Archive through January 04, 2004
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Ryan | Thanks for the input Lawrence. I was in Tweeter today and my contact told me the same for the DTV/HD/Tivo STB, Q1, 2004. He said Samsung is producing one and it sounds pretty fantastic. Anyhow, Cineos is scheduled for delivery next Thursday, I can't wait. Do any of you current Cineos owners think 17' is too far of a seating distance. I will be watching SD/DVD's until I follow Lawrence's advise and install an OTA Antenna and then get some HD until a new set top box with Tivo arrives. thanks Ryan |
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Cardioman | Hey Ryan let us know when u see it and which tweeter is this. Rockville? |
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Ryan | Yes it is Rockville |
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Ryan | Lawrence or anyone else, Where is a good internet source for a newbie to become more educated on cables. I have read numerous times how important they are but really don't have much of a clue as to what cables will help me enhance my system. I thought the cables that come with the components would be sufficient but apparently not. I will have a Cineos, a Marantz SR5300 6.1, Cambridge MC300 home theatre speakers, and a Samsung HD 931 DVD player. I will be setting up shop next Thursday so any insight will be greatly appreciated. thanks |
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Anonymous | Is there anything I can do to reduce the rainbow effect on my samsung 43"? |
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Floyd in C-Bus | Wow! What a great BB! I have been looking for help like this for awhile. You certainly can't rely on salesman from CC or Best Buy and we don't have a Tweeters up here in C-Bus, Ohio. Lawerence, I guess this question would be for you since you have virtually the same setup that I am putting together. I am already a Directv subscriber, have an antenna in the attic for local channels, but am upgrading an entertainment room to HDTV. I have decided on the Samsung 50" DLP HLN507W. I called Directv to see what additional equipment I would need to receive their HD programming and they offered me what I thought was a pretty good deal. The 3 LNB Dish with a Hughes HD receiver (w/ DVI, 480, 720, 1080i)delivery, tax, and installation for $450. But, now after reading your posts on the Sony SAT-HD300, I didn't realize I may need a set-top box as well and if I saved any money at all! Will I need a set-top box to accompany my Directv HD Receiver? Or does the Directv HD Receiver act as the set-top box? I am guessing the dish feeds into the HD receiver, then to the set-top box, and then to the tv. Is that right? Which Directv HD receiver do you have in your set-up? Also, since I already have standard directv to one room and will now be adding the second receiver, albeit HD, will I still receive my local channel programming through the HDTV (in Sta def, though)?Thank you in advance! |
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Lawrence in Madison, AL | Floyd in C-Bus Whoops no! The Hughes HD receiver IS your set top box. Sounds like you will have everything you need. The dish feed goes to your set top box (a.k.a "receiver"), then to your TV. So my Sony SAT-HD300 is my HD receiver (I have basic Samsung std-def receivers in my other rooms). If you subscribe to local channels from DirecTV, they will be available to ALL your TV's. Check your local stations for channels numbers (usually low numbers - here they are 19, 25, 31, 48 and 54). The local stations will be in std def only. As you already have an attic antenna, and presumably this is fed to your HD receiver either by its cable, you will also get local channels from it too, so you might end up having several local channels for each station (i.e. std def from satellite, std def from antenna and HD from antenna). Of course if you find that the antenna feed is good on all your local stations, then you can drop the service from DirecTV and save the extra $5 / month, but sometimes you find the antenna doesn't pick up all your local stantions well (I'm lucky, mine does). CAUTION: Be careful not to alter your original DirecTV package if you signed up for a special introductory deal as they might penalize you if you change it too soon, so if you decide you don't need the local channels from DirecTV, carefully quiz their "entertainment specialist" as they call them, to make sure you don't get stung for unsubscribing that part. I signed up for local channels before I got my attic antenna installed but I have not canclled it yet as I bought the NFL special deal with the first 4-months on special pricing. |
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Floyd in C-Bus | Thanks Lawrence! You the man! Yea, I have the antenna in the attic as merely a back-up. So, it's good to know I will still receive my local channel programming. I am really leery of this Hughes receiver after hearing your experience with the Samsung. I guess I'll give it a shot and opt for the Sony if I have aspect ratio issues. I am brand new to this HDTV arena and know of only one person that has an HDTV set-up outside of this forum. He complains that his system (which is DirecTV as well) changes aspect ratios (screen size) when switching channels all the time. He does have an older set-up however. It's about 2-3 years old. So, maybe he needs to jump onboard some newer technologies. I'm not sure how all this 480i, 480p, 540p, 720p, and 1080i stuff works and I realize my picture will change pic quality according to the particular broadcast. I just hope I don't have to go into the menu system and change things or receive different picture sizes every time I change the channel. Hey, btw, how does the green on these NFL fields look through HDTV on your Sammy? I too am a NFL Ticket subscriber, and I have heard of some issues with the way the green of the grass appears through these DLP's. Well, I have less than two weeks now before install so I hope all goes well. I plan on getting the Pioneer DV-563A that you mentioned prior for my DVD player and I am still undecided on the Dolby Digital audio receiver and speakers. And I can't believe the expense of these cables, but it sure sounds like they are worth it! Any suggestions? Also, with only one DVI Jack that the Sat receiver will use, I guess I have to hook up the optical for the DVD player, huh? Thanks again Lawrence! |
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Floyd in C-Bus | Check that... The optical is for audio. I meant s- video for the DVD! Anonymous... No, from my research, I don't believe there is anything you can do to reduce the rainbow effect. You are one of the few sensitive viewers that notice an artifact commonly referred to as the "rainbow effect," a consequence of DLP's temporal approach to color formulation. Those viewers may momentarily see the light split into its component color spectra as their eyes travel quickly from one part of the screen to another -- particularly when seated close to the screen. The unlucky few will likely find this quite distracting; fortunately, most viewers won't even perceive a problem. The latest-model DLP sets incorporate improved color-wheel technology in an effort to further minimize this artifact. Sorry! Maybe try moving back from the screen to see if that helps at least minimally. |
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Nelson B. | Floyd in C-Bus No to the S-Video cable, you want component cables (red, blue, green)to get the best quality picture from your DVD player. Also from reading this thread I have come to the conclusion that it is more than "the few" that get the rainbow effect. |
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Floyd in C-Bus | OK Nelson, thanks for the advice! |
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Floyd in C-Bus | Anyone on the audio equipment? anyone? Bueller? Bueller? |
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Lawrence in Madison, AL | Floyd in C-Bus: "He complains that his system (which is DirecTV as well) changes aspect ratios (screen size) when switching channels all the time. " --Yup, that's what I got with the Samsung HD receiver. Really annoying!! It's not a DirecTV thing as my Sony never has this problem. On green grass, it looks extremely realistic on my DLP. I can't say I have any qualms about the color (but I did with the Samsung receiver). My wife summed it all up when she described HD programs on the Sammy DLP has having a realistic 3-D quality to them when coming from the Sony, but looked flat when coming from the Samsung SIR-TS160. It was a shame because the menus on the Samsung are hands down better and it had on-screen caller-ID. I'll be keen to hear from you about the Hughes receiver. Hughes is owned by DirecTV, so they should be good! See http://www.hughes.com/home/default.asp Follow Nelson's advice on using component for your DVD feed (and DVI for HDTV). S-video is a no no quality-wise. If the budget is tight, you can always upgrade your cables later and try using the ones that come with your equipment. Also, don't pay retail for cables - check out Crutchfield on the web and others. Check out e-Bay too. There are big savings on Monster Cables if you look for them. The 4 most important interconnects to pay attention to are DVI, component, TosLink (optical) and speaker cables. Also, on audio equipment, avoid being tempted to buy a "home theatre in a box" You will get far superior results from choosing separates that get great reviews and that fit your budget. |
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Lawrence in Madison, AL | Floyd in C-Bus Here's a good HDTV primer to help you with all the different formats: http://www.hdtvinfoport.com/high-definition-television.html |
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Anonymous | For those of us who only have analog and S-Video outputs on our direct tv set-top boxes what are your recomendations besides getting a new box? |
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Floyd in C-Bus | Thanks Lawrence. That was a big help! |
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Nelson B. | Anonymous If your looking for HDTV from Directv you will need to upgrade both the box and the dish. I also only have composite and s-video jacks on my directv receiver. I only use Directv for the NFL package and directv wants $700.00 to upgrade the box and dish. Not worth the money for the few additional games cable does not offer in HD. However, if directv is your main source of reception directv has several lower cost options for both the box and dish when you signup for a program package. Call directv for quotes. Also, read Lawrence's comments regarding setup for Directv HD. |
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Floyd in C-Bus | Nelson, DirecTV is running an offer right now, I believe through Feb. 2004, for the HD receiver and 3-room dish for $399. The customer rep. offered me free installation as well. I had to pay $25 for fed ex shipping and tax brought the total to $450. I received the equipment in 5 days. I scheduled the install date over the phone with the rep. also. Now they offer you the Samsung or Hughes HD receiver. I chose the Hughes after reading Lawrence's problems with the Samsung. It is a 2nd generation receiver which now has the DVI and RGB jacks, as well as a caller ID feature. I know that will make Lawrence's wife happy if they ever need to replace their Sony. Install is scheduled for the 18th so I'll let you guys know how it works. |
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Anonymous | Floyd- I am anxious to hear about the Hughes receiver, please don't forget about us. Do you know what the model # is and if you can purchase it by itself without upgrading through direct tv. If so, what's the MSRP? thanks |
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Nelson B. | Floyd: Was there a requirement for a directv program package? If so what is the monthly cost for the programing? |
