I am starting a HDTV ping list, please ping or frmail me if you would like to be on it.
HD locals may already be on your cable system IF your local cable tv offers them, (I believe it is Federal law that there can be no additional charges for free broadcast TV). You must have the built in tuner to receive, just set up your tuner to find TV stations, and watch, you will need a splitter before any cable box and route a cable directly into the TV's 75ohm screw-in connection. For example, some of our network HD locals are on channels 83.2, 111.10, 118.1, 118.3, and this is all on basic $10/mth cable without paying the additional box rental! We have the DISH gold package for all the other cable channels.(I also still have the VOOM supplied roof top antenna that is disconnected, I plan on putting up a better antenna and rotor next year for more channel selections from distant stations.)
My TV is a SONY 34XBR960 with the superfine picture tube, built-in subwoofer, SONY memory card slot for showing digital camera photos, the newer SONY model has eliminated those features, but still a good TV, and one final comment, a CRT produces the best resolution and the picture tube if proven technology.(It was the largest HDTV that would fit into our entertainment center.)
Please add me to your hdtv ping list, thank you. We just bought one and the picture's unbelievable. It's like you're there, better in a lot of ways. Football and baseball broadcasts are beautiful and I'm starting to watch a lot more sports again.
RECOMMENDATIONS & NOTES
Good overall, with very good HD and DVD picture quality. The picture quality with all types of signals was the best we saw in this batch of picture-tube TVs. Standard-definition images looked a little soft with a slight green cast but were still good. Long (24-month) part warranty and labor warranty and in-home warranty. This is the successor to the 34XBR960. Film-based image motion compensation feature worked very well. Heavy.FEATURES
The following features are among the most important in determining whether this model will meet your needs.
TV type
As digital television has grown, the choice of TV types has expanded. Most models, known as standard or conventional, receive only the traditional analog TV signal. Digital TVs are available in HDTV (high-definition TV), EDTV (enhanced-definition TV), and SDTV (standard-definition TV) formats. Once the transition to digital TV is complete, SDTV sets are expected to represent the entry level of TVs. HDTVs can display exceptional picture quality in a 16:9 aspect ratio. EDTVs offer a lesser picture quality than HDTV but have a picture that's roughly equivalent to that of progressive-scan DVD players. SDTVs may not measure up to the HDTV sound and picture standards, but they're similar to high-quality standard TVs. (For each type, the term "ready," as in "HD-ready,' refers to the need to connect an external tuner to decode the incoming digital signals.) Even regular TVs will be able to accept digital signals, once broadcasters go all digital, if they're connected to an external digital TV tuner/decoder. They won't, however, display the superior quality of digital signals. Some are actually "monitors" -- like HD monitor -- these lack any kind of tuner and tuner-related features (closed captions, second-audio program, clock).
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Screen size (in.)
The size of the television's screen, measured diagonally in inches. In general, the larger the screen size, the farther away you need to sit for optimal picture quality. It's best to sit approximately 11 feet from a 36-inch set, 10 feet from a 32-inch set, and 8 feet from a 27-inch set. For HD (high-definition) sets, the distances can be halved.
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Screen shape
The screen shape, or aspect ratio, is the proportion of a TV screen's width to its height. Standard TV screens have an aspect ratio of 4:3, giving them a squarish shape that is 4 units wide for every 3 units high. Wide-screen TVs typically have a 16:9 aspect ratio, giving them a wider screen that better resembles the screen in a movie theater. (Some LCD TVs have a 15:9 aspect ratio that differs slightly, but they're often not identified as such.) Wide-screen TVs can use the full screen to display HDTV broadcasts and prerecorded movies. When displayed on a standard screen, such images must be framed at the top and bottom with black bars in order to maintain the wide-screen aspect ratio. Conversely, regular TV programming displayed on a wide screen has black bars on both sides. (Note that much programming actually differs from 4:3 or 16:9, often necessitating bars of some width.) Many sets have stretch and zoom modes to eliminate the bars and fit the image to the screen, albeit with some distortion.
