Using SD channels with a HD set and V HD box.

Mike012321 · 28-07-2010, 16:37

Hi,

I think I read somewhere that there can be picture quality problems when displaying standard definition channels on a HD TV-i.e. the display of SD channels is worse on HD than on a non-HD set. I expect there are lots of people using Virgin SD channels with HD sets,so it would be interesting to hear your experiences and opinions on this.

Would using a HD TV with the Virgin M+ TV package (mostly SD channels) be an acceptable set-up,do you think?

I am considering getting a Sony KDL EX301 32" HD TV set or similar. Would this give good visual results with the M+ package ,which includes a V HD Box?

Thanks

Mike

anap · 28-07-2010, 16:42

I think the SD picture is very good, it's much better through my cable box than the built in freeview picture on my TV. As most channels are SD and a lot of people have HD TV's now there would be a lot of complaints about the SD picture if it was the case!

jb66 · 28-07-2010, 16:50

I think its becuase a SD picture on a HUGE screen looks poor without upscaling (ie through a scart) but when through a HDMI thats upscaled the picture is more acceptable.

A 32" will show a good picture as the pixels are more dense and the VHD box upscales the images too.

ChrisLUFC22 · 28-07-2010, 19:54

I've got a 32" screen and (the majority of) the programmes look quite good in SD. And mine isn't a brilliant TV either.

Mike012321 · 29-07-2010, 09:40

anap,jb66 and ChrisLUFC22,many thanks. I found your comments very helpful.

admars · 29-07-2010, 18:09

I recently bought a 42" HD TV, and then got V+ HD. A show like Spartacus on Bravo isn't HD, so doesn't look as good as say Dexter on FX HD, but it's still a good picture. In fact we still were watching some shows on the DVD Hard drive recorder which had recorded from the old Pace stb, and again, you could tell they were SD but were still perfectly watchable.

it also depends how close/far you sit from your tv. we sit about 10ft away, and SD looks fine. I had toyed with the idea of 50" but at 10ft SD can look bad.

alwaysabear · 29-07-2010, 21:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by admars

I recently bought a 42" HD TV, and then got V+ HD. A show like Spartacus on Bravo isn't HD, so doesn't look as good as say Dexter on FX HD, but it's still a good picture. In fact we still were watching some shows on the DVD Hard drive recorder which had recorded from the old Pace stb, and again, you could tell they were SD but were still perfectly watchable.

it also depends how close/far you sit from your tv. we sit about 10ft away, and SD looks fine. I had toyed with the idea of 50" but at 10ft SD can look bad.

You can watch Sparticus Blood and Sand in HD in TV choice on demand. It looks great