We all know that HDTV is head and shoulders above standard definition, but what you might not know is that your shit might not be looking and sounding as good as it could be, if you aren't maximizing your system's potential.
For example, I was using an old cable box from Time Warner that must have been from the early days of HDTV. It only had composite RGB video, and coaxial digital sound. It looked decent, but there were definitely times during HD display, especially in areas of high contrast, where the picture would get fuzzy or spotted. I realized my TV wasn't being used to its full potential as it has HDMI capability. HDMI is the new standard for HDTV video AND audio data transfer. A new cable will run you $50 - $200 but it is well worth it.
I got a new HD DVR box from TW that has HDMI output (and some other nice features like a SATA hard drive port) and the display is like butter. I realized what I had been missing out on for the first few months of having the TV. So, don't make the same mistake as me - if you're HDTV provider has a better box, upgrade and get the cables too because it's well worth it.
soul creator Member since Jul 06th 2002 10339 posts
Sat Aug-13-05 06:35 PM
2. "i hope you meant component" In response to Reply # 1
lol
-- Nintendo is like your close friend that always says lame things at partys, and when he goes to the bathroom you have to explain to everyone "No I'm telling you guys, he's a cool guy...really" - ign board quote
9. "ya - i meant component too - in the original post" In response to Reply # 2
component - 3 cables for RGB
composite - one (yellow) cable combining all 3
has anyone ever seen an older "first gen" HDTV? my dad has one, and in addition to the RGB inputs (no DVI / HDMI), it has 2 other RCA inputs that say HD and SD, or something. not sure if he needs to plug these in to be able to watch HDTV - does anyone have experience with these older HD ready TV's?
3. "RE: HDTV Users: What Inputs Do You Use?" In response to Reply # 0
So, don't >make the same mistake as me - if you're HDTV provider has a >better box, upgrade and get the cables too because it's well >worth it.
If you have Comcast digital cable, upgrade to a set-top box for $5 a month more or if you have DirectTV, get the HD receiver.
All TV's have composite(worst), all HDTV's have component (red, blue, green cables) but they only can access 720p(good), some HD's have DVI (Sony 70" XBR)(better).
All these that I mentioned need audio cables as well:
high-end HD's have optical audio(best), some high-end HD's have coaxial audio(good), all HD's have RCA or regular white and red jacks(worst).
As the poster said up a couple, HDMI(high definition multimedia interface) is the only cable that can transfer video and audio in the same cord. Also it is the only cable that can access 1080i which is the highest quality HD out there.
In His service ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Timothy Brindle, www.lampmode.com
Who'd assume that this could be? You became a man penetrating into human history?
soul creator Member since Jul 06th 2002 10339 posts
Sun Aug-14-05 10:29 AM
6. "probably meant 1080p" In response to Reply # 5
-- Nintendo is like your close friend that always says lame things at partys, and when he goes to the bathroom you have to explain to everyone "No I'm telling you guys, he's a cool guy...really" - ign board quote
7. "I have comcast HD-DVR w/DVI output" In response to Reply # 0
My television only accepts component or HDMI, so I copped a DVI-->HDMI converter. Sure I'm not able to utilize the audio feature of the HDMI cable but I have the comcast box connected through my receiver via optical cable so I have better audio anyway.
12. "*bashes head against wall...*" In response to Reply # 7
>My television only accepts component or HDMI, so I copped a >DVI-->HDMI converter. Sure I'm not able to utilize the audio >feature of the HDMI cable but I have the comcast box connected >through my receiver via optical cable so I have better audio >anyway.
WTF!!!??? I DID NOT know it was DVI connection on the back of these boxes! A DVI cable came with my TV and I was saving it for my XBOX360. Now I gotta move my entire den around just to get to the back of this cable box. I paid $120 for these damn Monster compon cables and now I wont be usin'em
23. "Yeh, Samsung is fucking me with their lack of HDMI 1080p support" In response to Reply # 7 Tue Oct-11-05 08:22 PM by LA2Philly
Ideally I would like to use HDMI esp with the 1080p set that may* be arriving in about a month and half. However, CNET says that only the HP 1080p sets support HDMI for 1080p, and the Samsung which I am leaning for (the 68 series, the 2nd edition of the 1080p sets came out as the 78 series but there is no real difference aside from cosmetics) doesnt, and it doesnt have any DVI inputs so I would ahve to use components for 1080p. Even if i tried to convert the DVI to HDMI, its not fucking supported, and I dont want an HP with no track record of selling DLP's. The audio like you mentioned isnt a deal because of the optical I have going to my reciever anyways.
