HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

[AtXj]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answer Thread

Did anyone purchase this TV after Thanksgiving? If so please give me some impressions?

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1118839462408

I did, and i've had it for about 2 weeks.

First off, don't even think about it. Don't let the price tag fool ya, all around this TV is garbage. While watching TV the picture is really grainy. The overscan is horrible and I wasn't able to find the service menu codes anywhere to fix it. On top of that if your looking to use it as a gaming TV, ala Xbox 360, all four corners of the TV for some reason appear really distorted when I play my 360 on it.

Im taking it back sometime this week and upgrading to this, http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1077628885856. The all around consensus from reading many reviews and browsing avsforum is that this is the best 30' Widescreen CRT that you can get and for 220$ more im willing to take the plunge.

Also, the guy you spoke with at BestBuy was lying to you. No CRT will display 720p, all 720p signals fed to it will be converted to 1080i.

[AtXj]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answer Thread

^don't buy that TV lol, i hear it has bad bowing problem at the bottom...

I read the same thing. I was looking at this set as a potential purchase but would advise otherwise after reading a bit about it, and to add it has the highest price tag of any 30' widescreen CRT.

[bergie56]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answer Thread

That's what I figured was the case as I didnt think it was possible for a CRT to display 720p. I figured that TV was garbage as well.

One of my buddies has the Sony that you linked to and it is a thing of beauty. Never gamed on it but I have watched some ESPNHD and the Discovery Channel in HD and it has an excellent picture.

[DallasRocks]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answer Thread

what is a good HDTV that is in the 400-500 bucks range?

[Dame]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answer Thread

They need to make this sticky its on thread its hard to go through all those pages to find information... but anyways is the direct tv hd worth it i just got me a new lcd tv and its HD ready, I have directtv but i was thinking about going back to cable if the price for HD programming makes my bill more than cable. Also Directtv i have to pay like 300 dollars to have it set up. any thoughts on what i should do

[JohnnytheSkin]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answer Thread

I figured that for some owners, the best picture quality is important, that I would post some impressions of my ISF calibration on my Samsung HL-R5067W DLP. Not many people know about grayscale tracking and color temperature, but believe me, the information is vital for a correct picture. I've been looking for color tweaks and the best possible picture settings available for my display, and after a long search, decided ISF calibration is for me. I would be glad to answer any questions, and whole heartedly recommend calibration. It may seem a bit steep (mine cost $300), but the price is insignificant when compared to the display cost and the knowledge of having near perfect picture.

The goal I wanted was a good grayscale across all of my used inputs (HDMI, two component, and VGA), at 720p which is the native resolution of my set. The calibrator found that all my inputs were burning very high, around 11000 - 13000K, a extremely far off from 6500K. After some real simple tweaks, he got my display to hover on every input around 6400 - 6500K, almost flat lining (something he was very surprised about). After tweaking the user settings, the green was still out of whack...something common on Sammy DLP's. He didn't know how to fix the green, and would ask about it. If a SM solution is found, he will come back and fix it for a nominal fee (and if ANYONE has any solutions, please send me a PM). The best part was that he finished up just in time for the Bucs/Skins game.

I must say that I was stunned by the picture. Once I got over the fact that the picture was a bit dimmer and that the whites were softer then what I was used to, I was amazed at how much more detail I could see. There was considerably more detail in the dark scenes (I could see the colors of the costumes in LOTR in Moria...something that never jumped out at me before). I also saw a lot more detail in my wife and me's guilty pleasure, "Desperate Housewives". The skin tones were a lot more natural and the colors "popped" when they should, yet held clarity in the night scenes. Even my crude eyed wife could see the difference. The only problem was that my Sony HDMI upconverting player crapped out on me that night, right when I settled down to watch "The Godfather Part II". The player would no longer recognize the HDMI cable, and after switching cables and testing, I had to drop it off this afternoon at a repair shop...very disappointing. I will definately be enjoying "Lost" with my accurate settings though!

