Entertainment Center: TVs, Stereos, VCRs and DVDs - HDTV grainy picture

I just bought an HDTV. My cable Co does not broadcast its programs in HD as yet. When I complained to them that my new TV is showing a grainy picture, they said this is normal when watching an analog signal on an HDTV. Is this right? I cannot believe I spent this amount of money & will not get a really clear picture until 2009! Please advise on this. The store where I bought the TV certainly didn't inform me of this. Thanks/Jina
:thumbdn:

What type of cables are you using?

I cannot believe your cable company does not broadcast in HD?!?!

Is this a LCD screen or plasma?

Often times people are sitting way to close to the TV. LCD's and plasmas will look like poop watching them close up, unless you get a 1080p model.

The cables we are using are new, component cables-we cannot use HDMI cables because our TIVO box only accepts component cables. At this time, our cable company only broadcasts 6 channels in HD, which doesnt help the other 93 channels I watch. Our TV is a 60 inch plasma TV & we sit 11 feet from it. Also, the TV is a 780p model. Jina

How does it look with a dvd? If it's good with a dvd, it should at least be decent with a good cable signal.

You're not crazy, but the world might be. Most of the HD sets I've seen have a lot of trouble making standard definition signals look good by up-converting the picture to the TV's native format (720p). To make matters worse, the hi-def display is so good that you can clearly see every flaw in the cable's picture. (The flaws have always been there, but standard-def TVs weren't capable of showing them.)

There is a small chance that the TV has an issue. We've had a couple of LG's come back (out of several hundred installed) because they had some bad components right out of the box.

If you're in a metro area you can connect an antenna to pick up the digital broadcasts. At least you'll be able to verify that there's nothing wrong with the TV.

You certainly know your stuff. I give you specs & you tell me my TV brand! It isnt the TV as we have 6 HD channels & they are clear as a bell. You have answered my question. The cable Company is broadcasting in standard def & being that my tv is HD & so big, I am seeing all the grainy stuff. I will ask them to boost the signal, although I am pretty sure they will not do this. I will also complain to the store where I bought it that this what not explained to me at the time of purchase, nor was it explained when I went in a week later to complain. The salesman blamed it on TIVO, the connection, etc. Sadly, the store is very reputable & we have been shopping there for 20 years. I will look forward to a much clearer picture in 2009 & Im sure, a much larger cable bill. Thanks MUCH/Jina

I had the same thing happen when I bought a plasma set a couple of years ago. It was disappointing to see such crappy picture. But DVDs and the two HD broadcast channels I could get looked great. I don't think the store has much to do with it. They are going to show sets with the best quality input possible and aren't going to discourage you from making a purchase if you've only got standard def sources available. If the set is capable of delivering a good picture, it's up to you to provide a good source.

You know, nobody mentions it much here, but there are video processors and video scalers such as the DVDO iScan and others, which will greatky improve your picture. Of course you're going to spend $500 to $2000, but if you want a good picture.

Cable co has 6 HD channels - lol

Time to look at Dish or Direct Satellite!!!!!!!

fred

I will ask them to boost the signal, although I am pretty sure they will not do this.
If your previous standard-def TV looked good, boosting the signal won't help. Plus, cable amplifies the noise along with the signal, so all you'll get is more power to the input of the TV without improving the picture. It gets to a point where too much signal can be just as bad a too little signal.

What may help is replacing the cable in your home. If it's an older home it may have been wired with RG59 cable. Replacing it with RG6 will help, and it will be ready for satellite when you get tired of feeding the cable company.

Also check all of the connections to make sure they're tight, with no tight right-angle bends or other visible damage to the lines.