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ATSC digital tuner
An ATSC tuner can receive over-the-air broadcast digital signals, which may include high-definition widescreen images and multichannel sound. A TV with a built-in ATSC tuner, called an integrated HDTV, requires no additional equipment other than a roof antenna to receive the broadcast networks' HD offerings. (You must be close enough to a station transmitting digitally, with no trees or other obstructions blocking the signal.) However, you won't get premium stations offered only on cable or satellite. For that, cable subscribers still need a box or CableCard provided by the cable company; satellite subscribers need an HD receiver/dish setup. ATSC stands for Advanced Television Systems Committee, a nonprofit organization developing voluntary standards for digital television. They defined the signal formats that are used, which include 480p, 720p and 1080i.
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QAM digital tuner
This tuner can receive some digital cable broadcasts, which may include high-definition widescreen images and multichannel sound. A QAM channel can be either unencrypted (in the clear) or encrypted (scrambled). Encryption allows the service provider to define and control the subscription levels (conditional access). With unencrypted channels, you need no other equipment to view the broadcast. With encrypted channels (typically premium channels such as HBO), you need either an external cable box or, with a CableCard-ready TV, a CableCard from your service provider. QAM refers to Quadrature Amplitude Modulation, a way of encoding a digital signal that differs from that used for digital off-air (ATSC) broadcasts.
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CableCard-ready
Also known as "DCR" (digital-cable-ready). When used with a CableCard, these TVs can receive the encrypted cable channels (to the level permitted by your subscription package). You would get a CableCard from the provider. Note that the first-generation CableCard-ready TVs are one-way. They can receive signals but can't communicate back to the provider, so they can't be used for interactive services like subscribe-on-demand. Second-generation CableCard TVs are expected in 2007, maybe sooner.
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Overall height (in.)
The height of a TV, in inches. For flat-panel LCD and plasma sets, this includes the base and detachable speakers, important if you plan to place the TV on a stand or in an entertainment center. See "Panel size without base" if you plan to wall-mount only the display. For rear-projection TVs, the height includes the stand only when it is part of the set.
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Overall width (in.)
The width of a TV, in inches. For flat-panel LCD and plasma sets, this includes the detachable speakers, important if you plan to place the TV on a stand or in an entertainment center. See "Panel size without base" if you plan to wall-mount only the display. For rear-projection TVs, the width includes the stand only when it is part of the set.
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Overall depth (in.)
The depth of a TV, in inches. For flat-panel LCD and plasma sets, this includes the base and detachable speakers, important if you plan to place the TV on a stand or in an entertainment center. See "Panel size without base" if you plan to wall-mount only the display. For rear-projection TVs, the depth includes the stand only when it is part of the set. Also allow extra room for cables to connect to the back of the TV.
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Weight (lb.)
How much the television weighs (in pounds). This varies with the screen size and model.
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Warranty (months): parts/labor/in-home
The length of time the television is covered by its manufacturer for defects or repairs. Most warranty coverage is divided into parts and labor, typically one year for parts and either 90 days or one year for labor. (CRT-based TV warranties sometimes cover the picture tube itself for 24 months.) With an in-home warranty, a technician comes to your home to service the set when you have a problem--of particular importance with heavy or wall-mounted sets.
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Illuminated remote
Some remote controls offer illuminated buttons for easier operation in a dimly lit room.
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3:2-pulldown compensation
A feature on most digital TVs that can enable things in motion to look less jagged around the edges. It affects only movies converted from film to video--the majority of cinematic movies on DVD. This feature is sometimes referred to as film mode, cinema mode, movie mode, or by brand-specific names such as CineMotion. Progressive-scan DVD players have this feature as well. With older, non-progressive-scan DVD players, which lack 3:2-pulldown compensation, we recommend you buy a TV that offers this feature. Even with progressive-scan DVD players, there's some benefit to buying a TV that has 3:2-pulldown compensation. By going into the menus on both pieces of equipment, you can compare the performance of the feature on the DVD player and the TV, and use the one that does a better job.
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Can customize display settings by source
Some sets can recall picture adjustments (such as brightness and contrast) you made while using a specific content source--say, your DVD player or a cable box. Settings in TVs with this feature may be stored automatically or by pressing a button on your remote.
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PIP (no. of tuners)
Many TV sets offer PIP (picture-in-picture), a feature that lets you watch two images at the same time on one screen: the first, full-size; the second, in a small box within the larger picture. A variant of this is POP (picture-outside-of-picture), with which the screen image is split evenly in two. TVs with dual-tuner PIP or POP can tune into two channels simultaneously without the contribution of additional equipment. Those with only one tuner require a second, external tuner, such as a VCR, in order to use PIP. Some TVs can send the second channel's audio to a separate audio output.
