Saturday, May 4, 2013

What is the best HDTV for Xbox 360 that doesn't have a lag?

Q. I am looking to purchase a HDTV for my room probably about 26 or 32 inches and I'm curious what the best one is for gaming with my xbox 360. I would like it to have no lag so i can play games like guitar hero, halo, and call of duty. My price range is about $500 but i might be able to go a little bit higher.

A. Erm.... lag doesn't come from TV's, it comes from your internet connection + console...

Get an LCD HDTV with 1080p. The Samsung 32" Model is the best one.


What are the basics of how to pick an HDTV?
Q. I want one that's crystal clear for my Xbox 360 gaming, and watching movies.
I know I want a 32", 1080p and i don't know what else i need to look for to know how it will affect the HD.
So help me out with any info.

A. Go look at them.

I found mine based on price and reviews. I think the picture on a plasma is 10x as good as LCD for the price, so I got one. I looked at it in the store, I was impressed by it, and it was on sale.

Just make sure it has 1080p, and see which one looks best on the show floor. Your local Best Buy or whatever should have a bunch out.


Is a Samsung 40" Class 1080p LCD HDTV good picture quality to use it with Xbox 360 game console?
Q. Is the picture quality good, the sound, to use it for everything meaning blue-ray and also game consoles like Xbox 360 and PS3? Is it worth the buy or recommend better?

A. Yes, Samsung 1080p is good to get.Great quality picture.If you can afford I recommend 120Hz





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What is the difference between an LCD tv and a plasma?Which is the better buy?

Q. We are thinking of buying a new tv and dont know which one to get.Plasmas seem to be cheaper but I am looking for the pros and cons between a plasma and a LCD.

A. Due to posting limitations in Yahoo! Answers I have posted my attempt at a reasonably thorough overview of the pros and cons of plasma and LCD technology on the Google Docs Webpage to which I’ve provide a link below.

     Plasma vs. LCD Technology
     http://docs.google.com/View?id=dhpmqnbb_13d5pfk3fx

If you seriously value video image fidelity and would like a reasonably immersive experience when viewing movies then I strongly recommend purchasing the largest direct-view 1080p HDTV that you can afford (preferably a minimum of 50 inches, give or take 2 or 3 inches, up to a maximum of roughly 70 inches.) It is important that you choose an HDTV that will provide the best video (processing) performance when using a wide mix of video source material without sacrificing user-friendly operation as well as interoperability with other video equipment, namely HDMI-equipped video components such as upscaling DVD players, BD players, cable set-tops, etc.

Based solely on video image quality the pricey Pioneer KURO PDPs set the standard and remain one of THE best consumer TVs currently on the market. I highly recommend taking a serious look at Panasonic’s (PZ800 Series) PDPs and—to a somewhat lesser extent—Samsung’s (650 Series) PDPs as well as VIZIO’s new VP505XVT if you’re interested in good quality, lower-cost alternatives.

If you have a viewing environment containing substantial illumination I would give additional consideration to LCD TVs from Samsung (A650 Series,) Sony and a few other brands.

When shopping for a new HDTV (assuming you still watch—or plan on watching—a moderate amount of SD video material,) be sure to thoroughly test the TVs in which you’re interested using a wide variety of source materials, especially average quality non-upscaled, non-HD source material, (as well as Silicon Optix’s HQV Benchmark discs, if possible,) input directly into each of the TV’s video inputs that you plan on using. Doing so should help you quickly assess the TV’s video and image processing performance as well as the TV’s ability to provide such video and image processing without incurring noticeable lip-sync error.

############ ADDITIONAL RESOURCES ############

VIZIO VP505XVT 50-inch Class 1080P Full HD Plasma TV
http://www.vizio.com/productDetails.aspx?id=1600&pid=1502

VIZIO VP505XVT Plasma HDTV Review
Playback, October 2008
http://magazine.playbackmag.net/playback/200810/?folio=154

AVS Forum: VIZIO VP505XVT or Panny TH50PZ800U
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/printthread.php?t=1069305&pp=60
 


is the dynex 40inch 1080p 60hz going to last me a few years?
Q. I know that Lcd Hdtvs only last 3-5 years. I also know Dynex brand isnt the best. Can anyone tell me how long theres lasted or any detail about the dynex brand?

A. Why would you want a tv that cost say $600 and only last 3-5 years when you can pay a bit more ($700) and have it last you for 8-10 years. If you read yahoo questions, you will notice that 95% of tv problems comes from LCD tv and 95% of those are the bargain price tv. Keep in mind, you get what you pay for. My first flat screen tv is a Sony 34" (first HD in the market and cost me $6,400 and only lasted 2 years) while my first plasma purchased in 2002 is still running today (Pioneer 43" model 4330). Hope this will help you out.


Where can I find a remote control for the Hitachi DZHV1074?
Q. I recently bought one and I really want to make pictures and videos from a distance. The side of the box says that there are remote controls compatible with it, so I thought I would buy one. The problem is: I can't find anyone! I thought maybe you could help me out, I would be really thankful!

A. Hi "Legotioned", and welcome to Yahoo!Answers:

Even though you say the box for your Hitachi DZ-HV1074 mentions remote controls, I looked through the entire factory manual PDF and saw neither an IR sensor (for normal infrared remotes) nor a LANC or other wired R/C port, and absolutely no mention of remote control in the text. See: http://www.hitachiserviceeu.com/scripts/userguide.php/DZ-HV1074_EN.pdf

The only possibility I can think of, since your model has HDMI, is perhaps "HDMI-CEC" which is Consumer Electronics Control (marketed under various names like EasyLink, VIERA Link, Aquos Link, Bravia Link/Bravia Sync, etc. -- depending on the brand). Hitachi stuck with the generic HDMI-CEC name. This allows the HDTV's remote control to handle certain functions of the camcorder when connected via the HDMI cable. So perhaps the box was listing Hitachi or other HDTV & HD tuner/DVD-recorder remotes that were compatible.

Since HDMI-CEC commands and the pin-13 connection are all industry standards (though optional in a given device), you might eventually find custom "universal" wired HDMI remotes using gadgets similar to the Pulse-Eight Company's USB-to-CEC adapter: http://www.anandtech.com/show/5463/pulseeight-usb-cec-adapter-review

The only other "remote" feature, of course, would be the camcorder's self-timer -- which is useful for self-portraits or for vibration-free photos with longer exposures.

hope this helps,
--Dennis C.
 





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Which Hdtv brand is best for an xbox 360. Which gives the best picture quality ?

Q. panasonic, pioneer, samsung, vizio.
Which one of these are the best out of the 4. Im thinking a vizio, am i wrong? Do any of u have these brands of hdtvs. Im buying a 50 inch 1080p hdtv. so which brand would give me the best picture quality while i play the xbox 360. Help please ?

A. I have a Samsung 450-series LCD, and I think it looks amazing! I turned the backlight down (video option), because when I initially got it I feared it was too bright, but now it's perfect.

I suspect all HDMI-capable 720p screens are going to meet your expectations.

I've also heard Sharps are good.


How come HDTVs (mainly LCDs) in stores have bad pictures?
Q. I was checking some HDTVs out the other day and the pictures look cloudy. It's weird because I have an emachines computer which in some people's opinion is a cheap computer brand and when I watch HD stuff on YouTube or wherever it looks amazing, yet here are these Sonys, Samsungs, Pannys and LGs with terrible pictures. How is it that my cheap little computer can generate a better HD picture than these high quality HDTVs?

