HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

[Dealin Rams]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answer Thread

Has anyone here purchased the new Sharp Aquos models? I am looking specifically at the 32" and 37" models (LC-32D4U and 37D4U). Was wondering if anyone had picked them up and had anything to share.

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answer Thread

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...00&tab=spe#tab

Does anybody know if that is a good set or not?

[CM1847]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answer Thread

Ok, I got an HDTV, the Panasonic that dropped $200 in price and apparently has been discontinued, it was posted here a little while back.

Anyway, what is the next step? Xbox(not 360) component cables? Are those worth it? Do they improve DVD movie quality or just the games? Are the Monster Cables the only option?

The new TV is just to get ready for me getting a 360, but that is still a little while off, so I would like to see what I can do with it in the meantime. I have another DVD player(besides xbox), can I get cables for that(again, is it worth it?)?

Still new to all of this, any help is appriciated.

[RailStone]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answer Thread

Ok, I got an HDTV, the Panasonic that dropped $200 in price and apparently has been discontinued, it was posted here a little while back.

Anyway, what is the next step? Xbox(not 360) component cables? Are those worth it? Do they improve DVD movie quality or just the games? Are the Monster Cables the only option?

The new TV is just to get ready for me getting a 360, but that is still a little while off, so I would like to see what I can do with it in the meantime. I have another DVD player(besides xbox), can I get cables for that(again, is it worth it?)?

Still new to all of this, any help is appriciated.

the xbox component cables on a xbox make a world difference beleive me, the monster ones that is. But to get improved dvd experience you will need to get seperate cables than the xbox ones.. kinda sucks, but its just how it is.

this is what ive been told at least, im new to this too.

[ThaGenecyst]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answer Thread

http://www.circuitcity.com/rpsm/oid/...cation.do#tabs


does anyone know about this one?

[CM1847]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answer Thread

the xbox component cables on a xbox make a world difference beleive me, the monster ones that is. But to get improved dvd experience you will need to get seperate cables than the xbox ones.. kinda sucks, but its just how it is.

this is what ive been told at least, im new to this too.

thanks.

So I would need to get some cables for my separated DVD player? Anybody have suggestions as what to get for those? I know Monster makes pretty much the only Xbox component cables, but no idea about components for a DVD player.

[JohnnytheSkin]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answer Thread

thanks.

So I would need to get some cables for my separated DVD player? Anybody have suggestions as what to get for those? I know Monster makes pretty much the only Xbox component cables, but no idea about components for a DVD player.

DON'T BY MONSTER! They are overpriced POS's! By cheaper component cables, they are just as good and over short distances (less than ten feet) you will not notice any signal loss or degradation. That's the only claim that Monster can make that's accurate...they hold a steady signal over longer distances. If you haven't opened the Monster cables, look for the Microsoft Advanced AV pack. I had those cables before my 360 and the picture was excellent on my Sammy DLP.

You should definately get some component cables for your DVD player, so you can run your movies in progressive scan. Granted, if you hold out for your 360, it will also play DVD's in progressive scan, so it's really up to you. However I suggest using a stand alone player because the DVD playback on any game console is inferior to most DVD players. Good luck!

[CM1847]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answer Thread

DON'T BY MONSTER! They are overpriced POS's! By cheaper component cables, they are just as good and over short distances (less than ten feet) you will not notice any signal loss or degradation. That's the only claim that Monster can make that's accurate...they hold a steady signal over longer distances. If you haven't opened the Monster cables, look for the Microsoft Advanced AV pack. I had those cables before my 360 and the picture was excellent on my Sammy DLP.

You should definately get some component cables for your DVD player, so you can run your movies in progressive scan. Granted, if you hold out for your 360, it will also play DVD's in progressive scan, so it's really up to you. However I suggest using a stand alone player because the DVD playback on any game console is inferior to most DVD players. Good luck!

Thank you for the response, very helpful.

Is this: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1051806653363
The MS Advanced AV Pack you are talking about? If so, do I need other cables to complete the hookup, it looks like you would need another set of cables from that to the TV? I'm new to this, so please bare with me with these beginnergs questions . And if that isn't what you are talking about, do youhave a link to it? Or if it is what you were talking about and I need to buy other cables, you have a link to those?

Also, I saw this: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1089890861665
At Best Buy today, is that worth getting, or do you recommend sticking to the MS product?

Finally, any recommendations on DVD cables to look into? I browsed around a bit, but there are a TON of options for those. I'd like to keep the price under $40 or so, or else I might just wait for the 360.

Thanks again, all of the help is very much appriciated.

[JohnnytheSkin]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answer Thread

Thank you for the response, very helpful.

Is this: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1051806653363
The MS Advanced AV Pack you are talking about? If so, do I need other cables to complete the hookup, it looks like you would need another set of cables from that to the TV? I'm new to this, so please bare with me with these beginnergs questions . And if that isn't what you are talking about, do youhave a link to it? Or if it is what you were talking about and I need to buy other cables, you have a link to those?

Also, I saw this: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1089890861665
At Best Buy today, is that worth getting, or do you recommend sticking to the MS product?

Finally, any recommendations on DVD cables to look into? I browsed around a bit, but there are a TON of options for those. I'd like to keep the price under $40 or so, or else I might just wait for the 360.