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Virtual surround sound
Produces a simulation of the surround-sound effect using just two speakers.
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Memory-card slot
Found in a few TVs, a slot that accepts memory cards for viewing still images from digital cameras. Inserting the camera's card typically results in better image quality than if you connect the camera to the TV's composite-video input. Some memory cards are specific to one or more specific manufacturers--such as Memory Stick slots in some Sony TVs. Other slots may accept CompactFlash, SmartMedia, MultiMedia Card, Secure Digital, and/or other media.
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Composite-video inputs (rear/front or side)
Composite-video inputs are the most common type of video inputs found on TVs. These carry only the video signal, providing better picture quality than RF. These are often used to connect a VCR or cable box. Many sets have front-panel composite-video inputs, which let you make temporary connections to camcorders, game consoles, digital cameras and other devices with composite-video output.
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Rear s-video inputs
These split the video signal into two parts, color and luminance. In general, an S-video input will provide better picture quality than either an antenna/cable or composite-video input. These are often used with digital-cable boxes, satellite receivers, and DVD players.
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Front or side s-video inputs
These split the video signal into two parts, color and luminance. In general, an S-video input will provide better picture quality than either an antenna/cable or composite-video input. These are often used with digital-cable boxes, satellite receivers, and DVD players.
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Component-video inputs
Component-video inputs use three separate jacks that separate the video signal into three parts: two for color and one for luminance. This provides slightly better quality than an S-video connection, most evident in color fidelity. They can be used only with a DVD player, digital-cable box, or other equipment that has component-video output.
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HDMI inputs
A relatively new form of digital audio/video input in some high-definition TVs, it matches a corresponding output in some DVD players and digital TV tuners. Like DVI, it potentially allows content providers to control your ability to record the content. Unlike DVI, HDMI carries audio and video signals on the same cable.
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DVI inputs
Digital Visual Interface, a relatively new form of digital video input in some high-definition TVs; it matches a corresponding output in some DVD players and digital TV tuners. Like HDMI (See "HDMI"), it potentially allows content providers to control your ability to record the content. Unlike HDMI, DVI requires a separate audio cable to carry the audio signals.
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Digital-audio output
A TV with a built-in digital tuner often comes with either a coaxial or optical digital-audio output to let you route the Dolby Digital or DTS multichannel soundtrack to a receiver for decoding. The receiver thus splits apart the soundtrack for distribution to various speakers in the room. This output must match the input of the receiver.
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Headphone jack
When you want to watch TV without disturbing others, a headphone jack (usually on the front or side of the set) lets you plug in headphones so you alone hear the sound. You won't find this feature on most sets.
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BASIC SPECS
TV typeDigital (integrated HDTV) Screen size (in.)34 Screen shape16:9 ATSC digital tunerYes QAM digital tunerYes CableCard-readyNo Overall height (in.)26 Overall width (in.)39.5 Overall depth (in.)24 Weight (lb.)190 Warranty (months): parts/labor/in-home24/24/24 FEATURES
Illuminated remoteNo 3:2-pulldown compensationYes Can customize display settings by sourceYes PIP (no. of tuners)No Virtual surround soundYes Memory-card slotNone CONNECTIONS
Composite-video inputs (rear/front or side)2/1 Rear s-video inputs2 Front or side s-video inputs1 Component-video inputs2 HDMI inputs1 DVI inputs0 Digital-audio outputCoaxial Headphone jackNo
I just finished the basement rec room / bar and outfitted it with the following:
Panasonic TH-50PHD8UK 50" Plasma
Pioneer Receiver 1015
Comcast cable with 6412 DVR.
XBOX
5 - Mirage Omnisat speakers.
1 - 12" Mirage Subwoofer.
I also put in a bar, fireplace, bathroom, spare bedroom, foosball, and air hockey. I'm still looking for a poker table. It took me over a year.
Ping me.
I have a 50" plasma and DirectTV, but no HD yet.
DirectTV wants too much for too few channels, I am waiting for more channels.
I'm in the market. Add me to the HDTV list.
I'd like to be added to the HDTV ping list...thanks.
Please add me. Thanks.
HDTV ping list, please ping or frmail me if you would like to be on it.
Please add me