A. It could actually be psychological thing, maybe your really used to seeing what you do on your monitor, so your brain is having a hard time adjusting to what is "true HD". but another thing is. Youtube is NOT by far anything close to true HD 1080p. Youtube "HD" is only 720p resolution. Another thing is that a lot of times the TV's at let's say Best Buy and store's like that, the TVs are not properly adjusted. The best brand's for TV's for quality and best image quality are Sony, SAMSUNG, and Sharp. If your shopping for a new HDTV, next time you go there ask a store employee to show you the basic's of HDTV's.


are Sanyo HDTVs bad even though Panasonic bought the company?
Q. Panasonic bought Sanyo this past december. Panasonic obvious makes good quality HDTVs, so does this mean new sanyo brand HDTVs should be good quality too?

A. Sanyo TV section work with Panasonic around 2007 . before Total take over by Panasonic. there share the same TV technology since 2 years ago. after Sanyo become part of Panasonic group, their TV R & D division are the same people.there try to use the same components /parts in order to save costs. ( this take up to one years ). mose of the Sanyo LCD TV almost share the same parts that Panasonic use. All Sanyo Plasma TV is select Panasonic made Plasma Panel for there New Plasma TV.
Panasonic POLICY is QUALITY even Subsidiary must made Quality Products.
Since day 1 . Matsushita is Support Sanyo ! because founded of Sanyo Mr Toshio Iue is former employer of Matsushita. and is brother in law of Mr. Konosuke Matsushita ( founded of Matsushita )
i cannot said all Sanyo TV is Panasonic Standard now, but is around 60 % model is Panasonic Quality. till 2010 all Sanyo products will be Panasonic Quality ! because of " costs ".some of the products will manufactures by Sanyo sold under Panasonic trademark.
Panasonic able to use Sanyo PATENTED SUPER SHARP TECHNOLOGY in Panasonic HD TV.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Search/Super_Sharp_Technology
watch out in next 6 months. Panasonic / Sanyo HDTV will be more GREAT than now !
Pamasonic TV technology/ own manufactures LCD/LED/Plasma display Panel + Sanyo patended Super Sharp Technology . ( no other can copy this designs ) .





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What kind of memory amount do you recommend for HD video?

Q. I am going to be purchasing an High Definition video recorder of some sort soon, and I was wondering what type of memory capacity I should get. It will be on a memory card of some kind like a microSD or similar.

So lets say you have 1 hour of 720p video at 30 fps, how much memory would that take?

What about 60 fps?

A. I would consider Sony HDR-CX110 High Definition Handycam Camcorder
* 1920x1080 Full HD Recording w/3MP still image
* Memory Stick PRO Duo media slot
* 1/4" back-illuminated "Exmor R" CMOS sensor
* 1080/60p playback via HDMI and compatible HDTV
* 30mm CZ Vario Sonnar T* with 25x Optical zoom


What is the best kind of TV to buy for video games?
Q. What is the best kind of TV to use for video games while keeping a great picture quality. I want to have a TV without burn in.

A. A LCD tv would be your best choice. Playing video games on a plasma screen will result in burn in. Depending on your video game system you may want to get a HDTV, to get the best picture quality.


Where can I buy the same kind of monitor the airport uses for flight information?
Q. We would like to buy the same kind of monitor/screen that the airport uses to display flight information. This includes any other needed hardware/software. This is not to copy what the airport is doing exactly, but rather to display our own type of information. Where can we buy this type of equipment?

A. Airports these days usually use big-screen HDTVs to display flight information.

As long as your computer has either a DVI or HDMI output jack, you can connect that to any big-screen 1080p HDTV's HDMI jack. All you would need is a DVI-to-HDMI or standard HDMI cable.





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Can I use my existing internal cable in my house?

Q. I have a HDTV antenna that i want to connect to my tv. I get the best signal on my second floor spare room. Can I hook it up to the spare room coaxial cable and will I be able to receive the signal in my downstairs living room?

A. It'll only work well if your coaxial cable runs straight from your spare room to your living room, which seems unlikely. Probably the cables in both rooms come off the same splitter. The splitter is designed to split the incoming signal into two (or more) branch cables, but not to take the signal from one branch cable and feed it into the other.


Best way to setup an indoor antenna?
Q. I recently bought an indoor amplified HDTV antenna and wanted to know how to setup the channels because for some reason my hd tv isnt detecting any channels. Does the antenna angle have to be precise? Am I missing something? And live in a 3rd story apartment facing north if it means anything. What direction do the dipoles and rind have to face? Please help me out with tips or anything.

, thanks

A. The subject of antennas for digital television (DTV) is incredibly complex, and there are many ways to go astray. Regrettably, indoor antennas are high on that list.

The large quantity of indoor antennas for sale at all kinds of stores may lead you to believe they actually work well. They really don't unless you are quite close to the TV transmitting towers. It's very rare for any viewer to get all desired channels with an indoor antenna of any type. It's almost as rare for anyone to get more than a very few channels with regularity. 60 years ago good TV reception was achieved with an outside antenna mounted as high as possible, and nothing really has changed as far as good antenna design goes.

A huge confusion factor in all this is the fact that most TV stations no longer transmit on their familiar channel numbers, nor in the same TV band (VHF or UHF). Most of them are actually transmitting on UHF; even those with VHF channel numbers like 2 - 13. That makes a big difference in your antenna--VHF antennas suddenly don't work well on channels with VHF channel numbers. It's downright maddening to the uninformed viewer.

The telescoping rods in your indoor antenna are for actual VHF signals, and there are some in almost every metropolitan area. If an indoor antenna is going to work at all for you, you want those rods extended nearly horizontal and broadside to the direction of the TV transmitter. Inside a building, you may find that optimum reception comes by orienting the antenna in what seems to be a wrong direction, but you simply have to use trial and error to find the best position.

With stations transmitting on UHF (the majority), your indoor antenna needs to have some type of UHF element, such as a round loop or small horizontal bars, like a tiny TV antenna. Again, orient the antenna with the bars broadside to the expected direction.

Some indoor antennas have only the 2 rods; no UHF element at all. If that's your antenna, you're pretty much dead on UHF reception.

One thing that may help you is getting the best indoor antenna available, and the experts generally agree that the one in the link below tops the list. If I was in the market for an indoor antenna, I wouldn't consider anything else. Good luck.


Can a Direct TV antenna be used for over the air HD?
Q. Getting ready to buy a house with a Dtv antenna already installed. My HDTV requires an antenna. Would like to know if the antenna works for local channels without the service.

A. It can't. It's a satellite antenna. OTA is a completely different set of frequencies and therefore a completely different antenna design. One can't be used for the other.





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Where can i get the cheapest flatscreen?

Q. I would like it to be 32 inches or higher. I want to get the biggest bang my buck. Whats the best deal?

A. You should get this Samsung LN32C350 LCD HDTV. In this tv the picture quality is pretty good, and it's one of the cheapest HD sets for this size. The LN32C350 even has a special Game Mode that enhances dark areas, sharpens the picture, speeds up the image processing response and enhances the sounds of your games.The LCD creates the image; the CCFL backlights it to make it visible. Together they create beautiful, vivid, saturated colors.