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Michael Owen | Dish Network has a great deal right now. For $49.99 (which you get back) you get a High def receiver and 2 regular ones and a Dish. The only catch is that you have to sign up for 2 years ( i think). MO |
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Floyd in C-Bus | I will not forget about you guys! This board has provided me great assistance and I will be glad to return any help I can! I am at work today and do not get home until tomorrow so I will post then with the model#! circuitcity.com has two models. The HNS HIRDE86 for $400 and the HNS HTLHD for $500. Please see the following links for more info. The second link I provided has some reviews from customers who have already purchased these receivers. I assume that since the website offers them, that you can pick them up in the store as well. May want to check the store locator on the site. I believe I have a different model than the 2 offered here because mine says on the box it offers the caller ID, DVI-HD output, RGB output, and RF remote. I haven't opened the box yet due to installation is still about a week away. I'll check and advise though first thing in the morning. In addition, I got the 3-room dish and installation all for $400 + tax and shipping. I don't know if Circuit City offers that with the purchase of the receiver or not! Nelson, there was no program package required that I am aware of. Of course, I am already a Total Choice subscriber (along w/ the NFL Sunday Ticket) so maybe I already met the requirement. I pay $32.99 a month plus $5 for local channels. Then there is the annual Sunday Ticket cost. You can call 1-800 DIRECTV for questions or if you can wait another week or so, I'll ask the installers when I get hooked up on the 18th. |
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| Ok, so I picked up the Philips LCOS. I got it home and noticed one prominant and two lesser gray circles when the tv played black; horribly noticable on movies like The Matrix. I exchanged it and made them fire it up at the store. I didn't see anything, but then I got it home and a similar but smaller and farther to the screen's edge gray circle was immediately noticable and part of the screen doesn't seem as black as the rest. I messed with all the settings, checked all the cables, everything's shielded so it shouldn't be magnetism. What do you guys think? Thanks! - Ryan S. |
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| First I want to thank everyone for the information on the board. I have been researching a new home system for the last four months, and the information was a great help. I just purchased a Samsung HLN617W 61"DLP and a Pioneer DV563AS DVD player. Have never had a DVD before, sure beats VHS. The TV hopefully comes in this Friday. My last item to purchase is my question. My current AV system is an old Radio Shack that has seen it's better days. My salesperson at Circut City is trying to talk me into a Harman Kardon HK AVR130 with an Infinity speaker system. Would come to about $1100. Not being a true sound geek, is this to much to spend for a home theater system. Thanks for any ideas. Will let you know how the new equipment works out. |
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Anonymous | Saw the new Phillips LCos today and it is significantly better than the DLP technology. LCD projectors like the Sony are good but I think the Phillips is better. Now to see a Toshiba with it's 1080p picture! |
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Lawrence in Madison, AL | Floyd in C-Bus: The one thing that caught me out at the last moment was when I realized that DirecTV's Premiere "Total Choice" package only included 2 HD channels (HBO and Showtime)! To get Discovery Home Theatre in HD and others, was yet another extra package. I was pretty darn furious and laid into the DirecTV "entertainment specialist" when I got him on the phone and told them it was extremely misleading because NONE of the marketing materials from DirecTV even mentioned that HD is a separate package that you have to buy on top of everything else. It even takes some poking around their website to find the option (it's here - not under packages, but under "Products" and there's no mention of it on their Home Page: http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/imagine/HDTV_pricing.dsp Their rep said so few people had HD that they didn't bother to include it in the "Total Choice" package to which I responded B***SH** and rattled off the percentage of HD systems already sold in the US and the fact that DirecTV had 12 MILLION customers which amounted to a not insignificant number(and growing). He completely backtracked on that arguement and handed me over to customer service where I made such a fuss about it, they gave me 4 months of HD programming free (but after that is reverts to the std. extra $10.99/month). There was little I could do but take whatever deal I could get out of them. So TOTAL CHOICE needs to read "NOT QUITE EVERYTHING BUT WE HOPE YOU WON'T NOTICE UNTIL YOU'VE SIGNED OUR 1 YEAR CONTRACT AND ALSO SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON A HDTV TV AND RECEIVER SO YOU HAVE NO CHOICE..CHOICE".  Hands up everyone who thought "Total" = "Everything" |
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Lawrence in Madison, AL | Actually, I'm not even sure if I there were any HD channels in the Total Choice package as I recall. I was getting some HD off-air. I think you have have to buy their HD Package to get any High Def feed. You might want to call them to check. There are 6 HD DirecTV channels: HBO-HD, DiscoveryHD, HDNet, HDNet Movies, ESPN, Showtime plus some PPV ones. |
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Nelson B. | Lawrence: What about the NFL and other sports packages -- how much is in HD? |
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Anonymous | A lot of people are recomending and purchasing the Pioneer DV563AS DVD player but this does not have DVI correct? A lot of folks jumped on the Samsung HD 931 but I have read about multiple problems with the unit. I think rather than spend $250 on a DVD player w/o DVI, you should wait a few more months as I am sure they will be popping up. Anyone know of any coming out soon? |
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Floyd in C-Bus | OK, I have the HNS HTLHD. I was wrong on the remote. It is infared not RF! Nelson, you were right on the programming package. You must agree to one year of at least "Total Choice" to receive the HD DirecTV receiver and installation offer. Lawrence is right as well on the HD package! It is in fact $10.99/month for the few HD channels offered right now. One important note is that all NFL games are broadcast in HD through the NFL Sunday Ticket for no additional cost and you don't have to have the HD package! The Sunday Ticket costs $179/year for renewal customers. I believe it's $199 for new customers. |
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Floyd in C-Bus | Also, let me add that the component, RF, and DVI cables come w/ the Hughes HTLHD. They are not Monster cables, but you can always upgrade later. Here is one review from the circuit city review section in the link I provided above. Oh yea, only the E86 Hughes receiver has the caller ID! Not mine, as I mentioned before. This goes in line with the review below about the same manufacturer and Lawrence's post on NO caller-ID on the Sony! Excellent for the Money Lets clear up one thing. The 'Hughes' HTLHD is mechanically similar to the more expensive Sony SAT-HD300 and the LG 3200A. All three are made by LG, but are rebadged for the different 'brands'. Therefore, this 'Hughes' does not have the features that other Hughes boxes have, such as the one-line guide or caller ID. All three versions of this box have simultaneous high-definition and standard definition output, Dolby Digital, 7-day guide that integrates over-the-air, analog cable, and DirecTV programming into a single guide, optical output, DVI and RGB outputs, variable output modes, picture zoom, picture freeze, etc. All three offer excellent standard and high definition picture, and a really good tuner that is slightly reduced in sensitivity in exchange for multipath rejection. This box truly rocks and is superior to the older Hughes E86 or the Samsung 160. Here's where the 3 boxes differ: exterior looks and remote controls (Sony and LG has IR and RF remote, while Hughes is IR only. Sony also has the 'format' button on the remote and face of unit to change output modes, while the LG and Hughes has it on the face of the unit only). Consider looks, features, and price when choosing between these 3 'different' models. |
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Tony in Calgary | I have been waiting for a view of a LCoS with a preference to the Toshiba 57 given its 3 chip design and 1080p. But I am starting to lose hope and the Sammy 61 DLP may win out if I don't get some sense that Toshiba is going to get this out soon. I can get no useful info still from them (they don't even list it on their web site) and their distributors know even less, if that's possible. Is the new Phillips now in stores and if so how does it compare to the Sammy? What do you think about the comparison between the Toshiba and the Phillips and should I continue to hold out? How about Mitsubishi? I realise it costs the same as a Porsche but are they having the same production problems? |
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emkmd | Tony, Who knows about Toshiba, I've given up hope. I am waiting for the CES (consumer electronics show) which is in Jan. All of the electronics manufacturers display their products there. TechTV did broadcasts from the show this past Jan. One of their favorite items was the Toshiba LCOS, which won an award for being a top product at the show. I am in the same holding pattern, and am now going to wait for next summer when I move. I am leaning towards the DLP 56" or 61", depending on viewing disatnce in my new place. I do hear that the next gen DLP will have more colors (7) on the color wheel, and no doubt have more features. As far as the Phillips, I'll have to see it to believe it, but I am suspect considering the problems the first time around. -E |
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JMV Unregistered guest | Nelson, If CBS or FOX airs the game in HD then you will get those games in HD with the sunday ticket. Also with the HD package you get ESPNHD, and they air the sunday night game in HD. Monday Night football is also in HD if you can get it over the air with your local affiliates. |
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jr Unregistered guest | returned my samsung dlp.....no more rainbows for me. Went with a Panasonic plasma |
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FM Unregistered guest | Lawrence... it's been awhile sice we have posted. Maybe I can drag you back in! Hope you can help! I just brought my Samsung HLN507W home. Really excited. I won't have DirecTV HD hooked up until Thursday but thought I would go ahead and hook up my new Pioneer DVD Player (DV 563A) and check it out! I couldn't believe that I could only hook up my DVD Player (w/ component Monster cables btw)to the Component 1 input! I am guessing that your Sam 61" is the same way. This input is only 480i/408p. I mean we are talking DVD, right? I was all ready for the 1080i/720p display! I read the manual and it stated that this was the correct connection. Why would you only be able to view DVD on 480/408? Is that just the way technology is right now w/ High Def. broadcasts that much more advanced? Or will my hook up through my Hughes HD receiver w/ DVI improve this. Don't get me wrong, it looked great. But, I thought if hooked to the 720/1080 jacks it could look even better. I mean that's why we bought these TV's; for the 720/1080 DLP display right? Also, the only audio hook up to the tv was the standard RCA jack connections. I purchased the Monster digital optical cables to run when I set up my receiver and DVD player. But if you are running fiber optics from the DVD player to the receiver to the HD receiver then only regular audio to the TV, aren't you defeating the purpose? I know that's alot of questions but I am just trying to receive the most out of my system. I once again thank you in advance for your response! BTW.. The Faroudji Chip in the 507w model is awesome on the scaling as you mentioned many posts ago on the difference between the 507w and the 5065!! Floyd in C-Bus (format has changed!?) |
