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For those of you getting into the HDTV revolution :)

LakeMountD

LakeMountD

Doctor Science
Last Christmas I splurged and bought a 32" flat LCD from Best Buy and despite the hefty price tag I was MORE than impressed with the vibrance of HDTV. Needless to say I knew nothing about HDTV and didn't know what to expect from things such as regular TV and current generation DVD's. I didn't realize you needed a special cable box and programming options to receive a high def signal, nor did I know that DVD's would not play in high definition but instead in EDTV or enhanced definition (480p).

Recently I bought an upconverting DVD player that upconverts DVD's to 720p and 1080i resolutions. I originally bought a Toshiba due to the price at best buy. HDMI is a high def. cable that must be purchased to get a truly all digital picture and sounds. At best buy the Monster brand cables were selling for as much as 120 bucks for a 4ft cable!!!!

Needless to say I went to target and got a basic cable for 40 bucks. Went home, hooked it up and man I must say the picture was horrid. I could barely tell the difference between standard and HD modes. Pissed off I bought a monster cable online (v800 series) for 55 bucks (retails for 120 remember), and took the toshiba back and got a used LG from best buy (40 bucks off price woohoo, open box deal are the way to go!) and brought that home. hooked it up, threw in Gladiator and HOOLLLLYYY $HITTTTT!!!! The picture is absolutely stunnniinngg..

My main point is that its worth it to get a decent brand upconverting dvd and definitely worth getting the monster cables although ebay is the only place I would buy it.
 
thetimbomb said:
thanks for that, ill keep that in mind im thinking about getting a new t.v.
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Yeah, if you are going to get an HDTV it is DEF. worth it to get the upconverting DVD player, especially if you are into movies as much as I am. I am definitely a movie buff. Ebay is great though :).
 
The upconverting DVD players provide a little bit better picture, but until true 1080i DVDs and players are out your not going to get true HD. I really looked into it, and have some friends with upconverting players, it's a little better but I'm going to wait. Your choice!
 
Basso said:
The upconverting DVD players provide a little bit better picture, but until true 1080i DVDs and players are out your not going to get true HD. I really looked into it, and have some friends with upconverting players, it's a little better but I'm going to wait. Your choice!
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I agree, but like I said, it REALLY depends on the quality players and cables.
 
Monster Cables are damn good. They make great speaker wires and everything else a musician could want. (I suppose for a video nerd like LakeMountD, video cables too.)
 
Definitely worth the $$ to go with high quality cables!!!

My friend just got a 50" HDTV set and I went over to check it out a few weeks ago...it is without a doubt an amazing increase in clarity over regular TV. I can't even imagine playing high-def video games on something like that!!

Im not going to upgrade until the new DVD-media is mainstream, which is already on its way. The PS3 is coming out with Blue-Ray technology and Microsoft has eluded that HD-DVD players will be shipping with new 360's around the same time.

BV
 
I paid for the monster cables but I need a hdmi cable for my projector if I want the best picture quality possible. But I think I'll spend that cash on a true screen instead of the DIY I have now.
 
Yeah, you cannot truly experience high def without a true high def signals, and unfortunately so little broadcasters are putting out 1080i or 720p signals. On the DVD front, my XBOX 360 plays DVD's in 1080i/720 p, so I just bought some extra AV's hooked my stereo up to my TV on the AUX setting, and now I have high def movies that are hype as all hell...I was actually as disappointed as you were at first Lake, I had bought a Sony 42" Grand Vega LCD..And until I realized I had a high def DVD player sitting right in front of me, I was pretty disappointed..Another solution is that many new HDTV's have a PC input where you can connect your PC to your TV, most newer computers play DVD's in high def (I think) so that is another option.Plus, it is tight to come on AM on a 42" tv
 
