The Official High-Definition TV thread

[Mike Olbinski]

BUMP!


Suns on Fox HD tonight.

Yeah, if you get Fox HD...

*curses DTV*

Mike

 

[Chaz]

Yeah, if you get Fox HD...

*curses DTV*

Mike

You should call DTV. It said in the article and on the TV it was available to satellite providers.

 

[Mike Olbinski]

You should call DTV. It said in the article and on the TV it was available to satellite providers.

Called them tonight, they just don't have it...

Mike

 

[Mike Olbinski]

The olympics look to have a LOT of coverage in high definition this year

NBC HD
The Torino Games will feature the most high definition coverage in Olympic television history. For the first time, Olympic HD viewers will see a simulcast of the analog broadcast -- same time, same broadcasters, same graphics -- but in High Definition and in 5.1 surround sound.

Figure skating, hockey, long and short track speed skating, ski jumping, freestyle aerials and moguls, and the Opening and Closing Ceremonies will all be broadcast in 1080i high definition because those venues in Torino are wired for high definition coverage by the host broadcaster. From those venues where the host broadcaster is unable to provide a high definition signal, a 16:9 signal will be upconverted by NBC.

Your local NBC affiliate's digital channel will carry the high definition simulcast of the network coverage.

UNIVERSAL HD
Since USA, MSNBC and CNBC, like most cable networks, do not have high definition platforms, Universal HD, NBC Universal's high definition cable network will carry a live simulcast of much of the cable coverage, featuring Olympic hockey like it has never been seen before.

 

[Jersey Girl]

OKay, I am taking the plunge here and I will need all of your expertise and assistance.

I am looking into purchasing a big screen HDTV since Best Buy has 0% financing til 2009. I still have to do some reseach online, but it looks like the Sony Wega is the way to go. My friend has a rear-projection Toshiba which is absolutely fabulous. (Watching college bowl games on that TV and hearing Chandler Mike talk about his HDTV got me looking into all of these great options.)

Currently, I have Comcast Cable and Directv. I know with my cable company that I will have to upgrade to digital cable (and call them for more info on what else I need to do to get HD channels). But, with Directv I need to call them and get the new receiver, correct? And it's about $250, correct? And I guess this would be a good time for me to sign on to Tivo since I don't currently have that, right? I'm guessing that when I call Directv I should tell them that I am trying to make a decision between Comcast and them and then maybe they'll give me a deal?

Also, what do you think the chances are of me getting all this crazy stuff done in time for Super Bowl Sunday? My sis and I have a party every year and I want to shock the hell outta my guests when they enter and see the big screen rather than the basic 27" TV.

Thanks for your help. I am psyched!

 

[Mike Olbinski]

OKay, I am taking the plunge here and I will need all of your expertise and assistance.

I am looking into purchasing a big screen HDTV since Best Buy has 0% financing til 2009. I still have to do some reseach online, but it looks like the Sony Wega is the way to go. My friend has a rear-projection Toshiba which is absolutely fabulous. (Watching college bowl games on that TV and hearing Chandler Mike talk about his HDTV got me looking into all of these great options.)

Currently, I have Comcast Cable and Directv. I know with my cable company that I will have to upgrade to digital cable (and call them for more info on what else I need to do to get HD channels). But, with Directv I need to call them and get the new receiver, correct? And it's about $250, correct? And I guess this would be a good time for me to sign on to Tivo since I don't currently have that, right? I'm guessing that when I call Directv I should tell them that I am trying to make a decision between Comcast and them and then maybe they'll give me a deal?

Also, what do you think the chances are of me getting all this crazy stuff done in time for Super Bowl Sunday? My sis and I have a party every year and I want to shock the hell outta my guests when they enter and see the big screen rather than the basic 27" TV.

Thanks for your help. I am psyched!

Well....

First off, I'd like to know what you have both Comcast AND DirectTV...why do you need both?

Pick one and save yourself some money?

Second, if you are going to buy yourself a rear projection set, and you like the LCD's, then get the Sony Grand Wega. They own. But if you are looking at DLP, then I think Mitsubishi is the best in that category...

As far as buying one at Best Buy...I don't want to get all "BIM" about it, but doing no financing is a scam, but if you pay it off before 2009, I guess it's not horrible.

However, I think you can get it cheaper elsewhere. I bought mine online and saved like $500. I also think Costco or Sams Club will have them $200 cheaper than Best Buy or Ultimate Electronics. In fact, the new Costco by the Chandler Mall has the new Sony Grand Wega there right now I believe.

For the HD Receivers you'd need with DTV, if you go Tivo, it could cost you $300 for that. That sounds about right. Comcast, if they are anything like Cox, should rent you an HD DVR for just a monthly payment.

Also, if you are going to have an HDTV, you'll need new component cables, or an HDMI cable. If you have a good sound system with Optical connections, you'll need an optical cable too.

