The Semi-Official HDTV Thread - Page 2

Samsung LCDs, whilst sexy to look at (trust me, I own one) have a falsely inflated contrast ratio. Sonys are much better - and the price difference should be negligable in the US by now.

Today I sprung for a 32 inch Samsung HDTV, and it looks great. One of the main reasons I bought it was because it has a swivel base, which works great for me, since I'm not directly in front of it in my room, and I have to have it tilted to the left to see it. I also hooked up the HDDVD player that my girlfriend got me last Christmas, so I can view the HDDVDs that I have, and watch upscaled regular dvds.

Another reason for choosing the Samsung, is because my other tv which is a Samsung, is 11 years old, and still works. I trust Samsung.

Is there any point in getting a 24 inch HDTV? I mean are you even going to see the benefit with a screen like that? I say this as someone who is looking to blow a good chunk of his student loan on something shiny and has spotted 24 inch HDTVs on sale for £200

HD computer monitor, yes it's worth it.

Speaking of which: I'm going to be in the market for one of these things within the next month or so thanks to being back at my old job at Best Buy. I have my eye on a 22 in. 720p Insignia that comes down to about $260 with my discount. On the other hand, I've been noticing HD computer monitors for about the same size for about $100 less. Either this is the best kept secret of the industry, or there's a catch. What's the consensus?

I imagine the color sharpness, contrast, refresh rate etc. wouldn't be as impressive...

The HD computer monitor probably lacks ATSC/NTSC/QAM tuning and probably doesn't have any audio capabilities. How many inputs does it have? How many do you need, and what kind? Sometimes on a computer monitor you'll just get DVI and VGA in... and that's it.

The two monitors I've got my eye on, both of them have HDMI ports, so that's not an issue. I'm guessing that series of acronyms is talking about television tuning capability, in which case, I'm fairly sure my digital cable box can pick up the slack there, though I'm not 100%. The audio isn't a big deal either, since my 5.1 setup is technically supposed to be used with a PC to begin with, but it came with a dongle to make it compatible with a TV. If I have any worries, it's that my Gamecube and PS2 might be shit out of luck hooking up to this thing, except through the VGA port.

I'm mostly concerned the picture quality will pale in comparison to a real HDTV....but I've seen HD on computers before (in particular, my ex-girlfriend's Macbook) and it looks pretty damn decent to me.

NTSC is our current analog system, due to be turned off in February. ATSC is our digital over-the-air system, and QAM is what you'd use to watch any unencrypted digital cable channels. A cable box does pick up the slack here, but cable is, in my opinion, such a brazen rip-off these days that ATSC and an internet connection pretty much covers my TV viewing needs.

If anything I'd expect the computer monitor to look better. That might be CRT-era thinking, however.

Yeah, this is probably a topic for another thread, but digital cable, especially Time Warner, has been pissing me right off the last few months. It makes no sense that Digital Cable and basic cable around here cost the same, and there's no way to downgrade. I'd love to hear how this ATSC business works around it.

Whilst I agree, that swivel base is ideal - you shouldn't unconditionally love Samsung. Their phones, printers and fridges are all fairly infamous for their high failure rates.

Fuck Time Warner Cable. You people with Comcast don't know how good you've got it. I count the seconds until I can get FIOS - and I hate Verizon. Time Warner is that bad - they have the power to make Comcast and Verizon look good. I spend days trying to call them and only got a busy signal every time - I actually got a busy signal from these idiots. First busy signal I've gotten in literally years. At least Verizon will make the effort to pretend that they care. Time Warner straight up doesn't want to talk to you and they make no bones about it.


Well, you connect a decent antenna, rooftop is of course best, to your HDTV (or your external tuner box if your HDTV or computer monitor lacks a built in digital tuner). If you live in an apartment building check if there's an antenna already on your roof - if there is, then there you go. Then you watch TV. This won't get you cable channels, but not everyone wants or needs the cable channels, and for some people the cost-benefit ratio of cable just doesn't pan out like it used to. (Why pay more money for the benefit of watching more channels with more commercials? Shouldn't the commercials pay for that?)

Since this ATSC system allows for multiplexing of channels (each channel carrying several streams that appear as virtual "channels" to the end user), and since with digital broadcasts you can squeeze in more channels closer to each other, the number of local "channels" you can have in any given market has just exponentially increased. And since you can have multiple "channels" to a channel, and a vast array of valid resolutions in the ATSC system (PDF Link), independent broadcasters who would ordinarily be competing to score a slice of RF spectrum for an analog station can team up and literally share that spectrum - one channel can hold probably 4 to 6 high-quality streams (virtual channels) of DVD-grade video with stereo or 5.1 audio. Throw a 1080i/DD 5.1 stream onto a channel and you still have room for a couple of 480p/DD 2.0 channels at reasonable quality. If you want to take it down to VCD's resolution of 352x240, which is the lowest allowed under ATSC, then you could cram probably 10 to 15 of those streams into a channel at reasonable bitrates. Audio-only streams are permitted as well - these use truly negligible portions of your bitrate. ATSC supports the time-honored audio standards of MP2 and Dolby Digital (AC-3). The point being, you can split the risks and share the rewards of operating an independent TV station more effectively than you could under analog NTSC and one "channel" per channel. I can't wait for the ATSC "co-op" stations to start popping up. Local TV is about to get real interesting.

