HD Scenes look fake - is it my Samsung TV?

Thank you so much for responding. I did try turning off the 120hz but I don't notice the difference. Also i'm trying to understand the "soap opera" effect. Is that just about seeing judders or what I described like the images in the foreground look superimposed over the background? Or like actors walking around on a set?

Also here's my full hookup info:
HD Cable Box - Samsung
Cable Company - Time Warner Cable - New York City (cable box is set to 1080i, 16:9)
HDMI Cables - i'm using the ones that came with my HD Cable Box from Time Warner (they are 1.3)

Thank you so much for responding. I did try turning off the 120hz but I don't notice the difference. Also i'm trying to understand the "soap opera" effect. Is that just about seeing judders or what I described like the images in the foreground look superimposed over the background? Or like actors walking around on a set?

Also here's my full hookup info:
HD Cable Box - Samsung
Cable Company - Time Warner Cable - New York City (cable box is set to 1080i, 16:9)
HDMI Cables - i'm using the ones that came with my HD Cable Box from Time Warner (they are 1.3)

It makes movies seem like they were filmed on a camcorder or something. I'm watching Rocky, it looks hilarious. I've never seen this b4

You just saved my day, i was so angry when i got back home with my new samsung tv just to realise how bad opera effect it has! I understand it is hd and it is clear image, but i hope manufactures will always give option to turn this off as it is awful! Generally all tvs have this option somwhere to turn it off, "motion plus" is in samsung, you can also try to change the picture modes to movie then soap opera goes away completly

I think I'm going to stop by BestBuy later to look at plasma but I don't think they come in 32" which is the size I bought.

n/t

Well would you recommend a plasma over an LCD tv? I can't afford the LED LCD so I guess I'd be looking at a 40" plasma. I'm returning my tv today so I need to decide.

First, I saw a 32" (I think it was 32") Panasonic Plasma at Costco for cheap.

Second, I have two 120Hz LCDs that do not exhibit any of that weird "soap opera" effect. Many people complained about this effect but I didn't see it until I setup my father-in-laws Samsung 240Hz TV this past weekend, and that weird effect was so evident, I couldn't watch the TV. My father-in-law doesn't see it. My two large LCDs are a Sony and a Toshiba Regza. Both have stunning pictures in both HD cable and Blu-Ray Dics vieweing. The Toshiba was rated as having the best 120Hz processing of any TV, which I didn't know until I bought this TV. Many people also thing Toshiba makes low-end TVs, which they do but for that market, but they also make very good expensive TVs too. I've had mine for 1 year and I love it.

I bit the bullet and went for a Pioneer Pro151fd since I found it for $4400. Unfortunately, when it arrived, screen was shattered and I could not find another one available for less than $6500 anywhere and the store that sold it to me had given me their last one. What a bummer.. I was determined however and instead ordered a pdp6050, which is next lower model down in the pioneer line..

I already own a Samsumg LN46A850 LCD which has a very nice pic...

But man.. Pioneer is just something else. There is simply no comparison... I have been missing out on a great picture for so long. I am very happy with my purchase and recommend plasma to everyone. There simply is no comparison.. It is sooo unfortunate that plasma is pulling out of the market. Only panasonic seems to be determined to stay but I wonder how long for. I am so sorry that pioneer is not manufacturing these any more.

Happy viewing

Check this thread on AVS Forum:
Link > http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=18063955

"You can adjust the judder and blur independently to eliminate the cartoonish look and/or artifacts."

Soundgardner - yes exactly! I actually just got back from BestBuy and spoke to a salesman there that I liked and he said the same thing. He said if I really care about movies looking like "movies" and not actors on a film set, then I need to go with a plasma. I mostly only watch movies on cable and some boxing and MMA. I don't really watch DVDs, I don't game, and maybe I'll connect my PC but not sure yet. So for that I think a plasma might be the way to go. I also still see a lot of motion blur even when I have my 120 Auto Motion Plus turned to "Smooth" and the Judder and Blur Reduction turned up to 10. I hope a plasma will be better so now I have to start researching which one to get. I really can't go over 1,000 and would love to stay around 800 so we'll see.