Depending on where you get the TV, I think you can easily do it by Super Bowl Sunday. Only thing I'd be worried about would be DTV installing the HD Tivo, but that shouldn't take too long I don't think.

Mike

 

[Jersey Girl]

Well....

First off, I'd like to know what you have both Comcast AND DirectTV...why do you need both?

Pick one and save yourself some money?

Well, we have Directv for Cardinals and *gasp* Cowboys football. I would love to just have Directv, but Comcast has a monopoly on the Flyers, Sixers and Phillies, so having Comcast cable is the only way we can watch those teams. (Figures the only Philly team I don't like is the Eagles.) I believe this is pretty unique to the Philly market, which is why Directv has such a difficult time being successful in this area.

Second, if you are going to buy yourself a rear projection set, and you like the LCD's, then get the Sony Grand Wega. They own. But if you are looking at DLP, then I think Mitsubishi is the best in that category...

Okay. I will have to look into that.

As far as buying one at Best Buy...I don't want to get all "BIM" about it, but doing no financing is a scam, but if you pay it off before 2009, I guess it's not horrible.

True, true. I get a lot of my stuff on the 0% financing plan and pay it off before the end date. I will shop around before I buy. Plus, I believe Best Buy will match pricing from other places, so I will look into that.

For the HD Receivers you'd need with DTV, if you go Tivo, it could cost you $300 for that. That sounds about right. Comcast, if they are anything like Cox, should rent you an HD DVR for just a monthly payment.

Also, if you are going to have an HDTV, you'll need new component cables, or an HDMI cable. If you have a good sound system with Optical connections, you'll need an optical cable too.

Depending on where you get the TV, I think you can easily do it by Super Bowl Sunday. Only thing I'd be worried about would be DTV installing the HD Tivo, but that shouldn't take too long I don't think.

Mike

So I guess my next step is to check out some other pricing options and call Comcast and Directv. This is exciting, but confusing.

 

[Mike Olbinski]

It's very confusing and took a lot of research on my part.

I am jsut going to say, if you are going to have Comcast AND DTV, and have both in HD, that's going to cost a lot of money each month.

Plus, the headache of switching between the two...but maybe that's not so bad.

Some other useless info:

LCD's - While I totally love mine, wouldn't go back to another, the one downside is that very, very dark scenes can be harder to make out than on a DLP.

DLP - My neighbor's had a DLP, and the only thing I didn't like was the shiny, glass front...which reflected light more. The LCD I have if like a matte finish, so you don't see the reflection of like a lamp, or window, but you may still see like a glare if it's bright.

I would choose an LCD again, and pick the new Sony Grand Wega they have.

Also, you should think about how big you need the TV. If your living room is small, you don't want a huge one. We sit about 8-9 feet away from our TV...and we have a 42-inch and it's perfect. If we had a 55 or 60, it might be too big, and maybe look a bit fuzzy.

Mike

 

[Jersey Girl]

It's very confusing and took a lot of research on my part.

I am jsut going to say, if you are going to have Comcast AND DTV, and have both in HD, that's going to cost a lot of money each month.

Plus, the headache of switching between the two...but maybe that's not so bad.

Good point. It really sucks and I have even written to our Congresspeople (because they have nothing else to worry about, lol) about Comcast. A lot of people have this problem.

Maybe I'll sign up for HD with Comcast now and wait til the fall for Directv.

Some other useless info:

LCD's - While I totally love mine, wouldn't go back to another, the one downside is that very, very dark scenes can be harder to make out than on a DLP.

DLP - My neighbor's had a DLP, and the only thing I didn't like was the shiny, glass front...which reflected light more. The LCD I have if like a matte finish, so you don't see the reflection of like a lamp, or window, but you may still see like a glare if it's bright.

I would choose an LCD again, and pick the new Sony Grand Wega they have.

Also, you should think about how big you need the TV. If your living room is small, you don't want a huge one. We sit about 8-9 feet away from our TV...and we have a 42-inch and it's perfect. If we had a 55 or 60, it might be too big, and maybe look a bit fuzzy.

Mike

Definitely going with a smaller one, less than 50". My living room (well, the whole house, actually) is small, so I think 42 would do the trick.

 

[Mike Olbinski]

Direct TV will have TNT HD on the 17th of Feb.

Finally...it's happening.

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=286077

 

[O]

Direct TV will have TNT HD on the 17th of Feb.

Finally...it's happening.

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=286077

But will it be HD-Lite?

 

[Mike Olbinski]

But will it be HD-Lite?

No idea, but HD-lite is better than NO-HD

It's Mpeg2.

 

[O]

No idea, but HD-lite is better than NO-HD

Good point

 

[Mike Olbinski]

For any HD DTV subscribers, TNT HD is now live on channel 75.