Thanks again, all of the help is very much appriciated.

That is the correct AV pack. It has the component (red, green, blue) video cables inside the pack that connect to the TV. You do know that none of the cables for the regular Xbox will work on 360, right? Of course if you get the Premium system, it has component video cables in the box.

The second Best Buy link would be worse, since it is S-Video. Here is a primer:

Composite (red, white, yellow) is the worst option (well second worse if you include RF coaxial connections). These cables are default in most system packs.

S-Video (black video w/ red and white audio) is a step up, providing better contrast between light and dark in the video signal.

Component (red/green/blue video w/ red and white audio) is the most common HD option. Component cables seperate the video into it's base color source, providing an excellent picture. You can output all the HD signals with these cables (480p, 720p, 1080i)

HDMI/DVI is a step up from here and carry pure digital video signals (no compression or reinterlacing). These aren't available for most consoles, though PS3 is stated to have HDMI support. Most people use HDMI/DVI for upconverting DVD players or their cable/satellite service. In the future HDMI will be able to carry 1080p signals.

Hopefully that will help some. A suggestion for a good place to get cables would be Radio Shack. They have good cables for reasonable prices. You should be able to pick up a set of component cables for your DVD player there.

[GAMEC0CK2002]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answer Thread

That is the correct AV pack. It has the component (red, green, blue) video cables inside the pack that connect to the TV. You do know that none of the cables for the regular Xbox will work on 360, right? Of course if you get the Premium system, it has component video cables in the box.

The second Best Buy link would be worse, since it is S-Video. Here is a primer:

Composite (red, white, yellow) is the worst option (well second worse if you include RF coaxial connections). These cables are default in most system packs.

S-Video (black video w/ red and white audio) is a step up, providing better contrast between light and dark in the video signal.

Component (red/green/blue video w/ red and white audio) is the most common HD option. Component cables seperate the video into it's base color source, providing an excellent picture. You can output all the HD signals with these cables (480p, 720p, 1080i)

HDMI/DVI is a step up from here and carry pure digital video signals (no compression or reinterlacing). These aren't available for most consoles, though PS3 is stated to have HDMI support. Most people use HDMI/DVI for upconverting DVD players or their cable/satellite service. In the future HDMI will be able to carry 1080p signals.

Hopefully that will help some. A suggestion for a good place to get cables would be Radio Shack. They have good cables for reasonable prices. You should be able to pick up a set of component cables for your DVD player there.

All excellent advice, except for one thing. I've found Radio Shack to be highly overpriced. If you know what you're looking for, Walmart or Target could get you covered for much less.

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answer Thread

Toshiba 26"

Can somebody help me out on this? Is Toshiba a good HDTV company or no?

[CM1847]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answer Thread

That is the correct AV pack. It has the component (red, green, blue) video cables inside the pack that connect to the TV. You do know that none of the cables for the regular Xbox will work on 360, right? Of course if you get the Premium system, it has component video cables in the box.

The second Best Buy link would be worse, since it is S-Video. Here is a primer:

Composite (red, white, yellow) is the worst option (well second worse if you include RF coaxial connections). These cables are default in most system packs.

S-Video (black video w/ red and white audio) is a step up, providing better contrast between light and dark in the video signal.

Component (red/green/blue video w/ red and white audio) is the most common HD option. Component cables seperate the video into it's base color source, providing an excellent picture. You can output all the HD signals with these cables (480p, 720p, 1080i)

HDMI/DVI is a step up from here and carry pure digital video signals (no compression or reinterlacing). These aren't available for most consoles, though PS3 is stated to have HDMI support. Most people use HDMI/DVI for upconverting DVD players or their cable/satellite service. In the future HDMI will be able to carry 1080p signals.

Hopefully that will help some. A suggestion for a good place to get cables would be Radio Shack. They have good cables for reasonable prices. You should be able to pick up a set of component cables for your DVD player there.

Again, thank you very much, very helpful info.

I will pick up that MS Advanced pack next time I am out and about. Yes, I do realize none of this will work with the 360, I just realize that a 360 purchase may be a little while off for me, so I want to take some advantage of my new TV in the meantime.

My TV has one HDMI input in the back, I guess I won't have much use for that for a while. Can I get DVD cables that use that, or are those too expensive or not available?

Thanks again, also thanks Gamecocks, I will do some research and find something that fits me and try to find them at Wal-Mart or Target.

Oh, one more question. You said that MS Advanced pack is component and comes with red/green/blue cables in the packaging. Where do the white/red audio cables fit into that?

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answer Thread

HDMI: 360 doesn't have the feature, so unless you get a DVD player with HDMI, you probably won't use it CM. There was a hitachi DVD player at Wal-Mart for about $80 with HDMI, but I could never find any reviews on it.

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answer Thread

Toshiba 26"

Can somebody help me out on this? Is Toshiba a good HDTV company or no?

And this one...

27" Sony
How would widescreen movies and games look on this TV with the "16:9 enhanced mode?"

[Blzer]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answer Thread

Toshiba 26"

Can somebody help me out on this? Is Toshiba a good HDTV company or no?

Wow... beautiful!

I'm officially in the same boat as FT here. I must know if this would beat the refurbished $500 30" Philips CRT HDTV that I supplied the link to a while back.