Opinions on new TV's

[arsenal]

guess i have a few more questions:
HDMI cables. I got one my PS3. Are these cables usually good enough? Or would you recommend getting some different ones? It's going to be pushing through games and blu-ray discs.

Since I currently do not have a stereo system (speakers, reciever etc) I am planning on getting some of those as well. I am guessing the general set up is as follows:
Peripheral (game system, HD Cable/sat box) -> receiver -> tv.
Do most receivers these days handle HDMI with out any reduction in quality?

[OBCT]

Originally Posted by arsenal

guess i have a few more questions:
HDMI cables. I got one my PS3. Are these cables usually good enough? Or would you recommend getting some different ones? It's going to be pushing through games and blu-ray discs.

Since I currently do not have a stereo system (speakers, reciever etc) I am planning on getting some of those as well. I am guessing the general set up is as follows:
Peripheral (game system, HD Cable/sat box) -> receiver -> tv.
Do most receivers these days handle HDMI with out any reduction in quality?

I don't want to make it seem like I'm just being lazy here, but these topics were actually covered in the forum a couple of weeks ago. If you have time (20 minutes?), you should give this thread - http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthread.php?t=62349 - a read through first, and then come back with further or more specific questions.


To briefly answer your questions:

1. Yes, that HDMI cable should work totally fine. Almost any HDMI cable will suffice for any purpose. One of the few exceptions is on very long runs (> 40 ft.) ... HDMI cables will sometimes begin to experience signal loss at these lengths.

2. I would say that the vast majority (of new models) of recievers can input and output HD video signals without degradation. Only now are the majority of recievers coming equipped with HDMI input and output, but the quality of the HDMI signal, should a reciever have the feature, will surely be great. Depending what uses you will have for your home theater and what type of speaker set-up you will eventually be adding to it, though, there may be other important features to consider. The link I provided above might help you out a little bit in this regard.


Read that other thread, come back with your budget and expectations for the system, and I'm sure you'll get some great advice from your fellow CPers.

[arsenal]

thanks. my bad for missing that thread.

[Finner]

Here's a good deal on a 42 inch plasma ...what does everyone think?

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...10100738&catid=

[OBCT]

Originally Posted by Finner

Here's a good deal on a 42 inch plasma ...what does everyone think?

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...0100738&catid=

hmmm... Dynex is not even close to a top-tier TV manufacturer. Still, $700 for a 42" HD Plasma is not bad.

Things to consider:
- this TV is HD ready, but "only" at 720p. For some people, 720p looks totally great - even compared to 1080p - but 1080p is the current HD standard for optimal depth and clarity of video. Do note that very few television programs are broadcast above 720p\1080i (which are quite different, but visually almost identical), so it won't miss out much at all in this respect. It is primarily Blu-Ray Discs that offer 1080p at present; TV may be seeing more 1080p programming slowly introduced in the future.
- it lacks some of the features present on higher-end models (ie. "120Hz Technology"), but again, for regular TV viewing this shouldn't be a huge negative.
- most of the customer reviews I was able to scrounge up online were positive. most users were initially quite impressed with their TV, though there was some concern expressed about image burn-in, which is mostly avoidable, but still something to keep in mind.
- the website says it is not "Digital Cable Ready"; I do not know what this means.

The bottom line is: any frequently used, off-brand electronics product that only comes with a 1 year warranty is a risk. At this price it could be a risk worth taking - that's up to you.

This model hasn't been around long enough to know whether or not it will stand up to the test of time and still work great, but for the most part the people who took the time to write a review of it online seem pleased enough with it to buy it again. There's not much else I can tell ya.

[BlackArcher101]

Originally Posted by OBCT

- the website says it is not "Digital Cable Ready"; I do not know what this means.

This means it can't decode the digital signal itself. Some TV's in the USA can do this, especially with the mandatory switch from analog to digital. However, in Canada, you must have an external digital box to decode the signal anyways. I believe they use cards that plug into the tv in the US? CableCard I think it is?

So to sum it up, it doesn't mean squat here in Canada.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by BlackArcher101

This means it can't decode the digital signal itself. Some TV's in the USA can do this, especially with the mandatory switch from analog to digital. However, in Canada, you must have an external digital box to decode the signal anyways. I believe they use cards that plug into the tv in the US? CableCard I think it is?

So to sum it up, it doesn't mean squat here in Canada.

Not completely true. Most new HDTVs have an ATSC tuner and if you live in S. Ontario, Vancouver, Montreal or Ottawa a person can get free over the air digital broadcasts.
Calgary has Omni digital coming on line soon.

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/show...t=81023&page=5

Global and CTV have applied for licenses in Calgary and CTV should be running by the Olympics.

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=90926

Ok, I see what you're saying. It doesn't have a cable card slot and as you say this means squat in Canada.
My OTA info is correct though and it'll be good to try out when available as this will give the best picture compared to cable or satellite.

[CaptainCrunch]

I just bought a 42" Samsung from Future Shop 3 months ago and its a fabulous T.V., it doesn't have some of the fancy features like light and sound sensors, but the picture is very good, the blacks are excellent and I paid about a thousand for it.

[Stranger]

Anyone have any thoughts on this TV.

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...gon=&langid=EN

My TV went on the fritz again and I think it's time for a new one. It would go on the basement where there is little light.

[Ryan Coke]

Hey, my DLP just packed it in and I got this exact one last week. It is gorgeous.

I did a bunch of research, and decided not to drop the extra dime on 1080P based on really minimal benefit. It is highly recommended, and that is a good price. I'm watching it right now, a very beautiful image.

Obviously I'd give it a thumbs up.

[Stranger]

Originally Posted by Ryan Coke

Hey, my DLP just packed it in and I got this exact one last week. It is gorgeous.

I did a bunch of research, and decided not to drop the extra dime on 1080P based on really minimal benefit. It is highly recommended, and that is a good price. I'm watching it right now, a very beautiful image.

Obviously I'd give it a thumbs up.

Thanks for the info.

[Old Yeller]

Originally Posted by Stranger

Anyone have any thoughts on this TV.

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...gon=&langid=EN

My TV went on the fritz again and I think it's time for a new one. It would go on the basement where there is little light.

I have the previous model... I've had it for a year and I still don't have any buyers remorse (which is very rare for me).

It's a fantastic TV.. I just wish there was one more HDMI slot.