When 1080p is really 1080i
I bought a JVC TV in early 2006 that I paid a hefty premium for to get the best possible quality of 1080p thinking I would eventually get a source that would drive this TV. Well, it took longer than I thought, but I just replaced a failing JVC DVD player (that only lasted a measly 4.5 years) with a new LG Blu-ray player. That's when I found out that the LG player couldn't drive my TV at 1080p. So I tried to contact tech support.
Greetings,After 40 minutes on hold waiting for tech support to answer I thought I'd try this route.I just bought a new LG BD370C Blu-ray player and connected it to my JVC LT-40FH96 TV. The LG allows several resolutions but when I try to set it to 1080p, the TV goes black and a few seconds later the LG reverts back to 1080i.This is the first device capable of 1080p that I've used on the TV. The TV works fine with my 1080i PVR. I've tried both HDMI ports on the TV and two different HDMI cables without success.The TV was bought on 2006-02-20. Is there a firmware update I could download to see if this will help? Any other suggestions.
Hello xxx,Thank you for your email.This model accepts 1080i max, it will then display as 1080p. The LT-40FH96 will not accept 1080p resolution.Sincerely,JVC Service
After sitting in stunned silence for a few seconds, watching my blood start to boil, I composed this reply,
Greetings,Thank you for the quick, but very disappointing response. I'm faxing this response to the head office since they don't want to hear from customers via email.So what you're telling me is that I've been lied to by the authorized JVC dealer who sold this to me as a 1080p set, with no mention that it was really a 1080i set in disguise. To say that I'm disgusted at this deception is an understatement.And I see that JVC is complicit in this deception as evidenced by the fact there is no mention that this set only accepts 1080i on your web site. See the page at:It clearly states, "High Resolution Widescreen (1920 x 1080) Full HD LCD Display"."Full HD" to me doesn't mean only 1080i in. As far as I'm concerned, I paid a hefty premium for a 1080p set but really only have a 1080i set.I then searched the online copy of the User Guide at:There is no mention that this set is not a true 1080p set, although it does fail to mention 1080p and only talks about 1080i.Then I searched the Internet and found numerous stories how JVC has not advertised this limitation on the boxes of other sets you made too.Although I've spent many thousands of dollars buying TVs, VCRs, Tuner/Amps, and DVD players from JVC, essentially you're telling me never to buy another JVC product because I can't believe what the specifications say on the box or manual, or what I'm told by a salesperson (who probably knew better because I bought it from a specialty store, not a big-box retailer).In my opinion, I've been defrauded. Fortunately, with the power of the Internet, I can publicize this egregious deception.I'll close by thanking you for the education on how not to get screwed on my next TV purchase, which most definitely will not be a JVC.
Update 2006-06-24:
JVC responds,
I buy equipment with an eye to the future. I'm not going to replace a multi-thousand dollar TV every few years, so yes, I expect that 1080p sources would come along and I'd be able to get the best quality then.
Hello xxx,
There's no deception here 1080p sources in 2005 were practically non-existent -- Blu-ray players started to be introduced in the fall of 2006. The LT40FH96 is a 2005 1080p LCD display. Please look at the timeline of HD1080p availability.
I am providing you with links to some useful information:
http://hometheater.about.com/od/televisionbasics/qt/1080ivs1080p.htm
http://blog.hometheatermag.com/geoffreymorrison/0807061080iv1080p/
http://www.hometheatermag.com/gearworks/1106gear/
Let's look at just the text in the first link where it states, "In 1080p, each frame of video is sent or displayed progressively. This means that both the odd and even fields (all 1,080 pixel rows or pixel lines) that make up the full frame are displayed together. This results in a smoother looking image [than 1080i], with less motion artifacts and jagged edges."
So JVC is pointing me to a source of information that clearly states 1080p is better than 1080i, but they hid the fact that my set could not handle a 1080p source. To this day, they're still trying to justify their actions by referring me to content that validates my stance. The arrogance of that is simply stunning.
But JVC thinks that just because a 1080p source is rare, they can hide the fact that their set is not true 1080p. Why not be up front about it? Because they know that people would just buy the cheaper set.
You know, it's one thing for a company to be caught deceiving their customers, but it's a new low when they try to defend their actions.
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