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New member Username: Unc879winsPost Number: 1 Registered: 12-2003 | I'm either going for the HLN507 or the 567. I am also planning to pick up the Samsung HD931 DVD player to hook up thru the DVI. I have Direct TV (no HD receiver yet). I surely hope the normal DirectTV picture will look good. When more HD programming becomes available I will then spring for a high end Sony HD-Direct TV receiver. No point in getting it now right, if I'm not buying into a HD package. As far as sound goes, anyone got any good sites to check out info on wireless surround sound. I'd love to put a sattelite speaker surround system in that was wireless.... cabling is a pain. Input? |
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New member Username: Lawrence_alPost Number: 1 Registered: 12-2003 | I had registration issues with this new format and it wouldn't let me post with my "Lawrence in Madison, AL" name anymore! FM - the Panasonic player only outputs at 480p like all other DVD players, so your input choice is indeed correct. The new Samsung HD931 is the only player I know of so far that outputs at 720p (It's the one with a DVI connector too). Remember that HD DVD's are not out there yet - they are still working on the final specs. Today's DVD's fall short of being true HD (they are more akin to "Enhanced Definition"). In the Samsung DVD player, the player upconverts std DVD output to 720p for you (and by using its DVI output, there's no analog to digital conversion required, hence the better picture). In your case, your Samsung HLN507W does the upconversion from 480p to 720p. That said, my 61" DLP accepts 480i/480p on Component 1 and 480/720/1080 on the other two Component inputs so I actually use Component 2 for my DVD player, but it doesn't make the signal any better because it's all 480p to begin with anyway! |
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New member Username: Floyd_in_cbusPost Number: 1 Registered: 12-2003 | OK Lawrence, that makes sense. Thanks! Yea, the Pioneer was right next to the new Samsung DVD player at Best Buy. I came real close to getting it. The Pioneer sold for $170 and the Samsung was $285. Both priced very good, I thought. However, the only reason I didn't get it was because there is only 1 DVI jack on my TV and the HD receiver will occupy that. |
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New member Username: Lawrence_alPost Number: 2 Registered: 12-2003 | Floyd - just to clarify, the Samsung DVD player outputs at 720p but it only plays today's std DVD's. When HD DVD's eventually come out, we will all need to buy a High Definition DVD player when they become available, in order to play HD DVD's (but these players will be downwardly compatible with std DVD's and will play them as well of course). The issue of TV's still only having one DVI socket is a pain. A company called Gefen (at www.gefen.com) does a DVI splitter but it costs hundreds of dollars and is hard to justify. Incidentally, DVI will not necessarily become the long term standard. HDMI (an enhanced version of DVI) is a strong contender as it supports audio as well as video and all the necessary copy-protection for digital material, and you may well see some equipment also sporting this new interface in 2004. It has a smaller connector too. I also read that when LCoS finally overcomes the technical problems currently faced by the manufacturers, it will eventually be superiour to DLP as it can produce higher resolutions that DLP cannot reach (this I knew). But for now, DLP I think is a much safer bet - I certainly wouldn't invest in a LCoS at the moment. As HDTV guru Dale Cripps said in Widescreen Review's HDTV Forum this month, LCoS is still soiling its diapers! It's best to use the DVI socket for HDTV as this is a true HD signal. |
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New member Username: Lawrence_alPost Number: 3 Registered: 12-2003 | IMPORTANT - make sure you dig into the menus on your DVD player to ensure it is outputting progressive and not interlaced. You'd be surprised how many DVD players are factory set to 480i! My Sony was. |
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New member Username: Floyd_in_cbusPost Number: 2 Registered: 12-2003 | Great info once again Lawrence! So... it looks like I made the right move with the Pioneer since we'll all be upgrading in the future. I'll check the menu once i get everything fully hooked up! Yea, I too wanted the LCoS. But, after hearing all the problems I just couldn't wait any longer. Well, Thursday is fast approaching. Have to run speaker wire and phone jacks today. Carpet comes Tuesday and the DirecTV folks on Thursday! Any input on my audio question from my post yesterday a.m.? Thanks! |
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New member Username: Lawrence_alPost Number: 4 Registered: 12-2003 | Floyd: re "Also, the only audio hook up to the tv was the standard RCA jack connections. I purchased the Monster digital optical cables to run when I set up my receiver and DVD player. But if you are running fiber optics from the DVD player to the receiver to the HD receiver then only regular audio to the TV, aren't you defeating the purpose?" Good point. Unfortunately, most TV monitor inputs are fairly basic so don't expect a lot from the built-in speakers (although the Samsung's not bad at all). You'll probably want to eventually get a separate audio amp that handles 5.1 Dolby sound and good set of speakers and a sub. This will make a world of difference to your viewing (or rather, listening) experience. I rarely turn up the Samsung's speakers at all (unless it's dead of night and I have to turn off my big surround sound system to avoid waking my wife and kids). I run TosLink (fiber) interconnects from the Sony receiver and the DVD player to my Audio Amp. I also have another interconnect from the amp to the RCA's on the Samsung so I can get audio feed to the built-in amp for the few times I use it. Good luck with your TV. I know how excited you are - it's not that long since I got mine and felt the same way! |
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New member Username: ArtPost Number: 1 Registered: 12-2003 | I cant find my post- reposting now --------------------- I have had my 50v500 a few days now I only have DirecTV standard broadcast and a interlaced DVD player - I have some gosting with both and have the screen door effect -? Do these problems go away with Progressive scan and HD broadcast?. ? Thanks |
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New member Username: Floyd_in_cbusPost Number: 3 Registered: 12-2003 | Yea Lawrence, it sounds like we are clickin' here! Sorry for the delayed response but I am in 6 fantasy football leagues and after scrambling between stats and succesfully running my phone lines and speaker wire today, I have finally been able to get back on and post. As a matter of fact, I feel like I am on a FFL site now asking for advice for my line-up and you are the GURU right here in the chat room to provide it! LOL! Before I go off on a tangent... let me tell ya what I have. I mean, after reading through this thread, I feel I am in your living room at times! This is what I have bought and is stacked up in boxes in a storage room ready for install on Thursday...Welcome to my room... The Sam HLN507w, Pioneer DV-563A-s, Hughes HTL-HD, Onkyo TX-SR601 6.1 Dolby Digital receiver, and POLK AUDIO RM6700 home theater system w/ Polk Sub and Monster Cables to connect it all. I hope it all comes together! I hear ya hummin' on the audio Lawrence. But, it just doesn't make sense to have high end cables every where and RCA at the TV! I guess that's why you hook it through an AMP! Hell,I don't boom out Van Halen & Def Leppard anymore! I am married w/ children, so I think this system will work for me! Alot of work ahead of me this week, but I'll check back often and surely will post w/ the results and probably some questions! |
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New member Username: Floyd_in_cbusPost Number: 4 Registered: 12-2003 | Art... I do not know what help I can provide with your vague description and not knowing your specific equipment. But, what I can tell you is this... DirecTV has nothing to do with it! It sounds to me like you have alot of bad connections (loose/bad cables/connections or a bad receiver)! A progressive Scan product, HDTV is definitely great and will improve your viewing enjoyment. But, it appears you have other issues with your equipment! I too have an older interlaced DVD player (Sony DVP S560D) with DirecTV hooked up with S-Video to the old 40" Mitsubishi direct view of all things!!!! (Man, I gotta change to component on this set!)It's analog, but no one makes a better direct view TV in my opinion! 10 years old and going strong with no degradation!! I recommend starting at the beginning of this thread, and reading and learning about what the new technologies offer or addressing your connections. |
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New member Username: ArtPost Number: 2 Registered: 12-2003 | Thanks for the reply. The ghosting I refer to is kind of like a faint duplicate of the image offset maybe 1/16 - 1/4 Below some images. As for the screen door effect going away with higher resolution, I guess some one with a LCD 50v500 or equivalent will need to address that one. |
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New member Username: Ryan_reevesPost Number: 1 Registered: 12-2003 | Lawrence- Do you know the differences between the Sony SAT-HD300 and the HD200? I found a good deal on a 200 but don't want to compromise features/pq for $150. thanks |
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New member Username: Floyd_in_cbusPost Number: 5 Registered: 12-2003 | Art- Sorry man, I didn't realize you were referring to an LCD. I'm afraid I can't help you there. Good luck! |
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New member Username: Lawrence_alPost Number: 5 Registered: 12-2003 | Ryan - the BIG difference I know of is that the 200 has no "always-on" output so you can't record off it. That's was enough for me! I use the automatic record function on my 300 that switches on my VCR for me and switches to the channel when I flag a program to be recorded. Of course when HD Tivo's come out I'll be in heaven! Other than that, I'm sure the 300 has better software and some other nice features. I have personal experience with the 200 so that's about as much as I can tell you. Anyone seen a review on the Sony SAT-HD300 out there? |
