Just got a new HDTV, tivo doesn't look the same.

[Shanezam203]

Hi All, I have been using my Tivo Lifetime for the last 2 years and I LOVE it.
In other rooms, I have Comcast DVR's (FREE from comcast) and I love my Single Tuner Tivo 100 times better. :)

I bought a new 42" Samsung HD TV and I have my Tivo in Input 1, and my Comcast HD Cable Box in Input 2 (for HD and HBO) and the picture isn't as clear as it was on even my 24" tv with the Tivo.

I went through the channels 0-99 and when I have the Tivo on with my new TV, the picture is not as crisp. The color isn't like it should, and the picutre just isnt how I am used to. And this TV is twice the size and 6 years newer technology, so I was confused.

When I go to Input 2, my Comcast DVR, even channels 1-99 that is Digital, but not HD look PERFECT on the new TV. Then the HD channels look even better, but that is HD.

My question is why does my TIVO not act as a digital cable box channels 1-99 with my new Samsung TV, and get as clear and crisp of a picture on this new TV but the Comcast Digital Cable box does?

[Mikeyis4dcats]

SD cable will never look better on an HDTV than on an old CRT

[jfh3]

Hi All, I have been using my Tivo Lifetime for the last 2 years and I LOVE it.
In other rooms, I have Comcast DVR's (FREE from comcast) and I love my Single Tuner Tivo 100 times better. :)

I bought a new 42" Samsung HD TV and I have my Tivo in Input 1, and my Comcast HD Cable Box in Input 2 (for HD and HBO) and the picture isn't as clear as it was on even my 24" tv with the Tivo.

I went through the channels 0-99 and when I have the Tivo on with my new TV, the picture is not as crisp. The color isn't like it should, and the picutre just isnt how I am used to. And this TV is twice the size and 6 years newer technology, so I was confused.

When I go to Input 2, my Comcast DVR, even channels 1-99 that is Digital, but not HD look PERFECT on the new TV. Then the HD channels look even better, but that is HD.

My question is why does my TIVO not act as a digital cable box channels 1-99 with my new Samsung TV, and get as clear and crisp of a picture on this new TV but the Comcast Digital Cable box does?

Because you have a Tivo Series 2 box (I suspect), which is an analog box and shows analog version of 1-99.

Sounds like your cable service is using ADS, so a digital box will show the digital versions of 1-99.

If you want Tivo+digital, get a new TivoHD box and use it in place of your cable box.

[Shanezam203]

yeah, that's what it looks like. It is a Series 2 Tivo box, with Lifetime.

Using it on a Standard TV, it looked 100%. Now using the same box on an HDTV looks BAD.

So what are my options if I want the TIVO interface, but Comcast Digital Cable picture?

Plug them into eachother, then to the TV?

Cable from the WALL, to Digital Cable Box IN, Cable box OUT to Tivo Cable IN, then Tivo RCA out to TV input 1?

Then would I get a Digital Cable picture, and channels over 100, or is the Tivo still capped at 99?

[MickeS]

SD cable will never look better on an HDTV than on an old CRT

Mostly because the HDTV will be a lot bigger.

[Shanezam203]

Mostly because the HDTV will be a lot bigger.
Yeah, I went from a 24" to a 42".

Why does it look so poorly on the 42"?

Do I have any options besides buy the HD tivo box for $300 and pay $6 a month?

[SleepyBob]

Yeah, I went from a 24" to a 42".

Why does it look so poorly on the 42"?


It's because the picture has been blown up 500% without any increase in the actual picture detail. It's like when you look at a picture on the computer. It looks great, but if you zoom in enough, all you can see is an unidentifiable blob.

[TiVo Fool]

Yeah, I went from a 24" to a 42".

Why does it look so poorly on the 42"?

Do I have any options besides buy the HD tivo box for $300 and pay $6 a month?
I'd wait, the price on the new TiVoHD will come down.

[Shanezam203]

I'd wait, the price on the new TiVoHD will come down.
I think that's what I will do.

Maybe around the holiday's it will come down to $200, who knows.

I was just curious to know why it looked better on the TV from Best Buy for $200, than the TV for $1250.

NOW I know. The Series 2 Tivo box I have is Analog, the new HDTV I have suggests I run at least a Digital Cable input or higher.

I will wait for the HD Tivo box to come down some.

Thanks guys,
Shane

[wolflord11]

All Series 2's are Analog. Your only option for HD is the Series 3, TivoHD or as you put it the Crappy Cable Company Ones. :D

[Shanezam203]

All Series 2's are Analog. Your only option for HD is the Series 3, TivoHD or as you put it the Crappy Cable Company Ones. :D
I don't care about HD, I just want a good picture on 1-99 and the Tivo interface.

Can I plug a digital cable box in from Comcast, into the Tivo, then to the TV?

