuck with black bars left and right for 4:3 (which some prefer anyways), also for a 14:9 you stuck with black bars left right, top and bottom!!! [homer]Doh![/homer]

*Craig_E* · 13-04-2006, 8:45 AM

Zoom on the TV?

Karma · 13-04-2006, 9:29 AM

For what it is worth. Here's my ha'porth.

I am currently running Sky+ and TVdrive simultaneously.

TW kindly offered a 30 day trial of TVdrive to make sure it was what I wanted, so I've not cancelled Sky yet.

However I have noticed that on certain broadcasts, Freeview (via my Panasonic PV500 seemed to have better clarity than Sky. (Sky seemed a little....well....fuzzy)

However, when TVdrive was installed, watching SD programmes via an HDMI cable was a revelation.

Brilliant picture quality. There is the issue that it is a little offset, i.e not centred on the screen on 4:3 material. But this isn't a huge problem when you get engrossed in a programme anyway.

And TW are about to release a fix for it.

At the moment, thumbs up for TV drive.

K

Greggles · 13-04-2006, 9:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karma

TW kindly offered a 30 day trial of TVdrive to make sure it was what I wanted, so I've not cancelled Sky yet.

Let me start by saying that I have never been a fan of cable TV. When I moved into my current home 3 years ago it was already installed (quite a basic setup). I ripped it out and installed Sky+. My house backs onto a forest of very tall trees but (luckily for me) I am the only one on my side of the street that can get a decent signal.

Anyway, my neighbour had TVdrive installed at the weekend and I went round to have a butchers. I have to say that I was stunned by the quality of the SD images (not to mention the HD ones). Things have obviously come a long way in the cable TV world. The box looked nice too and was quiet in operation.

I have actually booked a SKY-HD install but will be investigating the possibility of a free trial from Telewest.

Mackem · 13-04-2006, 11:26 AM

Have to say, I don't really notice any difference in the PQ between my Freeview box and SD via HDMI on TV Drive. Both good. HD picture quality via TVDrive a different matter of course.

petulia · 13-04-2006, 3:39 PM

Well i did not expect those results, i wonder if the sky HD box will do the same for SD stuff on their setup?
I take it the scaler in the TV drive boxes must be alike the ones that some of the members have costing apox £700 upwards and say the Sky sd channels produce a good picture

brandondanger · 13-04-2006, 3:51 PM

im only running a hd compatible sharp 32"p50 and what annoyed me at first was the fact that running over hdmi, everything is upscaled (but you can sellect 720 or 1080 sorry, no auto function!). the upscaled picture is good but the fact that the 540 (or was it 576?) option has been removed seems silly. what harm would it have done? HD looks amazing by the way!

*cyberheater* · 13-04-2006, 4:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KableMan

Excellent! I'm getting TVDrive connected tomorrow for my 50" Samsung so I'll be able to give feedback then on the SD and HD performance. I must admit I was a little worried about the SD performance via HDMI but this sounds good.

What do you have your output set to? 720p or 1080i or is there an Auto option? I want to make sure that if any scaling happens it's my TV that does it rather than the TVDrive as I'm sure the scaler in my DLP is going to be better.

I've got mine set to 720p. My Sagem has a native rez of 1280 x 720 to 720p should be perfect for it.
1080i looks soft for some reason (scaling artifacts?)

SportiveUK · 13-04-2006, 7:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karma

TW kindly offered a 30 day trial of TVdrive to make sure it was what I wanted, so I've not cancelled Sky yet.

Did Telewest actually offer you a 30 day trial or just their 30 day money back guarantee where you pay as usual but if after the first month you don't like it, they will refund you?

lyserman · 13-04-2006, 8:20 PM

I personally cannot find fault with TW and the Pioneer 436SXE, connected via HDMI. It is a definite step up from the original digi box which now resides in my bedroom. I have found myself watching daytime TV which was something of an anathema to me (I will get over it).
I will be contacting TW about having two TVdrives instead of one and my old TW digi-box.

O-NO · 13-04-2006, 8:41 PM

Only got a Tosh 32" LCD and I have a drop in picture quality.

Picture through my Freeview box is better......HDMI is a dissapointment too.

Telewest Supervisor calling Saturday to see why picture qaulity is not what it should be.

Karma · 14-04-2006, 5:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SportiveUK

Did Telewest actually offer you a 30 day trial or just their 30 day money back guarantee where you pay as usual but if after the first month you don't like it, they will refund you?

In fairness, it is the 30 day money back guarantee. However, still impresive when someone has the bottle to say "give it a go, compare the two side by side, then make an objective choice".

I can send it back having had to pay no installation or box costs even though I'm not a previous cable TV user. I would, by then, have used all their services for a month and don't really expect them to provide them for free.

That said, there was a teething problem, the manual was out of stock (but who reads the manuals, right?

) and there was a problem on day two whereby the second box, in the bedroom, failed to recognise the viewing card which lead to a missed recording.

TW were very apologetic (and, to date I have nothing but praise for their customer service) sorted the problem over the phone and then offered the first month for free, should I decide to keep the service or not.

I think the main point here is though, TW are confident enough to let their product go head to head against the Sky box, which speaks volumes.