What's the difference between 1080p and 1024x768 HDTV Resolutions?
Q. On my XBOX 360 System Settings I can choose 1080i, 1080p, and 1024x768 resolutions. Which on of these gives the highest quality picture? I just got my XBOX 360 and moved from PC gaming to XBOX gaming, and I want to get the biggest bang for my buck.

Any reply that even remotely answered my question would be greatly appreciated.

A. It depends on your tv. If you have a full 1080p HDTV, the pic the 1080p setting. It is the best quality but you need an hdmi. I don't knownif xbox comes with hdmi cable or if you have to buy it though.


An inexpensive home theater system to accompany an OPPO DVD player and Panasonic HDTV?
Q. I'm on a rather tight budget lately, yet I still want a best-bang-for-the-buck receiver and speakers to accompany my 42" Panasonic Plasma HDTV and DV-980H OPPO Digital DVD/CD player. I'm more concerned with audio than video as I will be using SACD's & DVD-A's to enjoy Pink Floyd, Moody Blues, Herbie Hancock and Debussy. Any suggestions from experienced owners/dealers?

While I'm at it - what about headphones? Will my standard Sony's support SACD/DVD-A playback or do I need a specialized type?

Thank you in advance. Your time and knowledge is greatly appreciated and valued.

Dan,
San Francisco, CA

A. Hi Dan,

I believe I can help you here. I not only own an Oppo player as well (the DV-981HD), but I am also an audio professional.

My choice on a budget would be the new Onkyo TX-SR505 7.1 receiver and the Hsu Research Performance 2 system. And for a less expensive alternative would be the Pioneer/Dayton system (see links below)...

And for your headphones, the receiver's headphone jack should be sufficient, but you will get the most performance out of your headphones by investing in a headphone amplifier. The sound is much more full and powerful with a dedicated headphone amp.

I don't know which model of Sony headphones you have, but they should be able to handle enhanced audio formats just fine. If you ever want to upgrade (especially if you get a headphone amp), Sennheiser is my choice.

Feel free to e-mail me anytime if you need additional help.





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how can i watch videos and movies from my computer to hdtv?

Q. is there some sort of cord that i can buy ,like (ethernet) cord or something where i can hook it to my lg hdtv and hook the other end to my cable modem and be able to stream movies and videos from my computer to the hdtv? without buying one of those wii boxes? if so, how do i do it? thanks so much.
i have a desktop pc with windows xp proff.

A. You can buy boxes such as Apple TV (the new one, if it is out), or Roku, to watch some compatible content from your computer or participating online sources.

Some TVs do have network/Internet media players built it, which it will be basically as simple as connecting Ethernet to your router.

Neither will play content your computer is receiving online though. They have to connect to the service themselves, or play content already on your computer.


Should I get an LCD Monitor or LCD HDTV to play xbox on in dorm room?
Q. I am going to college and while my roommate has a 42" HDTV, I wanted to also have something to play my xbox on because we both tend to play quite a bit. I was wondering whether getting a computer monitor and component cables would be better than getting just a regular 19" HDTV? Between buying the cables for the computer monitor and the monitor itself, they would relatively be the same price. So what is the better purchase that will look and work better with playing xbox 360? Thanks.

A. other than the samsung HDTV tuner monitor's, no monitor's have component inputs. If you want to play consoles, get a television.


Which Hdtv brand is best for an xbox 360. Which gives the best picture quality ?
Q. panasonic, pioneer, samsung, vizio.
Which one of these are the best out of the 4. Im thinking a vizio, am i wrong? Do any of u have these brands of hdtvs. Im buying a 50 inch 1080p hdtv. so which brand would give me the best picture quality while i play the xbox 360. Help please ?

A. I have a Samsung 450-series LCD, and I think it looks amazing! I turned the backlight down (video option), because when I initially got it I feared it was too bright, but now it's perfect.

I suspect all HDMI-capable 720p screens are going to meet your expectations.

I've also heard Sharps are good.





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What is the best HDTV for Xbox 360 that doesn't have a lag?

Q. I am looking to purchase a HDTV for my room probably about 26 or 32 inches and I'm curious what the best one is for gaming with my xbox 360. I would like it to have no lag so i can play games like guitar hero, halo, and call of duty. My price range is about $500 but i might be able to go a little bit higher.

A. Erm.... lag doesn't come from TV's, it comes from your internet connection + console...

Get an LCD HDTV with 1080p. The Samsung 32" Model is the best one.


What is a good HDTV for playing an xbox 360 on?
Q. I want to buy an HDTV just for playing my xbox 360 on. My price range is 200-400. Any suggestions on good HDTV's just for playing an xbox 360 on?

A. Make sure it is 1080p
i don't know which country you are from but if you are in the u.k i would go for a samsung they look awesome and quality is great especially for a 360!


How do I connect my Xbox 360 and HDTV to my surround sound?
Q. I recently hooked up my surround sound system to my HDTV. I have an Xbox 360 and I would love to have surround sound for it, but I use an HDMI Cable for my Xbox. Is there ANY way I can get surround sound working for my Xbox 360?

A. Hook XBOX to TV with HDMI or w.e cables you have then look at back of tv for a spot that says AUDIO OUT normally have 2 AUX cables "red and white" or a fiber opt out put. then run cables "aux or fiber" to any INPUT on ur surround sound. any more help needed let me know





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Friday, May 3, 2013

What is a good indoor HDTV antenna for under sixty dollars?

Q. I bought a new computer with a HDTV tuner.
I would someone to recommend a specific antenna model that gives you the best HDTV reception for your money. It would be nice if it was also compact.

A. Zenith Silver Sensor

Radio Shack Double Bowtie


How come I cant get my hdtv to show hd quality?
Q. I bought a hitachi plasma 42 inch hdtv and just bought a hd box from suddenlink, but even after connecting everything the way it should be the channels that should broadcast in hd still look pretty bad. Do i need some type of antenna or something? Any help would be much appreciated.

A. Make sure the actual broadcast is in HD. Many channels are digital, but not always sending HD content.

Do not waste any money on cables.


How do I drop comcast triple package for netflix to save money?
Q. I want to save money. My triple play is running $193/mo. I just want basic and local news channels, movies, and tv shows. Tell me how to find the best way to save a couple of BUCKS! Also, my whole family has cell phones, so no landline is really needed.

A. Call Comcast and tell them you want to go to a cheaper package. They'll tell you what is available. The cheapest would be to go to their cheapest basic cable package + Internet. So your land line phone via Comcast goes away, and the only way you'll be able to get on-demand movies and TV is via Netflix, and you won't be able to record/play TV (no PVR). Unless you have a smart TV that has Netflix built in, you'll also need a box that can play Netflix, such as a Roku - they are less than $100 and you only pay the normal Netflix monthly fee.

(Of course you don't even need Comcast for TV at all - you might get a decent selection of channels over the air in your area, but if you're getting Internet from Comcast already, adding basic cable won't cost that much more, and it'll give you more channels than an antenna would. But either way you should get the main networks in HD - even Comcast basic cable includes HD for a few channels, but only if you connect the cable directly to your HDTV).





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Best way to hook up a Xbox 360 to an HDTV?

Q. Okay so I have a sylvania 32" 720p hdtv and I just bought the xbox 360 slim and want to hook it up with an hdmi. My question is should I get a bigger tv with 1080p or stick with the sylvania. I'm wanting the best picture quility any help will be grateful.

