HD Picture Issues w/Directv

[mrhontzo]

I didnt know where to post this , I hope someone can give me help on this. I have D*v for HD, a Samsung TS360 receiver, and a RCA Scenium 52" 16x9 Rear pro TV. I am using the DVI input for HD. I have noticed(mostly with Espn) that the bottom of the screen is being cut off. Is there a setting I can use to correct this. Im slightly concerned since this is to be the "future" of Television, and the channel doenst fit on the screen. Any help is appriciatted.



Mike

[Ratman]

Your TV probably needs some minor geometry adjustments. If the set is new... call for warranty service. This is a 'general problem' with most all TV's today.

Although, if you have access to the 'service menus', you can possibly perform the adjustments yourself. But, as a novice, you do run the risk of making the picture worse (or unwatchable) if you make a mistake and/or voiding your warranty.

[Cody]

I believe this is an issue with RCA Scenium TV's. I purchased one a year ago and had the same problem. I tried a new STB and there was no change. I went back to circuit city and we hooked my STB to their distribution system and sent the satellite signal to every TV int he store. The result, every RCA Scenium TV had the problem. I traded in the Scenium for a Sony and am very happy I did. The basic edition Sony blew the Scenium away and the picture fit perfectly on the screen. Best of luck dude!!!

[mrhontzo]

I just got off the phone with RCA, they were quick to point the finger at SAmsung, go figure, I am going to make a trip tonight to the dealer where I bought the set, If I can duplicate the problem, maybe they will listen to me. If not RCA mentioned that there might be a vertical adjustment available on the samsung, anyone know anything about this?

Thanks

Mike :confused:

[twonami]

I don't know about the Samsung box having any adjustment but almost all TVs out of the box are set incorrectly. I would get into the TV picture menu with a calibration DVD and make adjustments and then get into service menu to tweak the rest of the settings.

[mrhontzo]

I am having problems getting ESPNHD to fit in my Screen, is anyone else having this issue,
RCA Scenium D52w136D
Samsung SIR-TS360 W/ Monster DVI cable

I just want know if anyone else has experienced this problem, its cutting off the bottom inch or so from the crawler at the bottom of the screen. :confused:

Mike

[Cody]

The problem is with the RCA Scenium TV to the best of my knowledge. In the example I showed above I was using a Sony hd200. If they want evidence just look at the example I showed. When every RCA Scenium TV exhibits the same problem while other tv's are working correctly, that shows exactly where RCA stands. Just for your knowledge, the problem is worse when using the DVI, when using the component inputs it was only half as bad. Not that this is any excuse for RCA. RCA is just giving you the run around. Corporate America at its best!!! If they were having the problem a year ago when I was making my purchase, and they still haven't fixed the issue to date, that sounds like a major issue that they will never admin to. That would be a big time RECALL. If you still have time to return the set I would do it quickly. Look in these forums for info on some other brands. I do Remember one funny thing about the test at Circuit City, the standard RCA sets DID NOT have the problem, only the Scenium's.

[Ratman]

Call and INSIST for a tech to come out under warranty and adjust the geometry on the set. It will probably solve your issues. If not... return it.

BTW... don't call RCA/Thomsom. They are useless and never admit to anything. Contact an 'authorized' RCA service center directly to come and take a look.

[mrhontzo]

Thanks for the help, I talked to a "HD Specialist" at RCA last night, talk about 2 words that dont belong in the same sentance. After going around for about 15 minutes, SHE told me that there is no adjustment available through the DVI or Component inputs in the set, and that it has to be a problem with the SIR-TS360. I told her that I was going to take the TS360 to my dealer and plug it in to a different brand, and another Scenium tv, and if the problem goes away on the different brand, its the TV, and it should be fixed. She told me that all RCA Scenium Tvs are this way. I asked her if the problem doesnt show up on the different brand, then I would think that the problem is with the Tv. Again she told me that no, the problem isnt with the tv, there all that way, to which I replied, then "your tv's are s#!t. She politly told me that was my opinion. I know a little about working on these but I am very nervous about accessing the service menu on my own, I know the procedure to do so, but I dont want to mess the set up. I am 100% certain that it is a simple geometry problem with the set. My salesman is going to make a few calls for me today. I am going to demand that it gets repaired, or they take it back and I buy a different one.



Mike

[57U]

It almost sounds as if the TV has too much "overscan". This can be checked using a setup DVD like AVIA (I'm sure AVIA has overscan, not sure about the others)

Typical overscan for new HDTVs is about 4-6%. Many people reduce the overscan to about 3% (do not go any lower, otherwise you can run into problems seeing things on the screen that should not be there (white dots for CC, etc))

I would also call for a technician to correct the situation, or get a different TV.

[mrhontzo]

Go figure, I am having the Tech from the store where I bought it come out and look at the set. Hopefully he brings a service manual I can scam from him for future reference.



More to come Monday

Mike

[mrhontzo]

Well, the tech justy left, and Ive already made a phone call to the store that sold me the set. He didnt want to make any adjustments, and told me if I wanted to see all the info, I should put the sat reciever in standard 4:3 mode, Im sorry but thats unacceptable, Im going to make a trip to the store and see what ESPN looks like on other sets, if no problem shows, I am going to insist they take the tv back.


More to follow.....

Mike

[Ratman]

That's a shame. This is a problem that can be easily adjusted. If I lived near you... I bet I'd be able fix it in 5 minutes.

Do what you must. But I'd raise hell with the Thomson/RCA and their 'supposed' authorized service techs!

I feel your pain!

[mrhontzo]

Further update, I talked to the manager of the store, and told him that I wanted to simply test the Scenium tv they have, with the panasonic and toshibas they have. I am not sure if the manager fully understood my dilemma, but he was willing to let me look at all they had to offer. They are a local store that has always treated me right.


Mike

[mrhontzo]

Ok, The manager is a nice guy, but totally clueless when it comes to tv's. I looked at 2 Scenium, and 4 toshibas, the toshiba tube 30 and 34" had what looked to be a left to right overscan, while the 46" toshiba was also in need of tweeking, however the 2 Scenium's they had hooked up, displayed ESPNHD just fine. He also told me that the tech that came to my home was not the best one to be adjusting my TV. he gave me another service center that could help me with my problem, so I am going to wait this out a little more. He also shared with me that Im not the first person to have a problem with the setup of the tv's.


Mike

[mrhontzo]

I convinced the dealer to take the Scenium back, only catch, they wanted to simply swap it for another identical model. I asked to have it hooked up in the showroom before they delivered it. We hooked it up last night and it has the EXACT problem. They said they wanted me to try the Scenium before they swapped to a Toshiba model. I am waiting to have the store open to call them. I guess this shows where Rca is with the HD. The Dlp models they had looked great, I guess they are just outsourcing to a better vendor for those.



Mike

[Splicer]

Accept no imitations. Get the Toshiba! :smokin:

[mrhontzo]

Its a done deal! The Toshiba 51H84 delivers on Saturday. I went and had them hook up the Scenium that they were going to swap for mine, we hooked it up next to a Scenium DLP, and the toshiba, the picture was identical to the one I have at home, they agreed to simply swap me for the Toshiba no more questions asked.

hopefully my troubles are over.


Mike

[Splicer]

:rockon: :D :lurk: :smokin: