HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

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  • colkilla
    MVP
    • Jul 2003
    • 1539

    #3091
    Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

    Originally posted by JohnnytheSkin
    Sounds pretty good. I would definately plan on using the internal tuner so you don't tie up your single HDMI and single component inputs. Make sure you send everything to it at 720p if possible, which is the native resolution. Can't go wrong with the price though, very nice.

    I would also suggest picking up a calibration disc to tweak the picture for best performance. Not exactly a must buy now (enjoy the TV and break it in), but you'll thank me later.
    johnny, how much do the calibration discs cost and can you point me to where i may purchase one? thanks, you sir are an hdtv master.

    Comment

    • JohnnytheSkin
      All Star
      • Jul 2003
      • 5914

      #3092
      Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

      Originally posted by colkilla
      johnny, how much do the calibration discs cost and can you point me to where i may purchase one? thanks, you sir are an hdtv master.
      The best bet would be Amazon, since they are cheaper. Other online sites may have them but good luck finding them in a store. The preferred discs are:

      "Digital Video Essentials" and "AVIA: Guide to Home Theater". The latter is easier to use but has slightly inaccurate gray ramps, while the former has more patterns but is harder to navigate.

      An avsforum user made his own disc, which is available at:



      His disc is designed for microdisplays and has a very simple batch of patterns. No voice overs or on disc instructions, though a manual is provided. I prefer this disc, though you will need to purchase a set of blue filters (THX offers three pairs of blue glasses for around ten bucks).

      The worst options are "Sound and Vision" and the new "Monster ISF Calibration DVD". The former doesn't have enough patterns and the latter doesn't even have patterns, just a bunch of video scenes (if you have Windows XP Media Center you know what I mean).

      Good luck!

      *EDIT: All that info and no prices. They will run from $20 to $30, depending on the disc and where you buy them. AVIA and DVE also include filters (not sure about S&V).*
      Last edited by JohnnytheSkin; 03-31-2006, 06:01 PM.
      I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be. - Douglas Adams

      Oh, sorry...I got distracted by the internet. - Scott Pilgrim

      Comment

      • colkilla
        MVP
        • Jul 2003
        • 1539

        #3093
        Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

        Originally posted by JohnnytheSkin
        The best bet would be Amazon, since they are cheaper. Other online sites may have them but good luck finding them in a store. The preferred discs are:

        "Digital Video Essentials" and "AVIA: Guide to Home Theater". The latter is easier to use but has slightly inaccurate gray ramps, while the former has more patterns but is harder to navigate.

        An avsforum user made his own disc, which is available at:



        His disc is designed for microdisplays and has a very simple batch of patterns. No voice overs or on disc instructions, though a manual is provided. I prefer this disc, though you will need to purchase a set of blue filters (THX offers three pairs of blue glasses for around ten bucks).

        The worst options are "Sound and Vision" and the new "Monster ISF Calibration DVD". The former doesn't have enough patterns and the latter doesn't even have patterns, just a bunch of video scenes (if you have Windows XP Media Center you know what I mean).

        Good luck!

        *EDIT: All that info and no prices. They will run from $20 to $30, depending on the disc and where you buy them. AVIA and DVE also include filters (not sure about S&V).*
        thanks bro, you should charge us for this service!!!

        Comment

        • JohnnytheSkin
          All Star
          • Jul 2003
          • 5914

          #3094
          Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

          Originally posted by colkilla
          thanks bro, you should charge us for this service!!!
          Maybe I could become the HDTV/Technology mod :wink:

          I don't mind helping...calibration and home theater have become a passion of mine, much to my wife's dismay.
          I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be. - Douglas Adams

          Oh, sorry...I got distracted by the internet. - Scott Pilgrim

          Comment

          • brezz2001
            Pro
            • Mar 2003
            • 707

            #3095
            Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

            I'm just starting research into what HDTV to buy, and the two brands I am considering are Samsung DLP vs. Sony LCD in the 50-56 inch range. I was wondering if anyone could give me advice about which TV to get, or if there is a good website that I could read reviews about these TVs. I'm new to the market, so I don't know a lot, but it seems that these two are the one that I keep coming across as the best choices. Thanks for the help in advance.

            brian

            Comment

            • JohnnytheSkin
              All Star
              • Jul 2003
              • 5914

              #3096
              Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

              Originally posted by brezz2001
              I'm just starting research into what HDTV to buy, and the two brands I am considering are Samsung DLP vs. Sony LCD in the 50-56 inch range. I was wondering if anyone could give me advice about which TV to get, or if there is a good website that I could read reviews about these TVs. I'm new to the market, so I don't know a lot, but it seems that these two are the one that I keep coming across as the best choices. Thanks for the help in advance.

              brian
              General HDTV info:
              Get full-length product reviews, the latest news, tech coverage, daily deals, and category deep dives from CNET experts worldwide.


