Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

SD content on bigger HD Led TV

by May 25, 2016 9:43AM PDT

Hi there!


I want to buy a LED Smart TV. I'm going to use it to watch Satellite SD channels.

I have two options:-
1- Samsung smart Led TV 32" J4303 HD 720P
2- Samsung Smart Led TV 40" J5200 FHD 1080P

I read in many websites that the second TV is much better than the first one, but it is 40 Inches and FHD while I am going to watch SD TV channels.

I'm so worried about using a bigger screen with FHD Led TV to watch SD content. It may be wonderful with HD content but is it able to upscale Standard definition content to be watched on 40 FHD screen?

The first TV isn't good. It isn't good at upscaling SD content so the image isn't that good for movies and TV but it is good for games and sport watching. The reviews for Samsung J3403 depend on showing HD content but it might do well showing SD content as long as it is just 32 inches and 720P

I really need help..... I'm so disappointed and I can't make a decision..

Thanks for help

Discussion is locked

6 Posts
- Collapse + Expand Details
- Collapse -
Answer
It must upscale.
by Forum moderator May 25, 2016 9:48AM PDT

If it didn't there would be a postage stamp video surrounded by black area.

Now that we know it upscales, the old discussion about "How good is it?" is sadly overdone and done. You can't add quality to old content so you play it and accept it's not HD or FHD with warts and all.

- Collapse -
Simple
by 11Tamer76 May 25, 2016 10:07AM PDT

IS using bigger FHD screen 40" makes SD content worse than using 720P HD 32 " screen?

- Collapse -
That's the old...
by r. proffitt Forum moderator May 25, 2016 10:18AM PDT

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder."

To me it won't matter if the SD content is on 720P, 1080, of UHD since the content is the same.

Here's my advice. Get the 1080P and you are set for years. Plus you can put it another foot away and it's same as your 720P as far as most eyes can tell.

- Collapse -
Some degree of trial and error is required
by Pepe7 May 25, 2016 10:30AM PDT

Yes, two HDTVs can look a bit different but it's often splitting hairs at typical viewing distances. It does depend on who's watching and what content/channels are actually being viewed. Even across the DISH (etc.) lineup, some shows/feeds might not be acceptable per se but some will most definitely be adequate on either a 720p or 1080p rig. YMMV.

Bob's advice to stick with a 40" 1080p is solid.

I am curious though- are you seriously not getting *any* HD content via your sat provider??

cheers

- Collapse -
10 HD channels
by 11Tamer76 May 25, 2016 3:34PM PDT

Thanks Pepe7

We are in Egypt. We have a satellite (Nilesat 101). All the Egyptian channels are SD. There are about 10 channels among those 700 channels which are HD. They are not Egyptians but they are Arabic from Emirate, Qatar and Kuwait so I'm not interested in watching something from my culture.

There are Some prepaid channels OSN but I have to pay a lot annually to get the decoder to watch.

So I watch only free to air SD channels,

- Collapse -
One more thing
by Pepe7 May 26, 2016 9:06AM PDT

Just make sure that whatever HDTV you purchase, you have some sort of return policy if possible. This way the trial and error part will apply.

Good luck.

Back to TVs & Home Theaters forum

CNET Forums

Operating Systems
Software
Electronics & Gadgets
Hardware
Tablets & Mobile Devices
General Help
Brand Forums
Roadshow Autos
Off Topic

Other Forums

Forum Info