Was I mis-sold on a HD Ready TV?

Enterprise_1701C

We have the 3D version of this so probably a better picture anyway, but we find that the picture is far better when we use the HDMI sockets.

I use one of the HDMI inputs for my laptop (which is HD anyway) and the picture is very good.

The only questionable picture is from our cable box which is scarted in, but even with that it is the colour balance that is out rather than much else.

I hasten to add that we are very happy with it and the setting we tend to keep it on for the picture is "auto wide".

spannerzone

poppy10 wrote: »

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-PS43D450-43-inch-Widescreen-Freeview/dp/B004RF3X1C/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

That's a really weird resolution, why sell a widescreen TV with a non-widescreen resolution like 1024x768.

Many many plasmas screens had this resolution so not uncommon at all.... getting less common now though.

System

The 1024*768 resolution is the resolution available via the VGA socket when you use the TV as a PC monitor and has absolutely nothing to do with HD

It is HD ready so can display at 720 when fed with an HD signal via HDMI.

Notmyrealname

techno79 wrote: »

The 1024 x 768 not only contains far fewer pixels, but it is in a 4:3 resolution on a 16:9 ratio screen which makes everything look stretched wide.

I know John Lewis normally have a great customer service and I am hoping they can refund the full cost based on the fact it was blatantly mis-sold. However, if they are more difficult, what options do I have? As mentioned before, the TV is about 2 months old.

TIA

Without looking the model number up I assume it is a plasma TV so the pixels are rectangular hence the 1024x768 which is normal. You have a 16:9 screen. You have a TV that will support HD input.

One could argue that 1366x768 which is on every low end HDTV isn't a native HD format but people don't complain about that.

Notmyrealname

techno79 wrote: »

But doesn't HD Ready require a wide aspect ratio resolution (i.e. 16:9). 1024 x 768 is only a 4:3 ratio. As explained here: http://www.dabs.com/learn-more/electronics/what-is-hd-ready-tv--dabs-explains-all-431.html

Get a tape measure out. Measure the screen. You'll find its 16:9.

The Dabs article only applies to screens where the pixels are square. The ones on your dads aren't.

RealGem

Guys, don't have a go at the OP for not knowing the technical stuff. That's why he asked on here (a technical forum):
"WAS I mis-sold on a HD Ready TV?"

The title suggests he's willing to accept he might not have been.

We all have different levels of knowledge, and to be honest, I would probably have thought the same thing if the TV was advertised as HD Ready, and it was known to be a discontinued model.

But thanks for the advice. Now both I and the OP are a bit wiser about HD TVs.

almillar

The 'HD Ready' label is an official industry agreed system. To be described as HD Ready, the set must have at least 1 HDMI input, and at least 720 lines vertically, which your dad's TV beats. I'm pretty sure it has to be widescreen too, but I'm not sure if there's any dictation about aspect ratio etc.
Full HD has no industry agreement. It's generally stuck onto anything with 1080 vertical pixels, which is wrong IMO. It removes the 'ready' part, but the 'ready' part refers to the fact that you have to plug in an HD source to actually GET HD. ie a TV with a 1080 screen, and a FreeviewHD tuner, is Full HD. A TV with a 1080 screen, and a Freeview SD tuner, is Full HD READY.
To help with your problem, make sure you've got the latest drivers for your computer's graphics. Now, when you play any videos, you want to play them at 4:3 ratio, even if they're 16:9 vids. VLC media player should help you play around with the aspect ratios.
For connecting a computer, you would be looking for a 1080 set anyway to get a bigger desktop, so JL would hopefully have advised this if asked.
So, I don't think your dad was miss

poppy10_2

almillar wrote: »

The 'HD Ready' label is an official industry agreed system. To be described as HD Ready, the set must have at least 1 HDMI input, and at least 720 lines vertically, which your dad's TV beats. I'm pretty sure it has to be widescreen too, but I'm not sure if there's any dictation about aspect ratio etc.
Full HD has no industry agreement. It's generally stuck onto anything with 1080 vertical pixels, which is wrong IMO. It removes the 'ready' part, but the 'ready' part refers to the fact that you have to plug in an HD source to actually GET HD. ie a TV with a 1080 screen, and a FreeviewHD tuner, is Full HD. A TV with a 1080 screen, and a Freeview SD tuner, is Full HD READY.
To help with your problem, make sure you've got the latest drivers for your computer's graphics. Now, when you play any videos, you want to play them at 4:3 ratio, even if they're 16:9 vids. VLC media player should help you play around with the aspect ratios.
For connecting a computer, you would be looking for a 1080 set anyway to get a bigger desktop, so JL would hopefully have advised this if asked.
So, I don't think your dad was miss

Pretty much everything in this post is nonsense, ignore.

wealdroam

poppy10 wrote: »

Pretty much everything in this post is nonsense, ignore.

Poppy10, care to be a bit more positive?

I'm sure the OP, and the rest of us, would like to benefit from your knowledge.

Otherwise, there is surely a risk that some people might not actually believe your latest statement.

almillar

How's this for starters with my nonsense poppy10 - care to be a bit more specific or point out the error in my ways?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HD_ready