I'm in the market to buy a television & need assistance.

[SunMo]

so, since i have componenet cables for my HD, you don't recommend spending the $50 to get a HDMI/DVI cable

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

so, since i have componenet cables for my HD, you don't recommend spending the $50 to get a HDMI/DVI cable

Totally a case by case basis.  Do you run your video/audio through a receiver?  If straight to the TV, then it might be worth it, depending on how much $50 means to you.  Mine's through a receiver that doesn't even have HDMI capability, and my receiver wouldn't switch it, so I'd have to go straight to the TV for the video, but I don't use the TV speakers for audio.

Basically, my picture and sound is already pretty darn good, and I don't feel like worrying about it.  But that's just me.

[SunMo]

i run the video from the box to the TV with components, and i run the audio from the box to a reciever, i don't use  the TV audio as well.

i really can't complain about my HD picture, so i probably won't bother with the HDMI/DVI cable

[ice grillin you]

ff you mentioned that getting a dvd that will maximize your settings is a must...best buy didnt carry one...where do i need to go to get one...one of those top of the line a/v stores??

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

ff you mentioned that getting a dvd that will maximize your settings is a must...best buy didnt carry one...where do i need to go to get one...one of those top of the line a/v stores??

The one I used was the "Avia Guide to Home Theater" -- widely considered a good choice.  There are others out there, I'm sure.  You could try to find a used one on eBay, or get a new one here, among other places I'm sure.

[ice grillin you]

that dvd is not only for if you have a home theater?

its worth getting just for a tv alone?

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

that dvd is not only for if you have a home theater?

its worth getting just for a tv alone?

Hell yes.  Will make sure you set the video settings on the TV exactly correct.  Then, when you eventually add a sound system of some sort, you can really make use of the audio portion of the DVD.  Also, in the meantime, you can adjust the audio properties on your TV, FWIW.

There are so many hawtness HTIB systems right now for under $1k, though.  Why not pimp out the sound with the money you "saved" from buying the LCD instead of the plasma?  Onkyo used to make decent systems with no aesthetic value, but they've started making some better-looking ones (my personal favorite) in the $700-$800 range.  I know there are also some out there that are wireless, which can be a big selling point.

But anyway, I digress.  With or without a sound system... YES.  Get a setup DVD.

[rjs246]

Nerds.

[SD_Eagle5]

Just bought a Sony Bravia XBR '40 HD plasma for $1700. I got it that cheap because it was the floor model, out of the box it goes for $2399. I did a lot of shopping around the past few weeks and opted to go with Circuit City. They had the best selection and best prices. Anyways, this is my first HDTV and I have some questions:

1. Is there anyway to get every Hi Def station the normal size of the screen without those stupid gray bars on the side? I'm watching the Sixers on Comcast HD right now and unless I put the screen on Zoom (also comes with Wide Zoom, Full, and Normal) I get this annoying wavey line on top of the picture. ESPN and some other stations have just regular HD without the shrunken picture which looks unbelievable. I hate the shrunken picture.

2. I can't get sound on my Xbox through a movie or a game. I hooked up a regular DVD player and there's a lot of distortion. A tech is coming out Monday but if anyone knows how to remedy this I can save them a trip.

3. What does 4:3 mean on my TV and what does HD Zoom on my comcast controller do?

[Sgt PSN]

4:3 is the picture size.  I forget what other sizes there are and I'm too lazy to go in my living room to check my tv.  I'm guessing your tv is widescreen?  I think 4:3 are the dimensions for a traditional television (square picture). 

With my tv (which is widescreen) any time I turn on an HD channel I get those bars on the side of my screen but then after a minute or 2 they go away.  Not sure why that is or if it's even supposed to do that but I've never really been too concerned with it.  I guess it's possible that your tv may only be able to show HD channels in 4:3 format.  Couldn't say for sure though because I'm just taking a relatively unedumacated guess.   

As for the X-box and dvd player, I had the same problem with mine when I got it.  There's like a million different ports on the back of my tv and the instruction manual was absolutely useless.  So I bought a surround sound system and plugged everything into that.  Problem solved. 

[SD_Eagle5]

Yeah, its a widescreen. I don't want any bars or black on the sides or top, I just want the full screen to be HD like HBO, ESPN, and some of the other channels are...they look much better than the shrunken down HD versions. Some of the stations are like that part of the time then go to a regular format when there's a commercial break.

Think I figured out the X-Box problem, we'll just call it operators error. Any recommendations on a good surround sound so I can get my girlfriend to buy it for me for XMas?

[Seabiscuit36]

Get Bose!  If she loves you she'll spend 2899 for you.    I'm not familiar with the Bravia line, so i would suggest mega forum www.avsforum.com

[Wingspan]

Bose sucks and is generall for people who want to show that they have a lot of money for speakers

the Sony Bravia lines are LCD, not plasma. although you wont see a difference.

make sure you have good cables (they don't have to be monster brand). and make sure that all of your components have the right hookup.

cable box shoud be HDMI
DVD Player should have component output -> tv component input, then go into your dvd players setup menu and tell it that you have a 16:9 Television.
XBox should also be component out to component in (unless you want to use HDMI)

at all costs, avoid S-Video unless it's from a camcorder. S-Video = Sucker Video, it is completely unneccessary.

your black/gray bar issue. Deal with it. the Zooms on HDTV are as useful as the Zoom on your DVD player. sometimes HD Stations show SDTV material. and thats where you get the bars.

However, on 90% of your movies in widescreen format, will have the bars on the top still.

4:3 = Standard Television
16:9 = HDTV, some movies, most current video games
1.85:1 = most movies

[SD_Eagle5]

Bose sucks and is generall for people who want to show that they have a lot of money for speakers

the Sony Bravia lines are LCD, not plasma. although you wont see a difference.

make sure you have good cables (they don't have to be monster brand). and make sure that all of your components have the right hookup.

cable box shoud be HDMI
DVD Player should have component output -> tv component input, then go into your dvd players setup menu and tell it that you have a 16:9 Television.
XBox should also be component out to component in (unless you want to use HDMI)

I'm just using the HD cables that were provided by Comcast and that came with my XBox, should I upgrade? What is HDMI?

[MURP]

the next level of cable.