Mulletsoldier said:
Yeah, you cannot truly experience high def without a true high def signals, and unfortunately so little broadcasters are putting out 1080i or 720p signals. On the DVD front, my XBOX 360 plays DVD's in 1080i/720 p, so I just bought some extra AV's hooked my stereo up to my TV on the AUX setting, and now I have high def movies that are hype as all hell...I was actually as disappointed as you were at first Lake, I had bought a Sony 42" Grand Vega LCD..And until I realized I had a high def DVD player sitting right in front of me, I was pretty disappointed..Another solution is that many new HDTV's have a PC input where you can connect your PC to your TV, most newer computers play DVD's in high def (I think) so that is another option.Plus, it is tight to come on AM on a 42" tv
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Actually mulletsoldier this is not the case. I have researched extensively on the xbox 360 dvd player because I , too, have one. It does NOT upconvert to high def. All games are in high def (not true high def though since it is with a component cable, but close enough). I was very disappointed to find out that it didn't upconvert but it was to keep cost down since the dvd player in the 360 only costs like 25 bucks.
 
Mulletsoldier said:
Ahh, that sucks..Is it only a progressive signal then?
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Yeah it will give you a 480p signal. That is a nice ass TV you got though man, it will look KICK ASS in high def.
 
Thanks alot man..Yeah it is unfortunate that I haven't seen it in true high def, but even the 360 gives you a taste of what it could do...In Canada it is $2600 and I got it for $1800 even after tax..It was a beauty of a deal..
 
Actually, for video you won't notice the different between cables. Monter cables and Radio Shack cables look the same. The problem y'all are probably experiencing is using composite video or SVIDEO cable instead of the 3 line component video cable. If your component video cable looks bad, there is something wrong. In addition, if you have your DVD player set to progressive output, that actually can make things look bad on screens with a resolution higher than dvd (720x480). Admittedly that problem is rare. Finally, the upconverting DVD players only really benefit people who were early adopters of HDTV because a lot of the newer TVs have excellent built-in de-interlacers. For example, my Sony is rediculously good at upscanning (shows everything in 720p). So when I bought a DVD player, I just bought the cheapest thing I could find that outputted component video. Basically, DVDs are mastered at 480i not 480p, so unless you have an old TV, you probably don't need the upscanning DVD player and overpriced HDMI cable. Sorry if it sounds like I'm ranting, but the guys at the electronics stores either don't know this stuff, or they are just interested in moving the expensive products.
 
VitaminT said:
Actually, for video you won't notice the different between cables. Monter cables and Radio Shack cables look the same. The problem y'all are probably experiencing is using composite video or SVIDEO cable instead of the 3 line component video cable. If your component video cable looks bad, there is something wrong. In addition, if you have your DVD player set to progressive output, that actually can make things look bad on screens with a resolution higher than dvd (720x480). Admittedly that problem is rare. Finally, the upconverting DVD players only really benefit people who were early adopters of HDTV because a lot of the newer TVs have excellent built-in de-interlacers. For example, my Sony is rediculously good at upscanning (shows everything in 720p). So when I bought a DVD player, I just bought the cheapest thing I could find that outputted component video. Basically, DVDs are mastered at 480i not 480p, so unless you have an old TV, you probably don't need the upscanning DVD player and overpriced HDMI cable. Sorry if it sounds like I'm ranting, but the guys at the electronics stores either don't know this stuff, or they are just interested in moving the expensive products.
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Yeah well not everyone can fork out an extra 1000 for a Sony. I got my 32" LCD for 1000 and the Sony was 2500. The picture I have is beatiful. Is it as crisp as Sony's? Nope, but it wasn't worth 1500 more for a slightly clearer picture with slightly deeper black values and an hdtv antenna when I already have digital cable.

The cables DO make a difference. I hooked up the monster cable and the target brand cable next to each other and there was a massive difference. And radioshack only sells monster cables now unfortunately.

But not to worry, just get on ebay and you can get a 4ft hdmi v800 series cable for 45-60 bucks. Worth it to me.
 
