Sharp Aquos 32" 720p LCD picture looks bad.

[JarettS]

I had a 26" Toshiba CRT HDTV connected via HDMI and i just got a Sharp Aquos 32" LCD HDTV model LC-C3242U and connected it via HDMI. I am surprised at how bad the picture looks. All i did was switch TV's. All the connections stayed the same. I just unplugged the Toshiba and plugged in the Sharp, thats it. No other equipment changes. It looks especially bad viewing TV channels in HD compared to the Toshiba. It looks bad on Blu-Ray and PC too but the HDTV channels are the worst. I thought it would look better, not worse. It looks like pixellation, digital noise, blockyness? I mean its not horrible but its definitely a disappointment. I can deal with it if i must. Fast movement looks bad. Picture is not smooth at all, its really rough.

The Toshiba was doing 1080 (sort of) and this TV can only do 720p. Its only a few inches bigger so i would be surprised if that is normal for a 26" to 32" jump. Im stumped. Dont know if its something wrong with the TV which i doubt because everything else works fine. It would be hard for me to believe that a 32" TV at 720p would looks this bad and thats just normal. Noone would buy one i would think. I think its a setting or an adjustment that i need to make. I checked everything, manual, all settings, adjustments like digital noise reduction and black settings, changing cables, using different inputs, etc.

Is 720p really that bad? I am going to try to find someone who has a 720p setup to get a frame of reference. Im going to go to Best Buy tomorrow and compare.

ulling hair out:

[JurassicMass88]

I have the same model Sharp Aquos and I think the picture looks quite good...what kind of cable/satellite service do you have? I personally have Directv and the HD pictures is crystal clear.

[JarettS]

i did some more experimenting and changed some settings on my Blu-Ray, my PC, and the TV. Now everything looks perfect except the HD channels which still look just as bad. Cablevision is the provider. Whats weird is that the Toshiba HDTV looked great when viewing the same TV channels through the same cable box. Maybe its a resolution problem. The Sharp TV is 1366 x 768. maybe the cable box/signal doesnt like the resolution of the sharp. What exactly is 768? Its not 720 or 1080. Its 768p? Doesnt make sense. So does it upscale/downscale the signal?

[My_Two_Cents]

First, I'm pretty sure the native resolution of both your old and new sets are the same. I don't believe I have ever heard of a CRT that did 1080p, as the CRT technology does not allow for anything higher than 540p, and typically look best at 1080i. I could be mistaken, but I don't think so.

If you are used to a good CRT HDTV, then an LCD would be a step down for you in terms of overall picture quality as the contrast ratio, black level and motion resolution will be inferior. However, it should not be as bad as you are describing. It's certainly got nothing to do with the native resolution of your new set, as 720p (768p) sets (particularly smaller ones like yours) look fantastic. You may want to check your output settings of you devices. Your BD player should output 1080p, if your set will accept it (it will scale it to 768p). Play with the settings on your cable box, as some TVs look better with 1080i input versus 720p (or vice-verse).

Other than that, I'm out of options for you short of returning the set.

[JarettS]

Thank you guys for replying.

And yes your right, its 1080i not p. I meant to say 1080i. I messed around with all the settings on all my equipment and nothing is curing my HDTV problem. Im ready to accept it because all i really care about is movies - Blu-Ray and .mkv rips via my pc. They looks sensational after i fixed a few settings. Unfortunately my Aquos and my cable box do not like each other and i might have to live with that. I tried outputting at 540, 720, 1080 all of the available resolutions and it looks the same on every one. Like an old divx rip. One thing that i do know is there is nothing wrong with that Aquos, its amazing.

[My_Two_Cents]

Originally Posted by JarettS

Thank you guys for replying.

And yes your right, its 1080i not p. I meant to say 1080i. I messed around with all the settings on all my equipment and nothing is curing my HDTV problem. Im ready to accept it because all i really care about is movies - Blu-Ray and .mkv rips via my pc. They looks sensational after i fixed a few settings. Unfortunately my Aquos and my cable box do not like each other and i might have to live with that. I tried outputting at 540, 720, 1080 all of the available resolutions and it looks the same on every one. Like an old divx rip. One thing that i do know is there is nothing wrong with that Aquos, its amazing.

Well, if BD's look good, then it must be in your cable box settings and/or connections. How are you connected from your box to your set? HDMI, component or ?