How to Improve Analog Channels on LCD TV

Standard-definition (SD) TV channels are inherently less attractive to look at on an LCD TV than high-definition channels are. To improve the analog SD television channel, adjust the settings on the LCD TV with the aid of a HDTV calibration DVD. You can purchase the HDTV calibration DVD from a computer store or an electronics supply store, and it will work on a standard DVD player. The LCD TV adjustments do not require accessing any hidden menus; they only require the use of the included remote.

• 1

  Connect one end of an HDMI cable to the HDMI output on the DVD player. Connect the other end of the HDMI cable to an HDMI input on the LCD TV. Turn on the DVD player using the included remote and press the "Menu" button. Select "HDMI" from the "Video Output" setting. Press the "Menu" button to exit the settings.

• 2

  Turn on the LCD TV using its included remote. Press the "Menu" button. Select the "Video" setting. Select the HDMI input to which the HDMI cable is connected from the list of choices presented in the "Video Input" setting. Press the "Menu" button to exit the settings.

• 3

  Press "Menu" on the LCD TV's remote. Select the "Advanced" setting. Select "Aspect Ratio" from the list of choices presented. Change the "SD" aspect ratio menu to "4.3." Press "Menu" to exit the settings.

• 4

  Press the DVD remote's "Eject" button. Place an HDTV calibration DVD--for example, the Monster TV calibration DVD (see Resources)--on the ejected disc tray. Close the tray. Press the "Play" button. Select "Noise Reduction" from the choices presented on the menu.

• 5

  Press the "Menu" button on the LCD TV's remote. Select the "Advanced" setting. Select "Noise Reduction" from the list of choices presented. Change the setting from "0" to "2." Press "Menu" to exit the settings. Compare the new setting to the video being displayed by the disc. Change the "Noise Reduction" setting as needed until the video looks as good as possible.

• 6

  Press "Menu" on the LCD TV's remote. Select the "Display" setting. Select "Brightness" from the list of choices presented. Change the level to the midway point between "0" and "100." Back up one menu by pressing the left arrow or "Back" button on the remote. Select "Contrast" from the list of choices presented. Change the level to "58." Press the "Menu" button to exit the settings.

• 7

  Press the "Menu" button on the DVD's remote. Select "Brightness" from the choices presented on the menu. Play the video examples. Return to the LCD TV and make adjustments to the "Brightness" settings as needed until the video looks as good as possible. Repeat this entire procedure with the "Contrast" examples on the HDTV calibration disc and the "Contrast" setting on the LCD TV.

• 8

  Eject the HDTV calibration disc from the DVD player's disc tray. Remove the disc and close the tray. Turn off the DVD player and the HDTV.