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Video feed source for retailer demos?

#1
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7/26/09 at 3:57pm
  • Joined: November 1999
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In major retailers (Fry's, Best Buy, HH Gregg, etc.) there is always a main display wall of TVs of various types/sizes, many of which are being fed the same image.  What I'm always aware of is that on many of them the picture is, should I say, less than stellar--fuzzy, pixilated, etc.  They just never seem to be demonstrating their true potential.  Of course, there are always those newly introduced models set apart with Blu-Ray and surround speakers hooked up for special attention.

Can anybody tell me what stores are using for a feed source for thier mass displays, and why they never seem to look as good as they might?  If I'm interested in a particular set, can I request a demonstration with, say, a Blu Ray or HD satellite?
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#2
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7/26/09 at 7:06pm
  • Joined: March 2000
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Greetings

If they cared about showing the TVs at their best ... they would calibrate them to some degree on the floor.

It's usually some component video or HDMI distribution system.

The source material is likely coming off a HDD and is bit starved.

You can always ask for anything and depending on the ease of hooking it up .. they might do it.

regards

Michael @ The Laser Video Experience
THX Video Systems Instructor
ISF Calibration Instructor
Lion A/V Consultants Network
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#3
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7/26/09 at 7:22pm
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Quote:
It's usually some component video or HDMI distribution system.


Really doubt that these days.  They usually have something stored on hard drive feeding an 8VSB or QAM modulator, distribute using coax RF and using the TV's digital tuners.
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#4
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7/27/09 at 5:38am
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Greetings

Guess you haven't visited the big box stores that I visit.

regards

Michael @ The Laser Video Experience
THX Video Systems Instructor
ISF Calibration Instructor
Lion A/V Consultants Network
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#5
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7/27/09 at 8:18am
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I suppose not, but Best Buy, Fry's, and Circuit City (before they croaked) at least in U.S. were all using RF distribution for their HD video demos last few years at least.  Don't know about HH Gregg.  Easier since less wiring, can use existing wiring, plus you can distribute multiple channels on a single cable.  Is Canada that much behind the times?

Anyway original poster can always find out which way the store is using by hitting the "info" or "input" button on the display to figure out whether the feed is on the tuner or from an external input.  As for why it doesn't look good, the source material sometimes isn't all that great to begin with, and it may be when they split the feed to two dozen sets they may not have the amp levels right & the sets are getting a marginal signal to tune to.  The feed at my local Best Buy usually looks pretty good though ...
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#6
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7/27/09 at 3:52pm
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Thanks, guys.  I've been paying particular attention to the latest crop of DLPs.  ShopNBC is constantly plugging the new Mitsubishi, and even their on-air demo looks pretty impressive.  In stores though they usually look kinda fuzzy, although motion is still much smoother than even the latest LCDs.
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#7
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8/2/09 at 4:29am
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Yeah, they're playing off of a hard drive, like a Tivo but designed more for stuff like this, and the bitrate's always too low so the picture goes blocky whenever anything moves.  Makes it impossible to judge a TV's performance in the store- I once commented about how bad the Best Buy instore material looked to a sales drone who replied- get ready for it- "But it's still High Definition."

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