The Official High-Definition TV thread

[Mike Olbinski]

So, with the Mpeg4 technology, my reciever won't receive HD signal at all, or is the only difference that I'd have to get my local HD feed from over the air but still get, say, ESPNHD fed through my DTV HD Tivo?

Sorry for what might be remedial questions. I wish they'd make HDTV a little more simple. Feels like you have to jump through a lot of GD hoops.

No...I think the deal is this:

- They have to broadcast their current lineup of HD channels in Mpeg2 until everyone and all cities are converted...
- However, the new local HD channels are in Mpeg4 only.
- Any additional HD channels they add are probably only in Mpeg4 as well.

So you can buy an DTV HD Tivo and get HBO, SHO, ESPn, ESPN2, TNT, HDN, UNI, DISC, PPVHD and...maybe one more. Probably NFL Ticket too, but sure.

But you wont get locals in HD with it, unless you use the OTA, and any new stations they add.

 

[Pariah]

Hmm. The DTV HD Tivos are pretty cheap (based on ebay), so I might go with that for now and shell out more money later.

I really want to be HD capable when we move into our new house in July/August and we've found we can't live without Tivo, and I don't want to have 2 separate subscriptions to DVRs.

 

[CardFan67]

Does anyone have this exact television? I have two friends that both bought this same television... I am going to go over and try to help them with the set up, neither of them can get the HD portion to work and the internal recording won't work properly either... I think the recording device has a problem with the channels of our local cable company... it works for on the fly recording but you can't set channels to be recorded in the future... If anyone has this set maybe you can give me some pointers...

On my television I have all inputs filled and I can flip between Coax, S video, Progressive scan, or HDMI... this television apparently disables the others if you plug into HDMI...

DIAMOND 825 Series

You must be registered for see images

Mitsubishi Diamond 825 Series
Picture courtesy of Pricegrabber.com
<< Previous | Next >>

The Diamond Series is Mitsubishi’s top of the line DLP television. The models are WD-52825 and WD-62825. They are virtually the same as the MEDALLION 725 and 525 series, but have a couple of significant differences. Because the design is more elegant, it features a cloth-covered panel (instead of grey plastic panel) in the front that pulls down to expose the MediaCommand digital card inputs as well as the composite, S-Video, and 1394 Firewire connections. The other difference is the addition of a 120-gigabyte internal digital Personal Digital Recorder (PVC) that records up to 12 hours of HD programming. It also comes with a High Transmissivity Anti-Glare Diamond Shield. Because of the design and PVC, the Diamond series is the most expensive of Mitsubishi’s DLP televisions

 

[Mike Olbinski]

Does anyone have this exact television? I have two friends that both bought this same television... I am going to go over and try to help them with the set up, neither of them can get the HD portion to work and the internal recording won't work properly either... I think the recording device has a problem with the channels of our local cable company... it works for on the fly recording but you can't set channels to be recorded in the future... If anyone has this set maybe you can give me some pointers...

On my television I have all inputs filled and I can flip between Coax, S video, Progressive scan, or HDMI... this television apparently disables the others if you plug into HDMI...

I have no idea what is wrong, but S-Video is not HD. No idea what progressive scan is....

There are usually a set of five colored inputs called Component Inputs...and an HDMI input for HD. THat's what you need to use to get a proper picture.

What service are they using? Cox? DTV?

 

[CardFan67]

I have no idea what is wrong, but S-Video is not HD. No idea what progressive scan is....

There are usually a set of five colored inputs called Component Inputs...and an HDMI input for HD. THat's what you need to use to get a proper picture.

What service are they using? Cox? DTV?

Component input and progressive scan are the same thing, we did this already in this thread...

They both have Time Warner HD Cable...

 

[Mike Olbinski]

Component input and progressive scan are the same thing, we did this already in this thread...

They both have Time Warner HD Cable...

Sorry, I guess we did...but I really have never heard of "progressive scan" as a type of input.

That usually refers to DVD players and the way they read DVDs....

So if they have HD Cable, and an HD box...just connect the HDMI from the receiver to the HDMI on the TV.

Or use the Component cables.

What is this recording problem...I guess I am missing it? Internal recordings?

 

[Mike Olbinski]

Here is a link to stuff about progressive scan.

http://hometheater.about.com/od/beforeyoubuy/a/progressivescan_3.htm

Basically, the "progressive scan" is the video coming across, the Component, DVI or HDMI is the type of cable and input.

Mike

 

[CardFan67]

Here is a link to stuff about progressive scan.

http://hometheater.about.com/od/beforeyoubuy/a/progressivescan_3.htm

Basically, the "progressive scan" is the video coming across, the Component, DVI or HDMI is the type of cable and input.

Mike

My cables packaging says "Progressive Scan Cables for component inputs such as: XBox, Nintendo Game Cube, and DVD Devices"

and yes the primary issue is the internal recording device and the way it communicates with the guide services on a given cable system...

