A few questions after being a new TV.

[RJHNY1]

Hey all, I just bought a new Samsung 60" TV. I just wanted to ask a few questions...

Do I really need a hi-speed HDMI cable? I've heard it's a waste of money.

Any recommendations regarding a surge protector? I live in an apartment building, so I don't think it's an absolute necessity right now, but should I still purchase one?

I'm not a technology genius like some of you guys are, but any other recommendations you guys can make to maximize the picture quality of my TV?

Thank you!

 

[Matt1970]

Marketing gimmick. The cheap ones work just as good as the more expensive ones.

 

[Anubis]

just get any standard HDMI cable. one that supports 1.4 if your TV has 3D, the expensive ones are not any different

the basic surge protector is fine for 99% of the people out there

check AVSforums for settings for you TV to maximize picture quality

 

[RJHNY1]

I actually got an HDMI cable from Verizon when I got their services. How do I know if that cable supports 1.4?

 

[NutBucket]

That cable will be just fine. What are you using for source material? And how good is your eyesight?

 

[RJHNY1]

What do you mean by source material in reference to my tv?

I have excellent eyesight, but I'm not nitpicky. The picture looks pretty good to me, but I just want to make sure I'm getting the best picture I can get and maximize the resources this tv offers.

 

[NutBucket]

I ask since we have to know what your frame of reference is. At the risk of sounding elitist I think HD cable/satellite looks like crap. I have yet to see a feed that matches OTA for picture quality.

Also, how far away are you sitting?

 

[poofyhairguy]

I'm not a technology genius like some of you guys are, but any other recommendations you guys can make to maximize the picture quality of my TV?

The picture quality is fine once you blast in the best settings from CNET or AVSForum.


Where the problem probably comes in is if you were planning on using the TV speakers.

 

[s44]

Any recommendations regarding a surge protector? I live in an apartment building, so I don't think it's an absolute necessity right now, but should I still purchase one?

No reason not to: you'll need the extra plugs soon anyway.

Get one that cuts the current when the protective bits (MOVs) burn out -- most just keep going so you don't realize that there's no protection any more. I believe the Philips models are the cheapest/easiest to find with this feature.

As for picture, buy/rent Blu-rays and switch to FIOS if it's available.

 

[Fallen Kell]

Personally I prefer getting a surge protector that does not use MOVs, such as a series line protector or similar. A whole house protector is probably ideal, but can not always be installed (i.e. apartment building/condo complex, etc., as the only way these work is if it is installed at the point of entry of the mains power, and that is not typically something a resident has control over getting something added). Something like a Brickwall or Zero Surge work by passing the overvoltage to the neutral line (which is tied to a single point ground at the home/building entrance). This mimics the way a whole home protector would work, but the surge still travels through your home's wires to get back to the ground, which can still cause fire and damage risk to the home, but the equipment on the other side of the protector should be safe as the path of least resistance to ground is now through the protector and your home's wires, not through your end equipment and the home's wires.

 

[RJHNY1]

I already have FIOS...it's the best.

Can you guys recommend some specific surge protectors on amazon or one of those sites?

 

[boomhower]

Get a surge protector that has coax protection. I learned that lesson the hard way last week.