Of course, whether they will still be as confident when the Sky HD boxes are out, remains to be seen. However they are still mounting a viable challenge to Sky's previous monopoly.

If that manifests itself in either lower prices, better TV services or, in the case of experiences people had had on here over ther years, improved, caring customer services then that's a bonus and why cometition should be encouraged.

I do not have a problem with Sky, I just think that in the long run competition has got to be good for the consumer, namely you and me.

K

KableMan · 16-04-2006, 10:36 PM

Got my TVDrive and the SD PQ via HDMI varies a lot between channels and programmes and even during the course of a programme but when its good its bloomin marvelous! Rich, vibrant colours and super sharp. Of course any poorer heavily compressed shows do look very ropey via HDMI. But overall I've been very impressed.

There are a few HD shows available now and I've actually been less impressed by them compared to some other HD divx that I've seen via my XBOX and HTPC. Pride is pretty good but it has a few lesser moments and the Wild Weather series has some really poor bits followed by super sharp footage. It's as though the entire programmes are not in HD?

The left shift issue isn't as in your face as I thought it would be either so I can put up with that until the firmware fix arrives.

Maybe my leap in SD PQ is down to how the Samsung SP50L7HX handles video from HDMI compared to RGB SCART. The Samsung is much softer via the analogue connections which does compensate for low quality signals but the HDMI is super sharp. I must try component to compare...

Cheers
KableMan

pythagoras · 16-04-2006, 11:11 PM

Try supervolcano, I find that as good as Pride, you have to scroll down on the s menu, which is probably why a lot of people are missing this show.

Regards

John.

br14n · 17-04-2006, 11:43 AM

Super Volcano was ace, thoroughly enjoyed it and the PQ was ace.

jeroni · 17-04-2006, 7:06 PM

Super volcano rocks !

PQ is the best i have seen yet, i agree most of HD stuff on TW is only ok, this one is very good.

Any one know when the dolby dig 5.1 upgrade will be coming foR TV DRIVE ?

Jeroni

KableMan · 18-04-2006, 12:10 AM

WOW

Super Volcano is superb! This is more like it

I'm still confused by the labelling of these HD shows as all of them are marked as HD: blar blar... but some also end in (HD) and I thought I'd worked out that these were the "real" HD programmes and the others were upscaled but Super Volcano - which is the best I've seen so far isn't marked up in this way

Anyway - I'm now very pleased

as this show has a real life-like (3D-ish) look and feel to it

it's only let down by the special effects (this was also the case in Pride) as it seems they can't make HD effects to go with HD live action... but then these are made for TV shows and not your big budget movies.

Just in case anyone is interested I'm attaching some images showing various HD scenes and some SD scenes from Doctor Who.

Cheers
KableMan

br14n · 18-04-2006, 9:00 AM

Nice pics there Kableman, glad to see your enjoying the TVDrive.

meltonboy · 18-04-2006, 9:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeroni

Any one know when the dolby dig 5.1 upgrade will be coming foR TV DRIVE ?

It's meant to be in this elusive "mid april" code download / update thingy.

That's the one that we still don't know when exactly apart from that the orginal date (which we didnt know), has been delayed to another date (which we don't know either...)

Hope that helps

meltonboy · 20-04-2006, 8:02 AM

Sorry to post a "no news" item, but i sent an email to TW to ask about the mid april download and the customer service team don't know, so i suspect it's not going to be in the next few days...

Dear Mr Lockwood,

REFERENCE : 1203940

Thank you for your e-mail dated 19 April 2006.

I refer to your comments regarding the next code download.

I have to advise that we are still yet to receive exact dates for the next code download. We are continually chasing this up and as soon as we have more information then all customers will be informed.

Please contact us if you have any further queries.

Yours sincerely,

Sabri Barka
E-Contact Team
Telewest Broadband

KevinPedrick · 20-04-2006, 8:43 AM

I got the impression with Pride that the varying picture quality was most likely down to different cameras. Its quite obvious some of the cameras used in filming were not to the standard of others and being a collection of documentary footage this is probably likely.

Super Volcano was shot professionally with quality HD cameras all the way through. The effects were ropey but BBC effects quite often are.

20-04-2006, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mackem

Have to say, I don't really notice any difference in the PQ between my Freeview box and SD via HDMI on TV Drive. Both good. HD picture quality via TVDrive a different matter of course.

What does SD meaN

More importantly should I buy a large LCD or a small Plasma to get the best image?

TudorDoc

the porter · 20-04-2006, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tudordoc

What does SD meaN

More importantly should I buy a large LCD or a small Plasma to get the best image?

TudorDoc

sd means standard definition.

i havent seen many small plasmas only 42 inch and my they are big

i have seen small lcd,s but my they are small just buy what your heart tells you 2 or the wife whichever shouts louder

KableMan · 21-04-2006, 9:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tudordoc

What does SD meaN

More importantly should I buy a large LCD or a small Plasma to get the best image?

TudorDoc

Neither buy a DLP for the best HD image by far

I've still not seen a Plasma or LCD to match a decent 45"-50" DLP showing HD

oh and no nasty screen burn either

Cheers
KableMan