Progressive Scan

From
Your Guide to Home Theater http://hometheater.about.com
FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!
Progressive Scan and HDTV
In addition to DVD, progressive scan is applied to DTV and HDTV as well. Standard definition DTV is broadcast in 480p (the same characteristics as progressive scan DVD - 480 lines or pixel rows progressively scanned) and HDTV is broadcast at either 720p (720p lines or pixel rows progressively scanned) or 1080i (1,080 lines or pixel rows that are alternately scanned fields made up of 540 lines each). In order to receive these signals, you need an HDTV with either a built-in HDTV tuner or an external HD tuner, HD Cable, or Satellite box.

 

[Lefty]

A friend bought a 42' tv made by LG. I don't know much about LG but the picture quality was very good. Anyone own a LG tv and if so, are you happy with it?

 

[Red Dawn]

Here's a link to a helpful connection guide I found while hooking up my surround sound:

http://www.avdeals.com/classroom/plasmaconnections1.htm

 

[SweetD]

This might help

I spoke with a Cox Cable guy yesterday and just so happens he is on their HDTV development team. He gave some info that was very interesting.

1) Cox does not support HDMI and if you use this connection it may disable some of the functions on the box. He said in the future it will be supported after but they have to work with the manf of the boxes to do a software updated. Expected date 2007

2) Make sure you get a tech to install your box. There is a set-up feature that you have to do to allow other formats than 1080i to work like 460P and ect. This is not in the manuals.

3) If you use the analog output on our cable box, like for a VCR, it will degrade your TV picture.

4) Don't use cable surge protectors or filters it will also lower your bandwidth. Don't worry about lighting all the cables are grounded by all cable providers.

5) Stay away from the internal cards that go into the TV's they are CRAP!

 

[dreamcastrocks]

I spoke with a Cox Cable guy yesterday and just so happens he is on their HDTV development team. He gave some info that was very interesting.

1) Cox does not support HDMI and if you use this connection it may disable some of the functions on the box. He said in the future it will be supported after but they have to work with the manf of the boxes to do a software updated. Expected date 2007

2) Make sure you get a tech to install your box. There is a set-up feature that you have to do to allow other formats than 1080i to work like 460P and ect. This is not in the manuals.

3) If you use the analog output on our cable box, like for a VCR, it will degrade your TV picture.

4) Don't use cable surge protectors or filters it will also lower your bandwidth. Don't worry about lighting all the cables are grounded by all cable providers.

5) Stay away from the internal cards that go into the TV's they are CRAP!

1) I am using HDMI now, but haven't bothered to switch back to component. I think that they major problem with the HDMI port is the audio out. It never seems to work right, eventhough I read that switching the settings to Dolby Digital, rather than HDMI is supposed to fix that.

2) 460p doesn't look any better than 480p, and my TV would have to scale it to at least 480 anyway.

3) I am using the analog and HDMI connections for cable, and there is a quite noticable difference in PQ.

4) Never used a surge protector for this box. It isn't important enough, and easily replaceable by Cox anyway.

5) Agreed. HDTV and Cable Cards do not mix.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Does anyone have this exact television? I have two friends that both bought this same television... I am going to go over and try to help them with the set up, neither of them can get the HD portion to work and the internal recording won't work properly either... I think the recording device has a problem with the channels of our local cable company... it works for on the fly recording but you can't set channels to be recorded in the future... If anyone has this set maybe you can give me some pointers...

On my television I have all inputs filled and I can flip between Coax, S video, Progressive scan, or HDMI... this television apparently disables the others if you plug into HDMI...

I wish I had this TV. I bought the 62628 instead. I couldn't afford the extra $1100 to upgrade to this one. Although the VGA port would have really come in handy, with the new 360 updates.

From what I understand, the 62628 and the 62825 have the same chipset. using the first HDMI port does not disable anything. The HDMI 2 port is supposed to be a PC port, even though it has a VGA connection. You can go into the setup and change it though, to make it work like a standard VGA port, although this is not supported by Mitsubishi.

I have heard of a lot of problems with the TV Guide feature not working correctly with this set, and another major reason that I did not buy it. The DVR doesn't play well with Cox's or Tivo's because it has its own DVR. You may want to try and get a firmware upgrade from Mitsubishi to resolve this issue. I have heard that this has fixed it for others.

Let me know if any of this helps.

 

[abomb]

Does anyone know the specifics of our Cox HD Box upgrades that are scheduled to take place Tuesday, June 13? The postcard said something about increased data storage on the DVR.

 

[Mike Olbinski]

Does anyone know the specifics of our Cox HD Box upgrades that are scheduled to take place Tuesday, June 13? The postcard said something about increased data storage on the DVR.

Well, considering they run off hard drives...I don't see how they can increase it unless they change the way they compress it I guess.

 

[abomb]

Well, considering they run off hard drives...I don't see how they can increase it unless they change the way they compress it I guess.

Yeah, that is what I am guessing too. I wonder how much increase we will see. I also wonder if there will be any upgrades to the interface or functionality.

I love my Cox HD, but miss some of the bells of TiVo.

 

[phxrising]

Oh and I read the whole thread, just in case.



