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HDTV Up Grade

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The Man said:
Scott have you ever seen the picture on a HD LCD front projector? It's as clean or cleaner than any HD tv of any size I've ever seen. Contrast ratio of 6000:1, 1274 x 720 pixel res. It's sweet.
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Yes, I have. Contrast ratios are complete lies and many of the top manufacturers stopped rating them since so many companies lied about them. Korean companies are famous for that. Also, legit contrast ratios over 900:1 are rarely noticed to the naked eye.

As for the res, that is not any more than any other HD tv (actually less than many top plasmas). Doesn't really matter since no broadcasts have any higher resolution (unless you hook up a computer that has higher res applications...even then it's not really a broadcast). I still honestly think that plasma's have a sharper picture, and most projections I have seen make the picture huge (I guess why not if you can). This is sweet, but remember the larger the picture the worse it looks. I suppose you could go smaller, but what's the point? Bulb replacement is not cheap, and within 6 years the cost of a $1500 projector can reach $2100 (don't forget a good screen will also cost over $100). Still cheaper than a plasma, but there is the hassle of bulb replacement, placement of the projector, wiring to the projector, and placement and care of the screen which can easily be ruined by simple oils and other foreign debris. It is a decent solution, and one that I wouldn't say is crap, but I prefer plasma and the cost in a year or two will be equivalent. To each there own. I admit, for the upfront cost it is a great solution. I'm just not going to make my living room look like a movie theater and put up with some of the hassles. I have thought about it for my basement.

One thing to add, if you want to hook up a computer (with Microsoft now having applications that act like a DVR it's a nice plus, and it's free) don't forget to make sure the pixels are square. This eliminates distortion that can occur for different resolution settings.
 
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scott91575 said:
One thing to add, if you want to hook up a computer (with Microsoft now having applications that act like a DVR it's a nice plus, and it's free) don't forget to make sure the pixels are square. This eliminates distortion that can occur for different resolution settings.
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What do you mean by "make sure the pixels are square"? I have my Media Center hooked up to my 57'' HDTV and the picture looks pretty good but if I can get it to look better that would be awesome.
 
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ScarletInMyVeins said:
What do you mean by "make sure the pixels are square"? I have my Media Center hooked up to my 57'' HDTV and the picture looks pretty good but if I can get it to look better that would be awesome.
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Essentially, when you see pixel ratings make sure that they are not rectangular. They are only made for certain formats. With computers you can change formats, but unless they are square they will distort the picture. In other words, make sure each pixel is the same size vertical compared to horizontal. .81x.81 mm, .987x.987 mm, etc. Resoltuion determines the pixel size, but the shape can vary. Since a computer allows for multiple resolutions a square pixel size allows for multiple resolutions. A rectangular pixel size limits the variations in resolution. These TV's are made for the current formats that are for HDTV, but not for computer signals. Can still be done, but it limits you from what your computer can do. It will still look good in certain formats, but if you change the resolution in your computer you will notice that certain ones look out of whack. Not a big deal since you could always stick to one format. Yet, like I said it limits you. Although for TV it's not a big deal. It's only computer applications that may be nicer in different formats.
 
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ScarletInMyVeins said:
Okay, but how do I do that?
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It is in the technical breakdown of all monitors that you buy. OK, maybe I shouldn't use monitor since for monitors this is a given, but for TV's it is not. Top manufacturers pay attention to this detail (see NEC) yet most like to distribute to only people who want TV signals. You have to pay extra in order to get the flexibility on formats. Most consumers could care less what us geeks require, and allowing the same resolution for only current formats over the current HDTV settings allows for cost savings. Us computer nerds who are ahead of the curve pay extra for simple things. It's simply supply and demand. Yet if you are a person that likes HD no matter what you do square pixels are the way to go. If it's not a big deal, don't worry about it. Right now if you only want the over the air resolution and you could care less about multiple resolutions (I would guess 95%+) you are all good.

Scarlet, honestley in your shoes, I bet you are good to go. No reason to drop extra money for the adaptability. I like some of my games in super high res...Rome Total War is Tight!!!...Yet for most it is fine. Yet I think if you want a format than can adapt for 10 years a square pixel is nice. It probably won't change (the current HD formats that is) yet for a few extra dollars at that price it is nice to have the flexibility. It's hedging your bets if you will.

