New to HDTV -- Some Questions

Drew_B · 11-02-2009, 09:21 PM

Hello everyone! I'm a new member to the site, but it looks like a great forum. I'm also a new HDTV user -- I finally got out of the dark ages and got my own (I mostly held out because I had a DLP television that worked fine, but it just seemed like the time to replace). Although I am happy with the new TV for the most part, this was the first night I've really watched anything in HDTV and have some questions that I thought I'd turn to you guys (the experts, I'm hoping) about.

First of all, one thing I noticed during the first program I watched tonight (it was Heroes if it makes any difference) was that after the first few minutes of the program the audio and video were rather out of sync; the words would come through the audio and then seconds later the character's mouths would move along to those words. I don't have a surround sound system or anything like that, so I'm not sure what is causing this. I did some quick Googling of the issue and it appears that a lot of times this is an issue on the broadcaster's part, but most of the posts I found backing up that claim were from a few years ago so I wasn't sure. If this is something that may be wrong with my television, what is the best way to fix it?

Second, this is kind of random, but for some reason it seems like a lot of the programs that I watch are slightly "sped up" to some degree. It's hard to explain without providing visual examples, but basically a lot of movements appear to be rather jerky. I don't know if this is just because I am used to watching something on a lower-def TV or not, so I thought I'd ask. I played with the different settings on my television (it is a 47" LG) but the problem persisted.

If it makes any difference, I am connected to cable via an HDMI cable, but I have to admit I don't really know too much about that since someone else hooked most of it up (if you couldn't tell, I am slightly clueless about this kind of stuff).

Hopefully I get some good responses, because I'd love to get all of this figured out so that I can start contributing to what seems to be an awesome community!

Loves2Watch · 11-03-2009, 09:08 AM

Besides the sync issue (which may be the broadcaster or providers fault) most of the things you noted sound like common LCD issues.

First I would recommend that you get into the TV's menu and turn OFF all of the enhancements (motion,edge) etc., set the sharpness to 0 and see if that doesn't resolve most if not all of your issues.

clearday · 11-03-2009, 03:05 PM

Welcome. The first thing I would try is using the red/green/blue component cable for video plus the red/white for audio. See how everything works. If it gets fixed, then your tv is having handshake issues with HDMI and your HD cable box. I am assuming you are using an HD cable box, and if it's a Motorola, they have many problems with HDMI output.

Check google for some settings your fellow LG's use for your particular model and adjust your tv because "out of the box" settings with any of the HD tvs is usually too bright and annoying.

Post back with the results of using different cables. HDMI and component both deliver equal HD picture quality, so don't worry about the change in that regard.

11-02-2009, 09:21 PM	#1
Drew_B What is HD? Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 1	New to HDTV -- Some Questions Hello everyone! I'm a new member to the site, but it looks like a great forum. I'm also a new HDTV user -- I finally got out of the dark ages and got my own (I mostly held out because I had a DLP television that worked fine, but it just seemed like the time to replace). Although I am happy with the new TV for the most part, this was the first night I've really watched anything in HDTV and have some questions that I thought I'd turn to you guys (the experts, I'm hoping) about. First of all, one thing I noticed during the first program I watched tonight (it was Heroes if it makes any difference) was that after the first few minutes of the program the audio and video were rather out of sync; the words would come through the audio and then seconds later the character's mouths would move along to those words. I don't have a surround sound system or anything like that, so I'm not sure what is causing this. I did some quick Googling of the issue and it appears that a lot of times this is an issue on the broadcaster's part, but most of the posts I found backing up that claim were from a few years ago so I wasn't sure. If this is something that may be wrong with my television, what is the best way to fix it? Second, this is kind of random, but for some reason it seems like a lot of the programs that I watch are slightly "sped up" to some degree. It's hard to explain without providing visual examples, but basically a lot of movements appear to be rather jerky. I don't know if this is just because I am used to watching something on a lower-def TV or not, so I thought I'd ask. I played with the different settings on my television (it is a 47" LG) but the problem persisted. If it makes any difference, I am connected to cable via an HDMI cable, but I have to admit I don't really know too much about that since someone else hooked most of it up (if you couldn't tell, I am slightly clueless about this kind of stuff). Hopefully I get some good responses, because I'd love to get all of this figured out so that I can start contributing to what seems to be an awesome community!

11-03-2009, 09:08 AM	#2
Loves2Watch SPAM Police Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: AZ, NM, TX, MX Posts: 13,950	Besides the sync issue (which may be the broadcaster or providers fault) most of the things you noted sound like common LCD issues. First I would recommend that you get into the TV's menu and turn OFF all of the enhancements (motion,edge) etc., set the sharpness to 0 and see if that doesn't resolve most if not all of your issues. __________________ Theater 1 - Panasonic TH-85PF12U Plasma TV, 6 Conrad Johnson LP275M Amps, Anthem Statement D-2 Pre/Pro, 6 Thiel SCS4 Speakers, 2 REL T-1 Subs, Infinity Interlude 120S Sub, Simaudio MOON Orbiter Universal Disc Player, ELP Laser Turntable, 2 Dish Network ViP 622 DVR's, Oppo BDP-83 Blu-ray Player, Onkyo DV-HD805 HD DVD Player. Friends don't let friends buy Korean brand TV's.

11-03-2009, 03:05 PM	#3
clearday Samsung DLP & LCD Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: N. Texas Posts: 1,619	Welcome. The first thing I would try is using the red/green/blue component cable for video plus the red/white for audio. See how everything works. If it gets fixed, then your tv is having handshake issues with HDMI and your HD cable box. I am assuming you are using an HD cable box, and if it's a Motorola, they have many problems with HDMI output. Check google for some settings your fellow LG's use for your particular model and adjust your tv because "out of the box" settings with any of the HD tvs is usually too bright and annoying. Post back with the results of using different cables. HDMI and component both deliver equal HD picture quality, so don't worry about the change in that regard.