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On the Sky+ box, under picture settings, it only gives me the option to set picture format (16:9), Video output (set to RGB) and contrast (currently set to Medium but could be High or Low).  Where is the 'Auto' option you mention please?

Thanks.

JohnK:

Is that the Sony BD Player you're referring to?  I'm using the Pioneer BDP 51FD.

JohnK:

On the Sky+ box, under picture settings, it only gives me the option to set picture format (16:9), Video output (set to RGB) and contrast (currently set to Medium but could be High or Low).  Where is the 'Auto' option you mention please?

 

Thanks.

Sorry, I was referring to Sky HD boxes, where you have various options. A Sky+ box will be outputting in SD and your TV  already doing the upscaling - unfortunately, with Scart the best connection at your disposal, you're never going to get a great picture on a 40in+ Full HD screen. 

Even with Sky HD's SD channels you'll see an improvement, as the HDMI connection is a good step up from Scart.

Ah right!

Not to worry, I should have Sky HD by this time next week so will have a look then.

Thanks for your dedication in trying to field all these annoying questions I'm coming up with.

Clare Newsome:

mikey2008:

The SD picture isn't great.  I have Sky HD connected to 40W4500 and the SD picture is only bearable about 3m away.  The only thing you can do is upgrade to Sky HD and watch the HD content which is much, much better than the SD pictures.  Also, as you mention, the upscaled DVD pictures don't look that good either (from Sony S350 BD player).

Well my Dad has exactly the same set-up (40W4500; S350; Sky HD) and the set looks superb on all but the lowest-bitrate SD Sky channels (ie almost anything ITV) - that's a broadcasting issue, not an issue with the Sony set.

And have you got the Sony BD player or the TV doing the upscaling (ditto the Sky box) - in both cases we found the set a better upscaler in his set-up.

Also, i'd strongly suggest turning off the sharpening mode right down (can worsen digital noise in poor broadcasts) and experimenting with MotionFlow settings rather than leaving them as default.

Decent cabling helps, too, of course....

I have played a lot with SD settings but I still can't recommend the SD picture beyond saying it's okay.  I have the sharpness at minimum and the MotionFlow is at Standard (or Off, but it doesn't make a lot of difference in SD).  I don't have cheap cables (30 quid) either (although best steer clear of that argument here) I just think that the SD, relative to HD, isn't great.

Clare Newsome:

Have you tried THX Optimizer with the glasses? You can pick them up on eBay, then share them around  friends/family...

No, I haven't checked out the glasses, but to be honest, I tend to watch most stuff in HD anyway, so I'm not too bothered about SD.

Is the THX optimiser on DVD for SD only or will it optimise for HD also? Also whats the purpose of the backlight exactly. Seems to make blacks grey. Even on min blacks look grey.

So you're asking our reviewers to report on things they didn't see?

We've reported and highlighted the problems as well as the successes and now it needs to be up to individual consumers.

I think if whf had posted their setting ages ago, this would have sorted the problem out for ppl who have only a little but still noticeable clouding.