HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

[Keirik]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

I have the 61" Sammy, and I love it man. It's a great TV for the price. The Sony, I didn't care for it that much in the store, but I seen one at my buddy's the other day, and it was pretty sweet as well.

But I wouldn't trade my Sammy for anything right now... except the 73" that's coming out soon, lol.

Check out the new Sony SXRDs. I bought mine last weekend, KDS-55A200, and I am loving it so far. The Samsung DLPs are also very good TVs and are a little cheaper. As far as plasmas, I would look at the Panasonic's if you are interested in those.

Again, I would highly recommend the SXRD.

i'm assuming you both play games on it as well? Xbox 360? Do you also watch sports in HD? No ghosting or anything like that? Do you see any screen door effect so to speak? How does standard TV look?

[jpup]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

i'm assuming you both play games on it as well? Xbox 360? Do you also watch sports in HD? No ghosting or anything like that? Do you see any screen door effect so to speak? How does standard TV look?

The Sony is great for the 360. The SXRD does not have the SDE and neither do the Sammy's.

Standard def is going to look pretty bad, no matter what TV you buy. It's watchable, but that's about it.

It came down to choosing between the two for me as well, I decided on the Sony. BTW, how far back are you going to be sitting from the TV? The 61 might be a little much for you. At 10 1/2 ft, the 55" is almost too much for me. I'm getting used to it though.

[Keirik]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

i'll be sitting about 10 ft back. Approximately. I already have a 53" so i think i can get used to a slightly larger one with no problem.
I hope!

[billmatic]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

For all the SXRD owners out there,

I just made the plunge and purchased a KDS50A2000. Now, I remember seeing a post over at AVS forums with a good set of picture settings to use, but now I can't find it.

Does anyone have a good set to use?

[jpup]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

For all the SXRD owners out there,

I just made the plunge and purchased a KDS50A2000. Now, I remember seeing a post over at AVS forums with a good set of picture settings to use, but now I can't find it.

Does anyone have a good set to use?

It will depend on the lighting in your room and all the TVs are a little different. I am using CNETs settings with the picture(contrast) turned to 72 for my cable viewing and 65 for my 360 imput.

Here are mine:
Picture menu:

Mode: Custom
Advanced iris: Min
Picture: 72 (65 for 360)
Brightness: 56
Color: 41
Hue: 0
Color temp: Warm2
Sharpness: 50
Noise reduction: Off

--Advanced Settings--

Black corrector: Off
Gamma: Off
Clear white: Off
Live color: Off
White balance: (see below)
Detail enhancer: Off
Edge enhancer: Off

--White balance--

R-gain: -2
G-gain: -1
B-gain: 0
R-bias: -3
G-bias: -2
B-bias: -1

Setup menu:

Color matrix: Standard
Power saving: On

Here is the CNET link:

http://reviews.cnet.com/9601-4_7-0-4.html?messageID=2506536

Here is the link to a good AVS review, his settings are more detailed, his TV has also been calibrated:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=8303989#post8303989

I don't see an tremendous difference while using either of those setting, but to me the CNET setting with the picture turned down to 72 is the best for my TV.

I ordered the Avia Guide To Home Theatre DVD and should get it sometime this week. After adjusting the set using it, I will let you know what my settings are. Congratulations on the purchase, I think you will enjoy it.

[jpup]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

i'll be sitting about 10 ft back. Approximately. I already have a 53" so i think i can get used to a slightly larger one with no problem.
I hope!

I think the 55" would be plenty, I can't imagine going any bigger for my viewing distance of 10 1/2 ft. Either way, good luck.

[billmatic]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

It will depend on the lighting in your room and all the TVs are a little different. I am using CNETs settings with the picture(contrast) turned to 72 for my cable viewing and 65 for my 360 imput.

Here are mine:
Picture menu:

Mode: Custom
Advanced iris: Min
Picture: 72 (65 for 360)
Brightness: 56
Color: 41
Hue: 0
Color temp: Warm2
Sharpness: 50
Noise reduction: Off

--Advanced Settings--

Black corrector: Off
Gamma: Off
Clear white: Off
Live color: Off
White balance: (see below)
Detail enhancer: Off
Edge enhancer: Off

--White balance--

R-gain: -2
G-gain: -1
B-gain: 0
R-bias: -3
G-bias: -2
B-bias: -1

Setup menu:

Color matrix: Standard
Power saving: On

Here is the CNET link:

http://reviews.cnet.com/9601-4_7-0-4.html?messageID=2506536

Here is the link to a good AVS review, his settings are more detailed, his TV has also been calibrated:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=8303989#post8303989

I don't see an tremendous difference while using either of those setting, but to me the CNET setting with the picture turned down to 72 is the best for my TV.

