Does a conventional signal look worse on an HDTV than a tube TV.?

Question

We just bought a samsung LCD HDTV 46'. All the bells and whistles included.

We are getting the HD receiver and HD service in a couple days but until now we are viewing channels in a regular signal.

However, the image appears to be eve a little worse than on our old tube TV--technology of about a decade ago.

Does this make any sense?

ALSO!!! how far away do you think I should be from the TV to get the best quality in view possible.

Answer 1

The short answer is YES...the picture looks worse on a regular signal than the old TV. That's one of the drawbacks to HDTV. The best quality image probably starts at about 5 feet, but for 46 inches I'd say sit at least 7 feet away.

Answer 2

I own a Samsung LCD HDTV 40" and Samsung reccomends 5'-10'.

For 46" they reccomend 8'-12'
NOTE: I hope you bought a 1080p and not the 720p. 1080 is TRUE High Definition

You have a digital TV and an Analog signal comming in. Analog signals are what we have watched for years. Now everything is getting digital which is great for consumers. Without getting technical, the picture is worse simply because of that. Once 2009 comes, we will be watching true HD/Digital 1080.

The picture tubes are made for analog signals. The digital box converts everything and you will notice a huge difference on HD.

The Government has in effect a 2009 date for every station to be HD/Digital. The analog stations we have now will be open for emergency broadcasts, etc.

Answer 3

The TV is only HD if you have the HD box to view the HD channels. Its because you are watching an LCD vs a tube TV, the picture will look a little different, you are not looking at glass like a regular TV. Also you CAN NOT clean a LCD with window cleaner like you can a regular TV. You should sit at least 6' away from a 42" i would think. Unless you are using it for a monitor. I have a 32" LCD widescreen as my TV/monitor for my PC. You will get use to the difference in the way it looks.

Answer 4

I too am an HD LCD owner but I have a 37-inch television. To get the most out of you television you have to make sure you have the right cables for the cable box. I would recommend HDMI cable since most HD televisions have them. I allows for a crisper viewing of standard channels, and exceptional viewing in HD. I have to admit, I will never go back to standard television again after experiencing HD. Another thought, you may not have control over what is broadcast through your cable. Cable companies compress the signal so you have to buy HD to view the regular stations, (ie) ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX ect... Does it suck, yes, but that's how they make money. A little tip. If you don't want all of the cable channels, and can live with the twenty of so you can pick up with an antenna, I suggest buying a digital HD antenna. It mounts like a regular antenna on the roof, or rabbit ears, and you will pick up the digital signals broadcast. You can also get HD broadcast!!!!! I have a digital HD antenna, as well as cable, and it works like a charm. I don't spend the money to buy HD, but get it for free. Another thought, at 40 and above inches your screen will not display true HD unless you have a 1080p television. Keep in mind if the cable company compresses their HD it does not matter what television you have it will look a little off. It's all about money.........

Answer 5

Your new tv is 46'... size of your old tv smaller?? bigger tv stretch pixels....you get a standard resolution from a standard cable signal. Bigger your tv is the more it stretches the pixels, therefore it may be a little blurry...some televisions don't show it as bad. your tv wants a good signal...your gonna give it that. Thats great! About 10-15 feet should be fine...I have a 46' Toshiba hdtv.....I am about 13 or 14 feet away...nice distance. By the way...I saw a drastic improvement when I switched to HDTV...you won't believe the quality!

You may also want to think about getting a signal amplifier...you can get them for around $20 or so from retailers like best buy, wal-mart...etc. It tends to boost signal strength. Hope this Helps!! :)

Answer 6

The simple answer is yes. For two reasons.

1. Tube TVs are smaller. The larger you blow up a picture, the more you see the jaggies, grainyness or pixelation. I wasn't sure what the actual word is.

2. Tube TVs are built with Standard Definition as their native resolution. HDTVs are built with a native resolution of 720 or 1080 lines of resolution, and must convert to show on it's screen. Anytime you convert something, you lose detail.

Answer 7

This is normal.

Standard Def video is based on 1940's technology so when you display it on a high definition display - you see how poor the signal really is.

Your TUBE television is smaller and was built to display this old signal without making it look bad.

According to the Viewing Distance Calculator - you should sit about 5.1 - 7.2 feet from that television.

Answer 8

no it will look about the same or just a bit better . the TV dispalys the signal it recieves and the TV will only display it on 720p or 1080 p after u get your service depending on the HD of the TV.

Answer 9

the tube. The HD sometimes adds lines of resolution and other items like DVD players and stereos do to, to make it look better and for distance factor it varies. 50 inch is about 5 feet away to 10 feet

Answer 10

you should be minimum 10 feet away from the tv to view it..It is one of the best lcd tv's.
The image will be much better-rather absolutely clear -if you have a dish.The conventional cable will not give proper results and is of no better use.