TiVo : TiVo Picture Quality

[Digital Fanatic]

Originally Posted by steveqpr

Thanks for the replies DF and Lew - yeah, I've been messing about with the TV settings however there's definitely a difference which is a real shame.

As I mentioned previously, I dunno if this is something that I can live with in a hope that it might get addressed in a future update. It'll be interesting to see what the wife thinks of the picture when she comes home from work and whether she notices any difference in quality - my guess is that she won't even notice!

Anyway, this wasn't meant to be a cry for help, just some added thoughts to the thread to keep it ticking over.

What difference are you seeing?

[oliver1948uk]

I agree with andy m - give the Tivo box a week or so before you judge picture quality. I swapped an excellent V+ picture for a Tivo on a Panasonic TX-L37S10B. Despite making adjustments to the picture settings I was at first appalled by the Tivo picture quality on bothe SD and HD (very woolly) but magically it has improved over the last couple of weeks and is now excellent. I cannot explain why or how this has happened.

[Perfect Choice]

I don't think the issue is the Tivo box itself, but a matter of how the signal "beds down" after Tivo is installed. No facts to back this up, just a view as Tivo is sensitive to signal strength.

[muppetman11]

My parents TIVO is connected to a Panny plasma and the picture quality is excellent on both SD and HD , no issues at all with it.

[carmad]

Both SD & HD picture are perfect and as good as the V+ on my TX-P42X10B Panasonic Plasma
They were noticeably poor before the update.

[paultrademark]

I just got a new Samsung 3D PS43D490 (Plasma) and the picture quality is better than my old Phillips 37PFL5522D (LCD) using the TiVo both in SD and HD

[steveqpr]

Just to confirm what a lot of responses have alluded to, the picture has definitely improved over the last couple of days. I wouldn't say that it's quite at the same standard as my V+ Box but it's certainly getting there. Strange that a piece of equipment like this needs a 'bedding in' process but it does seem to be the case, certainly in this instance.

I'm grateful for all of the responses, despite being an infrequent poster on these forums, I've been a member for a good few years and visit on a regular basis - the wealth of experience and knowledge of some users is invaluable. Thanks again.

[Lew]

When I get a chance over the weekend I'll take some proper comparison shots as I have a TiVo and Samsung V+ connected to the same TV.

[zekeisaszekedoes]

Originally Posted by Lew

When I get a chance over the weekend I'll take some proper comparison shots as I have a TiVo and Samsung V+ connected to the same TV.

That would be really helpful, especially closeups of HD iPlayer content streamed via the V+ interface versus the TiVo app, so people can clearly see the difference between right and wrong field order handling.

[DaMac]

Originally Posted by steveqpr

Just to confirm what a lot of responses have alluded to, the picture has definitely improved over the last couple of days. I wouldn't say that it's quite at the same standard as my V+ Box but it's certainly getting there. Strange that a piece of equipment like this needs a 'bedding in' process but it does seem to be the case, certainly in this instance.

You'd be surprised how many do, it is recomended you run a TV for 3 months before having it calibrated, and your blu-ray player can take as much as 30 mins from cold to be at optimal picture quality.

[george.bailey]

I can understand the TV wearing in, but what's the deal with bluray player needing half hour?!

[Lew]

OK, I've taken a few comparison shots on the same TV between the TiVo and the Samsung V+ box.

For info:

The TV is a Sony KDL-40EX403 1080P LCD with both boxes connected via HDMI. The settings for each input are set identically.

The camera is a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8 set to full manual mode, f8 1/3.2 mounted on a tripod and on a 2 second timer to prevent shake.

There may be some minor differences that are due to the TV's backlight changing due to the on-screen picture. I've tried to avoid this where possible.

Firstly, here's my original shot of channel 999 on the 15.1 software from this post.



This is the TiVo on the 15.2 code.



This is the Samsung V+ box.



And a close-up on the word "help"; TiVo first, followed by the Samsung V+ box.





Here are a few more shots of some other SD channels. In all cases the TiVo is shown first, followed by the Samsung V+ box.

ESPN America:





Sky Sports News:









BBC News:

[HD Boy]

Thanks for doing that.

You can see that the TiVo picture quailty has improved since 15.2 update.

I would say the TiVo picture quailty looks same , maybe even slighty better than the Samsung V+ box.

[brava210]

Thanks lew for taking the time to do the comparisons


Gary

[andy_m]

Yes thanks to Lew. Puts the matter to rest as far as I'm concerned-every bit as good as v+, and arguably better.