I ordered the Avia Guide To Home Theatre DVD and should get it sometime this week. After adjusting the set using it, I will let you know what my settings are. Congratulations on the purchase, I think you will enjoy it.

Good lookin' out, that's exactly what I was looking for.

Now, from what I understand, HDMI is the way to go as opposed to component, S-video, etc. I know that paying ridiculous amounts for monster cables is pointless, so can I just pick up a $15 cable from a site like this, and still get the best results? http://www.monoprice.com/products/su...d=10240&style=
Also, what's the difference between 22AWG and 24AWG/28AWG/etc.?

[Heelfan71]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

Finally got my KDS55A2000 hooked up this weekend. I have to say it has the best picture I have ever seen. It's so clear that it hurts my eyes. I haven't even messed with any settings. Using the default "Custom" one.

[GAMEC0CK2002]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

Is everyone using the tv remote that came with their HDTV? Anyone using a high end (Harmony, etc) universal remote?

[jpup]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

Is everyone using the tv remote that came with their HDTV? Anyone using a high end (Harmony, etc) universal remote?

I don't see a reason to buy another remote. I have 5 remotes and they work fine. I have never understood the appeal to combine them all. I tried that before and they never did everything they were supposed to. That could be different now, but I'll pass.

[jpup]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

Finally got my KDS55A2000 hooked up this weekend. I have to say it has the best picture I have ever seen. It's so clear that it hurts my eyes. I haven't even messed with any settings. Using the default "Custom" one.

it probably hurts your eyes because it's too bright. The power saving mode will also save on your bulb life.

[mjb2124]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

I don't see a reason to buy another remote. I have 5 remotes and they work fine. I have never understood the appeal to combine them all. I tried that before and they never did everything they were supposed to. That could be different now, but I'll pass.

I strongly recommend getting a good universal remote. I have one (Home Theater MX-500) and it's great. Controls my TV, cable box, DVD player and receiver. There's just no way I'm going to flip between remotes that frequently. I couldn't see myself changing the channel with 1 remote, changing the volume with another, changing the input on the TV with another etc.... Now I have the ability to use 1 remote to do all that and have macros so that if I want to use my 360, I can press 1 button and it's done. The macro will change the input on my receiver to the 360 and change the input on the TV to the 360's component input. Same goes for DVD player (the macro turns the DVD player on, changes receiver input and then changes TV input).

My guess is your universal was old or didn't have the ability to IR learn commands from other remotes. With universal remotes today, there is really nothing they can't do. IMO it's worth spending $150-$200 on a good universal remote.

[Seether4113]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

Good lookin' out, that's exactly what I was looking for.

Now, from what I understand, HDMI is the way to go as opposed to component, S-video, etc. I know that paying ridiculous amounts for monster cables is pointless, so can I just pick up a $15 cable from a site like this, and still get the best results? http://www.monoprice.com/products/su...d=10240&style=
Also, what's the difference between 22AWG and 24AWG/28AWG/etc.?

The cables from monoprice are very good quality cables. I got all of my cables (HDMI, component, digital coax, optic...) from them, and they are excellent quality.

[Seether4113]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

I strongly recommend getting a good universal remote. I have one (Home Theater MX-500) and it's great. Controls my TV, cable box, DVD player and receiver. There's just no way I'm going to flip between remotes that frequently. I couldn't see myself changing the channel with 1 remote, changing the volume with another, changing the input on the TV with another etc.... Now I have the ability to use 1 remote to do all that and have macros so that if I want to use my 360, I can press 1 button and it's done. The macro will change the input on my receiver to the 360 and change the input on the TV to the 360's component input. Same goes for DVD player (the macro turns the DVD player on, changes receiver input and then changes TV input).

My guess is your universal was old or didn't have the ability to IR learn commands from other remotes. With universal remotes today, there is really nothing they can't do. IMO it's worth spending $150-$200 on a good universal remote.

The One For All URC-10820 is also a very good universal at a much lower price. I got mine for $30, and it does everything the MX series do and the Harmonies. Only thing is is it doesnt have an lcd screen. It has learning, macros, and all that good stuff.

[Heelfan71]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

Is everyone using the tv remote that came with their HDTV? Anyone using a high end (Harmony, etc) universal remote?

I use this one. Wal Mart and Best Buy sell them. You configure everything on your PC. Pretty much one button to do anything. I press "watch tv" and my tv comes on, changes to the proper input, my surround sound comes on to the proper input, and my satelitte receiver comes on. All with one push of a button. One push of the button to turn it all off too. If I want to watch a DVD, I just press "watch dvd" and my dvd player comes on and the TV and receiver go to the proper settings.

it probably hurts your eyes because it's too bright. The power saving mode will also save on your bulb life.

I have power saving on, but the Cnet settings are too dark. They were desinged for viewing in a dark room anyways.