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New member Username: BlevPost Number: 1 Registered: 12-2003 | (I'll apologize for this very long post in advance, but this will be the first real review of this TV on this board since the recall, so I'm taking some liberties) Ok, after months and months of waiting and misinformation and more waiting and more misinformation, last night I finally got to see the Cineos in action at a Bose store. They had it on display with a Bose DVD changer (connected via component cables). Because Bose is in a mall, however, they had no television feed whatsoever (not HD, not even broadcast), which was a major disappointment. So, at first glance I was impressed at the mere physical look of it. It's a very cool looking TV, and with the swivel stand that comes with the TV, it's even cooler. They were displaying it with, you guessed it, Finding Nemo (to those who guessed Ice Age, what's the difference, right?), which I immediately asked them to switch since every tv looks great with animation. They put on the most recent Star Wars movie and I have to say it looked GREAT! The thing that first came to mind was how natural the colors looked and how smooth the image was. The black level didn't seem quite as black as the Samsung DLP, but the grey scale seemed to be better as the fade from dark dark black to light wasn't as harsh as I remember the DLP being. Overall though, the blacks were good enough considering this is not a CRT. The picture was plenty bright too. I did see some video noise in the letters of the opening text (galaxy far far away...) and on a few other occasions, but only when standing about 4 feet from the screen. Otherwise, the image was very solid. There were, however, two issues I saw that I'll bring to everyone's attention: First, during the scene where Ewan McGregor goes to that lost planet to see the army being built (where he first meets Boba Fet and his father) and he talks to those tall, thin gel-like aliens, the set is very stark white. I thought there might have been a purple hue to parts of the white. I know that the "purple haze" was one of the reasons the Cineos was recalled, so I may have been imagining this because I was looking for the problem. It's also possible that the color is supposed to be there because in some scenes it looked like the white was not meant to be pure, but sort of pearlized in that there were hues of blues and greens as well. I'm not explaining this well, but I want to see the same scene on a regular old CRT tube to see for sure (then I'll repost). Those of you more familiar with this scene may know what I'm talking about. I did not see it in any other scene I viewed. The second thing is the one that I am most concerned about and that is the dreaded rainbow effect. Until last night, I never really understood what this "rainbow effect" really was or what to look for because the 3 or 4 times I've looked at the Samsung DLP, I never saw them. Well, I'm sorry to say, now I totally know, and ignorance truly is bliss. I didn't notice until I watched the scene near the beginning where Ben and Annikan go into that bar to see who tried to kill Amadala. The scene was filled with neon and other glowing light sources. I realized that sometimes when I blinked or moved my eyes from the particular point I was looking at (not my head mind you, just my eyes) for a very split second I saw a flash of color sriped red, green and blue. At first, I thought I was just tired (I had a long day at work and was overtired) and/or that because the scene was otherwise fairly dark, but with many sources of different colored glowing light, my eyes were just seeing the afterimage like how when you look at a bright light and then close your eyes you can still see the light (and even some of the color in a way). But, then I went to a few different scenes (particularly the one I described above where it's very bright), and realized I was seeing it a lot. It then dawned on me that this was the "rainbow effect". I now realize why I may never have seen it. Because I was looking for the wrong thing. Based on descriptions from others, I always thought it was something in the image of the picture, that the colors sort of bled or something, but that it was only in a generalized tint kind of way that only some people noticed. But, this is not the case. You really see it kind of IN your own eyes, not so much "on" the screen. Again, it's like staring at a light or really any object for a period of time and then turning away and seeing the "burned in" image against whatever you are then looking at, except that the rainbow effect only lasts for a fraction of a second whereas that burn in can sometimes take a few seconds to go away. Needless to say, I was disappointed. I didn't even know that the Cineos used a color wheel (which is what I hear causes this effect), but was told by Bose that it did. I later found out that a Tweeter near me just got the Cineos on display and it is right next to the 56" Samsung DLP, so tonight I am going for a head to head comparison armed with my new understanding of the rainbow effect. I'm figuring I'll see it on both TVs which is kind of freaking me out because I had finally narrowed my decision down to one of these 2 TVs, always opting not to go with an LCD because of the potential for stuck pixels (I saw a clump of them on a Sony once which looked like a solid green dot in the middle of the screen which I couldn't help but focus on) and the fact that at least Sony seems to take a very non-descript stance on warranty of stuck pixels (they cover an "unacceptable amount" of stuck pixels only - what a bunch of BS that is). My question to everyone is whether you would just live with the rainbow effect or choose a different poison (like stuck pixels with LCDs, or burn-in, convergance and huge size for CRTs - actually, I've ruled out CRTs due to size constraints). Part of me thinks I should definitely not spend $4,000 on anything unless it doesn't have any affirmative problems. But, the other part thinks maybe if I'm not intently analyzing the picture quality and just casually watching TV with a more relaxed eye, maybe I won't see the rainbows. Anyone know if there occurrence can be mitigated by anything (viewing distance, light in the room, etc.)? As I think the only other possibility would be plasma, and from what I hear and read there isn't anything at least 50" worth buying that's $4500 or less, I just can't face the possibility of the answer being that I should wait another 6 months until something better comes out. Any thoughts would be most appreciated as I am about to break down, cancel my cable, destroy all my TVs and pick up a damn book. |
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New member Username: SeakingPost Number: 1 Registered: 12-2003 | I bought the Samsung HLN 5065 50" from BB a month ago for 3700 +250 for the 4 year sp. I felt the Rainbow effect might bother me, I knew of it and saw it before my purchase. During the first week or so it was bugging me but now I very seldom notice it and My wife and I love the picture. I have bought the Hughes HTL-HD for my Directv and am loving it even wihtout getting my 3 lnb dish up yet. Getting the local digitial channels in HD has been GREAT!!! I live in the DC/BALT area. The Samsung is based on a technology that is soon to be going into its 3rd generation and I feel my set which is 2nd gen is OK!!! Just my 2 cents Chester King |
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Anonymous | http://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/17/technology/17chip.html New Intel Chip for Digital TV Could Remake the Market By JOHN MARKOFF Published: December 17, 2003 sAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 16 - The Intel Corporation is planning to do to digital television what it has already done to computing. At the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, which opens on Jan. 8, Intel is expected to disclose the development of a class of advanced semiconductors that technologists and analysts say will improve the quality of large-screen digital televisions and substantially lower their price, according to industry executives close to the company. Intel's ability to integrate display, television receiver and computer electronics on a single piece of silicon is likely to open new markets for a class of products - including plasma, projection and L.C.D. TV's - that now sell for $3,000 to $10,000. Intel, as well as other large chip manufacturers, should be able to expand the benefits of Moore's Law, named for Gordon Moore, a founder of Intel, which accurately predicted decades ago that computer chips would continue to double in capacity roughly every 18 months, while their price would continue to fall. "I think this brings Moore's Law to digital television," said Richard Doherty, a consumer electronics industry analyst who is president of Envisioneering, a consulting firm based on Long Island. He predicted that the low-cost display technology, which can be incorporated into the traditional rear-projection television sets, could lead to lightweight 50-inch screens only 7 inches thick for about $1,000, perhaps as early as the 2004 holiday season. Intel's expected decision to enter the television market is another powerful indicator of the computer industry's assault on the consumer electronics industry. Both Gateway and Dell are already selling large-screen digital TV's made for them in Asia, and Hewlett-Packard has indicated it will also enter the market. Such a powerful marketing and technology combination could blend easily with Microsoft's media center software, which is aimed at using personal computing technology as the heart of home entertainment centers. The Intel announcement, which is expected to be made at the show by Paul S. Otellini, the company's president and chief operating officer, would come just as high-definition digital television is beginning to take off in the United States. A spokesman for Intel said the company would not comment on Mr. Otellini's presentation to the consumer electronics show. This year, the Consumer Electronics Association, the trade group for the industry, said it expected revenue from digital television sets to surpass revenue from conventional analog sets for the first time. In June, sales of digital sets were running 110 percent ahead of sales in the month a year earlier. The technology Intel has been exploring is known as liquid crystal on silicon. It is one of a number of competing technologies, including a novel approach pioneered by Texas Instruments called digital light processors, or D.L.P. The Texas Instruments approach involves a silicon chip that has hundreds of thousands of microscopic mirrors that can tilt to reflect light. So far, it has been limited to relatively expensive digital TV's. By contrast, the technology used by Intel employs vast arrays of tiny electronic shutters that can alter the amount of reflected light, an approach that may allow companies to make big-screen TV sets using rear-projection technology that matches or exceeds the quality of flat-panel TV's at a much lower cost than plasma and conventional L.C.D. Although Intel is not expected to enter the market for digital televisions for at least a year, Philips Electronics, the Dutch manufacturer, and several American start-up companies have already begun offering liquid crystal on silicon, or LCoS, components and televisions. "LCoS had a Phase 1 in the mid-1990's," said Sandeep Gupta, chief executive of the MicroDisplay Corporation, a chip maker in San Pablo, Calif., that has announced an LCoS chip designed for HDTV applications that is planned for home televisions next year. Many of the companies that introduced the technology at that time, however, quickly failed. What is different today, he said, is that a high-growth consumer market has emerged, supported by a global manufacturing infrastructure. "The true market test only started this summer," he said. "Rear-projection D.L.P. systems are flying off the shelf." Intel and other semiconductor makers are interested in the new market for television because it shares many advantages with their traditional personal computer markets and has some rewards that traditional semiconductor markets lack. For one thing, in the computer business Moore's law has been accompanied by "Moore's curse," Mr. Gupta said, which has meant that as computing power increases, prices fall at ever more drastic rates, cutting the profit margins of manufacturers. The new LCoS chips, however, are both electronic and optical, suggesting that they may eventually achieve an optimal size and density that will limit the relentless pressure on profits that has occurred in many chip markets. Analysts cautioned, however, that the display market is still evolving rapidly with many competitors and no clear victor. Many of the traditional makers of TV sets have themselves been researching lower-cost alternatives to the plasma and L.C.D. screens that now dominate the high end of the home entertainment market. Technical experts also warned that there were still hurdles that must be overcome before manufacturers can build systems that offer bright high-contrast images capable of delivering fast-moving television images. Still, progress has been impressive. At the consumer electronics show next month, experts said they expected to see rear-projection sets that are only 10 inches deep and far lighter than plasma and L.C.D. systems. "They will blow you away," said Chris Chinnock, president of Insight Media, a digital television consulting firm based in Norwalk, Conn. The large-format displays, he said, "have captured consumers' imaginations." |