A. Depends on how big a tv you are willing to buy. If your planning on staying in the under 40" range than I wouldn't bother. The difference between 720p and 1080p in the smaller (< 40") TVs is not noticeable, especially at 32".

If you are willing to spend a few bucks and buy a bigger tv than yes of course you will notice the difference between 720p and 1080p.

Personally, I have a new 40" 1080p capable tv, but I have the 1st gen 360 without the HDMI output so I can only use component. 720p is absolutely stunning, and I am not spending $250 on a new 360 just for 1080p. Especially when not all games are in 1080p.

If money is no option, then hell, why not?


How much will a pawn shop give me for a psp and a tv?
Q. Im tryin to buy an hdtv and i was wondering how much a pawn shop would give me for a psp with Street fighter alpha 3, 1 gig memory card, and charger. I also wanna sell my JVC 19inch tv as well.

A. That is a very RELATIVE question. Each pawn shop will base thier price on many things. First, the retail price of the item when new, so it will be at least half if not less than the store price of both items. Then, it depends on the local demand, or how fast they can resell the item if you are selling it to them. They may give you a little more money if you are just pawning, hoping to get the items back in less than a month, but not much more. Then, you have to deal with the pawn brokers knowledge of a PSP and the specific TV. If your TV is more than 5 years old, don't even bother trying to sell it, because you won't get a dime. Too many people try to pawn TV's. The PSP might bring you 20 bucks if you were pawning it to me, maybe someone would go as high as 30. Don't get your hopes up. You are much better off trying to save the money another way or selling those items to a local person through means such as Craigslist. Again, you won't get much, but maybe a few dollars more for skipping the middle man and going straight to the consumer (the person who is interested in buying a PSP and/or TV). Good luck.


Wil the ps3 look good on a HDTV without the hdmi cables?
Q. I haven't bought a PS3 yet. But I'm planning to get an HD Samsung tv to replace my old panasonic in my bedroom. The TV is 22inches ( I know small) and it's 720p.

But sony doesn't sell the hdmi cables with the system. I know people say it looks ordinary on a regular tv.

Should I save to get the hdmi cables also for the small HDTV or save my money?

A. well just get an ordinary HDMI cable the go for 20 bucks. The ones that Broadcasts at the 120 hz for the new tv's those HDMI cable are like 120 bucks

Monster cables which have 5 compent cables at the end broadcast is 720i HDMI broadcasts in 1080i





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Should I spend 10% of the cost of a HDTV on the extended warranty?

Q. I’m trying to calculate the total cost of ownership on a $3K HDTV. Are extended warranties a scam, or a must have? I’m also thinking of purchasing from Costco. Do they provide extended warranties?

A. Remember that the cost of an extended warranty is calculated by an actuary so that the company providing the warranty ultimately profits. In effect, Costco expects you to have less than $300 of problems with your TV over the term of the warranty.

From a purely numerical perspective, it is then not worth the money, but then again no extended warranty is based on this definition. In one or two years it is exceedingly unlikely that anything will go wrong with your tv, but if it does, it could be much more to fix than $300.

Then again your $3000 tv may only be worth $800 in 3 years (if not less), so why bother?


How much would extended warranty cost? And how long would it last?
Q. Without paying for extended warranty, the warranty on the 32 inch hdtv is a year, so on average how much would extended warranty cost and how long?

A. It depends on the product and the store that you purchase from. I saw a 2 years ext. warranty on a tv at Best Buy and it was only $34.
Consumer Reports magazine says it's a waste of money because most things break in the warranty period. The products are much better today and last a long time without problems.
The only way I would take out an ext. warranty is if the tv or whatever was too big to move and the warranty covers in house repairs.


Can you transfer an extended warranty when you sell a tv to someone else?
Q. I bought a 46 inch lcd hdtv from circuit city in august, and bought the 2 yr extended warranty on top of 1 yr manufacturers. Im selling the tv on ebay/craigslist w.e, and i want to know if assurant solutions, the company that controls my warranty, lets me transfer ownership. Do they even know who owns the tv? or care? does it even have to be transfered if they have all the paperwork?

A. You will have to read the fine print in the warranty agreement.





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Should I wait for the 2013 50 inch Plasma TVs to arrive?

Q. I need some advice. I am currently looking at the Panasonic TCP50ST50. I can get it for around $875 given the sales, CC discount, and points I have saved up. But, should I buy this TV now, or wait for the 2013 models to arrive. Here are my needs: I cannot go larger than 50 inch. Picture Quality is the number 1 priority. I have surround sound already set up. The TV will be an a basement that has windows, but still a dark room. I will be using it mostly for HDTV, Blue Ray DVD, and some gaming. I have a Wii U so I already have an ability to stream into my Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, and Hulu accounts. So the questions would be: approx how much will the 2013 50 inch models be? Is Panasonic still the best? And will the new features on the 50" models be worth the extra expense?

A. You should consider the LED TV, tough the price is higher for that size. I find that the picture quality is better and the newer models are also equipped with a number of features (i.e.3D , direct internet connection, youtube streaming). Wait for the new models to be launched, so that the older models' price will drop. Samsung and Sony are also quite good choices.


after seeing the great graphics of the 360 & PS3, do you think these systems would last for 10 years?
Q. the PS4 and new XBOX being 2016 or beyond? i mean the next stop would be the final one since you cant go over photorealism
no, officialy the PS2 was only 6 years, because the PS3 came out in 2006. I dont care how long they make game for a system, some games for the dreamcast and neogeo are still being made after 18 years. i am talking about an official new system

A. Someone recently asked if it was really true that the ps4 and xbox720 would be released in 2010. Which is ridiculous. They might start work on a new xbox that soon, but it will take a long time to develop, and they won't likely call it xbox720, either, "720" only relates to snowboarders or skaters.

Both consoles were designed to satisfy the high-end HD market. Only a small percentage of people have HDTV's yet. After February 2009 that percentage will make a jump, but it will still be years before it even reaches the halfway point. Maybe 2013 or so.

Next, the xbox and ps3 are the limit of current home-pc processing technology. Processors reached their current, 2 to 3 ghz limit about 5 years ago, due to heat problems. A recent advance in chip technology will allow faster chips to be made, but it's not even close to being implemented yet. The xbox has 3 fast processors, and the ps3 has a staggering 7. That's about as many processors as you can put into a computer or console, and still have it be cost-effective and have developers making applications for it.

So the bottom line is basically, they CAN'T make the next generation yet. The technology it will have to involve is in its infancy, I doubt it will be implemented in time to save Moore's Law, maybe in big mainframes or servers it will be implemented in 2 or 3 years, but I think it will realistically hit PC's in about 2012 or 2013. Console developers need to see how it works in PC's before putting it in consoles, so giving them a couple years dev time would put the next generation around 2014 to 2016.

Now about that photorealism thing, I disagree, there's a lot more to do to make games more realistic and lifelike.

For one thing, most 3D games use classical rules of perspective, ignoring the way the world actually looks to your eyes. You don't see a rectangle in front of you, and you have much more peripheral vision too. If you turn quickly in a 3D shooter, straight lines often look curved. Devs have been making optical tricks to deal with this for a while, but there is much work to be done.