Cable IN ---> from the wall to the Comcast DVR IN
Comcast Digital Cable Box ---> RF Out to Tivo Cable IN
Tivo --> Video OUT to the Input 1 on TV

I don't need HD, but then will my 1-99 be clear?
I want the picture to be clear, and the TIVO interface not the Comcast DVR.
:up: Shane

[astrohip]

Maybe around the holiday's it will come down to $200, who knows.
It is of course your money. But remember you can wait and wait for a lower price, and never really know when that is. Will it be even lower in six more months? Or do you just do it, to get the joy of a TiVo interface? This is why I bought the original S3 for $650 last year. I could have waited until the rebate was offered this spring, but that would have meant six more months of the pain of using the SA8300HD. And I didn't know if there would be a rebate.

The waiting game in consumer electronics is a double edged sword.

In other rooms, I have Comcast DVR's (FREE from comcast) and I love my Single Tuner Tivo 100 times better. :)
It's not free. If you think it is, ask them for five more, and see if your cable bill changes. It will. :eek:

[Shanezam203]

It's not free. If you think it is, ask them for five more, and see if your cable bill changes. It will. :eek:
On my bill they are $6.99 and there is a credit right after for $6.00 so they are $0.99. They matched an offer DISH had in my neighborhood.

Even being 99 cents, I would RATHER the Tivo Series 2 I have in my room.
:cool: Shane

[TiVo Fool]

The waiting game in consumer electronics is a double edged sword.
Yeah, but I would never buy something within the first couple months of its launch. It's almost guaranteed to come down before Christmas.

[Shanezam203]

I am not concerned with HD, I just want my Series 2 Tivo to look good on my new 42" TV.

Can I purchase a Digital Cable Box anywhere to initiate Cable IN, then go to my Tivo's Cable IN and get a Digital Picture?

I just want channels 1-70 digital/ crisp.

Thanks,
Shane

[wolflord11]

I am not concerned with HD, I just want my Series 2 Tivo to look good on my new 42" TV.

Can I purchase a Digital Cable Box anywhere to initiate Cable IN, then go to my Tivo's Cable IN and get a Digital Picture?

I just want channels 1-70 digital/ crisp.

Thanks,
Shane

This is the problem. And yes we are all well aware you are not concerned with HD.

Your TV: New 42" Samsung HD TV (Does SD but HD is best)
Your Tivo Unit: Series 2 Tivo (Does not do HD at all. Only Analog)

You can get a Digital Cable box not a Problem. If you ran it straight to your TV (NO TIVO) you would have a Crisp Digital Picture on your TV.

BUT, using your Tivo, the Series 2 takes the Digital Picture from your Cable Box, and changes it to ANALOG, then puts the ANALOG picture out to your TV. Even tho your TV is HD, it does not upscale the Picture back to HD, the picture stays as ANALOG.

That is what people have been trying to tell you.

[dianebrat]

I have a test, and trust me, once you do it, you'll see what we're saying.

Take the Tivo out of the equation, plug the cable direct into the TV, that is the best picture you can get on ch 1-99. Determine is that an acceptable image?

Then plug an antenna into the TV, pick a real HD signal, at that point when you've seen an HD picture, you'll may never be able to watch an SD Tivo again.

Mind you these are just my personal experiences, but I went from a 32" CRT to a 42" Plasma, and the differences were instantaneous, I used a CableCo HD DVR for a year until the S3 came out.

While the S2 is a great unit, it's SD, it will always be SD, and SD will never look anything better then "fair" on a 42" HD set (once again, IMNSHO)

Everyone is pointing you the same way, and its why the set manufacturers are so adamant in their documentation, if you want a great picture, you want an HD source. You're seeing what they're trying to avoid, poor pictures on expensive new sets.

An S3 or TivoHD with CableCARD (and the cableco HD DVR) will take advantage of the fact that many analog stations have a digital simulcast, and they grab those instead, but the S2 will never have access to that stream, they need to grab the analog output from the cable box.

Folks on the forum are all saying the same thing, it's not a conspiracy to get you into a more expensive DVR, nor do we get $5 for everyone we recruit,(lordy that would pay the mortgage quickly) it's because most of us have been where you are, and we had to learn the hard way, we're just trying to help you not go through the mistakes and problems we did.

Diane

[wolflord11]

You can get a Digital Cable box not a Problem. If you ran it straight to your TV (NO TIVO) you would have a Crisp Digital Picture on your TV.

BUT, using your Tivo, the Series 2 takes the Digital Picture from your Cable Box, and changes it to ANALOG, then puts the ANALOG picture out to your TV. Even tho your TV is HD, it does not upscale the Picture back to HD, the picture stays as ANALOG.