Hey I’m looking at getting a 42” plasma EDTV, it has the native 480 resolution.
480 I understand is what DVD play at and most of your HD channels on cable are so compression should be limited.
It’s running around $1800.
**Anyone have any input as to this being a poor choice or not.

1)Is it worth giving up Plasma and going DLP to get the 720?
2)What about models I see with just one NTSC/ATSC tuner, not both should I be concerned?
3) input or outputs that are MUST haves?

Other things I’m looking at are Sony grand wega or DLP

Some examples I’ve been looking at.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7711167&type=product&id=1138086437384

http://www.uecweb.com/index.php?p=product&id=243&parent=4

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7731564&type=product&id=1140392418573

Thanks for any input or help

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Oh and I read the whole thread, just in case.



Hey I’m looking at getting a 42” plasma EDTV, it has the native 480 resolution.
480 I understand is what DVD play at and most of your HD channels on cable are so compression should be limited.
It’s running around $1800.
**Anyone have any input as to this being a poor choice or not.

1)Is it worth giving up Plasma and going DLP to get the 720?
2)What about models I see with just one NTSC/ATSC tuner, not both should I be concerned?
3) input or outputs that are MUST haves?

Other things I’m looking at are Sony grand wega or DLP

Some examples I’ve been looking at.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7711167&type=product&id=1138086437384

http://www.uecweb.com/index.php?p=product&id=243&parent=4

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7731564&type=product&id=1140392418573

Thanks for any input or help

If you go DLP, you can get 52" or even higher for the same price. Personally, for $1800, you could do a lot better. Do not pay $1800 for a EDTV. PERIOD! If you are set on getting plasma though, that is not the bad price.

I have seen last year's 62" Mitsubishi DLP TV (720) for $1999.

I would decide on whether you need plasma. DLP or LCD will most likely be a major upgrade to what you are already using. You get the least bang for your buck with plasma, IMO.

As far as inputs, I would make sure that the TV has at least one HDMI output, or at least a DVI. HDMI will most likely become the new standard, but you can buy DVI - HDMI conversion cables.

 

[Mike Olbinski]

If you go DLP, you can get 52" or even higher for the same price. Personally, for $1800, you could do a lot better. Do not pay $1800 for a EDTV. PERIOD! If you are set on getting plasma though, that is not the bad price.

I have seen last year's 62" Mitsubishi DLP TV (720) for $1999.

I would decide on whether you need plasma. DLP or LCD will most likely be a major upgrade to what you are already using. You get the least bang for your buck with plasma, IMO.

As far as inputs, I would make sure that the TV has at least one HDMI output, or at least a DVI. HDMI will most likely become the new standard, but you can buy DVI - HDMI conversion cables.

Agreed, if you buy an EDTV you may as well kick yourself in the nuts while you're at it

Buy a Sony Rear Projection LCD, or a Mitsubishi DLP and you will be thrilled.

 

[ArizonaSportsFan]

Just bought a Samsung 50" DLP set along with an Onkyo receiver and an Infiniti 5.1 speaker setup. It has the 1080p engine, and while not much besides Blu-Ray can output 1080p, I am ready for the PS3 to sit next to my XBOX 360 and its Blu-Ray upgrade (later this year, I believe). The picture is very nice. Sony had a couple of 1080p sets but they were too expensive and too big.

For the fellow (Zona90) asking about LG, they are the manufacturer of many things Korean. For instance, I believe that some of Samsung's stuff is manufactured by LG. I could be wrong but that info was from a Korean co-worker of mine. They recently started branding their stuff as their own. I would trust LG.

 

[D-Dogg]

On HD, Veronica Mars looks hot as hell. Even Shane H agrees.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

On HD, Veronica Mars looks hot as hell. Even Shane H agrees.

How anyone could not think that she is not at least cute is beyond me.

 

[ArizonaSportsFan]

A tech question here. Since my TV will convert everything to 1080p, will that make standard TV look like complete crap, or just fuzzy? And is it worth it to get a DVD player which converts into 1080i if my TV is going to convert it to 1080p anyways? Would the DVD player (a Sony) do a better job than the TV (a Samsung), which would just then change the display method (from interlaced to progressive)? Thanks for listening. I haven't even got the TV out of the box yet and I am nervous that things won't look good. Everything looks good in the store since they are feeding the sets the highest resolution feed possible.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Standard TV will most likely look noticably worse than what it used to. I have the same problem. I actually use two outputs, the regular composite for my standard TV, and HDMI for the HD. I actually saw better results (or worse, depending on how you look at it) with the composite vs. S-Video.

If you a semi nice DVD player, the dvd player usually does a better job of interlacing than the TV.

 

[ArizonaSportsFan]

Standard TV will most likely look noticably worse than what it used to. I have the same problem. I actually use two outputs, the regular composite for my standard TV, and HDMI for the HD. I actually saw better results (or worse, depending on how you look at it) with the composite vs. S-Video.

Thanks. Outputs from what, your cable/satellite box?

If you a semi nice DVD player, the dvd player usually does a better job of interlacing than the TV.

In this case the TV takes it to 1080 progressive, so I am wondering if it is better to go 480p->1080i->1080p or 480p->1080p.