New HDTV... more questions!!

[msi1337]

So, for those that didnt see the other thread. I bought myself a Vizio VX32L (32" LCD Tv) tonight

the only thing I have to hook up to it is my digital cable box via A/V cables!! **GASP**

it looks alright, but I am thinking it would be much nicer with some better equipment.

Time warner is shipping me out a new HD Dvr (Sci Atlanta 8300HD)...

Questions... If I get the HD DVR, is the best cable to use HDMI? Or should I use component?

Second question... upconvert dvd player worth the upgrade from my sony progressive? Wait for cheap HD dvd with HDMI?

sorry, I know little to a little less about TV's and video..

 

[mercanucaribe]

Use a computer to play DVDs. You can set all kinds of fancy upscaling in WMP Classic.

 

[doze]

My 8300HD looks better over component than HDMI, but that could just be limitations of my box and TV. I'm also still using progressive scan waiting for a cheapo stand alone HD or bluray player later this year. I have a xbox 60 but don't want to spend $200 so I can depend on my console to play movies.

Does your TV have a built in HD tuner? You may be able to get HD now with an antenna unless you live in the boonies.

 

[Shadowknight]

Also consider buying a calibration disc, such as AVIA or DVE. AVIA is easier to use though. Before calibrating, set the color temperature to "warm".

 

[msi1337]

okay..what about xbox 360?

vga, component, or the new HDMI model.. dont have a 360 yet..so it is an option

and yes, my TV has Integrated NTSC/ATSC/QAM HDTV Tuner

Link to TV specs

I want the best quality movie experience!

 

[ric1287]

well you probably only have one HDMI port, so use that for a uppy-dvd player, component for cable and component/vga for the 360. Thats how i roll at least until i get my HDMI receiver.

 

[Shadowknight]

If you want the MAXIMUM best movie experience, consider paying someone $300 to professionally calibrate your set. Barring that, get a calibration disc as I mentioned. Use HDMI or component when possible, in that order. Some TVs might have a built in upconverting hardware (I think) but most non-CRT sets have a fixed pixel display, so you might have to buy an upconverting player after all, so the picture isn't fuzzy from showing an aspect ratio your set doesn't support. (ex: if you're TV is 1080P, you need the signal to go in at 1080, as 720 and 480 won't look that good or look awful). Over the air programming will give you the best image quality for high def stuff, so use a decent outdoor/indoor antenna. You need something that supports VHF/UHF to get all of the channels.

 

[Heller]

i picked up a refurbished upcoverting HDMI dvd player (LG) from my local Brandsmart for $30.

infect bought 3 of them , 1 for a gift, they work great to.

 

[RossMAN]

Does it have a QAM tuner?

I :heart: our Sceptre 32" for $499

 

[msi1337]

tv has two HDMI ports

I was contemplating getting the new Xbox 360 with HDMI and the HD-DVD drive to go with it.. .thoughts?

 

[Blayze]

Originally posted by: msi1337
tv has two HDMI ports

I was contemplating getting the new Xbox 360 with HDMI and the HD-DVD drive to go with it.. .thoughts?

If you want an XBox 360 to play games in addition to HD DVD then I would say its a wise investment. I'm not sure they have a black HD DVD add on for the 360 Elite though. That really only matters if you want matching components.

If you just want a HD DVD player then a Toshiba HD-A2 would work. It will upconvert your DVDs and play HD DVDs for around $299. You also get 5 free HD DVDs from Toshiba. Circuit City and Best Buy have been doing a sale sometimes that gives you the HD-A2 and 4 movies out the door for $399. Then you can still send in for the 5 free movies from Toshiba. $399 for a HD DVD and 9 movies is pretty good. Not sure if they are still doing this, but they have been running this off and on for a few weeks.

Not sure on the upconverting player. Like I said in the other thread I'm planning to get this TV as well and have a Sony Progressive Scan DVD Player . Its only about 2 years old and I don't know if it would be worth trading in for a Oppo or any other upconverting player. It will be something I'll have to debate when I pickup the TV. I might just wait and pickup a HD DVD player instead.

Also you might want to try hooking up the Vizio to the cable without your HD box. It might be able to pickup some of the HD channels with its built in tuner.

 

[Jules]

I have the same TV as you. Great TV set. im using a HD DVR box with HDMI and a 360 Hooked up VGA ATM.

 

[Shadowknight]

Originally posted by: Blayze
If you just want a HD DVD player then a Toshiba HD-A2 would work. It will upconvert your DVDs and play HD DVDs for around $299. You also get 5 free HD DVDs from Toshiba. Circuit City and Best Buy have been doing a sale sometimes that gives you the HD-A2 and 4 movies out the door for $399. Then you can still send in for the 5 free movies from Toshiba. $399 for a HD DVD and 9 movies is pretty good. Not sure if they are still doing this, but they have been running this off and on for a few weeks.

If you go this route, then get the new, high-definition versions of DVE or AVIA that just came out. They're more optimized for hi-def sets vs. the non-hi-def discs.

Also you might want to try hooking up the Vizio to the cable without your HD box. It might be able to pickup some of the HD channels with its built in tuner.

