For you techies, question about televsions.....

catnurse22

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So Josh and I just bought a TV last night. (Note: the day before Super Bowl Sunday is NOT the day to shop for TV's). We got an Insignia 37" 1080p, 60Hz, HDTV flat screen. BIG time upgrade from our little 6 year old 19". But we're having some issues.

First off we don't have Bluray or a PS3 or cable in HD (yet). But since we don't have these things we were told to buy a HDMI cord. So we got everything hooked up okay. But the picture isn't nearly what we expected. I don't know if we just have really high expectations or if there is something wrong. And the picture doesn't take up the whole screen. Even changing the aspect ratio there is no way we get the whole picture. On "cinema" it goes across the whole screen but the bottom is cut off. Are HDTV's just that way or is something wrong? The HDMI cable we were given says it's to hook up PS3's. Are they interchangeable or were we given the wrong one? (Josh is going back up to BestBuy to talk to them about it but who knows how long that will take). Changing the settings from cable 1 to HDMI 1 doesn't make any difference in picture quality, or at least very very little.

As you can tell, I know very little about this kind of stuff,
. Can anyone help me out of the dark?
 

mrblanche

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Where are you getting your signal? Basic cable or some such thing?
 
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catnurse22

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Originally Posted by mrblanche

Where are you getting your signal? Basic cable or some such thing?
We've got a Comcast cable box. But we did rent an HD movie On Demand last night and didn't notice a difference between our normal programming and the movie.....
 

ut0pia

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Do you mean the problem is when you're viewing a blu ray dvd through the ps3 or when you try to watch regular TV?
If you're having issues with the quality when watching TV through comcast, did you try the HD channels?
If you are watching something that's not in HD, the aspect ratio needs to be 4:3 because that's the way the signal is sent for the non HD channels. If you're watching an HD channel the aspect ratio should be 16:9. Most TV's automatically switch between the two though.
What is the contrast ratio of your TV? It is usually a number like 700000:1 or 1000000:1. The contrast ratio IMO makes a big difference in picture quality.

ETA: since I noticed you said you get your signal through a comcast cable box, is the cable box an HD box? Usually there is a different kind of box you need to rent to be able to view HD channels..
 
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catnurse22

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Originally Posted by ut0pia

Do you mean the problem is when you're viewing a blu ray dvd through the ps3 or when you try to watch regular TV?
If you're having issues with the quality when watching TV through comcast, did you try the HD channels?
If you are watching something that's not in HD, the aspect ratio needs to be 4:3 because that's the way the signal is sent for the non HD channels. If you're watching an HD channel the aspect ratio should be 16:9. Most TV's automatically switch between the two though.
What is the contrast ratio of your TV? It is usually a number like 700000:1 or 1000000:1. The contrast ratio IMO makes a big difference in picture quality.

ETA: since I noticed you said you get your signal through a comcast cable box, is the cable box an HD box? Usually there is a different kind of box you need to rent to be able to view HD channels..
The problem is when we're watching regular TV. We do have an HDTV box, but don't have a package that has HD channels right now (we're upgrading soon but have to decide whether to stay with Comcast or switch to DirectTV). When I go in to the aspect ratio it says nothing about the actual ratio number, just things like wide, cinema, normal, etc. So no idea if I have it on the right one.... The box itself says it's 16:9 ratio.

I have no idea what the contrast ratio is. Don't see anything about it on the box or in the book....

Now like I said we will get HD cable package sometime soon and we'll be buying a Bluray player in the next few months, but unless we pay somewhere around $120 a month for cable, a lot of the channels we watch won't be in HD. I just don't want to have spent $750 on a tv and not be able to really enjoy it because we don't have all of the "attachments". The picture quality is okay. It isn't awful. Probably around the same as our old TV, a little better. But of course we're expecting it to look as good as the display TV's in the store do, and who knows what they have hooked up. It's just frustrating. Josh was SO excited about it. I told him I thought it was going to be a huge hassle setting it up and getting everything sorted out, but of course he was being a man and said "Oh it'll be fine. Look how big it is!!"
 

strange_wings

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Yes, HDMI cables are interchangeable. They're more convenient to use IMO.

