TiVo Community Forums Archives - Picture Softness

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Picture Softness - Should I return and Wait?
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Posted by: pabuwal

I switched to the HD Tivo from the Sony HD-300. I definitely notice a softer, hazier picture through the DVI connection which disturbs me. I have a BENQ 8700 DLP projector. Everything runs in 720P mode. The Tivo build date is April 20, 2004.

It appears others with newer models say this is corrected. If this is the case, should I return mine now and wait until I can get a newer model or will DirecTV replace mine without hassle a few months down the line?

Or did I misunderstand and this problem will or can not be corrected anytime soon?

Thanks!

Posted by: scottchez

Read all the other Threads.

This was all sovled already.

You need to re tweak your TV.

Every time you get a new Receiver or plug it in to a different port on the TV it needs re-tweaked.

For my sony for example I had to go from Pro mode to Standard Mode and change Brightness, sharpness, and Contrast.

Record the HD Net test patter and buy Avia or DVE to use as a baseline.

Posted by: mstahlkr

My unit is being replaced in about 30 minutes for this and a variety of other reasons.

I'll let you know if this fixes the problem.

Posted by: pabuwal

Thank you. I look forward to seeing how the new unit compares.

Posted by: mstahlkr

pabuwal,

My initial reactions (posted in a different thread) were as follows:

born on date (4/27) vs 4/20
Logos vs no logos
Both seem to exhibit HDNet audio problem, although I'm not sure if the newer one is as bad yet.
Initially, I thought the picture was soft on this unit as well. After some tweaking though, I think it's almost as good as my HD300.

I also no longer have the "vertical scrolling bar" problem that has been discussed in other threads.

Barring any sudden problems cropping up, I think I'll keep this unit.

Posted by: pabuwal

Thanks. Did you try the same tweaking on your original TIVO?

Posted by: mstahlkr

No I didn't.

However, I should point out that the only tweaking I did (not very much at that) was to pop in my DVE disk (480i from my DVD player over component cable) and adjust a different video profile than the one I'm currently using.

In theory, this shouldn't have had any effect on the video profile I'm currently using, since it's a different input and a different profile.

Posted by: david(dallas)

quote:
Originally posted by scottchez
Read all the other Threads.

This was all sovled already.

You need to re tweak your TV.

This is TOTALLY inaccurate, so don't believe everything you read!!!!!

I too went from the HD200 to HD-TIVO and my DVI sucked. I too have the Sony LCD and have done the tweaks like others. It has improved the PQ on DVI, but still not better than Component, which it should be.

I'm set with U.E. to get a second unit in a week or so and will decided if the second unit is any better, same or worst.

I have heard other's have gone from the HD200/300 and thought their DVIs was the same. So that tells me units are different, some have HDMI problems, some don't.

So you should try to do an exchange on your unit if at all possible, nothing to lose. There is a chance D* will not do any exchange because PQ is off.
In fact I have already called them on that very thing and they wouldn't do anything, but they also said they didn't have any to exchange with. I know that isn't true, plus I have the exchange already setup with U.E..

So don't believe others or even myself, you have nothing to loss to try any unit in the 30 day exchange period..

Posted by: mstahlkr

I would definitely agree that you should try to do a swap with whoever you bought it from. I originally tried to return mine, but said I'd be willing to swap it if they had any in stock (which they did).

I'm watching Truk Lagoon right now, and it's WAY better than the recording I made a couple of days ago.

I'm not sure if DirecTV currently has any in stock for swaps, or even if they would swap it for a PQ problem.

If possible, swap at your retailer.

Posted by: pabuwal

My DVI connection from the TIVO in general is a little flaky. I contacted my retailer and they said they would do an exchange.

This is a HUGE relief because I was afraid I took a major step back PQ wise.

Posted by: Ken7

These problems have not been solved as David above indicates. Many, myself included, find the component output of the HD Tivo to be superior to the DVI. Like others, I too had a Sony HD200 via DVI that had a sharper picture than the Tivo (same input, same TV, same everything). However, with the component connection and a bit of a sharpness boost on my plasma, the Tivo picture is essentially the same as the HD200.

Sometimes it seems these DVI connections are more trouble than they're worth.

Posted by: nuke

I find the DVI to work perfectly. YMMV, but dang, it's working great for me.