              Explanations of technologies and display types:
              Get full-length product reviews, the latest news, tech coverage, daily deals, and category deep dives from CNET experts worldwide.


              You can also search for different models, with in depth reviews there (they discuss color and grayscale accuracy among other things). Other review sites can be found by Googling "Home Theater Magazine" and "Sound and Vision". They don't have as many however.

              Another resource is avsforum.com, but they are VERY in depth there and finding the information you want is difficult. However, they are very good in providing newbies with too much information.

              The best bet would be to go to a store and mess around with the models in your price range. Check user menu settings, view different technologies, if you can view them in different lighting conditions...do so (usually at high end or dedicated stores). Good luck!
              I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be. - Douglas Adams

              Oh, sorry...I got distracted by the internet. - Scott Pilgrim

              Comment

              • armistead
                Rookie
                • Mar 2003
                • 271

                #3097
                Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

                I'm planning on buying an HDTV. I'm not sure as to whether to buy a plasma or a DLP set. I'm looking at the following two tv's and any helpful suggestions would be appreciated:

                For a plasma:

                http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Panas...oductDetail.do

                For a DLP:

                http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Samsu...oductDetail.do

                As part of my decision on which to purchase also is which would be best for playing the 360.

                thanks for any help

                Comment

                • GAMEC0CK2002
                  Stayin Alive
                  • Aug 2002
                  • 10384

                  #3098
                  Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

                  Originally posted by armistead
                  I'm planning on buying an HDTV. I'm not sure as to whether to buy a plasma or a DLP set. I'm looking at the following two tv's and any helpful suggestions would be appreciated:

                  For a plasma:

                  http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Panas...oductDetail.do

                  For a DLP:

                  http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Samsu...oductDetail.do

                  As part of my decision on which to purchase also is which would be best for playing the 360.

                  thanks for any help
                  I'll give a quick response til Johnny gets in to help ya. First thing would be to go to Circuit City and look at both in action. For DLP's you have to check to see if you get the rainbow effect. Some people do, some don't.

                  The Panny has 2 HDMI connections which is nice...HDMI switchers are pretty expensive.

                  I know that you can replace the lamp for a DLP. Once plasmas are done, they're done.

                  I have a 50inch rear projection, but I'm pretty certain the 360 will be sweet on whichever tv you decide on.

                  Comment

                  • JohnnytheSkin
                    All Star
                    • Jul 2003
                    • 5914

                    #3099
                    Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

                    Originally posted by armistead
                    I'm planning on buying an HDTV. I'm not sure as to whether to buy a plasma or a DLP set. I'm looking at the following two tv's and any helpful suggestions would be appreciated:

                    For a plasma:

                    http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Panas...oductDetail.do

                    For a DLP:

                    http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Samsu...oductDetail.do

                    As part of my decision on which to purchase also is which would be best for playing the 360.

                    thanks for any help
                    The only thing I can add, since GAMECOCK summed it up nice, is my experience. Since I did own the Sammy DLP for a while, the only thing I can add is that the single HDMI might be an issue, and if you are planning on playing a lot of PS2 or old Xbox, the gaming lag can be a problem depending on the game (I had problem with timing games like DDR and MVP). With 360 there won't be a problem.

                    Good luck!

                    *EDIT: I have to put in the obligatory plasma burn-in warning. Turn off the "Vivid" or "Bright" default picture setting and tone down the contrast and you should be fine. Of course you could always have reasonable play times (meaning no Madden or FPS marathons for hours at a time).*
                    Last edited by JohnnytheSkin; 04-07-2006, 06:51 PM.
                    I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be. - Douglas Adams

                    Oh, sorry...I got distracted by the internet. - Scott Pilgrim

                    Comment

                    • grunt
                      Banned
                      • Jul 2002
                      • 9527

                      #3100
                      Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

                      Can anyone recommend a good picture in picture tv. I know samsung dlp can do PIP but I was looking for other brands also.