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Unregistered guest | Chester King, Do you have to connect a Terk TV50 antenna to your HTL-HD receiver to be able to wacth HD shows with you local channels? Rod |
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New member Username: Brian_d_dallasPost Number: 1 Registered: 12-2003 | Art, I have had the Hitachi 60v500 for a little over a week now (same TV as the 50v500, but with a slightly larger screen). I have the Sony SAT-HD300 on order, but have been using the Samsung SIR-TS160 in the meantime (My brother is letting me use his SIR-TS160 until my Sony arrives. What a saint!). In any case, I notice no ghosting effects with this TV. However, sometimes there is a screen door effect, and this screen door effect is also noticable with higher quality signals to answer your question. I also think it is usually more noticable in darker scenes. Even though I look for the screen door effect sometimes (always willing to re-evaluate a 4k purchase  ), I am not always able to see it. One thing I've also noticed about this TV is that it seems to have a slight challenge with flesh tones.. The Tonight Show at 1080i during closeups of Jay Leno's face shows a slight lack of contrast and shading in the fleshtones (or maybe he's wearing so much make-up, it's just one patch of color). With some tuning, e.g. turning down the colors, setting color temperature to high, fiddling with brightness/contrast, etc., I have been able to limit the screen door effect, and improve flesh-tones. I don't think these two issues are all that bad, but can see someone's point if they say they don't like it... Those are the only two nit-picks I have about the picture, otherwise, the focus is near-perfect, and the overall color and clarity of the 1080i image is excellent. My only other non-image related comment about the 60v500 at this point is the noticable fan noise that others have mentioned... But, the fan noise doesn't really bother me since I run fan-driven air purifiers at my home and am somewhat immune to any fan noise. I'll report back more after the holidays about the Hitachi 60v500 when I've had a chance to test out the Samsung HD931 DVD player and the Sony SAT-HD300 over the component and DVI inputs (and what effects they have on the screen door and flesh tones, if any). Hopefully Santa will be delivering the Samsung HD931 DVD player this Christmas... Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone!! |
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New member Username: SeakingPost Number: 2 Registered: 12-2003 | I have an indoor amplfied antenna in my attic. It is directional, I would like to get an omnidirectional amplified antenna to see if I can get more channels. If I turn the one I have I gain and lose channels. |
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New member Username: ArtPost Number: 3 Registered: 12-2003 | Brian, Thanks for the reply, I hope Santa has you covered. Are you using component or DVI Did you notice a difference from say S video to component. I notice faces in the background being choppy or textured looking. But I have standard DirecTV and S Video is the best my current sat box has. Thanks, Art |
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New member Username: Brian_d_dallasPost Number: 2 Registered: 12-2003 | Art, with my older DVD player over a S video input to the 60v500, I would agree that faces in the background look a bit choppy or textured. The Samsung box I am using for 1080i terrestrial signals uses component inputs and looks a lot better than the S video input - there is no noticeable choppiness or texturing. |
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New member Username: Nelson_bPost Number: 1 Registered: 12-2003 | Brian D. Get rid of the S-Video cable and replace it with component (red blue green) cables for you DVD player. If your DVD player does not have component jacks, throw it away and get a new DVD player. |
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New member Username: ArtPost Number: 4 Registered: 12-2003 | THANKS BRIAN - THAT'S GREAT NEWS. IM looking at DVD players now, anything beats 480i. Later (after Your review/comparison) either a SONY SAT-HD300 or Samsung SIR-TS160. - Art. |
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New member Username: BlevPost Number: 3 Registered: 12-2003 | Chester, Thanks for the info. I'm actually in Rockville, MD. I went to Tweeter last night and saw both the Cineos and the 56" Sammy right next to each other. I ended up going with the Sammy because both my wife and I were constantly seeing rainbows on the Cineos and we only saw it maybe once (on an extreme contrast scene) on the Sammy. It took me 2 hours of deliberating before I finally made the call. It was very hard to pass on the Cineos after waiting for so long to see it and since I actually liked it better in most respects (the Sammy did have a slightly better black level though). In the end, my wife was getting a headache due to the rainbows and I figured I just couldn't take the chance for all that cash. All in all, I am very very psyched about the Samsung (and to finally be done with this long quest). Maybe once someone finally puts out an affordable 3 chip 1080p LCOS, I'll be ready for another one (and hopefully it will be 1/2 the cost of this one by that time). Thanks to all who have participated on this board. It has definitely been one of the most informative I've seen. Peace out. I'm going to watch some TV... |
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New member Username: Floyd_in_cbusPost Number: 6 Registered: 12-2003 | Well, I finally got my Samsung HLN507W hooked up yesterday and it looks spectacular! The HD signal from DirecTV is incredible! Even the DirecTV tech. said he has installed only about 12 HD systems thus far and my TV had the best picture of any he has seen. I couldn't be happier! Well, maybe a little happier. I am having some audio issues that I haven't been able to work out yet with my surround sound system and haven't had the time yet to dive into the manual or the menu of the TV but I do have a couple of questions for you LAWRENCE, if get some time. The system is hooked up through the Hughes HD receiver by DVI w/ the audio going to the PC Audio jack as directed by the instructions. When I select the aspect button on the remote it changes the format from Wide TV, Wide PC, or Normal. The Wide TV format looks great and the display is in the proper broadcast format I believe. (720x480 or 720x1080). However, all the non-HD channels look scrunched a bit. (It looks like the TV runs out of room vertically) So, is this a possible scaling issue with the receiver or is this normal? DVD's look just fine. The Wide PC format is a bit smaller and the Normal displays a square picture in the middle of the screen. I believe this to be working properly however; in both these formats I get some type of white, fuzzy line noise thing happening at the very top of the picture. Any ideas? I wonder if it's the standard DVI cable that came w/ the system and you just can't see it on the Wide TV selection cause the picture is blown up bigger??? Maybe upgrade my cable? Also, the tech told me that if a local channel were broadcasting in HD then I would receive the HD signal through my DirecTV local channel. I thought I read somewhere in this thread that this was not the case and in order to receive HD on local channels you had to have the off-air antenna. Any experience with that yet Lawrence? I'll get to play with the settings more tomorrow but any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks! |
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New member Username: Unc879winsPost Number: 2 Registered: 12-2003 | Ok, change in plans. HLN507W + HD931 + SIR-S310W + Monster cables DVI, component, and audio. I get the DVI connection from the DVD to the TV and compononent connection from the DirectTV box to the TV. Best possible Non-HD picture I guess. I am not sure if OTA exists in HD for Tucson, AZ but I'm checking into it. If so, I guess I may pick up one of those indoor TERK50's? When more HD programming is available thru DirectTV I'll go for the Sony SAT-HD300. So far, the best deal on the HLN507 is online at about $3426.95 delivered, $250 on the HD-931, and the S310W pretty much anywhere for $100. |
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New member Username: ArianaPost Number: 2 Registered: 12-2003 | - - HLN507W SD Picture Quality - - HD quality from the HD811 Dish Network Satellite Receiver with DVI input is superb. DVD quality from the Samsung HD931 with DVI input and 1080i option is also excellent However, Standard Definition channels look rather awful. Even worse than with a crummy rear-projection TV Set. I have tried with both the DVI input and the standard analog Video input. Any ideas would be appreciated. |
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New member Username: Lawrence_alPost Number: 6 Registered: 12-2003 | Hello Floyd. Nice to hear you like the Sammy's picture! Now to your questions:- The issue of getting 4:3 stuff to display optimally on a widescreen depends on how the receiver sends the signal to the TV and to some extent, the additional options available on the TV as well. This was one of the thorny problems I had with the Samsung SIRS-TS150 and didn't have with the Sony SAT-HD300. It sounds like you have a vertical scaling problem. The first question is what resolution are you sending picture to the TV at? I have my Sony set to send all the signals at 720p because that is the native resolution of the DLP. If you get the Hughes to upconvert to 1080i then the DLP has to then downconvert again to 720p. This may cause additional problems. Most TV's do something called "overscanning" and the Samsung DLP does it too -- that is to say they display the picture vertically such that it chops a fraction off the top and bottom which means you don't run into the issue of seeing that annoying noise at the top of the picture. I noticed it with some feed from the Samsung receiver, especially from Fox which broadcasts its HD at 1080i. I never get it from the Sony receiver. Upgrading your DVI cable will not help. You need to dig into the receiver's settings and experiment with the aspect ratio settings and try both 720p and 1080i out to see what works best for you with your combination. And, no -- it's not normal to have a picture that is scrunched vertically. The vertical scaling should be normal with a slight overscan to hide the noisy raster at the top of the picture. "Also, the tech told me that if a local channel were broadcasting in HD then I would receive the HD signal through my DirecTV local channel." No, that's not true. There are so many local affiliates that DirecTV could never handle them all. Perhaps if you live in a major market like Los Angeles there are some HD locals broadcast but I don't know that area. Best call DirecTV for the official answer. I think the tech just did not know what he's talking about. |
