Blurry Picture on Syntax LT26HVE

Netpeace · 12-08-2005, 12:35 AM

Purchased the LT26HVE 26" LCD TV (HD Ready) new for a great $490 from Fry's Electronics. There are no dead pixels. I have standard Comcast non-hi def cable connected to this LCD TV and also connected to a Sharp 20" Aquos 20E1UBM.

PROBLEM: The picture on the Sharp is sharp. The picture on the Syntax is not sharp. When using the Menu on the Syntax, the sharp setting from low to high makes no difference in the picture. Also the Syntax picture lacks contrast compared to the Sharp, and no adjustment makes the pictures equivalent.

I called Syntax and the support rep guessed that a Non-Hi-Def cable signal feeding a HD Ready TV, such as the Syntx, will always look poorer than that signal feeding a non-Hi-Def TV (the Sharp). I am stupid on this, but his explanation doesn't seem reasonable. He never answered why the contrast is better on the Sharp.

Here are some choices:

1. Put up with the defects because the price was great.
2. Go to Fry's and trade for the same Syntax model (but all they have left is open boxes).
3. Register the Syntax and have a service tech come to my home
4. Return the Syntax and upgrade to a Aquos or downgrade to a non-Hi-Def LCD TV (if the tech's explanation is correct--- is it ???)

The Syntax LT26HVE reviews on BOTH epinions.com and on cnet.com are excellent. No one mentions a blurry unsharp picture or poor contrast. As a side note, the speakers on the Syntax are quite poor compared to the Sharp, but that's not as important to me.

What should I do ?

Is the tech correct ? Would upgrading my cable service to hi-Def solve the problem ?

Why is the contrast poor and the pix quality not uquivalent to the Sharp ?

RSawdey · 12-08-2005, 02:28 AM

The Sharp has a better upconversion chip... but your best bet is to upgrade your STB & service to HD... you really need an HD signal to see what an HDTV can do.

Netpeace · 12-08-2005, 02:42 AM

What is an STB ? How do I upgrade whatever that is ? I do know how to upgrade the cable service --- that is only $5/month.

Thanks

Emsurfer · 12-08-2005, 03:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Netpeace

What is an STB ? How do I upgrade whatever that is ? I do know how to upgrade the cable service --- that is only $5/month.

Thanks

Set-Up-Box (cable box). RSawdey is recommending that you get HD service from your cable company who will provide you a rental HD cable box. The Syntax rep was correct for most part. SD on a HDTV will always look sup-par. Use a microscope (high resolution just like HDTV) will show the dirt on a desk and make it seem "dirty", where before with your EYE (SDTV) you couldn't see it. i would also recommend getting the Syntax LT-26HVX which has a true HD aspect ratio of 16:9, resolution of 1366 x 768, has a contrast ratio of 1600:1 vs. your HVE of 750:1 and resolution of 1280 x 768.

Netpeace · 12-08-2005, 03:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emsurfer

Set-Up-Box (cable box). RSawdey is recommending that you get HD service from your cable company who will provide you a rental HD cable box. The Syntax rep was correct for most part. SD on a HDTV will always look sup-par. Use a microscope (high resolution just like HDTV) will show the dirt on a desk and make it seem "dirty", where before with your EYE (SDTV) you couldn't see it. i would also recommend getting the Syntax LT-26HVX which has a true HD aspect ratio of 16:9, resolution of 1366 x 768, has a contrast ratio of 1600:1 vs. your HVE of 750:1 and resolution of 1280 x 768.

Geeeez. Everyone here is so knowlegeable. It's intimidating.

One more question--- Someone told me my Sharp 20" Aquos 20E1UBM is listed as "ED Ready" not HD Ready. Is that true ? What does that mean ? If I hook the Sharp up to a High Def cable will it also look better ?

What's the difference between HD and ED ?

Emsurfer · 12-08-2005, 03:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Netpeace

Geeeez. Everyone here is so knowlegeable. It's intimidating.

One more question--- Someone told me my Sharp 20" Aquos 20E1UBM is listed as "ED Ready" not HD Ready. Is that true ? What does that mean ? If I hook the Sharp up to a High Def cable will it also look better ?

What's the difference between HD and ED ?

