rent another set top box, buy a new TV, or...?

[wurm]

For the most part, we have our (way too expensive) FiOS package the way it works for us. With one exception. Our kitchen TV is a basic 20" Magnavox LCD that pretty much serves the purpose. It's hooked up to the $3.99/mo converter box and we get pretty much everything we need to watch on it. What's frustrating is that no matter how I fiddle with the aspect ratio selections, the picture always chops off the left and right sides of the picture. Usually that means we get to read half of what the text says during a newscast, and we're obviously missing some of the picture.

Aside from not wanting to spend another $10 a month for a real "set top box" from FiOS, we really have no place to put a bigger box. The little converter is hidden behind the TV on a small corner cabinet. We wouldn't be able to hide a bigger set top box.

We're fine with just the broadcast stations and cable stations we get on it, we'd just like to see the entire picture. Would a newer TV provide more options in that regard? Any suggestions for other options? Thanks.

[Ombligo]

I recently purchased a TCL-Roku set for my bedroom, it let me ditch the Spectrum box and switch my wife's HBO Go (@$22) to HBO Now (@$15). No idea if Fios is on Roku, but may be worth checking.

[MGS_forgot_password]

When I had FIOS, it had unencrypted local channels in QAM, so you could just hook the cable directly to the TV and get them. No need for a box.

[Robert M]

Wurm,

The problem is you need to see if the issue is the TV, the box or a combination of the two. Do you have a set of rabbit ear handy? Remove the box and see what happens when trying to view over the air stations. If the Tv works fine, then swap out the converter box with your FIOS provider and see if it makes a difference. If the issue persists, then it's time to replace the TV.

Robert

[Gareth]

I would add hooking up the converter box to a different TV as a troubleshooting step.

It's possible the converter box is outputting an SD signal, and simply center cropping the 16:9 HD signal down to 4:3 to create that SD signal. If that's the case, there isn't much to be done.

Does FiOS have an app? (i.e. on Roku or AppleTV) If that's the case, you could swap the converter for a Roku box instead, or get a TV with Roku built-in.

[mikebw]

There is, at least, a FiOS app for iOS devices, so you could theoretically stream from iPad to an aTV connected to a TV.

[wurm]

Thanks for the replies. I will do a little troubleshooting. Meanwhile, color me dense, but would something like this from Best Buy be a decent option? Jeebus, TVs have come down on price. It's been a while since I shopped. And I know Insignia is not a major brand, but we're not asking much from it.

[Robert M]

Wurm,

Insignia is Best Buy's house brand. Given the choice, I'd get a model from a name brand like LG, Sharp, Samsung, Vizio, etc. Expect to pay $125 to $150 or so. It all depends on who has what on sale. One thing I can say, the speakers in small TVs, i.e. 24" and under, can be truly awful. That's why I'd stay away from RCA as well as no-name and house brands. At least with a name brand, you may get decent speakers in the TV, though, overall, the sound quality may still be mediocre. Also, small TVs tend to lose frills. The Samsung 22" we have in our kitchen has a very good picture, mediocre sound and no headphone jack or audio out. Didn't realize that at first but we kept the TV anyway since it's just the right size for the kitchen. We use it everyday!

Robert

[wurm]

Ah...I just realized something else. Apparently the only way to get HD signal via FiOS is with their set top box. Rabbit ears might get us a few local stations in HD, but otherwise broadcast TV and other cable stations will always be standard definition no matter what TV we use.

I realize that's a separate factor from my original question about the cut off display, but this was just an added thought.

[Robert M]

Wurm,

Rabbit ears will tell you if your TV is broken.

Robert