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New member Username: Floyd_in_cbusPost Number: 7 Registered: 12-2003 | Good morning Lawrence. Yea, the tech was full of @#%&! I was watching the Vikings v. Chiefs game yesterday in which I know CBS was broadcasting in HD, and I did not receive an HD signal through DirecTV local channel. I guess I am going to have to hook up an antenna! I have one on my standard tv. I wonder if those Terk 50 indoor antennas work like I have seen mentioned on this board. I am still having some audio issues w/ my new Onkyo receiver. So I have been spending most of my time w/ that. I think I have everything hooked up correctly and it sounds great when I turn it up. But, that's the problem. I have to turn it up to 50 just to get to an acceptable listening level. Oh well, that's another thread! I haven't messed with any of the settings on my Hughes receiver yet. That will be #1 priority today! I'll post with the outcome later. Man, I hope this works. I have heard good things about the Hughes receiver. Thanks once again for your insight Lawrence! BTW Andrew... I got my Sam HLN507W for $3214.99 at Circuit City. Of course I bought about $5000.00 worth of equipment and was able to get the manager to move on the price a bit! |
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New member Username: Lawrence_alPost Number: 7 Registered: 12-2003 | Floyd - on your audio issue, are you using the TosLink input (optical) or RCA? If it's optical, be sure the ends of the optical cables are squeaky clean. Any dirt there will attenuate the signal quickly. Make sure the optical cable has not had a kink in it (in which case its ruined). See if you get a good signal level from RCA for starters. Obviously having to turn the amp up is not ideal as you then get a worse signal-to-noise ratio and it may induce hum as well. As your amp is new, it is probably just needing a tweak or two! Re the antenna, you might look for one of those websites that lets you plug in your zip code and then see what category of antenna you need (they are color coded). I used to have the link but deleted it after I got set up. Then check to see if the Terk 50 meets the spec for your area. Don't fret over these teething problems. It took me a couple of days to iron out the issues and tweak everything. It can take several days to learn all the menu options and to experiment with the settings but it's worth it! |
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New member Username: Floyd_in_cbusPost Number: 8 Registered: 12-2003 | Lawrence - Yes I am using optical connections. Good idea on the RCA connections to check signal. However, it's not just the sound through my DVD or TV that I am having to crank up the volume. It is like that for the tuner as well. Normal FM radio stations should be booming regardless of the TV and DVD connections right? I have checked everything and double and triple checked. I am going to call Onkyo today and if I have no success, I guess I'll take it back. I took your advice on the HD receiver settings. (sending the signal at 720p) I am not sure what setting the Hughes receiver was on before but the noisy raster has virtually been eliminated. I never get it in true HD signals. On some other signals/broadcasts it is still there but hardly detectable. You have to get real close to the screen and actually look for it and by adjusting the aspect ratio on these broadcasts you can hide it. The vertical scrunching I expierenced is gone as well. The Hughes HTL-HD provides several display formats. 1080i,720p,480p, 480i, native, DVI and Variables 1,2, & 3. In DVI mode, the output display format is automatically adapted based on the preferred resolution format of the DVI-HDTV monitor. (in this case 720p) The format may be converted from the original broadcast format. Are you saying you never get the noise at the top w/ the Sony SAT-HD300 at all in all broadcast formats Lawrence? OR are you able to make adjustments w/ the aspect ratios on certain broadcasts to hide the noise? Yea Lawrence, I agree that most of these issues are just some teething problems. Make no mistake about it, the Sammy DLP is AWESOME! After 3 days I am still in awe over the HD picture! OUTSTANDING! |
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New member Username: Floyd_in_cbusPost Number: 9 Registered: 12-2003 | Well, I am back on here pretty quick Lawrence but I had to provide an update. I just got off the phone w/ Onkyo. They say it is perfectly normal and everything is working fine and as it's designed to do. Like I said before, it just seemed odd to me to have turn the volume to 50 before it reached a normal level. Hell, maybe it's me. Maybe I need to get my hearing checked. LOL!! However , I did make some minor tweaks with the speakers and the db outputs for each and that did help. When I get into the 70's on the volume control it is quite loud and sounds good w/ no hum or distortion so I guess I hooked everything up right in the first place! One thing that I can do that may improve my system is if I get some floor speakers. I am just running a Polk Audio home theatre speaker set up now. Although they are rated for 125 watts, they are still small satellites. Bigger,deeper sounding speakers may be what I need for music. |
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New member Username: Lawrence_alPost Number: 8 Registered: 12-2003 | Floyd - on posting #1, yes - I never ever see the noise raster with the Sony no matter what format I use and whether I watch satellite or antenna feed. On posting #2, it sounds like your Onkyo uses a Linear scale on the gain, rather than Logarithmic. Also check that your amp is set correctly for the impedance of your speakers. For example, if you have 8 ohm speakers make sure the amp is set to drive an 8 ohm load. My Sony amp can be set for 4, 8 or 16 and it makes a big difference if you have it wrong. On the other hand, be sure not to set it to 8 ohms then drive 4 ohm speakers or you'll overload the amp and it may shutdown to protect itself (better than blowing the output stage!). It may just be that your Polk speakers are not so efficient so need driving hardre to get some decent db output. 100 Watts sent to small speakers may sound half as loud as the same signal sent to bigger floor standing ones and don't forget that most of the power manifests itself at the bass end. It's all down to efficiency. I have two large floor standing speakers that were custom built for me by a fantastic audio engineer by the name of Richard Durbin of Durbin Acoustics (they are based on the Dynaudio Audience 82's which you can see at http://www.dynaudiousa.com/products/audience/82/aud82.htm and use the exact same Dynaudio drivers which were imported from Denmark; a Cambridge Audio PSW1 sub-woofer; Cambridge Audio Center and Cambridge Audio Ensemble Surround satellites. Things get darn loud quickly at 3-4 notches up and it kicks serious butt at 50%! (I wouldn't be popular if I lived in an apartment) |
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New member Username: Floyd_in_cbusPost Number: 10 Registered: 12-2003 | Well, in light of that info Lawrence I am going to go get the Sony SAT-HD300! I'll try it out and compare to the Hughes and keep whichever one performs the best. That's a shame. I had high expectations for the Hughes. Although, I believe it's probably pretty close to the Sony and better than the Samsung SIRS-TS150 and like I said earlier has virtually no noise raster, but I know it's there. That will drive me crazy. I think I will opt for the bigger speaker setup as well! I'll don't know if I'll brave the last minute shoppers tomorrow or the day after crowd on Friday, but maybe early next week I'll try it out. I'll post then with the results. Merry Christmas and thanks again! Your insight has been invaluable with this endeavor! |
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Brazil2 Unregistered guest | Is there anyone aware of the fact that Gateway offers a 56" Rear Projection with DLP for $3799? Samsung, of course, offers their 50" for around $4000. Has anyone heard any reviews on the Gateway product? Thanks! |
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New member Username: Lawrence_alPost Number: 9 Registered: 12-2003 | All: The link for more details on this Gateway DLP is here: http://news.designtechnica.com/article1693.html Just remember, generally speaking, you get what you pay for! |
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New member Username: Floyd_in_cbusPost Number: 11 Registered: 12-2003 | Hey Lawrence, one more thing here before I purchase the SAT-HD300 and pay to have the Hughes shipped back and all that mess. Please forgive me if I am a little rendundant here but I want to make sure I fully understand and am doing the right thing. I was on some other BB's and found several people mentioning that the Hughes HTL-HD and the Sony SAT-HD300 are in fact the same receiver, made by the same manufacturer w/ just some different features (mainly on the remotes and channel guides). So I am trying to prevent exchanging for the same thing. I played w/ the settings and changed channels extensively today and the white line/noise thing at the top is definately eliminated when I display the signal in the proper format/Aspect Ratio. The best way I can describe what I have going on is pixel corruption/pixelating on some channels (not all)at the top and down the sides approx. an 1/8 of an inch. You have to look really hard to see it. It's just a little blurry in that area and it's only in 480 broadcast formats. I know you have said about everything there is to say on the Sony and that's enough to sell me on it alone. Maybe I am just not explaining right or doing something wrong w/ the settings. I know the manual says I have the option to change formats from EZ-DVI (auto),1080, 720, 480, and Variables 1, 2, & 3. However, I noticed today that I can ony change from EZ-DVI to 720p to 480p. I just thought I would throw this out there to see if you had any last input. I'll try to leave you alone now! Thanks! BTW... I found the OTA antenna website. It is http://antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.asp |
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New member Username: Floyd_in_cbusPost Number: 12 Registered: 12-2003 | Never mind Lawrence! I just went back through this extensive thread and re-read all your posts from October & November on HD receivers. I guess I didn't realize what you were talking about then cause I was focusing on the DLP TV only back then. You have meticulously covered these HD receivers. You even recognized that the Sony was made by LG and I believe stated that Zenith's was too. However I think you sited a faster processor for scaling was the difference. Maybe that is the same case w/ my Hughes made by LG as well. I know my DLP doesn't have the pixels like that of an LCD. I just couldn't explain it any better I guess. I'LL GO GET THE SAT-HD 300 NOW AND QUIT BUGGING YOU!!! Man, I hate buying new equipment only to return it!!! |
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New member Username: Floyd_in_cbusPost Number: 13 Registered: 12-2003 | Merry Christmas all! I just purchased and installed the Terk TV44 antenna for local OTA channels. Reception is great w/o any weather, but right now we are under snow and sleet in Columbus and it's just ok! However, the OTA HD local channel reception is great! I don't think it will be effective enough to cancel my local programming through DirecTV unless I find a better antenna that will handle the varied weather elements. The nice thing about it though is that I did not have to run any more cables or drill holes, or utilize any tools. It hooked up in minutes to my multi-dish and a quick install of an inside diplexer and BOOYA! I couldn't find the Sony SAT HD300 in stock any where! I'll have to order it for direct ship and it may be a week or so. |