A couple years back, Sony showed off the first flexible LCD video screen. That's right, you could conceivably have a game system where the screen wraps around in a semicircle around you, or even a "virtual reality" room where the screen surrounds you. Games for such a system will be awesome and will take more than the next generation to handle





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What is the best way to wirelessly connect my HDTV to my home network?

Q. I'm buying a new capture card, and obtaining a CableCard from my provider (Cox Communications). The PC will be acting as the tuner/DVR of course. It is running Windows 7. I'm looking for options as for the hardware I will need to obtain that will connect to the HDTV in order for it to receive/play the WMC recorded content from the HTPC.

A. wimax


Is it possible to have a external Blu Ray writer/burner playing movies on a Tv?
Q. I was wondering if it is possible to play movies from a blu ray writer/burner plugged in straight into a HDTV. Because i know there are adapters for USB to HDMI and i was thinking if i can get those adapters and have the blu ray writer/burner plugged into the hdtv i could watch Blu ray movies. If its possible would someone explain to me how it could be done?

A. Don't quite think so.....

an easy alternative if your TV has a VGA or DVI input, just plug your computer into it!, at my house I have whats called a 'HTPC' (Home Theater PC) and its just a computer hooked upto my TV, it is then networked to out NAS (Network Attached Storage) wich holds all my dvd's and music


HTPC hooked up to living room hdtv, Can someone help me figure out how to use VNC to control it?
Q. So, I have my htpc connected to my living room tv but I dont have a way of using it when sitting on the couch(the keyboard cable/mouse are too short). I also have a cheap Dell laptop. Apparently there is a way to control my pc which is connected to my lcd tv, through my laptop by using VNC? Anyone know how to go about setting this up?

A. You need another computer to run the VNC client on (the VNC server runs on the computer you're controlling). A wireless (or Bluetooth) keyboard and mouse might be what you really want.





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Thursday, May 2, 2013

Is it worth the money to have a professional calibrate my HDTV?

Q. As I have asked in my first question, how does one get their HDTV calibrated?

A. No. I took the plunge even tho everyone said it was hard, and used a calibration dvd that Circuit City gives out. Took about 30 -45 minutes including the time for the audio. No big deal.


What is a good brightness level for my LG HDTV when having full-range RGB on in my PS3?
Q. I'm sure all you PS3'ers have seen the RGB settings, so can anyone that has full-range on tell me what their brightness level is on their hdtv when full-range RGB is on?

A. Every TV is different, so a good brightness setting for one TV would rarely be the correct setting for another. And while some TVs might look better with full range RGB, others might do better without it.

If you are concerned about optimizing your system for the most realistic color reproduction and brightness levels, you should buy or rent a tuning DVD or Blu-ray so you can tune the TV using standard test patterns: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ssc_1_11?url=search-alias%3Ddvd&field-keywords=calibration+dvd&x=0&y=0&sprefix=calibration .

Regarding RGB range, IGN explained that feature the best: http://gear.ign.com/articles/938/938051p3.html .


How can calibration DVDs help your HDTV if they're standard definition?
Q. I don't understand how these DVDs will help your picture quality if they're standard DVD and you're calibration for an HD picture. And please don't go on about how they have them on Blu-Ray. For a long time they were only on standard DVD and some of those are still being recommended.

A. Do you know why you calibrate?

When you have some image - the electrical signal gets modified by a bunch of things before you see it:

* The quality of the source material
* The output electronics of your source device (Disk player, game system, cable or sat box)
* The type and somewhat the quality of the cables going to your TV
* The input electronics of your TV
* The Brightness, Contrast, Color settings on your TV

When you 'calibrate' - you want to start by shoving a pure-white, pure-red, pure-green color through all that mess so can compensate for everything by adjusting your TV brightness, color and contrast settings.

A standard def DVD is totally capable of giving you white, red, green fields to make basic adjustments. It can also produce grey-bar test patterns and other test patterns to adjust contrast, brightness, etc. Being 480 or 1080 does not matter for these adjustments. Flowing through all YOUR gear and cables is the important part.

You probably do NOT want to use a DVD for the more advanced adjustments like convergence or adjusting the fine-focus on your HDTV. But these settings are usually hidden away in a service menu so that only someone with some training, and the HD version of the test patterns, would use them.

Even putting in a Pixar DVD into your BluRay player, going to the disk setup menu and using the test patterns to do the basic adjustments is much better than leaving a HDTV set to the factory "torch mode".

The BluRay version of Digital Video Essential or the Spears and Munsell disk is better. These run $18-$30 on Amazon and give you more test patterns and tweeks, a green filter to look through, etc. So if you have not bought one of these but want to master the settings in your HDTV, these should be on your shelf. But using a DVD version can still get you to 90-95% of where you want to be.

Hope this helps.





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What is the best and cheapest Big Screen HDTV available?

Q. I'm looking for a 46" or 50" big screen TV. My budget is around $900 - $1100. I'm not to concerned with the type of TV, wether it's LCD, Plasma or Projection. Although, this new TVs main purpose is for gaming, so it must have HDMI and at least 720p. I'm also worried about latency as I've read that some newer televisions can be a little slow to display the image due to the image processing that takes place. Does anyone have any good recomendations as to a tv brand or type that fills all these criteria and is within my budget? I'm not opposed to purchasing online although I still want to stay within my budget after tax and shipping fees.

A. I do in fact have a recomendation and it's one shared by most experts in the audio/visual field. At this point in time the Hitachi f59 series is the absolute best bang for the buck available on the market, bar none. LCD? Plasma? DLP? Nope, it's got every set below $3000 covered hands down in every relevant category, be it picture quality, gaming performance or maintenance cost. The fact is that CRT is still the benchmark all others are judged by and at this point in time a High Def rear projection set such as the Hitachi offers the savvy buyer all the goodies without the hassles.

The F59 series is available in 51, 57 and 65 inch screen sizes, and as to price, well lets just say that on a good sale day you can pick up the 65 for between $1000-$1200 and the 57 for $999. Personally, I'd wait for the annual 'After the Super Bowl' sales as most retailers really offer some blowout pricing at this time, many close to those of 'Black Friday'. It was 'Black Friday' which put the 51 inch version on my doorstep at $699 shipped and I couldn't be happier with this set, heck I'd have paid full price and still considered it a steal. Yes, it really IS that good! But don't just take my word for it, take a look for youself at some of the factors which lead me to this purchase.

For instance lets look at the bulbs, or should I say lack of. ALL of the others technologies require an arc lamp bulb to provide the light source and it does a wonderful job...for about two years. 18-24 months is the average life expectancy of these bulbs under normal viewing conditions, then its time for replacement at a cost of $200. Average that out over the ten plus years you'll watch your typical CRT rear projection set like the Hitachi with ZERO bulbs and you'll see just what the latest 'High Tech' is really worth.

As you're a gamer this is the best choice once again due to a few things, the foremost being response time. CRT doesn't have to measure pixel response in milliseconds because there are none, thus instant and true image representaion is there 24/7/365. This is critical when playing first person shooters such as Halo on Xbox Live as the lag associated with the other technologies allows the slightest bit of lag. Sure, a 10ms lag doesn't seem like much but it is the difference in that hitting and missing those vital split second shots, the difference between tea bagging an downed opponent or cursing yourself blue over why your 'dead on' head shot failed to take out the bad guy. Of course the fact you require an HDMI port tells me you're of the PS3 persuasion but this set does indeed have and support HDMI so that's another base covered. Oh, and screen 'Burn In' isn't really an issue either anymore so than any other set, in fact less if proper caution such as not leaving ANYTHING paused for extended periods of time are taken.

