I recently bought a 32" Emerson LCD Flat Panel HDTV. I have Directv because of the NFL package. They came out and said I couldn't receive their HD signal. Looking at the TV without the HD signal, it wasn't as clear as I thought it would be. The colors were vivid but detail was low. Skin tones looked "smoothed out". Is this normal? I tried adjusting the contrast, brightness, color and other things but it didn't help. Was there anything I could have done to make the picture clearer or are all HDTV's like this without the HD signal? Thanks very much for your replies.
If you view SD - standard definition video on a HD TV it won't look as good, as HD obviously, there is nothing you can do. Understand that HD video signals are sent @ 720i (interlaced) 720p (progressive scan) 1080i (interlaced) & 1080p (progressive scan). Those numbers refer to the resolution similar to that like your computer. The higher the resolution the clearer, crisper picture. Without the HD signal from the Sat receiver you will be dissapointed. Did they say why you can't get the HD signal?
Thanks for the reply. I was told there was a "Line of Sight" issue and I would not be able to receive the HD signal. Apparently Directv's HD signal comes from a different satelite than the normal signal and it is "lower in the sky". Without the HD signal, the detail was just not there. I was hoping there was something I could buy or some settings I could change that would correct it.
It would seem as though something could be done to get around your line of sight problem. Have you talked to a manager at the place trying to provide you with a signal? I have seen some pretty creative use of poles and what nots to get the Satelite dish in the right place. Beamer I am way excited about this find : http://ati.amd.com/products/tvwonder650/usb/index.html