Yes, the Sharp AQUOS 20E1U is ED-Ready. It has a resolution of 852x480 (480p) compared to 640x480 (480i, regular old fashion standard TV). The "p" stands for progressive scanning. Since this TV has a component input, you could feed it HD cable and the picture would look real good. But since it's not HDTV ( at least (1280X720) 720p or (1920X1080) 1080i or 1080p, you will lose some (quite a bit) of the horizontal and vertical pixels. Basically it will look like a progressive scanned DVD, which is not bad at all.

Netpeace · 12-20-2005, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emsurfer

Set-Up-Box (cable box). RSawdey is recommending that you get HD service from your cable company who will provide you a rental HD cable box. The Syntax rep was correct for most part. SD on a HDTV will always look sup-par. Use a microscope (high resolution just like HDTV) will show the dirt on a desk and make it seem "dirty", where before with your EYE (SDTV) you couldn't see it. i would also recommend getting the Syntax LT-26HVX which has a true HD aspect ratio of 16:9, resolution of 1366 x 768, has a contrast ratio of 1600:1 vs. your HVE of 750:1 and resolution of 1280 x 768.

Okay. The HVE set arrived and in comparing them side by side with a standard cable feed, the HVE looks the same or minimally better than the HVX.

Darn--- the thought I'd see the HVX to be definitely better. The MENU mode reveals the settings on both sets to be the same. The HVE actually looks slightly brighter.

QUESTION: What do I have to do to see the difference in these two sets ? Should I set up a Progressive Scan DVD player and run it to both sets.

Hard to believe that the HVE looks slightly better with the same video settings. I thought the contrast ratio alone would make the HVX picture look better, even with a non-HD cable feed.

Netpeace · 12-21-2005, 12:05 AM

On the HVY picture, the blacks have a purple hue and the white's have a bluish cast.

Guess I need to call Syntax tech support or get an exchange set.

Emsurfer · 12-21-2005, 03:46 AM

I replied to your other post.

Let me know if you need further assistance.

Netpeace · 12-21-2005, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emsurfer

I replied to your other post.

Let me know if you need further assistance.

I can't find your answer, BUT I have an answer from Syntaxgroups, and it bothers me very much.

The 27HVX has the AUO panel known for having the blacks and the picture turn cloudy and purple when the viewing angle exceeds 45 degrees off center !! Hell, that's like Cadillac making a car which goes only 20 mph.

Syntax recommended I stick with the 26HXX which has the LG panel. The LG does NOT have that problem.

What good is the AUO ? Why did SG incorporate that panel into any of their sets ? Who wants a total viewing angle of under 90 degrees ?

I could also upgrade to a 37HVS which also uses the LG panel, but that's $1200 more than the 26HVX.

I went to Costco today and was impressed by the PROVIEW RX-326 32" for $950. The cabinet was dark (easy on the eyes) and the speakers were on the sides. The sound was better than the Syntaxgroup set. It even looked better than the same size Sony costing almost twice as much. The Sony had a blue tint.

The Proview also looked better than the MAXVENT MX-26X3 for $750 and the PANASONIC 26" TC26LE55 for $1100.

SO EVERYBODY:

1. Should I get the 26HVX 26" for $800 (with a $200 rebate for a net of $600) ? Or should I get the PROVIEW RX-326 32" for $950 ???????????????????????

2. Should I exchange the 27HVX with the terrible AUO panel for the 26" 26HVX with the nice LG panel ? Syntax will trade my 27HVX for the 26HVX at no charge and pay for shipping.

3. Should I upgrade the 26/27 HVS to the 37HVS (which has 800 brightness, not 700, and a digital tuner) and pay $1200 additional ? I really don't need that large of a set.

Thank you.

(BTW, Syntaxgroups has a terrible phone system, atrocious voice mail system, is over a month behind in answering e-mail, has one rude Tech Support agent, but the Head of Tech Support is a super-nice guy.)

Conquistador92 · 12-21-2005, 04:46 PM

Now you are just getting way to overpriced things.

I reccomend the 46HM84 46" RPTV for $1298.
If you are looking for smaller, i would go with something that is HD-CRT.

