Faint vertical lines

[ad1974]

Anyone here got an Atec 320W and using Sky HD? I noticed some faint vertical lines in about 5 places, only visible when watching Sky Sports HD (cricket or football).....other HD channels look fantastic, though not seen any football on BBC HD yet, one on this week so I'll try it. It made the picture look terrible due to your attention being grabbed by these lines. I phoned Amkotron (service engineers for Atec) who immediately collected my TV and replaced it on a swap out warranty. Thing is I'm still getting these lines on this replacement set. I did see a post on another forum regarding Toshiba and the suggestion was to use component, although I failed to see an improvement. I tried the HD box thru component on my bedroom tv, which is a Toshiba 20wlt56, which is HD compatible thru' component upto 720p and didn't have a problem with these lines.

Has any one else had this problem and found a cure? Thought I'd ask before I phone amkotron again and start to sound like a whinger.


Thanks and belated new year best wishes to all. :D

[ad1974]

Just an update after watching the FA cup football on BBC HD, the lines although still there, were hardly visible...I probably wouldn't have noticed if I wasn't looking for them.

Is it possible that it's just the sky sports broadcasts doing this? I have always thought the the quality on BBC HD is superior to Sky (maybe because it's a trial channel?). Baffling me now. Any ideas from any one with an HD tv and Sky HD welcome.

cheers.

PS glad I'm not a Magpies fan after watching that game.

[JDowdall]

hmmm tricky one there how are you connecting the sky hd box to the tv it could be that or it could just be the transmission and the signal you have got

[illusionalSin]

Hmmm, normally if it was a broadcast issue, you wouldnt see lines, the screen would probably flicker and you'll see random sqaures all the place, since its digital technology. I have got it with freeview sometimes, its because of a low signal. For this, kinda sounds like the tv. Is this happening with analogue tv? On every channel, maybe when you play dvds?? Not tried?

[ad1974]

Thank you both for replies.

I am connected via dvi (but have tried component too). I am using a DVI switch box, but removed that to see if it made any difference - it didn't. Have tried various leads without any change - normally use the one I ordered from Novatech with the TV. Haven't seen this problem on anything except sports(sky) channels. Normal SD sports broadcasts appear to have the lines, but when you go to HD it appears to improve the clarity of these lines as well as the broadcast.

It's only when there is a lot of camera action that it seems to happen. The camera follows the action, but the lines stay put.

Have watched dvds thru dvi and component without any problems. Infact all the other HD channels are superb and the TV does HD broadcasts proud. Will give the scart lead a try with Sky HD and a std sky box. Haven't watched analogue tv on this set and can't as yet as the wind took my antenna down.

Have got good signal strength, though suppose always room for improvement. Would this cause BBC vs Sky quality to differ?

Someone I know suggested it was a backlight problem - don't know enough about the process, but i didn't think that it would cause a fault like this

I'll give Amkotron another call on Monday and post back any findings or advice I receive.

Thanks again guys

[illusionalSin]

Backlight problem? I am sure you'll notice more then a few lines.

You could either try using a different power socket. How old is the house your living in?? Might sound strange asking that but its only what i have found out

You could try an 3db attenuator on the cable.

If all else fails, its not you. Surely, if you get good quality signals from all other channels, the screen is fine.

[ad1974]

Sorry for the delay in replying.

I have tried switching socket previously without success (and bought new dvi and component leads too). But as an update, I noticed that I can now see these "lines" whilst using my pc against the blue wallpaper on win xp.....these seem to suggest that the panel is at fault.

I've tried calling the service agents, but couldn't get through so will try again tomorrow and see what they say.

Thanks for replies\ suggestions and i'll update here.

Ady

[ad1974]

As an update: I'm still waiting to hear from the service company. I was told to email their workshop manager, but as yet haven't had a reply. I also emailed Atec, but, as yet, also no response.

Amkotron also told me that they no longer have any of these tv's, so if it has to go back then it wont be possible to swap it for one of there own.
So no tv if I have to send it back.

I have also spotted these lines whilst using pc so has to be tv. Tried connecting through VGA to check that but dvi to vga via an adapter and the tv wont work!!!!(Does on another tv, so not gfx card). My luck seems to have run out at the moment.

[ad1974]

Had to turn to Novatech for assistance. It turns out that Amkotron are no longer the service company being used.

Have to be without my tv for most of cricket world cup, but if it gets rids of these lines I will be happy.

[Fozzee]

I have a similar issue with my 37" atec.
I have done some reading and think this is called the mura effect.
Apparently a lot of LCDs suffer from this. Mine is like a vertical band on the right side. Also shows up mostly in green backround (football and cricket) Is this grounds for return??

Let me know how you get on with your problem cheers

[ad1974]

My unit was collected on Monday, so may be 28 days before I know anything. I'll post back here, but if you can't wait then give Novatech a call and see what they can do. You may be able to get a replacement 37" faster than this (replacements are currently having to be sourced from Germany).

Sorry you also have this problem, although on the other hand it's nice to know it isn't just me.
I'll read up on the "mura effect" - thanks for the information.

Good luck.

[Fozzee]

So have they agreed to replace it but it will take 28 days?

If so why didn't they let you keep the other one till it arrived?

[ad1974]

I'm under the impression that they will look at the fault first, but it will be replaced if it cannot be fixed. I only got the second unit, because the former warranty company had one available, otherwise would have had to be without a tv then too.

I've known warranties like this before, that aren't 'on site' policies. To be honest I'm just glad that someone was sorting it out, although 20" widescreen does look very small as a replacement!!!

If a new unit is sent, that exhibits the same problem, then that is where I have to investigate what I can do.

[ad1974]

Quick update, Novatech have got me a new panel (very quick, considering the eta I was given). It will be here on Wednesday, the first day I am available to take delivery. I will update when I have got it all plugged back in.

[ad1974]

My new panel is here and everything is spot on...no sign of those annoying lines.
A great big thank you to everyone at Novatech, James French, Matt Fowkes and especially Stacey in customer services who got my new panel here at a convienient time for me and(from what I was told by the courier) at great expense.... saved me from going to work on 12hr night shifts without sleep too!

Lets just hope England can pull out all the stops to show what the tv can do.

Ady :D