How to get the Best TV Picture

Getting the best TV picture possible relies upon the following:

The TV brand
The model
Cables used
Your antenna system (for reliable tv reception)
Tuning & calibration settings
The source of the material being viewed (tv channels? dvd? burnt dvd? computer? blue ray?)

With a tv; generally the more you spend the better the tv picture performance will be. Yes, you really do get sharper images, blacker blacks, (darker blacks means brighter, more detailed colour) smoother pictures and finer detail.

Yet, we've seen time and time again that beautiful $4000 Sharp LCD tv that has been setup with the wrong settings and the wrong cables. And, then a $500 made-in-china tv outperforming it because it has been setup correctly. In this story, the best tv picture is coming from the the cheaper tv because of the cables and the calibration.

All six factors (top) make a difference and determine the outcome. You can have a nice brand-name television, have all the cables, professionally tuned; but be watching an old black and white movie or vcr tape and you just aren't going to get the tv picture any better. Why? Because the source of the material is poor quality. (more info below)

AV for the Best TV Picture - A big No, No!

All too often, we see our customers or AV setups where the Pay TV or a Dvd player is connected using Yellow, Red & White cables. There may be many reasons for this including, a lack of inputs, it's easier, the person who didn't know any better etc.

There is nearly nothing more frustrating to someone who does know. YOU ARE NOT UTILIZING THE FULL POTENTIAL OF YOUR EQUIPMENT! By using a better cable you can get a MUCH better TV picture! AV cables (yellow), that carry the picture signal can deliver a resolution a maximum of 576 dpi. Yes you may need to call a TV service technician to set your gear up properly, but the difference it will make is well worth it!

Vs.

Component for the best TV picture - Alot better!

Using component cables (Green, Blue, Red) are a much better option. They are still an analogue signal but will deliver a picture equal to that of HDMI (1080p) when your equipment is set on the correct settings.

Some equipment like older Foxtel boxes will require a scart to component cable to get a better picture, but these boxes themselves do not output a 1080p picture. Whilst they do not output in Full HD you can still improve the TV picture over a standard AV (yellow) connection by using component.

What is the best TV picture you can get? (Source material)

Currently it's a blue ray DVD that will give you the best TV picture you can possibly get. (1080p) This also depends on cabling, calibration, TV brand and model of course. A laptop/computer can also deliver 1080p. Pay TV, vcr tapes, even HD free to air channels just don't have the same resolution. (Dots per square inch). This also depends on what channel your watching and what programme!

Depending on the channel and what programme that you may be viewing, your surround sound & audio quality is effected as well.

Now that 4K is coming you can get an even better picture again. (Once again there is no 4K sources, except the latest sports camera - GoPRO)

Articles:

Learn which cables determine the best TV picture. Read more...
Learn how your antenna system plays a part in getting the best TV picture you can get. Read more...
To get the best audio quality from your system - what cables to use read more...