Pretty much. I'd miss the Discovery and History Channels, Comedy Central, Adult Swim and Good Eats like hell, but those factors together don't equal $65 a month, and most of the stuff I'd miss, I can hunt down online easy.

The cable-less option is honestly where I'm headed.

curious question, since we got some hdtvs in the house now, with the digital turnover, is our basic cable going to get upgraded? Will we still have to get converter boxes because we don't have the digital package?

we're with comcast right now.

Just to give you some perspective.

The 24 monitor I bought was roughly 400 dollars, it's in the midrange category of quality. You want to look for a few things. Refresh rates, lower the better. HDCP compliant. HDMI input. And Contrast ratios. All monitors are not created equal.

And if you have a spare cable box, you can use it as a TV, considering if it has built in speakers.

And FYI: 1080 resolution is 1,920x1,080. So if a monitor does less than that you will get a downgrade in an HD signal.

720 is 1,280x720
480 is 852x480

The monitor I bought is 1920 x 1200 so by displaying a HD signal in 1:1 it will give some letter boxing on the top and bottom.

The one I'm going after is 1440 x 900. I'm guessing that's 720p, with a wee bit of overscan?

Yeah. You'll probably get some black boxing around the image if it does 1:1

Here's what I mean when I say 1:1.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1:1_pixel_mapping

If your TV has a QAM (unencrypted digital cable) compatible tuner in it, screw your coaxial cable directly into the TV and do a Cable TV channel scan - see what comes up. It might vary from market to market, but from what I've seen Comcast provides a decent number of unencrypted digital SD and HD channels. Time Warner encrypts nearly everything to force people to use their shitty, crash-prone cable boxes.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank billy and reggie for their input. Ended up with a Gateway 22". $209 with employee discount. HDMI, DVI, and component inputs. Does 1080p. Getting HD cable box tomorrow. Currently hooked up to my 360. Have been throwing in games and DVDs all night with my jaw on the floor.

Next step: Blu Ray. And no, a PS3 is still NOT an option.

Help please.

My roomates TV has started to look weird, there is a purple glowing section at the bottom of the screen, and it might be spreading. He has a 55" Hitachi Ultra Vision rear projection he just bought last year.

Would that be the bulb or something else?

Some forums I've read mentioned that it might be a color panel issue. If you're still under warranty, take advantage of it ASAP.

So, next question: Apparently, the monitor I bought is actually 1680x1050, which is, apparently, some sort of awkward red headed stepchild resolution between 720p/1080i and 1080p.

So far I'm not complaining, though. The NXE was kind enough to grace my 360 with 1680x1050 support. Time Warner's HD set top doesn't *quite* support it, but for some reason the stretching isn't nearly as noticeable with TV as it is with DVDs. Both ways, I've still been able to produce image quality that even puts a lot of the in-store models at work to shame.

But now I'm worried about Blu Ray, especially considering how irritating the stretching was when my 360 was trying to do 720p or 1080p,and I need a clear answer. Aside from the PS3, do standalone Blu Ray players support this resolution?

No, I think you'd have a hard time finding a device that supports that natively. The 360 is definitely the exception. And it didn't even add native support until the NXE, 3 years after release.

If you are willing to put your elbows and feet into overweight ladies, Wal-Mart has a slit-throat Black Friday deal on a Samsung 42" 1080p HDTV. A measly $598.

Polaroid, not Samsung.

Big difference?

Big difference.

But for a second set for the bedroom, that's not a big deal. May have to try and get one. Haven't been to a blackfriday bloodfest in years.

Have fun with that.

I'll be dressed like this:


That should help me out.

Oops, I forgot it was a Polaroid.
Still, it's a great deal for a 2nd TV. I am also saving for a Samsung.

Another 120hz question; I've been reading that the awkward 'video' look that films get is from AMP (Auto Motion Plus) which can be turned off. However, I can't seem to get a straight answer about how effective it is getting back the 'film' look of the media source.

Can a Samsung with 120 hz be adjusted to get rid of the awkward video look on blurays? My girlfriend wants smooth motion out of her Wii, but not at the cost of shitty looking film motion.

My roomate just replaced his LCD projection TV with a 52 inch LCD LG 70 series with 1080p and "TruMotion" which is LG's name for the 120hz setting. It is aways turned off for movies and tv (except sports) and is turned on for games on the PS3. I find movies look like they were shot on a camcorder if it's turned on, I can't stand it. Even with it turned off it still has a few moments were it looks like video, but not nearly as bad as on the 120hz setting.