I paid 1400 for the Sony (same tv as Mulletsoldier has) this past December. I don't know what the capabilities are in terms of de-interlacing with your 32" LCD TV, but it didn't seem unreasonable to me that it might do something similar. Btw, I have the same black values problem with my Wega LCD.

I still have an old 27" Sharp from when component video was new. It still has some generic gold plated cables connected up to it from an old gen1 DVD player. Actually I repurposed an old VHS cable that had three RCA cables together for the job. The picture looks great to me.
 
VitaminT said:
I paid 1400 for the Sony (same tv as Mulletsoldier has) this past December. I don't know what the capabilities are in terms of de-interlacing with your 32" LCD TV, but it didn't seem unreasonable to me that it might do something similar. Btw, I have the same black values problem with my Wega LCD.

I still have an old 27" Sharp from when component video was new. It still has some generic gold plated cables connected up to it from an old gen1 DVD player. Actually I repurposed an old VHS cable that had three RCA cables together for the job. The picture looks great to me.
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YOu paid 1400 for a Sony Wega 32" LCD? Damn that is a crazy good price. They were selling for 2500 at best buy last time i was there.
 
Yeah, Monster cables make 100% of a difference. I know this, because I used to work at Future Shop (Canadian Best Buy)..And it was one of the only things I had to pitch that I actually believed..When you stare at two TVs, one with monsters, one without, you absolutely know the difference.
 
Some of you sound like you would pay the $200 dollars for the gold plated power cables to give you a "clean" power source... even though it traveled hundreds of miles over copper to your house...

Save yourself the money and get your cables from MonoPrice or BlueJeansCable.com

Upconverting players are a joke. Unless you have a high-end system you are still only feeding a 480i signal. And in most cases... the TV's scaler will do a better job then most sub $150 "upconverting" players.

I am waiting for a hybrid HDDVD and Bluray... My Sony SXRD looks great for now.
 
I turn off the progressive scan on my dvd player since the deinterlacer on my projector is much better. And I second the bluejeanscable.com. All I need now is a Carada projector screen to replace my homemade one, and a ceiling mount for my projector and my HT set up is complete!
 
So which way will it go? Blue Ray or Double Layer? I just ran across this headline, looks like Toshiba is getting the jump on Sony. Is this another BetaVsVHS or are both technologys equal in quality?

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Basso said:
So which way will it go? Blue Ray or Double Layer? I just ran across this headline, looks like Toshiba is getting the jump on Sony. Is this another BetaVsVHS or are both technologys equal in quality?

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Just take my advise and don't buy into the format war right now.

LG might be releasing the first hybrid player.. or Bluray could be one of Sony's ill fated proprietary formats - think minidisc.
 
JonesersRX7 said:
Some of you sound like you would pay the $200 dollars for the gold plated power cables to give you a "clean" power source... even though it traveled hundreds of miles over copper to your house...
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That is Gold plated, Silver foil wrapped copper braid with gas injected dielectric to run a 1080i signal at a down converted 788p <= 6ft.
:blink:
 
JonesersRX7 said:
Some of you sound like you would pay the $200 dollars for the gold plated power cables to give you a "clean" power source... even though it traveled hundreds of miles over copper to your house...

Save yourself the money and get your cables from MonoPrice or BlueJeansCable.com

Upconverting players are a joke. Unless you have a high-end system you are still only feeding a 480i signal. And in most cases... the TV's scaler will do a better job then most sub $150 "upconverting" players.

I am waiting for a hybrid HDDVD and Bluray... My Sony SXRD looks great for now.
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Yeah but one of the main purposes of this type of wire from the dvd player is because in many tv's the signal is decoded in the dvd player and the main reason for the shielding is to shield against interference from like high output sound systems etc.

I definitely cant wait to get hd dvd and hopefully that beats out blu ray.
 
JonesersRX7 said:
Save yourself the money and get your cables from MonoPrice or BlueJeansCable.com
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I second this. You'll find that this is also what the experts say at avsforum.com. (This also applies to speaker wire.)
 