 

[Red Dawn]

For any HD DTV subscribers, TNT HD is now live on channel 75.

 

[HeavyB3]

In my house we have 2 hd tvs now..

My dad recently bought this
Sony 40 inch Sony XBR LCD
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Sony-BRAVIA-40-LCD-HDTV-KDL-V40XBR1-/sem/rpsm/oid/132832/catOid/-12867/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

I got me a
32 inch Sharp LCD (for a really good deal too.. helps to know people at CC hehehe)

 

[CardFan67]

I had been using the progressive scan cables for my HD picture and the pic was great, awesome quality... I thought I still have the unused HDMI connection on the back, that should provide a better picture, right? Well I spent (too much) money on the HDMI cable and the picture is crap (in comparison of course)... I have an explorer cable box and I was thinking it must be a preference setting somewhere in the set up but I can't find anything...

I am going back to progressive scan... Anyone want to buy an HDMI cable?

 

[Mike Olbinski]

I had been using the progressive scan cables for my HD picture and the pic was great, awesome quality... I thought I still have the unused HDMI connection on the back, that should provide a better picture, right? Well I spent (too much) money on the HDMI cable and the picture is crap (in comparison of course)... I have an explorer cable box and I was thinking it must be a preference setting somewhere in the set up but I can't find anything...

I am going back to progressive scan... Anyone want to buy an HDMI cable?

What the heck is a "progressive scan" cable?

I don't see how an HDMI cable could be worse than anything else...I'm confused.

 

[MigratingOsprey]

I just bought a new TV this weekend and have to make the direcTv switch

It wasn't that long ago I bought their basic DVR receiver - we'd like to keep the DVR but that is going to be pricey

does anyone know what I should expect when I make the call - will I need a new dish put in - should I buy the roof mounted over air antenna?

Is it worth the extra cost (equipment, subscription, etc) for what is currently a limited package of high def programming?

 

[Mike Olbinski]

I just bought a new TV this weekend and have to make the direcTv switch

It wasn't that long ago I bought their basic DVR receiver - we'd like to keep the DVR but that is going to be pricey

does anyone know what I should expect when I make the call - will I need a new dish put in - should I buy the roof mounted over air antenna?

Is it worth the extra cost (equipment, subscription, etc) for what is currently a limited package of high def programming?

What is limited about it? They just added TNT HD...so along with ESPN and ESPN2, you have about 5 other HD channels, not to mention HBO, SHO and all your locals.

Trust me, HD is worth it

If you want to keep your old DVR, that's fine, but it wont be HD. We moved our old one to the bedroom and bought a new HD DVR for the living room.

You will likely need a new dish put in if you've had it for awhile. I think you need a triple-LNB dish now.

 

[MigratingOsprey]

yeah - i think the installation guy was lazy and just kept the old one that was already on the house when they installed it last year - so probably a new dish

HBO & Sho sounds good to me - do they broadcast the boxing in HD?

we were thinking about just moving the old TV, keeping the old DVR attached and then buying a HD DVR receiver

what kind of overall cost should I brace for? $300-$400 after rebates and crap?!

 

[Mike Olbinski]

yeah - i think the installation guy was lazy and just kept the old one that was already on the house when they installed it last year - so probably a new dish

HBO & Sho sounds good to me - do they broadcast the boxing in HD?

we were thinking about just moving the old TV, keeping the old DVR attached and then buying a HD DVR receiver

what kind of overall cost should I brace for? $300-$400 after rebates and crap?!

Hmmm...the dish upgrade should be included I think, i don't remember paying for that.

I don't know what the HD DVR is going for now, but that sounds about right. But you may need cables too, like optical for digital sound if you want that, and component/HDMI cables to go to your TV...

 

[CardFan67]

What the heck is a "progressive scan" cable?

I don't see how an HDMI cable could be worse than anything else...I'm confused.

Well I guess they are not called progressive scan cables but rather the cables that are used to process progressive scan devices... probably more commonly referred to as component cables... or Y, Pb, Pr Cables... everywhere I have seen them they are labeled Progressive Scan Cables or HD Cables..

At any rate I get a better picture with those than I do the DVI - HDMI connector...

 

[Mike Olbinski]

Well I guess they are not called progressive scan cables but rather the cables that are used to process progressive scan devices... probably more commonly referred to as component cables... or Y, Pb, Pr Cables... everywhere I have seen them they are labeled Progressive Scan Cables or HD Cables..

At any rate I get a better picture with those than I do the DVI - HDMI connector...

AH...well, DVI to HDMI might not be as good as component OR HDMI to HDMI...so I guess that could happen.

 

[GreenCard]

It was fun reading this whole thread,very interesting.I took Heavy's advice and bought Sony's KDS 50XBR1 and am loving it.I don't have digital cable yet and am thinking maybe I don't need it.Every channel looks great and the HD is out of this world.How is this happening?