Bad news. I'm not familiar with Insignia brand. Meaning it's probably not that good of one. Looking it up, apparently this is the case. People say you can get a "good" picture quality from them, but never a great one.
That may be part of the problem. What is your exact series and model number on it?

Did you research tvs before purchasing? Certain brands have some series and models that are better than others. With tvs I prefer to stick to known brands like Sony, Samsung, Phillips, etc.

If further research proves that this isn't that great of a tv, and you did get it at BestBuy, you have 29 days (including today) to return it.


You should definitely see a difference between HD and regular channels.
 

ut0pia

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I know what you mean, I am really frustrated with how I don't get enough HD channels...I feel like they should have all of the channels in HD, otherwise having a good HDTV becomes pointless!!

You should have some HD channels if you have the HD box though?? You should have like abc at least in HD...But I don't know how comcast is, I'm with charter and a few channels do come for free in HD. Maybe you can just go to one of the HD channels and see if it's there lol..
But really if you played an HD movie on demand, you should have been able to see a huge difference. I don't know what could be wrong.
The aspect ratio on my TV can be changed through a button that says "zoom"

Oh, and you do know your ps3 plays blu rays right???
 

strange_wings

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Originally Posted by ut0pia

I don't know what could be wrong.
The tv in question is known for subpar picture quality, a lack of settings options, remote issues, and it's short life. Unfortunately, that's what's wrong.
 

mrblanche

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If I were you, I'd watch the SuperBowl, then repackage the thing and take it back ASAP. I have a 37" Visio, and the picture was fantastic out of the box on HD channels. And I paid less than $700 for it two years ago, and prices have come down since then.

And here's the shocker. There are a number of HD channels on most cable systems. You just have to go looking for them, or go online to your system's channel lineup and find them.

I just checked online, and a better version of the Visio 37" (it's now 1080i) is only $547 online, probably similar in the store.
 

crittermom

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we just talked to someone at Best Buy about TVs.We were told that it is VERY important for them to be calibrated.You are supposed to run them for 100-150 hours,and then have them calibrated.
I would take that TV back if you are having so many issues!!!
 

strange_wings

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Originally Posted by crittermom

we just talked to someone at Best Buy about TVs.We were told that it is VERY important for them to be calibrated.You are supposed to run them for 100-150 hours,and then have them calibrated.
Do you know what they're talking about when they say calibrated? It's setting the white, black, sharpness, color saturation, and tint for the the lighting in the room in sits in and how you prefer it. Most people do this as it rarely looks good out of box. You can also get a cheap dvd tool to help give you test patterns for it.

Of course BestBuy will want you to pay them to change minor settings for you - it's a quick buck for them (geeksquad actually).



On a related note. If the OP was pressured by anyone to purchase the Insignia and is curious why they may have been told this was a good tv - it's because it's BestBuy's house brand. They make a bigger profit from selling them then they do other brands.
 

marinewife05

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We have two Insignia TV's and personally I like them. We also have two other TV's, but for the life of me I can't remember what they are.

Most cable channels are only broadcast in 720p which is why you won't notice a difference. However, there is a definite difference b/t regular channels and HD. (at least that's the way it is with my cable)

I don't know much about setting them up. That would be my husband's area of expertise.
 
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catnurse22

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Well, still no idea what we're going to do. We were told Insignia is made by LG by several different people. Is that true?

I am all for returning it. They had a 32" Sony 1080P 120Hz for the same price that I wanted to get. But of course Josh wanted the 37", even if it was lesser quality. There were also some pretty good deals on some Phillips and Vizios (I can't remember if they were at Best Buy...I'm thinking maybe Sears, we went to SO many different places that it's all jumbled,
). We should have done much much more research. But since Josh was footing most of the bill I could only give my very best "Don't you think you should think about this first?" speech. When a man is standing in front of a huge TV with money in his pocket to have it home in a matter of minutes, that kind of thing goes in one ear and out the other!!