LakeMountD said:
YOu paid 1400 for a Sony Wega 32" LCD? Damn that is a crazy good price. They were selling for 2500 at best buy last time i was there.
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I paid 1400 for the Sony Grand Wega 42" rear projection LCD. Got it from the BestBuy in December. I have to admit that was an awesome deal. I've seen the same TV at Circuit City recently for around 1800. It does have the built-in ATSC tuner. Its disappointing how much compression Comcast adds to local HD channels because I didn't have cable for a while after I bought the TV and the over-the-air HD is significantly nicer. These days I just use the Comcast box though.
 
LakeMountD said:
I definitely cant wait to get hd dvd and hopefully that beats out blu ray.
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Apparently Netflix is supporting HD DVD rentals, so any early adopters can avoid spending hefty amounts on new HD DVDs until the media price comes down. DVD cost now is basically where VHS was when DVD first came out. Too bad Sony is preoccupied with their own format again. The DVP-S7000 was a product to be reckoned with.
 
VitaminT said:
Apparently Netflix is supporting HD DVD rentals, so any early adopters can avoid spending hefty amounts on new HD DVDs until the media price comes down. DVD cost now is basically where VHS was when DVD first came out. Too bad Sony is preoccupied with their own format again. The DVP-S7000 was a product to be reckoned with.
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Yeah, at first I wanted Blu Ray to win, but after reading more into it, it just makes more sense to have HD DVD right now. Blu Ray's argument is that bigger space=easier change way down the road and longer time in between format change. HD DVD's response is, this is probably the last generation that uses any type of compact disc. The future of movies is in Flash Memory, so its pointless to have such a high capacity compact disc right now, when HD DVD has enough space for high definition.

Plus HD DVD will make for an easier transition from DVD to the new format, as well as being much cheaper overall since the discs don't cost as much, which is what I am mostly concerned with. I don't want to pay 30 bucks for a movie!
 
An HD-DVD add-on is supposedly being released for the XBOX360 in November - I think the XBOX360 vs Ps3 battle that ensues is going to say a lot for what format comes out ahead. My bet is on HD-DVD...
 
BigVrunga said:
An HD-DVD add-on is supposedly being released for the XBOX360 in November - I think the XBOX360 vs Ps3 battle that ensues is going to say a lot for what format comes out ahead. My bet is on HD-DVD...
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Yeah it got the biggest head start. Plus the fact that the HDDVD player is a ****LOAD cheaper than the blu ray player. My view? Its all HD anyways, who cares, go for the cheapest option.
 
BigVrunga said:
An HD-DVD add-on is supposedly being released for the XBOX360 in November - I think the XBOX360 vs Ps3 battle that ensues is going to say a lot for what format comes out ahead. My bet is on HD-DVD...
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I have heard other wise. The reason being is that the 360 still runs over component and there is no digital copyright protection unless the signal is run over HDMI.

This is a stip in the HDDVD licensing so ... not sure how that will work with the 360.

Do you have a recent article on this BV?
 
JonesersRX7 said:
I have heard other wise. The reason being is that the 360 still runs over component and there is no digital copyright protection unless the signal is run over HDMI.

This is a stip in the HDDVD licensing so ... not sure how that will work with the 360.

Do you have a recent article on this BV?
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It will DEFINITELY be here, it is not a rumor. You can still get an HD picture from component cable it just again isn't true HD because there is an analog to digital conversion whereas with HDMI you have straight digital.

Who knows, though, maybe you have to upgrade to HDMI or HDMI/DVI cable for the 360. No specs out yet.
 
JonesersRX7 said:
I have heard other wise. The reason being is that the 360 still runs over component and there is no digital copyright protection unless the signal is run over HDMI.

This is a stip in the HDDVD licensing so ... not sure how that will work with the 360.

Do you have a recent article on this BV?
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The HD-DVD player was mentioned on Tuesday at microsoft's E3 presentation.
 
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