Look above. Diane pointed it out very nicely :D

[hardmusicfanatic]

Hi All, I have been using my Tivo Lifetime for the last 2 years and I LOVE it.
In other rooms, I have Comcast DVR's (FREE from comcast) and I love my Single Tuner Tivo 100 times better. :)

I bought a new 42" Samsung HD TV and I have my Tivo in Input 1, and my Comcast HD Cable Box in Input 2 (for HD and HBO) and the picture isn't as clear as it was on even my 24" tv with the Tivo.

I went through the channels 0-99 and when I have the Tivo on with my new TV, the picture is not as crisp. The color isn't like it should, and the picutre just isnt how I am used to. And this TV is twice the size and 6 years newer technology, so I was confused.

When I go to Input 2, my Comcast DVR, even channels 1-99 that is Digital, but not HD look PERFECT on the new TV. Then the HD channels look even better, but that is HD.

My question is why does my TIVO not act as a digital cable box channels 1-99 with my new Samsung TV, and get as clear and crisp of a picture on this new TV but the Comcast Digital Cable box does?
I have a 56" JVC HDTV and I ran into the same problem with my Dual Tuner Tivo. I changed to monster cables instead of the standard A/V cables. I have a monster S-Video and monster audio L & R cables. I also changed the color to "warm aspect" on my menu on my JVC. Made a world of Difference.

[jfh3]

The simple answer is - get a Tivo HD (or S3) box with cable cards, use an HDMI or composite cables from the THD to your TV.

Every other option will yield an inferior picture.

[Shanezam203]

Take the Tivo out of the equation, plug the cable direct into the TV, that is the best picture you can get on ch 1-99. Determine is that an acceptable image?

That was the 1st thing I did. I plugged Cable IN to the TV, Tivo, and the Comcast DVR. I got a better picture on the Comcast Digital Cable Box, 2nd was the Tivo, and worst was the TV tuner.

I figured the TV would have a poor tuner, but didn't think the Tivo box would.

I understand the Tivo is analog, and the HD Tivo box is recommended for an HDTV.

Thanks much for the info,
Shane

[ZeoTiVo]

That was the 1st thing I did. I plugged Cable IN to the TV, Tivo, and the Comcast DVR. I got a better picture on the Comcast Digital Cable Box, 2nd was the Tivo, and worst was the TV tuner.

I figured the TV would have a poor tuner, but didn't think the Tivo box would.

I understand the Tivo is analog, and the HD Tivo box is recommended for an HDTV.

Thanks much for the info,
Shane
guys - you can nopt compare a digital cable box to a TiVo doing analog. The fuxzzy you see is interference on the cable signal, not a tuning issue.

Just wait for the cable cards before you start comparing tuning to a digital cable box and trying to find digital channels and so forth.

[Shanezam203]

I have a monster S-Video and monster audio L & R cables. Made a world of Difference.
I just plugged in the S video from the Tivo and it does seem to look better than the Yello RCA. I can live with this, till the price of the HD box comes down.

[Stanley Rohner]

Yeah, but I would never buy something within the first couple months of its launch. It's almost guaranteed to come down before Christmas.

Probably not.

The new HD TiVo is cheaper than the TiVo Series3 HD box. I really doubt they'll drop the price of the new one by Christmas. They're actually trying to make money ya know. The Series3 HD TiVo was way out there at $1000, that's why the price on it dropped.

[dianebrat]

I got a better picture on the Comcast Digital Cable Box, 2nd was the Tivo, and worst was the TV tuner.

Shane, that's not a fair comparison at all, and that's what we're saying, the Comcast box is without a doubt grabbing the digital version of the channels in question as we said above.

You can't compare the TV tuner, or the Tivo which are forced to use the lower quality analog signals to the Comcast box that is using the digital simulcast. The only way to get that digital signal in Tivo interface is the TivoHD or S3 (or for those in the right Comcast market, the upcoming Comcast DVR with Tivo software)

And no, it's not obvious the box is doing that, we all have seen that because on an S3 you can easily see which channels are grabbing the analog vs digital simulcast.

Diane

[richsadams]

I figured the TV would have a poor tuner, but didn't think the Tivo box would.
Again, the S2 TiVo tuner is not poor...it is an analog not digital tuner.

Pop for a TiVo HD now...even if it drops $100 between now and December (unlikely IMO), it'll be the best $20/mo. investment you can make to see a real difference on your new HD TV. :up:

[Chip Z]

I just plugged in the S video from the Tivo and it does seem to look better than the Yello RCA. I can live with this, till the price of the HD box comes down.

I don't think I can wait until the price comes down, but I agree that the S video does a better job.

[ZeoTiVo]

I just plugged in the S video from the Tivo and it does seem to look better than the Yello RCA. I can live with this, till the price of the HD box comes down.
the price is not likely to come down anytime soon at all on the TiVo HD model. There may be a Christmas incentive but that is the first best hope of a price drop[ in my opinion.

heck I am trying to hold out for a lifetime transfer offer but I am thinking that has only small chance as well. :(

[[NG]Owner]

Tweaking the settings of the input on the TV that handles your Tivo will also make a world of difference.