On another note, we bought the Black Tie protection 4 year limited warranty as well for around 90$. Anybody know if we'll get our full return on that?
 

strange_wings

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Originally Posted by CatNurse22

Well, still no idea what we're going to do. We were told Insignia is made by LG by several different people. Is that true?
This is true, for some of their Plasma tvs. With most plasmas, though, there's only a few manufacturers making parts for various brands. LCDs are different.

Without giving the model number (it should probably be on the side of the tv) there's no knowing who made it. They use several different manufacturers. Supposedly Sharp makes some for them, and I also came across information that some Chinese company does... I don't read Chinese so I have no idea who that is.


Look at BestBuy's site. Check out user reviewers for tvs within your price range. From there put the name and model number in plus +reviews and look for more reviews elsewhere. Amazon is also a good place to find out what people think about a product. Look at what sort of extras are in the settings to improve picture. See if it's good for gaming on - some tvs aren't as there's a lag that can get you killed in faster paced shooters.

I'm pretty sure the Geeksquad warranty is just for if it needs to be fixed or completely dies later on. Right now you should still be within the 30 days that allow you to return a product (most stores have this).
As for how good that 4 year warranty is, I'll have to get back to you on that. I currently have a 46" Samsung that has a thin blue line down the right side (not an uncommon issue in lcds - suspected cold solder point issue) that I've been trying to get them to set us up with a repair shop to fix. So far I can tell you that they do have friendly and rather funny people working in their customer support.


ETA: I just called the repair shop to find out what's going on. I got the standard "we're waiting on the part". I asked the guy if he even had any idea what was wrong - he said no. I did not ask him how he'd order a part without knowing what to order, he seemed to realize it sounded stupid by how he said no.
I hope no one else has to deal with this sort of stuff, it's a pain in the butt.
 

mrblanche

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If you want a 37", I can recommend the Visio. You might want to check the actual model number sold by Best Buy and Wal-Mart; there's a "w" in the Wal-Mart model, and it has a few less features than the Best Buy.

But ours has done us a great job, so far, and it does things some reviewers say it can't.
 

sarahp

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We have a HD receiver, and get some HD channels, and they fill out the whole screen, but if the tv show, or the movie or whatever isn't being broadcast in HD, then you'll end up with the same picture, and the bars across it.

The difference on our tv between the HD programs and regular programs. Even some ads are done differently to others - some take up the whole screen, and some have the black bands across them.

Until everything is in HD, and you're receiving all HD channels, you won't get every program in HD.
 

tigerontheprowl

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Originally Posted by strange_wings

On a related note. If the OP was pressured by anyone to purchase the Insignia and is curious why they may have been told this was a good tv - it's because it's BestBuy's house brand. They make a bigger profit from selling them then they do other brands.
Yep. Because they cost next to nothing to make, and then sell them like they're as reliable as LG and Toshiba and other big names.

I got my newest TV from Best Buy a little while ago, and honestly, whoever set up the TVs there had no idea what they were doing. They put a 52" Insignia right next to a 52" LG
. Anyone who sees that is going to buy the LG in a heart beat over the Insignia.

I would say take back the Insignia. There are much better brands out there.
 

crittermom

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I;m not sure what calibrated means to be honest.He told us that after 150 hours, it needs to be done.It will extend the life of the TV and also makes the picture softer.Not so much of a BRIGHT or fake look to it.
here is some info I found.I would NOT however suggest you do this yourself--as it WILL VOID ALL warranties!!!
http://www.lcdtvbuyingguide.com/lcdt...libration.html
we are getting the 50" plasma from Best Buy for $998.We paid almost 300 for the 4 year black tie thing,and also another 200 for them to come out and calibrate it for us.
 

crittermom

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also, we just bought a 32" Insignia for my Daughter.They told us that LG does infact make them.
 
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