                      Comment

                      • GAMEC0CK2002
                        Stayin Alive
                        • Aug 2002
                        • 10384

                        #3101
                        Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

                        Originally posted by grunt
                        Can anyone recommend a good picture in picture tv. I know samsung dlp can do PIP but I was looking for other brands also.
                        This might be a good place to start: http://reviews.cnet.com/4566-6485_7-0.html?sa=500967

                        Just some PIP, POP, PAP nomenclature info:

                        Picture-in-picture (PIP)
                        There are two flavors of picture-in-picture: 1-tuner PIP models require that you connect a VCR or other video component to provide the source for your second picture. 2-tuner PIP models have two built-in TV tuners, so you can watch two shows at once using only the TV.

                        Originally, PIP allowed viewing of multiple channels or sources by creating a small inset image overlaid on the main image. With the shift to widescreen displays, the inset type of PIP is gradually being replaced by "split screen" designs that are sometimes referred to as POP (picture-outside-picture) or PAP (picture-and-picture).

                        From: http://www.crutchfieldadvisor.com/IS..._glossary.html

                        Comment

                        • GAMEC0CK2002
                          Stayin Alive
                          • Aug 2002
                          • 10384

                          #3102
                          Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

                          Interesting read:


                          I didn't know that the Tonight Show with Jay Leno was the first network show in HD.

                          Comment

                          • grunt
                            Banned
                            • Jul 2002
                            • 9527

                            #3103
                            Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

                            Originally posted by GAMEC0CK2002
                            This might be a good place to start: http://reviews.cnet.com/4566-6485_7-0.html?sa=500967

                            Just some PIP, POP, PAP nomenclature info:

                            Picture-in-picture (PIP)
                            There are two flavors of picture-in-picture: 1-tuner PIP models require that you connect a VCR or other video component to provide the source for your second picture. 2-tuner PIP models have two built-in TV tuners, so you can watch two shows at once using only the TV.

                            Originally, PIP allowed viewing of multiple channels or sources by creating a small inset image overlaid on the main image. With the shift to widescreen displays, the inset type of PIP is gradually being replaced by "split screen" designs that are sometimes referred to as POP (picture-outside-picture) or PAP (picture-and-picture).

                            From: http://www.crutchfieldadvisor.com/IS..._glossary.html

                            I am getting real close to buying a Samsung DLP. I want to play a games and watch TV at the same time. Can I play both? I am also worry about the lag and the dlp.

                            Comment

                            • JohnnytheSkin
                              All Star
                              • Jul 2003
                              • 5914

                              #3104
                              Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

                              Originally posted by grunt
                              I am getting real close to buying a Samsung DLP. I want to play a games and watch TV at the same time. Can I play both? I am also worry about the lag and the dlp.
                              If you use the internal tuner you might be able to. I use a HD DVR and with both the Sammy HL-R5067 and Sony SXRD I couldn't view two HD sources with PIP (meaning I couldn't view an HDMI and component connection together). I think most TV's do this. If you game via S-Video or composite, you shouldn't have a problem. Again, maybe using the internal tuner changes this.

                              As for lag, if you are using HD sources like gaming on the 360, there will be no lag. Lag might not even be a problem on older systems except for timing based games like DDR, Guitar Hero, first person shooters, and baseball.
                              I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be. - Douglas Adams

                              Oh, sorry...I got distracted by the internet. - Scott Pilgrim

                              Comment

                              • ExtremeGamer
                                Extra Life 11/3/18
                                • Jul 2002
                                • 35299

                                #3105
                                Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

                                Originally posted by grunt
                                I am getting real close to buying a Samsung DLP. I want to play a games and watch TV at the same time. Can I play both? I am also worry about the lag and the dlp.
                                If you have cable, yes you can do that. My Sony HDTV has a built in HD tuner, I have my cable split, goes into my HD DVR and my TV itself. I can watch non HD in my split screen and my HD Box in my other. Works beautiful.

                                Mixer Stream



                                XBox - ExtremeGamer
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                                Switch - 4640-8613-7710

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