LCD tv question

[~Daniel~]

Hi. Sorry to ask, but I seriously don't know anyone offline who could be help.

Anyway, my family just got our very first LCD HDTV, and we love it! but I'm noticing something, that I'm not sure if its normal or not.

So here is my question, -- whenever were watching anything and it changes light settings, is there suppose to be a little glare and than after a second, the colors go back to normal? Like its a little blury, and than it focuses itself? Were used to old tvs, so we were thinking its something LCD's do, but it seems pretty unlikely.

So does anyone, with an LCD tv, notice anything (like I described), when scenes change, or when you change the channel? or is it just my tv?

Any help would be appreciated!

Ps, sorry if its confusing.

[deathie mouse]

From Wikipedia:

Ghosting:
A problem in LCD screens when tiny pixels creating the image take time to switch on and off and can't do it fast enough. The problem, widely recognized as the main drawback of LCD screens, is apparent in fast moving objects such as tennis balls, but even slower moving images get fuzzy. Most modern LCD screens no longer have this problem


Is this what you seem to be experiencing? If you think it is, then is up to you to determine if your particuar display has more than the normal amount and may be defective, or is it normal for it. Maybe comparing it to the same model in a store.

[QueenRahel]

try finding someone or something online with the same tv and try new settings or copy someone elses settings, i think we did this with our tv....we also have lcd hdtv....and we found a forum that people posted their settings and now ours looks much better....its also good to trade in your cable box for an hd box and get the hd channels package, otherwise it wont get that much better.....hd needs hd channels!, as for the fuzziness, again search for a tv forum where others have the same tv or problem

[TM2-Megatron]

So here is my question, -- whenever were watching anything and it changes light settings, is there suppose to be a little glare and than after a second, the colors go back to normal? Like its a little blury, and than it focuses itself? Were used to old tvs, so we were thinking its something LCD's do, but it seems pretty unlikely.

As deathie mouse already said, it's likely just ghosting... LCDs have quite a number of drawbacks to go along with their advantages of smaller form-factor and lower power consumption. Even on an LCD with a very low response time, ghosting can be irritatingly noticeable... this is why a lot of gamers stick to CRT computer monitors. The new 120Hz TVs may do something to counter this, but I've never actually seen one in person.

[QueenRahel]

we also got $120 gold tipped monster cables to sharpen everything up...and it did help with the fuzziness

[Mr. Toad]

I agree with Queen Rahal. We got a rear projection LCD and initially set it up with normal cables(we had just moved). By the time I unpacked the monster cables it was much better.

I havent noticed any ghosing problems on mine.

What is the model? Home theater forum tracks macines with problems and consumers report does as well. I just checked Consumers Report and they did testing in February and reported problems on some brands. I have access and can check if you tell me the brand.

[~Daniel~]

Yes, from what some of you have said, it does indeed sound like ghosting! Its a relief that it is something, and it can be fixed.

Well, from what I understood, its probably my settings? Like the contrast and bright level? And I have to find some forum, which will have lots of model settings, and than I can do the right one to our set, and it will hopefully get better? That's so cool and weired at the same time.

And, I've never heard of monster cables. What's that? And do they really make a difference? Also, does it make a difference if we have Satellite?

Lastly, in response to Mr. Toad, its a LG 37 inch regular LCD HDTV. Do you need more info?

Anyway, I hope I understood everything, and vice versa, thanks so much for the help so far!

[TM2-Megatron]

And, I've never heard of monster cables. What's that? And do they really make a difference? Also, does it make a difference if we have Satellite?

A brand of audio/video cables... a particulary (almost sickeningly) expensive brand. However, it does improve quality on many TVs... the better the TV, the more noticeable it seems to be. If you go for these, try to find the absolute shortest available length that you can make do with... the price seems to increase exponentially according to length.

[Mr. Toad]

I checked Consumer Reports and the picture quality is closer to the lower end than the higher end although they really did not say why. The only comment was a positive one that it had a wide viewing angle.

They did say that some problems were encountered in standard definition but it performed very well in high definition. No specifics though.