The only problem was that the green wasn't fixed. Since this was the newest DLP he worked on, and the Sencore reference sheets didn't have the coordinates for the color settings, he wasn't able to fix it. Hopefully someone here can point me in the right direction in the SM. The price was very good, only the base ISF fee and he only charged me for one additional input, though he did three additional (no composite or S-Video inputs were done on my request). I think that the ISF calibration was worth it, if nothing else, for peace of mind. The picture quality is improved, and looks great with my 6500K backlight. I just hope my DVD player is fixed in a timely manner. I was so pissed!

Thanks, and feel free to post additional comments and if ANYONE can help me, please do...I would appreciate it

[goopaluchie]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

O.K. I went through last night and read every post and every page. Very informative. But, I am new to the HDTV world and I may be getting one in a few weeks. Here are a few questions that you guys can take a shot at?

1) I'll be getting a Toshiba-Theater Wide 26'' HD-Ready Flat-Tube TV with HDMI Inputs from Best Buy. One of my questions is what type of wires or set up would I need? I read that the HDTV wires that run $100.00 don't make the picture any different. I do have a Phillips 4 in 1 junction box that I had bought from someone's post on here. The 4 in 1 box takes the TV wire from outside and then I ran another wire from the box to my TV. I only have 1 input/output wire from my TV, so this is why I got the box. I also have my stereo and my 360 game system going into the junction box. Now when I get the new TV will that box still work? I don't see why it wouldn't? I would guess that I would have to switch the wires going into the junction box from regular(the way it is now) to the HD wires that were not being used. Is there anything else you guys would think I would need?

[ExtremeGamer]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

O.K. I went through last night and read every post and every page. Very informative. But, I am new to the HDTV world and I may be getting one in a few weeks. Here are a few questions that you guys can take a shot at?

1) I'll be getting a Toshiba-Theater Wide 26'' HD-Ready Flat-Tube TV with HDMI Inputs from Best Buy. One of my questions is what type of wires or set up would I need? I read that the HDTV wires that run $100.00 don't make the picture any different. I do have a Phillips 4 in 1 junction box that I had bought from someone's post on here. The 4 in 1 box takes the TV wire from outside and then I ran another wire from the box to my TV. I only have 1 input/output wire from my TV, so this is why I got the box. I also have my stereo and my 360 game system going into the junction box. Now when I get the new TV will that box still work? I don't see why it wouldn't? I would guess that I would have to switch the wires going into the junction box from regular(the way it is now) to the HD wires that were not being used. Is there anything else you guys would think I would need?

Well, If you have the premium 360, then you have the HD cables already for the 360. I don't think that set has built in HDTV, but I could be wrong, but you'll need a cable box or box from your satellite company. Your cable company should give you a HDMI cable, no clue on the satellite company. But you should pretty much be set.

[goopaluchie]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

Well, If you have the premium 360, then you have the HD cables already for the 360. I don't think that set has built in HDTV, but I could be wrong, but you'll need a cable box or box from your satellite company. Your cable company should give you a HDMI cable, no clue on the satellite company. But you should pretty much be set.

You are correct, the 360 is set with an option so you can switch from standard viewing(what it is set on now) and there is a switch to change to HDTV. My question is you don't need all the "hype" wires that are out there? The optical cables they sell or the MadCatz wires, I don't need any of them? What is the cable (HDMI) for? My cable company is Adelphia cable. It's digital cable, just like our internet hook-up. Out internet hook up is high speed. What is the box for? Do I need that to watch TV in high def? Thanks...

[goopaluchie]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

You are correct, the 360 is set with an option so you can switch from standard viewing(what it is set on now) and there is a switch to change to HDTV. My question is you don't need all the "hype" wires that are out there? The optical cables they sell or the MadCatz wires, I don't need any of them? What is the cable (HDMI) for? My cable company is Adelphia cable. It's digital cable, just like our internet hook-up. Out internet hook up is high speed. What is the box for? Do I need that to watch TV in high def? Thanks...

