Freeview receiver with upscaler

[admin_exported]

Hi, not sure if this is the right forum, please don't get mad if it is!!

I have recently bought an LCD HD ready tv. the picture quality is rubbish! I have found (from reading forums like this one) that it is because of the upscaling required from the standard analogue broadcast signal and the 760 lines in the HD ready tvs? I have found this product in Argos

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5321368/c_1/1%7Ccategory_root%7CSound+and+vision%7C9555142/c_2/2%7Ccat_9555142%7CDigital+set+top+boxes%7C9555303/Trail/searchtext%3EWHARFEDALE.htm

My question is quite simple...I hope! will this improve the picture quality of my standard tv reception?

 

[professorhat]

It depends on the quality of the scaler in your TV compared to the quality of the scaler in that box. What TV do you have? My gut feeling is, your TV will have a better one than a £40 box...

 

[Anonymous]

You might prefer to get a decent Freeview PVR with HDMI scaling.

This will record up to two programs at once.

 

[Andy Clough]

It's also worth noting that the quality of broadcasts (particularly on Freeview) can vary enormously. While the BBC is usually pretty good, ITV is rubbish. That's nothing to do with the TV, it's down to the low bit-rates used for transmission by some broadcasters who want to cram in as many digital channels on their network as they can.

Also, have you got a good-quality rooftop aerial installed?

 

[Anonymous]

I have a Samsung 32A457C1D. I guess you must be right about the £499 TV being better than £40 box...

Thanks for replies

 

[Anonymous]

So does anyone have any opinions as to what is the best upscaler? I've heard Onyko mentioned quite a bit in forums, they do seem pricey though. I know you usually get what you pay for, just looking for peoples experiences/opinions???

 

[professorhat]

You're looking at a very pricey solution for that really and even then, it may not be as good as you want it to be because the source signal is still as bad as it was, especially in the case of ITV as Andy has pointed out. Have you considered Sky HD? To be fair, I think the only way you're going to get the kind of improvements you're looking for on your HDTV is with HD channels.

 

[Anonymous]

Yeah, I kinda figured that. It seems a bit odd that we are encouraged o buy these things when they are currently worse than older products! Damn hose big technology firms!!!

 

[professorhat]

I know. I have to say, it's a shame you bought an LCD as many people have reported better results with Plasma TVs.

 

[Clare Newsome]

That's a bit difficult with a 32in set, Prof... LCD is your only option at that size!

 

[Anonymous]

How come it doesn't seem to be as publicised as much as it maybe should be? I stated to look for a CRT tv after all my disappointment with LCD but could not find any anywhere, have they really disappeared from the face of the earth?

 

[professorhat]

Clare Newsome:That's a bit difficult with a 32in set, Prof... LCD is your only option at that size!
Oops, didn't spot that!

polstar:I stated to look for a CRT tv after all my disappointment with LCD but could not find any anywhere, have they really disappeared from the face of the earth?
Manufacturers are obviously putting all their efforts in the future which is HD. Unfortunately we're in a cross over period whereby most of the other major markets have decent access to the HD signals (think US and Japan) and we're struggling to keep up in the UK meaning we have to put up with poor SD signals on our HDTVs until we do...
You can still find some CRT TVs on ebay I'm sure and I still have my old Panasonic Quintrix CRT, though I use my 42" Panasonic plasma for everything because I prefer the bigger picture. The CRT is just there if I want to have Sky Sports News on for footie / sport updates whilst gaming or watching another program. It was also very useful during Euro 2008 when they were showing two games at once!

 

[Anonymous]

I forked out £250 for a Sony HDD Recorder/Player and it upscales nicely thru a QED lead.DVDs look beautiful and the built in Freeview works real well.

Maybe an ariel problem as would have thought a new 32" set would look fab from a reliable manufacturer as long as you didnt sit too close?

 

[Anonymous]

I can understand why you review PVRs togther and DVD/HDD Recorders together, but separately. However, if one wants to get the best picture off-air and recorded, is a PVR a better choice than a DVD/HDD? I understand that a PVR records the incoming bitstream, whereas the DVD/HDD modifies the signal, however, I am sure the answer is not that simple. For example, in the latest issue you review the Topfield PVR and the Sony DVD/HDD. In comparison, which would you say gives the best video and audio performance? Thanks

 

[Anonymous]

Why not take a look at the Sony 890 DVD HD Recorder.
It will up scale everything to full HD, record, playback music as well put onto its hard drive, all in all it's a great piece of kit.