[TM2-Megatron]

They did say that some problems were encountered in standard definition but it performed very well in high definition. No specifics though.

Well, you can say that about pretty much any fixed-pixel HDTV... they look universally awful displaying 480i/p; especially the true 1920x1080 models 40" and larger. If 480 is what you want to watch, you're better off getting one of the few CRT HDTVs, or an EDTV.

[~Daniel~]

Oh ok, thanks for the info, TM2-Megatron! I'll be sure to take your pointer, when we do go and buy it. Sounds really cool.

Thanks for taking the time, and checking consumer reports, Mr. Toad. That really was nice of you, so thanks again!

One last thing, I'm having trouble locating that tv forum. I found one, but I don't think its the one that's been mentioned. =(

[Mr. Toad]

www.hometheaterforum.com would be your best choice. I actually found some comments that indicate your TV is one of the better LCDs for ghosting so I would think it is your setup.

[QueenRahel]

and get the hdmi cables at best buy....ask someone for help and get the best ones you can afford.....this will help a lot but lcd's will always have a bit of the 'ghosting' problem....but with the right equip it will look much better!

[~Daniel~]

Thanks for the link, Mr. Toad! But... I'm having trouble finding any help. I've clicked every section, and threads that might deal with what I'm looking for, but nothing! I found a whole bunch of dvd, tv shows, and audio discussions, but none of that really helps me. It must be right in front of me, but I'm not having any luck, could you help me? I'm sorry for asking so you so much.

QueenRahel, what's hdmi cables? Is that the same thing as monster cables? Because from that forum, Mr. Toad gave me, someone said that its expensive and its best for picture and audio. But someone also said, DVI is good, if all you want is picture quality. (Which is what we care for more) So yeah, I'm a little confused, again. Sorry....

[DarthPrime]

Thanks for the link, Mr. Toad! But... I'm having trouble finding any help. I've clicked every section, and threads that might deal with what I'm looking for, but nothing! I found a whole bunch of dvd, tv shows, and audio discussions, but none of that really helps me. It must be right in front of me, but I'm not having any luck, could you help me? I'm sorry for asking so you so much.

QueenRahel, what's hdmi cables? Is that the same thing as monster cables? Because from that forum, Mr. Toad gave me, someone said that its expensive and its best for picture and audio. But someone also said, DVI is good, if all you want is picture quality. (Which is what we care for more) So yeah, I'm a little confused, again. Sorry....

HDMI and DVI cables are digital connections. HDMI carries Video and Audio, but DVI only carries Video. It depends on what your TV has as to what cable you need. I think HDMI has become pretty common now and DVI has been phased out. So if you have recently bought your HDTV it probably has HDMI inputs. Monoprice has some good HDMI cables for around $30 for a 6 foot cable. Personally I find the Monster Cables to be overpriced.

HDMI/DVI cables are usually on HDTV cable/sat boxes, HD-DVD/Blu-ray players, and Upconverting DVD players. Also the PS3 has HDMI cables. Always use the best connection possible when connecting anything to your HDTV. Even if the device only has composite or S-Video.

Anyway cables in order would be...

Composite ==> S-Video ==> Component ==> HDMI/DVI

There are also DVDs you can buy to help you adjust the picture settings on your TV.

[QueenRahel]

i didnt mean to say monster cables...however def invest in hdmi cables and again they are expensive...ours cost 120 and we got the next best kind best buy sells and it helped quite a bit....so i say buy the best ones you can buy and ask someone at best buy to help you choose.....and again find pther people like on a forum to compare settings and try theirs to find what works best for you...

[~Daniel~]

Big update!

Ok, I finally got around to tinkering with the settings, and wouldn't you know, the tv looks 10 times better!!! I'm so happy!! I really thought something was wrong, but nope.

So thank you so much, for all those who helped. Its nice so many actually knew about high definition and LCD's.

Lastly, thanks for the hdmi tips, DarthPrime, and QueenRahel! My tv does support this (big sticker on the front) so we'll definetly be picking this up sometime soon.

Ah, you don't what a relief it is to have this burdan lifted. Again, thanks everyone!