Why does my plasma TV have odd shading?

[akocnc]

I've read the various posts debating the difference between HD and HD-Ready or HD-Compatible.

I recently bought a Sylvania 6842PE wide screen plasma and at the same time I switched to DishNet. It's listed as being HD-Compatible, and based on it's uber-light system setting options, it doesn't strike me as actually having much in the way of HD options. Whenever watching many channels (especially films) in which the action isn't fully lit, the darker portions of the screen have an odd haze about them that almost reminds me of the background of a graphic novel frame. It also tends to have a strange, non-crisp way of depicting skin tones.

I've attempted the basic adjustments to Tint, Color, Contrast, etc. This occurs both on HD broadcasts AND standard ones. I purchased the TV used, and am concerned that it might mean the screen itself was somehow damaged.

While I don't expect full HD-quality out of the set in all situations, I'm confused as to why this is happening, and what, if anything, I can do to remedy it.

When DishNet was installed, I could suddenly no longer change the aspect ratio through the TV settings. Maybe this is how it's supposed to be.

Is anyone familiar with this type situation and hopefully aware of a solution? Or maybe just the likely cause?

Thanks in advance...

-akocnc

[guns1inger]

Assuming this is the TV in question : http://www.amazon.com/Sylvania-6842PE-42-Inch-Panel-Plasma/dp/B0002472PU it is not HD, and is about as low down the totem pole as you can get for large screen televisions. Sorry to be blunt, but it is crap. It's resolution is the same as a widescreen NTSC DVD (852 x 480) and has a contrast ratio of a lowly 1000:1.

What you basically have is something far lower in image resolution and quality than a standard computer monitor.

Sorry to be blunt, but if the model I linked to is what you bought, you are getting the image quality you paid for.

I hope I am wrong, because then there is some hope you might be able to adjust the set to get a better image.

[manono]

Nice find, guns1inger. Yeah, it's not an HD set - not HD ready, not HD anything, really. It is HD compatible, meaning that it accepts some HD input which it then scales down to standard-def. The first reviewer seemed to have the same problem with the blacks, which he improved by upgrading to component cables. So if you're using composite or S-Video, that's the first thing you should do.

[akocnc]

Thanks, and no need to apologize for being blunt. Everything you said makes sense. I can't believe I'm finding this model on the web selling new for around $2,000. Thankfully I barely paid a fraction of that price.

Also the next reply suggested making sure I had the right cables, which was actually the first thing I did after the problem presented itself. It was actually bizarre that the DishNet installer used a stand cable at first, and then they wanted to charge me for an HD cable, despite providing the converter and satellite at no charge for the duration of my subscribtion. They didn't charge me, but it feels like a moot point. The TV does have "HD-Compaptible" jacks for the wires, and it didn't make an improvement. But like you said, and it was depressing to hear, the screen has less resolution then my computer monitor.

I suspect the guy I bought it from was some kinda pissed he bought the set at full price and was just happy to unload it onto someone else for whatever he could get. Which was nickels on the dollar.

Not knowing a lot about specifics when it comes to televisions, I'll do my homework better next time (hopefully) and not just buy because it seems like a great price. I got what I paid for. Sadly, he did not.

[guns1inger]

A friend of mine bought something very similar early on in the piece. It was even worse because we are a PAL country, and the resolution doesn't even match PAL SD. It had similar issues - low contrast ratio, colour banding etc.

Trying to screw you for HD cables also isn't surprising. Component cables will certainly help give you a better image for DVDs.

Hopefully you didn't drop too much on it. On the bright side, when you sell it on, you will lose a whole lot less than the previous owner probably did.

[jagabo]

the darker portions of the screen have an odd haze about them

Something like the difference between these two images?



The lower image has a black level problem, common in cheap HDTVs. If you can't adjust the brightness and contrast settings to get rid of it you're screwed.

[ron spencer]

these are good cottage tvs...a neighbour got an LG one for about $500 on clearance. good for cottage cause who cares if stolen...