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New member Username: Lawrence_alPost Number: 10 Registered: 12-2003 | Floyd - Merry Christmas! I was working all day today! Whoever you buy the Sony from, make sure they have a good return policy (not that I think you'd want to, but it's always good to know you can). I don't know whether the Hughes is made by LG, but as DirecTV has an ownership in Hughes, it's hard to say whether they get them OEM built by LG and branded for them or not. Worth doing a little Internet research to check it out. The Sony chassis is definately the same basic one as the Zenith but with more features. If the Sony is sold out everywhere that means it's in demand! The local Tweeter store said that every order that comes in is already pre-sold! Can't be bad. I'm still looking for a serious Home Theatre or Perfect Vision magazine review sometime. I'd like to know how it stacks up in a professional test situation. BTW, I read somewhere that LG make that new Gateway DLP! |
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New member Username: Floyd_in_cbusPost Number: 14 Registered: 12-2003 | Lawrence- I got some new movies for Christmas and finally got to play around with the new DVD player (Pioneer DV-563A) purchased w/ my system! I've been so busy w/ the TV and Onkyo settings I forgot about the DVD player. The Pioneer was in fact factory set to Interlaced in the video output settings! I changed to Progressive like you suggested and WOW, what a difference! That was a great piece of advice! I would have never known if you didn't mention it! Well, gotta give Hughes a call now to see if I can return it and then order the Sony. More later.... |
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New member Username: Lawrence_alPost Number: 11 Registered: 12-2003 | Floyd - glad to see you found that 480p setting in the Pioneer! I got the Beatles Anthology DVD set so we've been watching all of them these last few days. The 5.1 surround remix in Dts is fantastic. There are probably thousands of folks out there watching interlaced video by accident and have no idea that it's the default (or even what "progressive" means). It's as bad as getting Dts DVD's and finding they default to Dolby Digital 5.1 or even just PCM Stereo. The Beatles Anthology is a case in point. I have to tell the DVD player to switch to Dts. You would think that by now they would have the hardware and software capable of intelligently selecting the optimum settings for you. |
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New member Username: Floyd_in_cbusPost Number: 15 Registered: 12-2003 | Lawrence- Hughes wants to ship me a replacement (new) HD receiver before they will refund my money on the HTL-HD. They want to determine if it's possibly a faulty receiver and not a system wide issue. They said my noise raster thing at the top is the first they have heard of it. So... I will try the new one and see. Should be in this week. I'll let everyone know how it turns out. |
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New member Username: Lawrence_alPost Number: 12 Registered: 12-2003 | Floyd - at least they are being responsive, which is good. Let me know how it works out. |
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Anonymous | Hello all. I just finished an online chat with Philips and was told that the 44PL977S will be available in "2004"--I asked if that was Jan or Jun or when? He responded with an "I don't know when in 2004". So, it appears we all continue to wait! |
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New member Username: Lawrence_alPost Number: 13 Registered: 12-2003 | Anonymous - thanks for the update on the Philips LCoS. I know Floyd and I have been hogging the forum on other non-LCoS issues (this forum started out as a Philips LCoS vs Samsung DLP debate after all), but with little happening on the Philips front at the moment, we need to chat about something!! I keenly await LCoS news as LCoS will probably ultimately win over DLP eventually but I expect it will be a couple of years yet. Meanwhile HD Tivo is what I'm waiting for - that's supposed to be Q1, 2004. Maybe we can chat about that to keep the forum alive! |
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New member Username: Floyd_in_cbusPost Number: 16 Registered: 12-2003 | Hey Lawrence, you are not going to believe this! I am at work today and my wife just called to tell me the new HD receiver arrived. I should be excited right? Well, she then informs me that it is not the Hughes receiver but the Samsung SIR TS160! UUUUUUUUUGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH! I called Hughes back. They said they do not ship the receivers but Directv does. I called DirecTV. They say they have no control of what receiver is shipped. All they know is when one is ordered it will be the Samsung or the Hughes HTL HD. UNBELIEVABLE! Well, I guess I'll give it a shot. Probably wasting my time though! I won't get to it til Saturday. Talk to ya then. Happy New Year! |
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New member Username: Lawrence_alPost Number: 14 Registered: 12-2003 | Floyd - the on-screen menus are cool on the Samsung (more color/transparency choices and fast scrolling), but the picture was not nearly as good as the Sony's IMHO (except HD which was about the same) and I had aspect ratio problems - the Sony was better at dealing with 4:3 zoomed to 16:9 and I had problems getting it to remember my preference on screen scaling. But it does have caller-ID. The Samsung remote is good too, but there's no LCD status display on the Samsung box - the Sony is great in that regard. I'd be keen to read your comments when you have had a chance to play with it. Happy New Year! |
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New member Username: Floyd_in_cbusPost Number: 17 Registered: 12-2003 | Lawrence- Well, I couldn't wait til Saturday! I hooked up the Samsung. I looked at it for about 5 minutes while I was on the phone w/ DirecTV while they activated it. Five minutes was all I needed to determine that it was unacceptable. All the issues you described were illustrated w/ this receiver. Much worse than my exsisting Hughes HTL-HD! Changing the ratios only added more issues like the gray bars down the sides, etc. I immediately had the DirecTV rep. re-activate my Hughes! Sorry, that I could not give it more of a review but it was evident that the Samsung was unsatisfactory. The Samsung they sent was a refurbished replacement. This angered me to an extent. My hour on the phone w/ DirecTV has also frustrated me further. I may not even receive a full refund for my Hughes now when my Sony arrives. I was told that all sales are final when I made the purchase. Right now I am at least a $150 refund. Once the Sony SAT HD300 arrives and hopefully works, I will talk to a supervisor and fight and claw for a full refund I guess. I may have to eat it though! I do want to make one point however for others who may be looking at the Hughes HTL-HD. The issues I am having are very minimal! As I said before, practically undetectable for the most part, most of the time. As a matter of fact I have had several friends and family watch the TV and not once mention the issues I have described. Their reaction is WOW, what a great picture! I guess I am just a perfectionist and expect it to be perfect all the time. Well, gotta go watch the games now! More later when I get the Sony. |
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Unregistered guest | Great BB! Lawrence & Floyd - thank you for completely educating me on all these HDTV issues! This thread has been so informative - I think I've read through it about a dozen times! Floyd - it sounds like you & I have almost the exact same setup. I was hoping between the two of you - you could clear up some questions I have... First my setup - Samsung 50" DLP TV (incredible picture, by the way!), Onkyo 701 receiver, Panasonic 563A dvd player (haven't actually got this yet), an old Sony VCR and our current DirecTV system - RCA receiver with UltimateTV (no high-def just yet). We are planning on putting in a Microsoft Media center (PC to have a high-def tuner card) - but that is coming later. We are also looking at getting the TERK TV44 antenna - but I'm still not sure it will work in our area. Of course even if we do that - we would probably still need to get a HD DirecTV box. Our speaker choices are not yet finalized, but we will be having 5.1 surround. We are also looking at the Harmony SST768 programmable remote. When we chose our components we thought there would be no problems setting things up ourselves. I am now thoroughly confused with all the "new" (read digital) technology and am not sure how to connect everything for the best picture/sound. I have been looking on the monster cable web site for info in addition to this BBS, but this has confused me more! I have several questions - 1) Our original plan was to connect all the video feeds from the various components directly to the TV and all the audio feeds directly to the receiver. Is this the best setup? Or should we route the video through the receiver as well? What do you gain by routing video through the receiver? Is picture quality lost? 2) The DVD player plays SACD and DVD-Audio formats. I have read that SACD requires analog connects (the 6 connectors). Is this true? Do I need to have BOTH digital and analog audio feeds from the dvd player to the receiver? Or can I just use the digital? I was planning on connecting via digital optical. 3) Do I really need to connect audio from the receiver to the TV? What good does this do? 4) We have noticed when watching some sports - mostly soccer games - there is alot of color running. It kind of looks like the color of the uniforms is running behind the players themselves. This is mostly on FOX Sports World. Would this likely be due to the DirecTV receiver? Could I expect this to go away when we put in the HD receiver? 5) Lawrence - you mentioned a Video Essentials DVD. What is that - what does it do? Is it commercially available? Would it be helpful to get and go through? 6) Lawrence - you also mentioned an audio amp. Is that different from your audio receiver? Don't most receivers have amps built in? What does your amp do? Thank you so much in advance for any help - Monica |
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New member Username: ArtPost Number: 5 Registered: 12-2003 | Monica I can help you with #5 ---- On most THX DVDs if you go to the set up screens on the DVD - find the THX logo and select it you will be walked through several setups for sound and video. I to was looking for a setup DVD untill I was told of one I allready had. Art. |
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New member Username: ArtPost Number: 6 Registered: 12-2003 | Oh yea - WOW what a difference good quality component cables made. I was using some that came with my 5 year old DVD player - I bought some 30.00 RCA's and I stopped complaining about my picture quality - (at least the DVD picture, the standard DirecTV picture could be much better, but I bought the set mainly for watching movies. Especially after last night after I herd on the news that the theaters just went up to 10.25 here in GA. Art. |
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New member Username: Brian_d_dallasPost Number: 3 Registered: 12-2003 | Hey guys, I needed to check back here since Santa was nice to me. I now have the Samsung HD931 DVD player and the Sony SONY SAT-HD300 receiver (Ok, I was Santa in the case of the SAT-HD300). Lawrence, I have to agree completely with your review of the SONY SAT-HD300 vs. the Samsung SIR-TS160 receiver. The automatic sizing of the picture with the Sony is much better. Also, the colors are much brighter, and the whites are a lot whiter. One more thing.. flesh-tones are no longer a problem now that I've switched from the Samsung to the Sony receiver. Jay Leno on the Tonight Show looks normal now.. It has been a busy holiday season, so I've only had a chance to see one movie (Terminator 3) with the Samsung HD931 DVD player. In 1080i mode, there are smooth lines with a bright picture with good black levels. So far, I am happy with that choice also. I still notice the screen door effect in my Hitachi 60v500 with all of these inputs.. It is not noticable when the camera stays still, but when the camera pans, it is still there. I don't think it is too bad though. And one last thing.. Now that I have these high definition sources, I have been able to find one dead pixel that is always off in the lower center part of the screen in my Hitachi 60v500.. Bah!!! Also, if I REALLY put my nose up to the screen, I can find 6 or 8 pixels that operate fine, but have dust covering them slightly, causing their light output to be slightly shaded.. But that's viewing a pure white screen at 12 inches vs. 8 feet. At couch distance, I can't see any of these defects, even when I try and know where they are. By the way, right now, I'm writing this message on a ~60 inch screen from the DVI port of my ATI Radeon 9700 to the TV (1280 x 768 resolution using 16x9 zoom on the TV).. Only an inch and a half gets cut off on either side of the screen. Not a perfect image, but the text is readable... Flight Sim 2004 and Battlefield 1942 are nice. |