Netpeace · 12-21-2005, 06:11 PM

26HVS http://www.syntaxgroups.com/products_main.html

PROVIEW RX-326 http://www.proview-usa.com/lcd2.html

Emsurfer · 12-21-2005, 07:11 PM

Both the Syntax and Proview are by fairly new companies from Taiwan. The LG panels are nice but certainly cannot compare to SONY, Sharp, Toshiba, or Panasonic. Not even Samsung. If the 32" Proview has a picture to your liking, the extra real estate is key. I would recommend you get the 32" then. If you want the best than I would recommend Sharp or SONY.

12-08-2005, 12:35 AM	#1
Netpeace How can anyone watch standard def? Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 17	Blurry Picture on Syntax LT26HVE Purchased the LT26HVE 26" LCD TV (HD Ready) new for a great $490 from Fry's Electronics. There are no dead pixels. I have standard Comcast non-hi def cable connected to this LCD TV and also connected to a Sharp 20" Aquos 20E1UBM. PROBLEM: The picture on the Sharp is sharp. The picture on the Syntax is not sharp. When using the Menu on the Syntax, the sharp setting from low to high makes no difference in the picture. Also the Syntax picture lacks contrast compared to the Sharp, and no adjustment makes the pictures equivalent. I called Syntax and the support rep guessed that a Non-Hi-Def cable signal feeding a HD Ready TV, such as the Syntx, will always look poorer than that signal feeding a non-Hi-Def TV (the Sharp). I am stupid on this, but his explanation doesn't seem reasonable. He never answered why the contrast is better on the Sharp. Here are some choices: 1. Put up with the defects because the price was great. 2. Go to Fry's and trade for the same Syntax model (but all they have left is open boxes). 3. Register the Syntax and have a service tech come to my home 4. Return the Syntax and upgrade to a Aquos or downgrade to a non-Hi-Def LCD TV (if the tech's explanation is correct--- is it ???) The Syntax LT26HVE reviews on BOTH epinions.com and on cnet.com are excellent. No one mentions a blurry unsharp picture or poor contrast. As a side note, the speakers on the Syntax are quite poor compared to the Sharp, but that's not as important to me. What should I do ? Is the tech correct ? Would upgrading my cable service to hi-Def solve the problem ? Why is the contrast poor and the pix quality not uquivalent to the Sharp ? Last edited by Netpeace; 12-08-2005 at 12:47 AM.

12-08-2005, 02:42 AM	#3
Netpeace How can anyone watch standard def? Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 17	Stb ? What is an STB ? How do I upgrade whatever that is ? I do know how to upgrade the cable service --- that is only $5/month. Thanks Last edited by Netpeace; 12-08-2005 at 02:45 AM.

12-21-2005, 12:05 AM	#8
Netpeace How can anyone watch standard def? Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 17	And another defect in the HVX On the HVY picture, the blacks have a purple hue and the white's have a bluish cast. Guess I need to call Syntax tech support or get an exchange set.

12-21-2005, 04:46 PM	#11
Conquistador92 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 118	Now you are just getting way to overpriced things. I reccomend the 46HM84 46" RPTV for $1298. If you are looking for smaller, i would go with something that is HD-CRT. __________________ 46HM84 46" DLP Rear-Projection TALEN HDTV JVC THC3 810w 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound Home Theater Comcast HD/DVR Combo Box XBOX 360 Cables: HDMI, SPDIF toslink, analog RCA (red/white)

12-08-2005, 02:28 AM	#2
RSawdey Mr. Wizard Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Ferndale, Michigan Age: 61 Posts: 5,981	The Sharp has a better upconversion chip... but your best bet is to upgrade your STB & service to HD... you really need an HD signal to see what an HDTV can do.

12-21-2005, 03:46 AM	#9
Emsurfer High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 661	I replied to your other post. Let me know if you need further assistance.

12-21-2005, 06:11 PM	#12
Netpeace How can anyone watch standard def? Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 17	26HVS http://www.syntaxgroups.com/products_main.html PROVIEW RX-326 http://www.proview-usa.com/lcd2.html

12-21-2005, 07:11 PM	#13
Emsurfer High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 661	Both the Syntax and Proview are by fairly new companies from Taiwan. The LG panels are nice but certainly cannot compare to SONY, Sharp, Toshiba, or Panasonic. Not even Samsung. If the 32" Proview has a picture to your liking, the extra real estate is key. I would recommend you get the 32" then. If you want the best than I would recommend Sharp or SONY.