HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

[Chrono]

Re: Plasma or LCD TV??

Ur right in a way but i prefer an lcd. I own an lcd hdtv. If u buy a cheaper tv ill admit that the blacks are not that good but if u spend some extra cash and buy a good lcd u will see a big difference. I have a samsung and u have to see how great it looks. Sure it was more expensive then a westinghouse or many other affordable lcd's but it was worth it IMO. The contrast is 4000:1 and the blacks are just as good as a DLP. As opose to the cheaper lcd's that only have a contrast ratio of about 1000:1 or maybe 1500:1. The trick to it all is spending that extra cash on a better brand. Ive tested many different tv's and the best for gaming to me is lcd then DLP. I wouldn't really recomend plasma cause it's more expensive to maintain and sometimes get damaged screens do to gaming.

I totally agree that a more expensive LCD does black levels better then a cheaper one. My parents have a 55 inch Sony Grand Wega LCD, and the black levels are very close to my DLP. Still probably not as deep a black as my DLP, but it's very close and you would only notice if you were looking for it. I'm not picky, so I think they both look FANTASTIC!!!

I didn't spend a lot on my Olevia LCD mainly because it's just a 2nd TV for our bedroom. Surprisingly, other then the black level (which doesn't really bother me) I've just been amazed at how great it looks! I don't have a 360 or ps3 so I haven't gotten into HD gaming yet... so I guess that could possibly swing my technology preference one way or the other.

[Blzer]

Re: Plasma or LCD TV??

Does anybody have any personal experience with the Mitsubishi WD-62627 DLP 1080p HDTV?

[Peji911]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

Hey Guys,

Just picked up a 52" Sharp Aquos.

I have a few questions:

I know I need a top of the line power bar with a filter, or at least thats what ive been told, but do I need anything else?


To hook up the 360, what do I need to get the best picture? Im picking up something like monster cables (is there a cheaper thing that does the same job?), but what else do I need?

Thanks Guys

[Peji911]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

For those without Cable Television in HD yet, is there something we can do to make the image better?

I mean, I keep hearing of a digital tuner and I have satellite and cable TV but in SD. Now, I want to get HD channels soon but its not offered where I am so through this tuner or through certain wires, can I get close to HDTV via regular cable TV and satellite?

Thx

[mjb2124]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

There's really not much you can do to make SD look better on an HDTV. It's the nature of the beast. The HDTV will show the imperfections in the signal more than a standard TV does.

[Peji911]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

There's really not much you can do to make SD look better on an HDTV. It's the nature of the beast. The HDTV will show the imperfections in the signal more than a standard TV does.

Thx for answering...

I read something about a digital tuner tho... can u shed some light? Cuz not all channels are HD so its not like HDTVs are always watching hdtv

[mjb2124]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

It's through your cable company. They can provide a digital cable box, but not all channels are digital. Many are still analog.

IMO digital doesn't look that much better either. Maybe I'm just spoiled from the HD channels (which I tend to watch the majority of the time). Digital is better than analog, but still not HD obviously.

Check your cable provider's website and they might have a listing of analog, digital and HD channels so you can get an idea as to what channels are digital.

[Peji911]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

It's through your cable company. They can provide a digital cable box, but not all channels are digital. Many are still analog.

IMO digital doesn't look that much better either. Maybe I'm just spoiled from the HD channels (which I tend to watch the majority of the time). Digital is better than analog, but still not HD obviously.

Check your cable provider's website and they might have a listing of analog, digital and HD channels so you can get an idea as to what channels are digital.

thx man

[jpup]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

After receiving all of my cable company's HD channels for free for the last couple of months, they turned them off this week. I only get the 4 broadcast networks in HD now unless I start paying another 22 bucks a month. It really makes me want to drop them and pick up Dish Network. The only problem with that is that I would have to get a phone line, I think, which makes little sense given that anything they would need should be done over broadband anyway.

Anyone with Dish or DirecTV? Do I have to get a phone line to use their service, is there another way? Who uses a landline phone anyways?

I just can't see paying 22 bucks a month for about 10 HD channels. I'm hoping they will just let me pay the 10 dollar a month HD channel charge and not make me get the box. Their website says that you have to get the box, but it's not really clear. BTW, I have a local cable company that isn't affiliated with any major carrier.

Are there any other alternatives for HD service?

[mjb2124]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

How the heck were you getting HD channels in HD without the box? I thought the box was necessary to get HD channels that aren't OTA? I think that's the reason my cable company swapped out cable boxes when I got HD.

Oh yeah, I have a landline phone. I don't want to only have a cell phone. That would mean people, including telemarketers and political calls could reach me 24/7/365. I don't want that.

[SuperBowlNachos]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

There isn't a big difference between $60 monster cables and a set that cost $20, you are mainly paying for the name. The only way you can really tell the difference is to freeze frame then examine it pixel by pixel.

[Fiddy]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

How the heck were you getting HD channels in HD without the box?

QAM tuner...


also.. anybody have a website where i can get correct settings for my samsung lns2641d?

thanks...

[Blzer]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

There isn't a big difference between $60 monster cables and a set that cost $20, you are mainly paying for the name. The only way you can really tell the difference is to freeze frame then examine it pixel by pixel.

... and which ones would be better?

[Seether4113]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

... and which ones would be better?

check out monoprice.com Very inexpensive, high-quality cables. I have all different kinds of them, and they are great.

[Seether4113]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

For those without Cable Television in HD yet, is there something we can do to make the image better?

I mean, I keep hearing of a digital tuner and I have satellite and cable TV but in SD. Now, I want to get HD channels soon but its not offered where I am so through this tuner or through certain wires, can I get close to HDTV via regular cable TV and satellite?

Thx

Try lowering the sharpness some, and it may look a little less grainy.