Most cable companies have the local channels available for free, provided you have a built-in digital cable receiver in the TV.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: Shadowknight

Originally posted by: Blayze
If you just want a HD DVD player then a Toshiba HD-A2 would work. It will upconvert your DVDs and play HD DVDs for around $299. You also get 5 free HD DVDs from Toshiba. Circuit City and Best Buy have been doing a sale sometimes that gives you the HD-A2 and 4 movies out the door for $399. Then you can still send in for the 5 free movies from Toshiba. $399 for a HD DVD and 9 movies is pretty good. Not sure if they are still doing this, but they have been running this off and on for a few weeks.

If you go this route, then get the new, high-definition versions of DVE or AVIA that just came out. They're more optimized for hi-def sets vs. the non-hi-def discs.

Also you might want to try hooking up the Vizio to the cable without your HD box. It might be able to pickup some of the HD channels with its built in tuner.

Most cable companies have the local channels available for free, provided you have a built-in digital cable receiver in the TV.

Here's a list of channels for the OP:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=306883

 

[msi1337]

this will sound really dumb, but how do I access over the ait hd stations? I tried to access them through the digital cable box, but with no luck..is there a setting somewhere maybe?

 

[MDE]

Originally posted by: msi1337
this will sound really dumb, but how do I access over the ait hd stations? I tried to access them through the digital cable box, but with no luck..is there a setting somewhere maybe?

Same way you get over the air analog channels, an antenna.

 

[Allanv]

Originally posted by: msi1337
this will sound really dumb, but how do I access over the ait hd stations? I tried to access them through the digital cable box, but with no luck..is there a setting somewhere maybe?

Do you have to pay for HD content, you might have to get a HD cable box. Thats what i had to do.

 

[Vetterin]

Originally posted by: MDE

Originally posted by: msi1337
this will sound really dumb, but how do I access over the ait hd stations? I tried to access them through the digital cable box, but with no luck..is there a setting somewhere maybe?

Same way you get over the air analog channels, an antenna.

Right. Disconnect the cable box and connect the antenna right to the TV. Set yout TV menu to antenna and run your channel scan. Actually, sometime the HD broadcast captured with an antenna is superior to cable. Just give it a try.

 

[Jules]

Meh screw local channels. Get a HDTV box and enjoy hbo, showtime ect on hd

 

[MDE]

Originally posted by: MyStupidMouth
Meh screw local channels. Get a HDTV box and enjoy hbo, showtime ect on hd

How much do those cost again?

 

[Jules]

Originally posted by: MDE

Originally posted by: MyStupidMouth
Meh screw local channels. Get a HDTV box and enjoy hbo, showtime ect on hd

How much do those cost again?

i dont think you can afford it if your asking that

 

[bucwylde23]

Originally posted by: msi1337
okay..what about xbox 360?

vga, component, or the new HDMI model.. dont have a 360 yet..so it is an option

and yes, my TV has Integrated NTSC/ATSC/QAM HDTV Tuner

Link to TV specs

I want the best quality movie experience!

I have the Vizio 42" LCD, previously had the 37" Vizio.

I play a lot of xbox 360 and it looks great over component. I don't see any reason for you to spend the extra $ for the elite 360 unless you absolutely need the bigger hard drive and HDMI port.

I have my Scientific atlanta 8000HD connected by component, because for some reason the DVI port was blocked. I tried to use a DVI-> HDMI connector and it told me to switch to component. It looks great anyways.

Good choice on the TV though, I've loved both Vizio's that I've bought, and you can't beat the 2 year warranty from costco

 

[Jules]

Originally posted by: chrisg22

Originally posted by: msi1337
okay..what about xbox 360?

vga, component, or the new HDMI model.. dont have a 360 yet..so it is an option

and yes, my TV has Integrated NTSC/ATSC/QAM HDTV Tuner

Link to TV specs

I want the best quality movie experience!

I have the Vizio 42" LCD, previously had the 37" Vizio.

I play a lot of xbox 360 and it looks great over component. I don't see any reason for you to spend the extra $ for the elite 360 unless you absolutely need the bigger hard drive and HDMI port.

I have my Scientific atlanta 8000HD connected by component, because for some reason the DVI port was blocked. I tried to use a DVI-> HDMI connector and it told me to switch to component. It looks great anyways.

Good choice on the TV though, I've loved both Vizio's that I've bought, and you can't beat the 2 year warranty from costco

for 80 bucks i would.

 

[MDE]

Originally posted by: MyStupidMouth

Originally posted by: MDE

Originally posted by: MyStupidMouth
Meh screw local channels. Get a HDTV box and enjoy hbo, showtime ect on hd

How much do those cost again?

i dont think you can afford it if your asking that

Doesn't really matter, free uncompressed HD wins in my book. I'd set up an OTA antenna even if I had HD over cable after seeing how much Comcast compresses everything.

 

[Jules]

Originally posted by: MDE

Originally posted by: MyStupidMouth

Originally posted by: MDE

Originally posted by: MyStupidMouth
Meh screw local channels. Get a HDTV box and enjoy hbo, showtime ect on hd

How much do those cost again?

i dont think you can afford it if your asking that

Doesn't really matter, free uncompressed HD wins in my book. I'd set up an OTA antenna even if I had HD over cable after seeing how much Comcast compresses everything.

No thanks ill take my Premium Channels. Compressed really? Ive used my Quam Tuner for a few months and went with comcast hd and its looks the same. Not sure what the problem was with yours.