I almost forgot, What would be the pricing of the box and the cable from the TV company? If I don't get the box or cable am I still able to watch TV without it? I wouldn't care b/c I would only be playing my 360 and watching movies in high def. I don't care to much for TV viewing.

[ExtremeGamer]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

I almost forgot, What would be the pricing of the box and the cable from the TV company? If I don't get the box or cable am I still able to watch TV without it? I wouldn't care b/c I would only be playing my 360 and watching movies in high def. I don't care to much for TV viewing.

Depends on the cable company, but you rent/lease boxes from the cable company. Adelphia is going out of business, but you need the box to view HD programs like ESPN HD or what not.

Your movies won't be HD, just 480p, but still better than normal tv.

[nyyfan84]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

im looking to buy a new hdtv primalry for the 360 and watching movies. i will eventually upgrade to hd cable but that wont be for another few months.

best buy is offering no interest till 2009 on tvs 999 and up im probably going to take advantage of that and get one this week. but i might wait till it gets closer to the super bowl, cause i have a feeling there will be bigger sales.

Im looking at the 32" to 37" range. dont need to go crazy on a 50" or 60" just yet. I think 32" would be the right size for me. I like the lcd's but i heard they arent the best for gaming. although the 360 hooked up to those samsungs on the demos look pretty nice and i dont see a problem with them

Ive narrowed it down to a few that im strongly considering

samsung 32" lcd

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7030795&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat31800050024&id=1110265591423

sharp aquos 32" lcd

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7311465&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat31800050024&id=1118843354574

sont bravia 32" lcd

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7323005&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat31800050024&id=1118844248064

westinghouse 32" lcd

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=6998396&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat31800050024&id=1110265591303

i was looking at the sony bravia xbr's too. they are nice but i dont see the $1000 price difference between them. I dont know too much about hdtvs but for the money i want to make sure i get the best deal possible. any help or feedback from you guys would be appreciated, thanks.

[ExtremeGamer]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

I don't know anything about any of those sets, but a lot of people rave about that Westinghouse TV.

[Dealin Rams]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

im looking to buy a new hdtv primalry for the 360 and watching movies. i will eventually upgrade to hd cable but that wont be for another few months.

best buy is offering no interest till 2009 on tvs 999 and up im probably going to take advantage of that and get one this week. but i might wait till it gets closer to the super bowl, cause i have a feeling there will be bigger sales.

Im looking at the 32" to 37" range. dont need to go crazy on a 50" or 60" just yet. I think 32" would be the right size for me. I like the lcd's but i heard they arent the best for gaming. although the 360 hooked up to those samsungs on the demos look pretty nice and i dont see a problem with them

Ive narrowed it down to a few that im strongly considering

samsung 32" lcd

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7030795&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat31800050024&id=1110265591423

sharp aquos 32" lcd

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7311465&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat31800050024&id=1118843354574

sont bravia 32" lcd

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7323005&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat31800050024&id=1118844248064

westinghouse 32" lcd

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=6998396&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat31800050024&id=1110265591303

i was looking at the sony bravia xbr's too. they are nice but i dont see the $1000 price difference between them. I dont know too much about hdtvs but for the money i want to make sure i get the best deal possible. any help or feedback from you guys would be appreciated, thanks.

I was looking at nearly the exact same tvs as you when I was researching the past two months. Of those 4 screens, I would get the Sharp, followed by the Sony.

However, in the end, I sucked it up and went for the new Sharp Aquos 37":

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

I couldn't be happier with my purchase, the set is fantastic (and I got it at a really good price too). If you can get a bit more money together, I would highly recommend taking a look at this.

[Casino]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

i just got an HDTV

http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetail...=true&id=27204

now do i just get any component cables to get an HD signal? i know about ordering HD service from directv and getting the HD reciever but im not sure about the cables.