Hello - I'm late getting on board with UHD TVs. For years, I've only had a 32" Vizio D series 1080p TV. I even still have an old CRT TV in my bedroom.
I recently got a 55" LG 4K model for my living room, and I was *shocked* by the difference between SD and HD channels. I wasn't aware that some channels were still being broadcast in 480p; I didn't even know HD channels were still only 1080p. I just assumed everything was being broadcast in 4K, as for the past several years the industry has been pushing 4K TVs on us (and now of course, they're starting with 8K). I can't believe the FCC allows them to get away with it.
I don't watch a lot of TV any more, but of what I do watch, a lot of it is PBS, and the World and Create channels are still being broadcast in SD. C-Span as well, although their resolution is sometimes somewhat better (I assume they're using newer equipment).
I've since bought and returned a series of TVs, going smaller each time. ( I noticed that when I look at the cable guide and the image retreats to the corner, it's much sharper. I understand it's because the pixels aren't spread out as much. I thought going smaller and going back to 1080p might help.) I just returned a 40" 1080p Vizio, part of their redesigned D series. None of them had decent SD images.
My question is: is there any fix for this? Are some TVs better at upscaling than others? Do the processors even upscale 480p content, or are they designed only to upscale 1080p to 4K? I tried an OLED model; it had a beautiful picture but of course, it didn't affect the resolution of SD channels. Would quantum dot be any different?
Or if I want a new TV, do I just have to live with this (which I don't think I can do)?
Thank you for your help.
I recently got a 55" LG 4K model for my living room, and I was *shocked* by the difference between SD and HD channels. I wasn't aware that some channels were still being broadcast in 480p; I didn't even know HD channels were still only 1080p. I just assumed everything was being broadcast in 4K, as for the past several years the industry has been pushing 4K TVs on us (and now of course, they're starting with 8K). I can't believe the FCC allows them to get away with it.
I don't watch a lot of TV any more, but of what I do watch, a lot of it is PBS, and the World and Create channels are still being broadcast in SD. C-Span as well, although their resolution is sometimes somewhat better (I assume they're using newer equipment).
I've since bought and returned a series of TVs, going smaller each time. ( I noticed that when I look at the cable guide and the image retreats to the corner, it's much sharper. I understand it's because the pixels aren't spread out as much. I thought going smaller and going back to 1080p might help.) I just returned a 40" 1080p Vizio, part of their redesigned D series. None of them had decent SD images.
My question is: is there any fix for this? Are some TVs better at upscaling than others? Do the processors even upscale 480p content, or are they designed only to upscale 1080p to 4K? I tried an OLED model; it had a beautiful picture but of course, it didn't affect the resolution of SD channels. Would quantum dot be any different?
Or if I want a new TV, do I just have to live with this (which I don't think I can do)?
Thank you for your help.