Now as far as movie watching goes I certainly hope you have access to a lot of DVDs because viewing them on this set is more addictive than heroin or internet porn. My personal collection grows by the week now, even movies I've seen a million times gain new life on this set. And as for cable, well I have digital cable and see NO reason to upgrade to HD because the Standard def stations would remain the same and the combo of digital and this TV make you swear you were watching true High Def when tuned to any of the Discovery Network channels.

I'll not even go into the realm of picture quality, suffice to say 1080i with the true blacks and true color representation only CRT can deliver is still king of the hill despite every attempt to knock it off. So go ahead and pull the trigger on one of these bad boys, I promise, you'll not be dissapointed in any way, shape or form. Good luck and happy viewing


What's the best HDTV I can buy for under 1000.00 and where can I get it?
Q. I am looking for something at least 42 inches and it definitely has to be 1080p. I just want the best all around buy for my money. My friend can get me a Sony 42 inch 1080p brand new for $870.00... but are there any better buys and if so, where? Thanks for your help. I am also interested in any knowledge or info you can pass down on what to look for and what to avoid.

A. http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8749438&type=product&id=1202649424626

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5652238

http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dimId=1010230%204294956948%2027

http://electronics.hsn.com/televisions-lcd-51_c-ec0073_a-2826-2837_xc.aspx?sz=6&cm_re=LN*Shopby*LCD&prev=hp!sf!2837&lastbc=!2826&ccm=EC|ec0073|2837

http://www.qvc.com/qic/qvcapp.aspx/app.nav/walk.yah.0103~1679


What is a good site to buy LCD tvs for a pretty decent price?
Q. I am looking for about a 20" lcd tv for the basement.

A. All the HDTVs in this top 10 HDTVs under $500 list are in the 20" range and are, obviously, under $500. Some a lot under that.

http://www.degeeked.com/answers/detail/top-10-hdtvs-under-500/?utm_source=yask&utm_medium=txt&utm_campaign=top10hdtv500

But 22" might be a bit small, depending on the size of your basement. So, you may want to look at the top 10 under $1000, which bumps the size up to 32" and bigger.

http://www.degeeked.com/answers/detail/top-10-hdtvs-under-1000/?utm_source=yask&utm_medium=txt&utm_campaign=top10hdtv1000





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Why didn't the NASA spacecraft make any prints on the moon?

Q. i mean why didnt it like make aprint like it did in the soil

A. Because we never went there and they goofed the fakery.
I'm sure after HDTV is officially everywhere they will use new movie magic to pretend to go back or at least check on the old stuff. Just in time for the worst economic crisis ever and 2012.

The rocks are fake and the reflectors were put there by earlier unmanned probes like the Ranger and Luna missions.
Check this out:
Lawn furniture or super groovy interplanetary spaceship of the naive 60's?
http://moonmovie.com/images/AS11-40-5922HR.jpg
(make sure to enlarge in order to really get a good look at American engineering at its finest)

Do some research on this guy:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Parsons

The the desperate Mythbuster attempt not seal the lie for you?


Which is the best Sony 3D TV with internet out right now and best place to buy one?
Q. Looking for best Sony models

A. If your looking for 40 - 60 inch range 3D LED Models you can find the latest 2012 Sony Models here: http://amzn.to/PBJZgP


Right now the Sony KDL50EX645 50-Inch 1080p 120HZ Internet Slim LED HDTV (Black) is one of the best models out (for the Price) you can find it here: http://amzn.to/VRMCJr


Blu ray on a SDTV?????
Q. ok i have a 60 inch SDTV and we bought it during novemeber in 2005 and 2 b honest the picture is great but then again we have the comcast box so yeah and btw the tv has a nice gloss finish around it but has a kind of a big box behind it so i guess its a SDTV and theres no HDMI input anyways so yeah so do u think we can hook a blu ray 2 this tv? My parents wont buy a HDTV till 2012 or later... oh btw the brand of the tv that we have is sony if it makes a difference?
i 4got 2 say this part i already have the blu ray its in my room on a 19 inch HDTV and the 60 inch tv doesnt has a dvd player 4 crap and idc if it wont show the full HD experience

A. hi trance 00.....I'll only say this once.... YOU CAN PLAY A BLU RAY THROUGH SDTV you dont solely need a hdmi cable to link this up!!!... Trance you can use component video out..OR..s-video w/2 rca leads.....you have to set the "hdmi video mode " to OFF....then you can set a suitable "component resolution (picture resolution)....so there is your options trance choose one of the ways i've described to you and enjoy watching your blu ray....merry xmas.





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why watching DVD movie on HDTV not full screen?

Q. I have Samsung 46" HDTV 120hz. Every time I'm watching DVD movies, the picture 16:9 is so small (not full screen) When I zoom it, some of titles are cut. Please help.
I figured out by changing the setup on my panasonic upscalling dvd player. The viewing not full screen but good size of 16:9 widescreen.

A. First of all you must setup the DVD output format, this is done when no disc is in the player and using the menu buttons to navigate through the pages of menus.
Secondly you must realize that Hollywood doesn't make movies in 16x9 formats. They actually use many different size ratios dependent upon what feel they are going for. The TV manufacturers decided upon 16x9 because movies rarely ever go above this ratio for the vertical height. So TV broadcasters and made for tv movies will usually fill your screen if in HD, normally your movies will have a black bar on the top and bottom. The size of these bars are dependent upon the movie. Also make sure you are watching widescreen versions of the movie.


What is the best graphics card for a dell dimension C521?
Q. I've read somewhere, it only supports half-height cards. But I can't tell the difference.. xD So what's the best card for my dimension c521? Any help would be appreciated.

A. hi there. as i check on it, i saw one good video card for it. the nVidia GeForce 7900 GTX (512MB also has Dual DVI and HDTV) is good for the system.

for info you can check : http://www.nvidia.com/page/geforce_7900.html


Why does our new plasma HDTV have a lower quality/grainy picture?
Q. We just got a 50" Samsung HPT5064 plasma HDTV and a lot of channels (non-HD) seem to have a grainy or low quality picture. Is there some setting we should change? Is this common for larger screens? We went from a 23" CRT TV to this so all of it is fairly new to me.
As someone asked, Comcast is our cable provider and they did provide us with an HD box.

Also, we're sitting probably around 10-12 feet from the television.

A. SD TV does not look good on an HDTV. On my 40", I have to sit about 8" back for it to look good, and my set was well rated for SD display. How good or bad it looks depends on the input signal's quality. A 50" widescreen has a picture height equivalent to a 41" standard TV. When you blow-up analog TV that was never designed for displays that large, right away you have a problem. On top of that, in order to be displayed on an HDTV, the signal has to be deinterlaced and up-scaled to the native resolution of the set. This processing introduces artifacts. Non-up-converted DVDs should look pretty good. That;'s as good as you can get from SD material. If from about 10", your picture isn't acceptable, then you may want to look for a set that's better rated for SD.





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Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Is it possible to use a digital camera to calibrate the color balance of a TV?