I don't know about the Samsung but the two or three tv's we looked at could all turn off the 120hz setting.

Interesting. We're now interested in the Sony Bravia line, it's between the S4100 or the W4100. Both have the 24p support for my movies, however I'm hearing mixed things about both models. The W4100 seems a complete bitch to calibrate, and the S4100 seems to have backlight problems and I hear it gives black and white movies a greenish tint. Anybody have experience with these models?

I took the plunge a couple hours ago. Been saving up for a while.

Bought a Sharp 46" LCD 1080p Slim Line. $996 down from $1477. I had to take it out of the box to get it in the back seat of my Sunfire, but it was an easy fit after. It's propped up in a corner right now, I'll set it up tomorrow after I re-arrange my entire livingroom. Ugh.

Only fools wait until they're rearranged the living room to set up a TV that size.

Its basically taunting you. Plug it in!

I have a Samsung and I went to an A/V forum for calibration numbers and the tv sharpened up just fine.

My dad bought the Bravia S4100 on Black Friday for $899 from Sears and the picture just looks great right out of the box. My dad knows nothing about calibration and the default settings are superb for sports. As for external hookups... I helped him hook up a DVD/VHS dual drive with the HDMI cable and the interface for switching between AV outlets is just beautiful and easy to do.

I recomend it, easily.

Samsung, eh? Is it the 550? We're also looking at that one. Right now it's a toss-up between the Sony S4100 and the Samsung A550.

Are either of these better than the other for bluray movies, specifically?

I just purchased a Sammy 52A850 and Auto Motion Plus 120Hz is AWESOME for sports and PS3 games. For everything else it cheapens the image, IMO.

My wife equates it to watching low-budget TV shows in Canada.

I wish I could tell you, I have not the funds for a bluray player. Still paying off the TV. This is the TV I bought. Samsung LN40A550

I will say I have a playstation 2 and a new Wii for christmas that must share the side A/V outlet as there are only two A/v outlets. The HDTV signal goes in the component cable outlets. One back A/V is for my standard DVD player, so the other A/v is designated to switch between the ps2 and Wii. Neither video game system uses the HDMI ports.

So hopefully later this year I'll get a blu ray that uses the HDMI port and will free up some of the outlets.

I've got the A559p and it's a wonderful set. The remote's AV switching is frustratingly long winded, but it's something you just learn to deal with. The picture quality is outstanding.

I purchased the Samsung 46" from Best Buy this past friday, and bought the BD-P1500 Samsung Blu Ray player this weekend. Both worked great on sunday night as I watched Stallone destroy Burma in Rambo.

Monday, when I turned the tv on it suddenly had a mind of its own. The volume turned itself down to zero, and won't let you turn it back up. Also, all the buttons on the TV and remote are non-responsive. I phoned Samsung, who said they could have a technician out on 1/5 to take a look at it, but I think I'm just going to bring it back to Best Buy after work today and have them swap it out. What's even better is I've yet to find someone online that's had that happen to their TV before.

Does the remote have a VCR/DVD player switch? Maybe the internal speakers have been locked out for an external amplifier.

I just bought a Samsung 40" 1080p/120Hz HDTV, and after I hooked up the monster HDMI cable to my PS3 and popped in The Dark Knight I witnessed the greatest picture I have ever seen on a television. Online this TV ranges from $1300 to $1700, and thanks to getting the open box model I snagged it for $899. The only damage to it is a scratch on the base of the stand, and I couldn't care less about that.

I love this TV!

This is the year for my leap. Looking at a 46" LG (minus the 120hz shit - makes movies look like ass and I don't play videogames). Thinking about LG's Netflix-capable Blu-Ray player. Anyone want to warn me about anything, I'm all ears.

LG is actually releasing TV's with built-in Netflix streaming this spring.
http://ces.cnet.com/8301-19167_1-10131049-100.html
(Cnet notes the LG blu-ray player you're talking about has "subpar" DVD image quality)

Congrats Eric. I think I will take the plunge into a large HDTV set this year (I have one but it's only 26'' for the bedroom).

There's finally a bunch of these TVs that I think are priced at a reasonable price point, the only problem is the more they become affordable then the more I start looking at the larger sets. So for me, I think at this point I want something that is at least 50'', but still have no favorite brand or set of features beyond the basics (1080p, good set of connections, etc).

I'm still banking on the Oppo being the killer Blu-Ray player.

I'm not sure having built-in Netflix is noting more than a stop gap. Netflix has yet to release any info on HD streaming at this point. So, why bother with something that could be obsolete within a year or so?

Oppo has a page up on their site with pictures of their forthcoming Blu-ray player and the ability to sign up to be notified via email when it comes to market.

And, all five devices (Roku, Xbox 360, TiVo Gen 3 DVR and the Samsung & LG players) on the market featuring built-in Netflix now offer HD streaming. More info here.