I'm running a Series 2 Tivo on a 72" Toshiba DLP. When I first hooked up Tivo, the picture was abominable. I thought I'd have to send the Tivo back. I'm glad I didn't. I got the picture to be acceptable. In general make it "softer" and darker.

Is it HD? Is it digital? Nope, neither. But after having tweaked the input settings on the TV, the picture quality even on medium is acceptable.

In a nutshell ... tweak the picture settings on the TVs Tivo input.

[NG]Owner

[classicsat]

I don't care about HD, I just want a good picture on 1-99 and the Tivo interface.

Can I plug a digital cable box in from Comcast, into the Tivo, then to the TV?

Cable IN ---> from the wall to the Comcast DVR IN
Comcast Digital Cable Box ---> RF Out to Tivo Cable IN
Tivo --> Video OUT to the Input 1 on TV

I don't need HD, but then will my 1-99 be clear?
I want the picture to be clear, and the TIVO interface not the Comcast DVR.
:up: Shane

Yes, but there likely won't be a night and day improvement.

[Shanezam203]

Owner']Tweaking the settings of the input on the TV that handles your Tivo will also make a world of difference.

I'm running a Series 2 Tivo on a 72" Toshiba DLP. When I first hooked up Tivo, the picture was abominable. I thought I'd have to send the Tivo back. I'm glad I didn't. I got the picture to be acceptable. In general make it "softer" and darker.

Is it HD? Is it digital? Nope, neither. But after having tweaked the input settings on the TV, the picture quality even on medium is acceptable.

In a nutshell ... tweak the picture settings on the TVs Tivo input.

[NG]Owner
I have it now "acceptable." Much better than when I 1st plugged the Tivo in a few days ago, but now I adjusted the video output and the quality is a little better.

I will try this for a while, and then decide if I need the HD box.

Thanks much for all the help,
Shane

[ZeoTiVo]

I have it now "acceptable." Much better than when I 1st plugged the Tivo in a few days ago, but now I adjusted the video output and the quality is a little better.

I will try this for a while, and then decide if I need the HD box.

Thanks much for all the help,
Shane
here is a link to a helpful article that talks about tweaking those settings and some DVDs that help and so forth

http://tech.msn.com/howto/articlepcw.aspx?cp-documentid=5101912

[Shanezam203]

here is a link to a helpful article that talks about tweaking those settings and some DVDs that help and so forth

http://tech.msn.com/howto/articlepcw.aspx?cp-documentid=5101912
Thanks Mate, I'll take a look at it.

[TiVo Fool]

Probably not.

The new HD TiVo is cheaper than the TiVo Series3 HD box. I really doubt they'll drop the price of the new one by Christmas. They're actually trying to make money ya know. The Series3 HD TiVo was way out there at $1000, that's why the price on it dropped.
Hmmm...

TiVo DT now $99 (Tivo.com) THD $258 (Circuit City) (http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=360863)

:D

[BrianEWilliams]

I was going to start my own thread about the TiVo picture quality issue on an HDTV, but then I found this one. I just bought an Envision 42" LCD from Staples, and now the TiVo output from some shows looks terrible. I am not talking about digital artifacts or low resolution. Those I can live with. The bright spots are clipped and washed out. I've turned down the backlight, which helps, but it has secondary picture effects I don't like.

Shows like America's Got Talent really 'expose' this issue. The spotlights are so bright they look like the signal is getting clipped.

Has anyone else seen this oversaturation of the bright areas when viewing SD TiVo output on an HTDTV.

[dianebrat]

The Series3 HD TiVo was way out there at $1000, that's why the price on it dropped.

Please be at least somewhat accurate, the S3 was released at, and is still listed for $799. (not saying there haven't been and aren't better deals) But the S3 was never $1000

Diane

[Jedi4141]

I have it now "acceptable." Much better than when I 1st plugged the Tivo in a few days ago, but now I adjusted the video output and the quality is a little better.

I will try this for a while, and then decide if I need the HD box.

Thanks much for all the help,
Shane

Let me tell you about my SD experience. I started with a 50" Panasonic plasma with analog cable. PQ was ok. Finally got Comcast to come out and install digital cable w/their HD DVR. PQ on all my SD channels was in your words "acceptable". I did not have that dvr 5 weeks and upgraded to Tivo Series 3 with the same digital cable (I had two cable cards installed). SD looks great. I believe I was told that the upscaler the Tivo has is far superior and more expensive than what the cable company puts in their basic dvr.

My point: The Series 3 (and Tivo HD) will most likely cure your ailing SD woes. If it doesn't, return it.