Auto Motion Plus 120Hz Off / Clear / Standard / Smooth / Custom / Demo Removes drag from fast scenes with a lot of movement to provide a clearer picture.
If you enable Auto Motion Plus 120Hz, noise may appear on the screen. If this occurs, set Auto Motion Plus 120Hz to Off.
Off: Switches Auto Motion Plus 120Hz off.
Clear: Sets Auto Motion Plus 120Hz to minimum.
Standard: Sets Auto Motion Plus 120Hz to medium.
Smooth: Sets Auto Motion Plus 120Hz to maximum.
Custom: Adjusts the blur and judder reduction level to suit your preference.

Blur Reduction: Adjusts the blur reduction level from video sources.
Judder Reduction: Adjusts the judder reduction level from video sources when playing films.
Reset: Reset the custom settings.
Demo: Displays the difference between Auto Motion Plus 120Hz on and off modes.

By "adjust" I mean turn it off or set it to it's lower setting. The judder level can make all programming look like high contrast VHS tapes.

What would judder have to do with the color of the picture? I thought judder was when the picture skips for freezes for a second?

for pixelization. That's likely due to your cable provider compressing the heck out of an already overcompressed signal.

The most common source of pixelation for the general populace is not broadcaster related, but rather signal reception issue.

Pixelation is most often a sign that your signal is low which will adversely affect the performance of your digital system across the board.

Unless most of the populace is using over the air antennas and I just don't know about it, then the cable and satellite providers very much are to blame for pixelization that people see in "HD" programming. They compress the hell out of signals (many of which were already fairly compressed to begin with) to fit in more channels. The bandwidth for a decent signal is there. They just choose to fill it up with quantity over quality.

Whether speaking of DirecTV or Dish Network, neither exhibits regular or frequent pixelation when properly installed. Plenty of people see little or no pixelation. A properly set up satellite system will rarely drop signal and provides consistent viewing through all but the worst of weather.

The providers have not crossed the line to the point where everyone has problems because of the way they use compression. The problem is not usually over compression. The problems are usually due to poor installation, and the solution is for the satellite companies to provide better training for installers and to change priorities from speed and volume to quality.

And I can verify from personal experience that Comcast and Time Warner both have crappy HD signals.

Whether the issue is at the source or the problem of their installers is inconsequential. The end result is that most consumers get horrible looking HD feeds from standard cable connections. FIOS doesn't boast about the quality of their signal for no reason. Direct comparison screenshots show a remarkable difference:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1008271

The bigger point is that the LCD's don't inherently pixelate any worse than plasmas as per the OP's original concern. The problems is always with the source material.

I have also seen widely varying quality in cable systems.

There are a few things a person can do with cable systems.

1. Start where the cable enters the home and check all fittings. They should be just over finger tight. Inside they should have no corrosion and the center needle should protrude from the fitting 1/16th inch. Check the ground block and replace if necessary.

2. Make sure cables are RG-6 not RG-59.
3. Remove any unnecessary cables.
4. Remove any unnecessary splitters.
5. Use correctly sized splitters, or cap (terminate) any open ports
6. Remove any excess length of cables.
7. Calibrate your television.

These things will decrease pixelation and increase PQ in most cable installs.

Let's make sure we are clear about this for the OP's sake. Nor does it have anything to do with whether your TV is Plasma or LCD nor does it have anything to do with the refresh rate.

Pixelization is all about a poor digital signal.

While some pixelation can come from the broadcasters, this is a small portion of the pixelation witnessed.

The majority of pixelation is caused by poor signal reception in the home.

Thank you minimalist!

I included calibration in the list because it has a large bearing on picture quality and relates to the original question. Calibration does not have any relation to pixelation.

I know this is a very old post, but I just came across it while doing a google search because i was trying to look for a reason why my movies and shows look amateurish on my new TV. I am using a Smart Viera Plasma TV, made in 2013 with Satellite (DirecTV) signal, and i am having this issue so I know Plasma is not the solution. It is very annoying and I don't know what i can do about it. I hope there is a simple fix.

What you have said isn't enough to triangulate your specific issue(s).

My experience is the opposite. A quality plasma HDTV normally spanks the daylights out of everything other than the very top end of LED models.

Content is king though. What services/channels/settings are present so we can compare? Examples:

Comcast, NBC sports match, DirectV receiver/model number, HDMI cable from box to AV receiver, etc. Also list which Panasonic plasma model you own.

Be verbose so we can assist.

It may also be an example of unrealistic expectations. In any case, let us know more