As for how you do it if I haven't answered the question.. Simply you need a TV or a monitor that has square pixels. All manufaturers rate this. If vertical pixel size doesn't match horizontal it is not square and there is nothing you can do except change tv's/monitors. In the end it is a nice feature that allows you to do anything. It is actually nitpicky right now, but if you run on the latest technology it is nice to have.
 
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I understand that you are using a TV as a computer monitor. I was stating that some TV manufacturers understand that people use their TV as a computer monitor and make their pixels square in order to accept computer images which commonly are square so it can adapt to multiple resolutions.

I was also stating that monitors have square pixels since this is important for computers. Wasn't stating you were using a monitor.

Anyway, think of it this way. Is it easier to convert something that is square to a bigger or smaller size if it is rectangular or if it is square? Most conversions simply multiply or divide both sides by the same number. If both sides are equal no problem. If not one side grows or shrinks more than the other.

Since your TV is not a plasma, LCD, and it is a rear projection tv there really is no debate. I highly doubt it was made to accept the applications that I am talking about. Yet for everything you do I bet it works just fine. Without confusing you it sounds like you will be just fine. If you mess with things that could cause an issue you would have noticed by now.

Like I said, a stupid geek thing that most won't care about, but there is always a possibility that you could run into an issue where you could see distortions if you messed with your computer resolution for certain programs. Since I doubt you are doing this, so you are good to go.

Let's just say that things on computers can get more advanced than any current HD that is sent to TV's (computer screens can have resolutions up to 1600x1280 or more, and HDTV is not that high), yet for most applications it is just fine. Yet if you try to run those type of resolutions on your TV you can see distortion since it may not convert those types of resolutions well.

To test play with your resolution settings by right clicking on your desktop. Go to properties. Then Settings. Change your resolutions to a few different settings and see what happens. It may actually not look that bad. To be completely honest I have taken this word as truth and only hooked up a computer to a monitor, not a TV. Also, Microsoft may take into account these problems and only allow resolutions that work on TV's. I don't know. Yet I know there are applications that require square pixels for these changes.
 
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I'm about to make the leap into HD. Lots of good info here. We're about to begin finishing our basement so in the next couple months I'll be in the market for some new equipment. I've been looking around and this TV really caught my eye. Anyone have any experience with it. Sony WEGA 50" Widescreen Digital-Cable-Ready Rear-Projection LCD HDTV.

A couple other slightly technical questions. When my DirecTV was installed, I had it prewired into the basement. That cable also carries the HD feed, doesn't it? Also, is a phone line required for DVR service?
 
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A couple other slightly technical questions. When my DirecTV was installed, I had it prewired into the basement. That cable also carries the HD feed, doesn't it?
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For those on DirectTV that answer should be yes. Time Warner does't carry all the HD stations (Fox or ABC where lots of the football is played) and I don't know if DirectTV does either. I see that your Wega has a built in tuner. Mine did too even though I thought that was a waste. Wrong.

I was major putz for the first several months I had my set. I was under the understanding that to get a good picture with the tuner you needed an outside roof mount antenna and I didn't want to mess with that. I finally went to Radio Shack and bought a set top antenna for under $$50. It brings in the HDTV stations as good as cable (even though it is crappy at bringing in standard stations - bu t who cares). My set is on the first floor, don't know what sort of antenna issues you might have in a basement.


I missed the earlier discussion on DVRs but I agree with Jenkins response - they are worth your first born. I now intentionally start watching football games a half hour or so late just so I can ff through the garbage. (It also helps that I finally found out how to slo-mo using TWs remote.)

TW does not require a phone line, but I don't know about DirectTV.
 
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part of the reason I'm glad I'm not investing in an HDTV yet. Besides the lack of broadcasts across the board (especially with TWarner), the technology seems to be changing constantly. In a fwe years, SIMV will have to sell me his old TV ot get the new fangled one.
 
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Guys (and gals), I just bought this in an after-Christmas sale:

JC's New TV

I am able to get 8 HD channels over the air (free) here in Columbus. ABC, NBC, Fox and CBS each have one and there are 4 PBS HD stations. TW wants an arm and a leg for their HD product (basically just Discovery and ESPN over what I already got). Fuck that.

I watched the Orange Bowl in HD (got it too late for the Fiesta). Every detail is crisp and clear. JoePa really needs to get that mole on his face looked at :lol:

Even regular Cable TV looks great on this. Combined with my rockin' home theater and I'm cooking with gas!
 
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