Q. If I color balance the digital camera at daylight (6500K) will that allow me to properly calibrate my TV's color balance by taking pictures of a shade of gray on the TV screen using the digital camera?

A. Using a digital camera in place of a proper color measurement instrument will not work when it comes to any aspect of instrument-based display calibration. Instrument-based display calibration is intended to precisely set the colorimetric white-point at multiple—typically predetermined—gray-scale levels. The standard white-point reference target for a video display device is CIE D65 (which correlates to a color temperature of 6504 K,) within a margin of error—or CIELUV delta E (dE or ∆E)—of 6 or less across a range of gray-scale levels spanning from 20 IRE to 90 IRE and a ∆E of no more than 10 at the gray-scale extremes. (Note: some techs prefer to report ∆u´v´ color difference values in addition to or as an alternative to ∆E. Also, some calibration techs prefer to use much tighter margins of error.) A digital camera simply cannot accomplish this fundamental measurement necessary to calibrate a display device.

Proper colorimetric measurement devices can be obtained at a reasonable price. A very effective tristimulus colorimeter, which performs as well as some professional devices that cost several orders of magnitude more, is the i1Display 2 from X-Rite (formerly GretagMacbeth.)

________________________


CIE Standard Illuminant D65 is the accepted worldwide industry standard white point reference for video displays including HDTVs. (Note: a CCT of 5400 K is the accepted industry standard for displays used in graphic arts applications.) For motion picture and video applications D65 should ALWAYS be the target calibration reference point to ensure accurate color reproduction not the derived CCT value of 6500 K.

In the field of colorimetry and color science 6500 K is referred to as a “Correlated Color Temperature” and is represented in two-dimensional color space, aka a CIE chromaticity diagram, by a straight LINE—specifically an “isotemperature line”—that transversally passes through a point on the Planckian (aka blackbody) locus. Any pair of chromaticity coordinates lying along the 6500 K isotemperature line, no matter their visual difference, will produce a corresponding CCT of approximately 6500 K (though only one pair of coordinates will be closest to the ideal D65 source point.)

D65, being a specific reference point and not a line, is a substantially more precise target—and is therefore preferred—for precision display calibration as opposed to a potentially infinite number coordinates along a line. Do-it-yourselfers and knowledgeable, well-trained display calibration technicians should be well aware of this very important fact.

######################## RESOURCES ########################

[PDF] Calibration – What Is WRONG With This Picture?
http://www.sencore.com/uploads/files/WhatIsWrong.pdf

“Picture Perfect: TV Calibration Demystified”
http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/features/2007/01/picture-perfect-tv-calibration-demystified

“Ten Steps to Set Up Your New HDTV Without a Calibration”
http://www.hdtvexpert.com/?p=259

Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity
– “CalMAN Calibration Bootcamp: A Crash Course in the Science of Calibration”
http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/technical-articles/898-spectracal-calibration-bootcamp-a-crash-course-in-the-science-of-calibration.html
– “Professional Display Calibration: What It Is and What It Means to Your Home Theater Experience”
http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/technical-articles/488-a-secrets-technical-article.html
– “DIY HDTV Calibration Software Overview: A Comparison of ColorHCFR, ChromaPure, and CalMAN”
http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/diy/813-diy-calibration-overview.html

CNET Video: “How to Calibrate Your TV”
http://reviews.cnet.com/Calibrate_your_TV/4660-12443_7-6534987.html

“How to Calibrate your HDTV with Avia-Digital Video Essentials and DVE”
http://www.ramelectronics.net/Video-calibration.ep

Avical’s DVE User-Level Video Calibration Tutorial
http://www.avical.com/articles/avicals_dve_user-level_video_calibration_tutorial.html

AWH - How to Calibrate a Television FAQ
http://myweb.accessus.net/~090/how2adj.html

Is D6487K too low of a color temperature for an LCD TV?
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080324173810AAHkg1g

AV Science (AVS) Forum
– Display Calibration
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=139
– Display Calibration Archive (2005-01-01 through 2006-12-31)
http://archive2.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=139
– ISF Calibration Discussion and Information
http://www.avforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=311
– Basic Guide to Color Calibration using a CMS (updated and enhanced)
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=852536&pp=60

Display Calibration Resources
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dhpmqnbb_4g8mtjzdf

TweakTV - Tutorials
http://www.tweaktv.com/tutorials/index.php

________________________


Spears & Munsil
– High Definition Benchmark Blu-ray Edition
http://www.spearsandmunsil.com
– [PDF] High Definition Benchmark Blu-ray Edition User’s Guide
http://www.spearsandmunsil.com/pdf/UG_SM_HD_Benchmark.pdf

Joe Kane Productions
– Digital Video Essentials: HD Basics
http://www.videoessentials.com/DVE_HDBasics.php
– DVE Program Notes
http://www.videoessentials.com/program_notes.php

GetGray - Digital Video Calibration DVD Software (donationware)
http://www.calibrate.tv

AV Science (AVS) Forum
– New Calibration Disc (GetGray)
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=586139&pp=60
– Calibration Meter Shootout
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=958099&pp=60

X-Rite
– X-Rite Products
http://www.xrite.com/top_products.aspx
– [PDF] X-Rite i1 Monitor Solutions
http://www.xrite.com/documents/literature/en/985629_i1_Monitor_Solutions_en.pdf
 


Cannot adjust the poor picture quality on Samsung HDTV well?
Q. Samsung 55" 1080 LED, 120Hz Model No UN55EH6000

What do I need to know in order to adjust the poor picture quality of my Samsung HDTV? It is very difficult to adjust. Either it's is too bright, highlights are too bright, colors to vivid, picture has green blotches on it when it comes to the faces of white people.

Also the settings are too detailed. A person can adjust the gamma ray settings which I don't know anything about.

We just bought this TV a week ago

A. There is sometimes software in the new televisions like "MotionFlow" that try to enhance details, but this sometimes cause the "Soap Opera" effect - every scene looks like a overly lit soap opera.

Try to turn these enhancements off.

As Tex said - you need to be feeding that television a HD signal.

You should also do a rough calibration on any new television (They are set at the factory to ultra-bright Torch mode to be eye-catching if the unit is used for a floor display).

Get a Pixar movie on BluRay and go to the disk setup menu. You will find test-patterns and instructions on how to use each to set the basic brightness, contrast and color.

Do the calibration at the time of day you would normally watch TV. Calibrating on a bright weekend, but mainly watching things after 8 pm mid week may not give you the proper results.

ONE IMPORTANT POINT

We sometimes get complaints about video or audio quality - then we learn it is all based on watching crappy, pirated videos gotten from some Torrent site, or the person is still using standard def, or worse: a VCR which is 280 lines of video.

A good display looks great with high-quality HD video. But it exposes grain, noise, washed out colors, etc that we have been stuck with since 1948 if you play streaming, standard def, or a cable/sat channel where they up-converted an old TV show.

Make sure you are watching a high-quality source. Even a HD cable or sat box has a huge variable as each show is created with different quality gear. Trust the prime-time shows on the major networks (ABC, CBS, NBC) as being decent quality or a BluRay player. If these do not look good - it could be a HDTV problem. If these look good, but other things look bad, then we have to suspect the source is not great and the new HDTV now lets you see that it is poor quality.