*The question that has me now leaning towards a 720p set is this: is the difference between a composite 1080p and an HDMI 720p, really worth a grand of our money? Plus we are in a townhome and wont be viewing it from all that far (probably about 10 feet) so how much will we be really able to tell the differnce? Any comments or experiences would help.
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26. "RE: Yeh, Samsung is fucking me with their lack of HDMI 1080p support" In response to Reply # 23 Wed Oct-12-05 04:44 AM by Steelysteel
>*The question that has me now leaning towards a 720p set is >this: is the difference between a composite 1080p and an HDMI >720p, really worth a grand of our money? Plus we are in a >townhome and wont be viewing it from all that far (probably >about 10 feet) so how much will we be really able to tell the >differnce? Any comments or experiences would help.
I personally recommend going HDMI all the way. A digital connection will always beat component. I would also highly recommend that you look into a Hitachi set. I got the 51F510 rear projection model and I must say that I love the set.
I'm not sure of HP quality in term of HDTV's, but I can attest first-hand to Hitachi's quality. You can't got wrong. If you have the space I would say go for a rear projection unit as you will save a few bucks. Also reliability of DLP sets are pretty much unknown with it being a new technology and all. At least you know the deal with projection sets as they have been around forever.
15. "sound connection question......" In response to Reply # 0
if i hook up the coaxial audio or the optical audio, will it make that much of a difference out of the tv speaker? whats the point of having the high quality input when it would only sound great on a good surround system?
'a baker earns his living by baking. a carpenter, by building things. youre a rapper, RAP MOTHERFUCKER' - lyor cohen
your not getting true surround from TV speakers. The only reason I see having a digital "in" is to use the TV as teh master volume and in using that scheme the TV would need a digital "out" as well to go back out to the recv/amp.
25. "RE: it really wont with TV speakers" In response to Reply # 16
you havent been looking at all.. my LG has 2 opti in and 1 opti out. I use opti in from my HDTV DVR and use opti out to go to my receiver. matter of fact everything goes through my TV and out to my receiver sound wise.
i personally would say get the HDMI over component. i am not a believer in paying too much for cables unless you are running them like 100 feet across your room or something. unless that's the case i would doubt you would get any kind of interference or signal loss. that being the case, pick up a HDMI cable from ebay like i did for like cheap. i've been using mine for 4 months and the picture on my HD set is great.
32. "YOU GUYS ARE INTERNET PEER-PRESSURE!!! ARGH!!!" In response to Reply # 30
I was going to make do with my 42 inch Panasonic that I've had for 2 years, but obviously, I must upgrade once more. Damn you's fuckers you's. And I had just paid off my amex.
27. "what are the fire wire ports for?" In response to Reply # 0
the samsung dlp sets have fire wire inputs. what for? does anybody know? the only thing i use fire wire for other than my ipod is connectiong my digital camcorder up to my computer.
35. "the 720 p / 1080 i debate is still open, i think" In response to Reply # 33 Wed Oct-12-05 07:03 PM by osu_no_1
on one side you have the progressive scan, on the other you got the increased resolution. what i haven't figured out is - how quickly can humans process the refreshing image? can we pick up on the quicker scan or is the interlaced display fast enough that we don't notice.
most people say that 720p gives a more pure image, especially during sporting events when there are quick moving objects.
edit - the dvi / component issue depends on a couple things. first if you're running the cable over a long distance, you would probably be best sticking with the component. it has been said (i havent tried it) that dvi / hdmi cables have a "drop off" after about 15 ft, where you get the sparkling / static looking shit on your display like what i talked about in the initial post.
but if you're only running the cable a short distance and need to run 720 or 1080, go with dvi. the cable has a higher average frequency response than component which is what's required for 720 / 1080.
40. "for the sake of technicalities..." In response to Reply # 38
...then yeah, 1080i is better.
No, you can't tell the difference, but when I'm looking for a set and what it can handle, you best believe i'm choosing a set that can handle 1080i over just 720p.
when i was looking for sets a few months ago i definitely looked for a set that accepted both. my display is a native 1080i though so it excepts everything and then converts to the native res.
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