need help with my tvs sound

smokey32

just spent 250 euro on 24" hd ready digital tv. the sound is brutal. it sounds like a cheap portable radio. Is it supposed to sound like this and does that mean i have to buy a speaker system for the tv. Its a bush tv and it said that it has nicam sound and a 2 x 3 watt rms.
this is my first venture into tvs like this so not sure if its meant to sound like this.
Can anyone fill me in?

fat-tony

First up - a 24" tv is not going to show any benefits of HD at the normal viewing distance. Can you tell us the model of the TV? Most flat screen tvs are compromised in terms of sound quality compared to CRT TVs as they don't have proper speaker enclosures, so they tend to sound "tinny". Your 24" set is at a serious disadvantage when compared to a bigger tv as regards sound quality. I usually use an external sound system when I want to do serious viewing and listening. I have a 42" Panasonic plasma, which has OK sound, but not for movies.

smokey32

fat-tony wrote: »

First up - a 24" tv is not going to show any benefits of HD at the normal viewing distance. Can you tell us the model of the TV? Most flat screen tvs are compromised in terms of sound quality compared to CRT TVs as they don't have proper speaker enclosures, so they tend to sound "tinny". Your 24" set is at a serious disadvantage when compared to a bigger tv as regards sound quality. I usually use an external sound system when I want to do serious viewing and listening. I have a 42" Panasonic plasma, which has OK sound, but not for movies.

Hi. Its a bush 24" full hd led with integrated freeview. The picture is fine its just the sound. as you said it sounds real "tinny". any ideas how i rectify it

fat-tony

smokey32 wrote: »

Hi. Its a bush 24" full hd led with integrated freeview. The picture is fine its just the sound. as you said it sounds real "tinny". any ideas how i rectify it

Are you in Ireland? Do you hope to get the Saorview digital service? Is this an Argos-purchased set i.e. this one - http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/5296479/c_1/1|category_root|Home+entertainment+and+sat+nav|14419512/c_2/2|cat_14419512|Televisions|14419667.htm

You may well be able to return it as unsuitable for use with Saorview in that case. If sound quality is important to you it would be advisable to check out and purchase the TV in a proper shop.

smokey32

fat-tony wrote: »

Are you in Ireland? Do you hope to get the Saorview digital service? Is this an Argos-purchased set i.e. this one - http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/5296479/c_1/1|category_root|Home+entertainment+and+sat+nav|14419512/c_2/2|cat_14419512|Televisions|14419667.htm

You may well be able to return it as unsuitable for use with Saorview in that case. If sound quality is important to you it would be advisable to check out and purchase the TV in a proper shop.

i did buy it in argos and that link you put up is virtually the same tv as mine except mine is 24". I live in dublin. Im not to concerned about saorview its just i want to make sure there is not something wrong with the sound. If thats the way its supposed to sound then i am just wondering what i buy to improve it. Can i buy speakers or do i buy a home cinema system. sorry if i sound stupid here but its unknown territory for me here.

watty

It's possible ANY set bought inside last two years that can't do Saorview that you can return for refund or replacement http://www.techtir.ie/blog/cinocat4/no-dtt-get-money-back

In any case if the audio is distorted thay are obliged to refund or replace. There is no need at all for external speakers or home theatre amp unless the TV is "not fit for purpose"

smokey32

watty wrote: »

It's possible ANY set bought inside last two years that can't do Saorview that you can return for refund or replacement http://www.techtir.ie/blog/cinocat4/no-dtt-get-money-back

In any case if the audio is distorted thay are obliged to refund or replace. There is no need at all for external speakers or home theatre amp unless the TV is "not fit for purpose"

Hi. The sound coming of the tv sounds like the sound on my laptop which is pretty basic. surely that cant be right

fat-tony

If it's that bad, then it points to a basic problem with the set. Bring it back and ask them to change it due to faulty sound. Hi-Fi it won't be on a 24" set, but it should sound better than laptop speakers!

tmcw

Some TVs have presets for the sound, which I understand just adjust the bass/treble, and it's possible on some to change these settings directly. Have you looked to see if you can do this on your own one?

I got an LG LCD TV for my parents last Christmas, and out-of-the-box it sounded "tinny", and I had read reviews that confirmed the same, but that also went on to say that the sound can be improved dramatically by trying the other presets. The various presets will give different quality of sound, depending on the environment the TV is set in. I was going to bring it back if I couldn't get the sound to an acceptable quality, but found settings that were fine.

fat-tony

Apologies - I credited the OP with the ability to adjust the volume, bass and treble on the set. :rolleyes:
The picture settings can be adjusted also. Brightness, contrast and colour saturation. Usually the TV comes with the pictures settings at max (showroom preset). To get a decent picture you usually have to adjust the settings to your own preference.

In any case this TV will not work after 2012 (without a set top box) when analogue TV is scheduled to be turned off as it does not support Saorview's MPEg4 standard.

smokey32

A guy told me today that because its only a 24" tv that a set of pc speakers would do the job. He said that i just plug them into the headphone jack and i would be good to go. He recomennded logitech speakers and said i could pick up a set of 100 watt speakers in harvey norman for 99 euro. Does anyone know if he is right and would they do the job?

fat-tony

Only you can tell if they are up to the job. If the sound is distorted due to a fault in the audio chain, then the headphone output may be distorted also and you will have distorted sound at 100 watts:eek:

Really - spending another 100 euro on a 24" tv does not sound like a good way to go. You will also have to buy a set top box in 2012 if you want to continue viewing as your current set is not Saorview compatible. Return the thing to Argos and spend a little more on a 32" set from Power City or similar and get a DTT compatible one.

winston_1

At the bottom of the Argos description it says:

Please note that the digital and Freeview features of this TV are not available in the Republic of Ireland


That covers them, they do not have to refund as not fit for purpose but I assume their normal 16 day returns policy still applies.

watty

Analogue is turned off in Oct 2012.
A TV has to last more than 2 years.
I don't think such a disclaimer helps anymore.