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New member Username: Unc879winsPost Number: 3 Registered: 12-2003 | It's almost time to pull the trigger on my purchase. The HLN-507 and HD-931 for the TV/DVD. I'm going to have to wait for the Sony SAT-HD300 until later in the year. What I'd like to know is if anyone has a recommendation for a solid non-HD DirectTV box. My Hughes one only has SVHS and composite video outs. I am thinking about the Samsung SIR-S310W which has component out. I'm hoping my DirectTV signal thru a component out into the HLN-507 will give me a good enough picture. After reading this forum is obvious that your cables make a visible impact on the quality of picture so I'm also looking at the Monster M500DVI-1M (dvi) and the M1000CV-1M (component) cables for my connection. Any input on those choices? |
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New member Username: ArtPost Number: 7 Registered: 12-2003 | Andrew, Good find on the -Samsung SIR-S310W that has component out. I thought only the 5-700.00 sat boxes had component out. If I could get a bit better image quality from my standard sat broadcast using component VRS using my current s-video, I would be happy for at least a year LOL. I cant find any reviews on that sat box / I whish it had RF remote / the price is good but I don't know for sure that the image would be any better than my current Sony A65a which has RF. I'll keep my eyes out for reviews on the Sammy. ART. |
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New member Username: Floyd_in_cbusPost Number: 18 Registered: 12-2003 | Monica -- Hello, let me see if I can clear up at least some of your questions. Perhaps Lawrence or others can improve upon my understanding and explanation of how all these hook ups work and connect. First of all, I cannot advise on your VCR or MS Media center hook up. I only have the HD receiver, A/V receiver/amp, and DVD player running with my HD system to my Sam HLN507W. However, Onkyo has a pretty good website on hookups for varied components. It is www.onkyousa.com/hookups.cfm Secondly, you will need to run "component video cable" (red, blue, green) from your Pioneer DVD player to your Onkyo 701 and then on to your TV. The Pioneer does not have DVI and all the TV's that I am aware of have only one DVI connection and that should be reserved for your HD receiver when you get one. More on the audio when I get to question #2. Let me start with the TERKTV44 antenna. This antenna, at least for me in my area, is not recommended for standard local channel programming. It's no better than a pair of rabbit ears! The reason I chose it however, was ease of set up and more importantly I receive excellent OTA HD local broadcasts. If NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX are not broadcasting a program in HD, then I have to revert to my local channels through DirecTV to receive an acceptable picture. Question #1 -- Yes, you are right (to an extent) about losing picture quality when routing video feeds through another component. By sending pure component video signal directly, the signal forgoes the extra processing that normally would degrade the image. However, your Onkyo 701 has a bank of component video output connectors for direct component video output to the matrix decoder of the television. In other words, the input is only sent directly to the output (No processing conducted). So, I suppose you could send the DVD video directly to the TV. But, by bypassing your Onkyo w/ the video you will not receive sound unless you have your Onkyo on or run audio directly to the TV as well. Thus, no surround sound. By running the video and audio through you're your Onkyo you will simply set the source to DVD on your Onkyo to receive video and surround sound. So, to answer your question, you don't really gain anything other than I think it's just more user friendly. Questions #2 & 3 -- Yes, high sampling rate and multichannel DVD-Audio and SACD discs do require analog connections I BELIEVE! I am new to these types of formats so maybe someone else can elaborate a bit more on them. With that said, to enjoy multichannel surround sound you need to connect the DVD player to your Onkyo using a digital optical output. This will give you the 5.1 DD and DTS. In addition to this connection, you should also connect the 2 channel analog outputs to your Onkyo for compatibility with all discs. This will eliminate the need for the 6 analog connections you referred to. However, the way I understand it, any format on a disc that requires this analog will only play in "stereo mode" through your speaker system. When playing these types of format discs you can go into the menu system of the DVD player and change from 5.1 channel to 2 channel and the audio is mixed down to two channels so you still hear all the audio recorded on the disc. When set to 5.1 Channel there is no digital output when playing DVD-Audio. I'm not sure about the color running in question #4. I suppose since you have a 720p TV and are only using a standard def receiver that may be the reason for it since your are only receiving 480 through S-Video. Lawrence could probably help you more there. Question #6 -- Monica, the Onkyo 701 is all you need. It has all the capabilities to give you a nice home theatre sound! GOOD LUCK! |
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New member Username: Floyd_in_cbusPost Number: 19 Registered: 12-2003 | One more thing on question 3 Monica. You only need to connect rca analog jacks to your TV from your Sat receiver and DVD player so that you can have audio from your TV speakers when you don't want to or can't listen to surround sound. ie. late at night when others may be sleeping, etc. |
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Monica Lewis Unregistered guest | Floyd - thanks for all the info! In our previous setup, we didn't run any video through the receiver - just the audio - and for the life of me I couldn't recall why we did it that way! It's good to know that we can have a receiver-centric setup (much easier!). As far as the TERK TV44 goes, that is our dilemma - do we want other local channels or just the HD ones? I really like the compactness and the ease of the TV44, but it won't pick up non-HD channels in our area. I'm leaning towards getting it anyways - we already get the locals from DirecTV. We were considering dropping the locals from DirecTV - but the antenna we would need to pull stand def OTA channels... is HUGE. BTW - we went ahead & hooked up our Media Center PC... Incredible picture! Kids watched Finding Nemo last night & I couldn't get over the clarity and detail. The connect from the computer is the standard VGA cable (analog, I believe). I have the hubby out searching for a DVI cable so we can check the difference. I can't wait to see how it compares to the Pioneer DVD player. (I think I said Panasonic in my previous post - but it is the Pioneer) We have been holding off on getting a HD DirecTV box because we have UltimateTV (akin to Tivo). We've grown so used to watching TV this way that we can't live without it - so until they come out with a combo box (HD/DirecTV/Tivo), I'm going to have to wait. I'd buy the HD receiver anyways - but it's too pricy. My husband won't let me buy a HD receiver now only to have to replace it when the combo boxes are available!!! |
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Monica Lewis Unregistered guest | BTW - I found this on the avsforum website. It is VERY informative! www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=256065 |
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Monica Lewis Unregistered guest | Oops... I suppose I should have mentioned that the above link takes you to a thread titled "My Unofficial Guide V2.0 to Samsung HLN Series DLP Sets" |
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New member Username: Lawrence_alPost Number: 15 Registered: 12-2003 | Hello Monica -- welcome to the forum! Looks like some of your questions have been answered by Floyd and the others already. You asked me two questions: The Video Essentials DVD is commercially available -- I think I got mine through The Perfect Vision magazine, but you should be able to Google for it and find various web sources -- also try amazon.com It walks you through a long series of test screens that help you setup your TV for the best possible picture. Used correctly, it can make quite a difference. My only complaint was that it's rather long winded and a little bit awkward to navigate at times, but its well worth it and you get quite an education along the way! When I mentioned my audio amp, I did mean my audio receiver/amplifier. My amp is a Sony STR-DE935 surround-sound amplifier with AM/FM tuner. You can buy separate amplifiers but then you are getting into the high-end side of things and the price starts to go through the roof. Now to #4: 4) We have noticed when watching some sports - mostly soccer games - there is alot of color running. It kind of looks like the color of the uniforms is running behind the players themselves. This is mostly on FOX Sports World. Would this likely be due to the DirecTV receiver? Could I expect this to go away when we put in the HD receiver? This is an odd one. It's not the TV (or you would get this on all programs), so it is most likely the receiver, but it could also be due to bad or poor quality cables. The big question is what input are you feeding the signal to the TV with? Does your RCA have component out that you can use? It could be due to using a lower-grade input. Did I read somewhere you are using composite? (not the best option, if you have better). It sounds as if your RCA cannot process the action fast enough so it may be specific to this model. And no -- you will not get that with HD (and you should not get with std def either). Hope this helps! Brian -- glad to hear good news about the Sony SAT-HD300. Does yours briefly cut the audio when going to The Guide? Mine does and I'm hoping a software update comes out soon to correct that. I have not seen a software update since August when they were first shipped. I've got used to it by now (make that "tolerate it") as the picture quality is so much better, but the Samsung never did that. |
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New member Username: Lawrence_alPost Number: 16 Registered: 12-2003 | Monica - just browsed your avs forum link. Wow! A LOT of information here - very informative. It will take while to work my way through it. There are a lot of interesting links. Thanks! |
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Rod Unregistered guest | Hey Lawrence, I have a HTL-HD Hughes receiver but I am wondering if I should get the Sony SAT-HD300. The picture with the Hughes is very clear, local channel or non-HD signals are ok but I am not sure if the software can be upgraded. Do you know if the SAT-HD300 receiver is software upgradeable? For $200 extra, I don't want to be sorry in the future. Thanks, Rod |
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