Out of Focus Picture

[machrist]

I am new to this forum and I was wondering if anyone has any thoughts on the following (I have tried to find any/all information on the problem I am having, and to no avail am still searching for answers):

I just had Directv installed this week......3 rooms, 3 Samsung S300 receivers..........my problem is that on all 3 TVs my picture is slightly out of focus........I don't have brand new TVs, but they are not exactly old either. I am using the video inputs instead of basic channel 3......I do not have S-video inputs.

Has anyone had this out of focus problem with ALL channels? I am at a loss of what to do.....the technician came back and says wiring is OK and that maybe high-end A/V cables would improve the situation. Reading some of the posts it seems that the signal is the problem (too much overcompression).

So does this mean even if I bought a brand new HDTV, I would have the same problem?

[Mike D-CO5]

It would be worse on an hdtv. Especially if it was a big screen. Analog looks awful on a hdtv- period. I returned my hd big screen last fall because it made analog satellite picture from Dish look god awful.

[sidekick]

Not familiar with the samsung, but you might open one of the rcvrs and check to see if there is an adjustment screw on top of the little metal box at the output terminal for the cable to tv. The rca models have one, a small black knob that acts as a screw for the tuning coil slug.

[bonscott87]

Also, S-Video will make the picture look tons better. Hopefully you aren't using coax to make the connection. If you are then that could be the reason, plus you can get interferrence with coax more then the others as well. If you can't use S-Video then use the "RCA" composite connecitons. They are much better then crappy coax.

The only other thing I could think of is that if it's all channels on all your different TV's then there must be some interferrence going on somewhere in your house or near the dish. Any kind of high powered eletrical gear might do it if you cables run near it. Something to check for anyway.

If you are worried about your receivers, take one over to a friend that has DirecTV or to your dealer (if you got your stuff from one) and hook it up and see if you get the same results. At least it might make you feel better knowing if it were that receiver model or not.

[machrist]

I purchased some heavy duty a/v cables and the problem still persists.......I checked to see if the cables are near any high powered lines and don't see any.........the wires do come into the cellar near the fuse box/alarm box and such. I really hope this isn't it, cause I doubt I can bring it in anywhere else.

I may be calling to cancel seeing this picture is really bad and my eyes hurt after watching......looks like crawling back to COX may be in the offing.

Thanks for suggestions........

[bonscott87]

Have you taken one of your receivers to a friends house just to make sure it's not your receiver? If you don't know anyone with DirecTV, maybe a local dealer will help you out and let you test it. Might as well do that first before you go through all the trouble of returns and switching again.

[bonscott87]

Also, are your cables coming from the dish properly grounded? They should all go into a grounding block either before they enter the house or just after they enter the house. This should then have a grounding wire connected to the main ground for the house. Then from the block will go the cables to your receivers and whatnot. If not properly grounded you could be getting various feedback loops going on.

[boba]

Have you tried adjusting the sharpness setting in the menu of your TV set that may improve your picture many are factory set too high.

[rcbridge]

Have you looked at another source (DVD ,VCR).
Do either of those look fuzzy? If you can, use the same inputs as the sat feed. If not you probably don't have a problem with the set .
Can you drag another TV to that spot and temporarily input the Sat feed into it, is it fuzzy , this will allow you to eliminate the sat install or the TV.
Good luck with your troubleshooting.