Questions about Panasonic GT50 THX Cinema picture mode?
Q. I purchased a 50" GT50 HDTV a few days ago and I absolutely LOVE it! The picture is amazing. I was playing around with the picture modes though and i noticed one called "THX Cinema". How is this different from the regular "Cinema" mode? When i switch between them all that's obvious is that the picture looks a bit smaller but more complete (like it zooms out a tiny bit). Of course I'm completely ignorant to all this technical stuff so what do I know. Can anyone explain this to me? I the THX mode optimal for movies and such?

A. For a given manufacturer’s compliant display, THX [picture] modes are intended to provide a set of simple preset picture settings that conform to THX’s carefully chosen criteria for video image quality. Ideally the preset THX picture settings should provide the most natural or accurate video image quality short of a professional video display “calibration.” In reality, for the more demanding perfectionist it is relatively easy to surpass the image quality performance offered by the preset THX picture modes on the 2012 Panasonic plasma display panels by using the Custom picture mode along with proper display calibration software and hardware.

In addition:

THX picture modes (according to Panasonic GT50 series eHELP, page 25):

‘Precisely reproduces the original quality of the image without any revision.’

‘Recommended for playback of THX disc[s] (disc[s] with “THX” logo.) THX mode is used to mirror the picture settings used by professional filmmakers, faithfully reproducing the image quality of THX Certified movies. (THX Certified movies have the “THX” logo on a disc.)’
 

RESOURCES

THX
– THX Certified Plasmas, LCD TVs & Projectors
http://www.thx.com/consumer/home-entertainment/video/thx-certified-plasmas-lcd-tvs-projectors/
– What Makes Panasonic’s New GT50 THX Certified Displays So Special
http://www.thx.com/test-bench-blog/what-makes-panasonic%e2%80%99s-new-gt50-thx-certified-displays-so-special/

Panasonic TC-P55GT50 Review, page 2, CNET
http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-tvs/panasonic-tc-p55gt50/4505-6482_7-35123235-2.html

HDTV picture settings forum: Panasonic TC-P55GT50 picture settings
http://forums.cnet.com/7723-19410_102-566046/panasonic-tc-p55gt50-picture-settings/

HighDefJunkies Forum
– Official Panasonic GT50 Series Thread
http://www.highdefjunkies.com/plasma-displays/13397-official-panasonic-gt50-series-thread.html?pp=40
– 2012 Panasonic Settings/Issues Thread
http://www.highdefjunkies.com/display-settings-calibrations-reviews/12986-2012-panasonic-settings-issues-thread.html?pp=40

Official Panasonic GT50 Series Discussion Thread - AVS Forum
http://www.avsforum.com/t/1403635/official-panasonic-gt50-series-discussion-thread-no-street-price-talk

Official 2012 Panasonic VT50 Series Discussion Thread
http://www.highdefforum.com/flat-panel-tvs/135826-official-2012-panasonic-vt50-series-discussion-thread.html
 





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Why won't my HDTV indoor antenna work with my tv?

Q. I have an Insignia 42" flat screen HDTV. I recently bought an RCA amplified indoor HDTV antenna for it. I hooked up the antenna as said in the directions, and when I scan for channels, it either finds 0 channels, or only 1 channel. I've moved the antenna location on my wall and still get this problem. Any suggestions or ideas?

A. The large quantity of indoor antennas for sale at all kinds of stores may lead you to believe they actually work well. They really don't unless you are quite close to the TV transmitting towers. It's very rare for any viewer to get all desired channels with an indoor antenna of any type. It's almost as rare for anyone to get more than a very few channels with regularity. 60 years ago good TV reception was achieved with an outside antenna mounted as high as possible, and nothing really has changed as far as good antenna design goes.

Your problem will be solved by a better antenna, probably mounted outside above the roofline, and on a rotor if your stations are in different directions. The first ref below is a good one if you're in the U.S. The second one is also good for those in the U.S. or Canada. Enter your local info for a readout of what channels you should be able to receive and what antenna is recommended. Don't expect an indoor antenna to be high on the recommended list.


How do I choose the best outdoor antenna for use with my HTPC?
Q. The basic indoor HDTV antenna I bought doesn't quite do it. The picture will often just pause or become very pixelated.

A. The large quantity of indoor antennas for sale at all kinds of stores may lead you to believe they actually work well. They really don't unless you are quite close to the TV transmitting towers. It's very rare for any viewer to get all desired channels with an indoor antenna of any type. It's almost as rare for anyone to get more than a very few channels with regularity. 60 years ago good TV reception was achieved with an outside antenna mounted as high as possible, and nothing really has changed as far as good antenna design goes.

Your problem will be solved by a better antenna, probably mounted outside above the roofline, and on a rotor if your stations are in different directions. The first ref below is a good one if you're in the U.S. The second one is also good for those in the U.S. or Canada. Enter your local info for a readout of what channels you should be able to receive and what antenna is recommended. Don't expect an indoor antenna to be high on the recommended list.


Can I get 5.1 Digital Sound for local HD using an HDTV antenna and my 8 year old 5.1 receiver?
Q. Is there a special way to hook it up? I'm about to purchase a new HDTV and get an indoor HDTV antenna. I find it hard to believe I will be able to watch my favorite shows in 5.1 surround with the over-the-air antenna. Or is that just for cable and satellite subscriptions?

A. Once the OTA program is being broadcast in 5.1 you should have no problem watching them in 5.1 once the TV is connected to your receiver, even if it's connected by common RCA cables. I'm thinking that your receiver does not have a digital audio connector hence the reason you asked if there is a special hook up. If it does, however, then use either a coax or optical digital cable to connect the HDTV to the receiver and you will have true 5.1 digital sound.





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Tuesday, April 30, 2013

For a home theater system, what is a good price worthy projector?

Q. I have been looking at the the Mitsibishi HD 1000u 720p HDTV DLP projector, priced right around $800.00. LIke to keep price below 1000. Any help appreciated.

A. Hi.The Mitsubishi HD 1000U 720p is an excellent projector for the money.Another one to consider is the Optoma HD70 DLP 720p for about $930.00.Also the Infocus LP 340B looks like a good buy at $799.00

Check out the specifications below to compare the 3 projectors

http://www.mitsubishi-presentations.com/products/projectors/HD1000U.html

http://www.keenzo.com/showproduct.asp?ID=938475&ref=FRG1

http://www.shopcol.com/lp340b.html


How much do you think HDTVs will drop in price by April 2010?
Q. We want a 42" Panasonic 1080p which is $700, but we can't afford that. That is why I want to know how much all HDTVs will drop in price by then. What do you think?

A. No one can be sure, but i would think with the new LED tvs, that LCD's and plasma tv prices are gonna sink like a rock. Samsung, LG, Vizio, (that i know of) already have LED tvs on the market. so i would imagine if you want a LCD, it would be cheaper in april and continually dropping in price.


Whats the best price someone has found for a ps3, online or in-store?
Q. I'm looking to buy a ps3 soon, i dont mind what hard drive it is, but has anyone found a really good price for one, also, a decent hdtv price might be useful

thanks

A. 120GB Slimline PS3 for £249.99 at GAME:
http://www.game.co.uk/PS3/Hardware/~r343273/Sony-Playstation-3-120GB-Slim-Console/

Thats real good for 120GB, and its slimline :)

I can't find any cheap originals though

Edit: From GAME, there's either the 120GB slimline, or 80GB normal + 1 game for the same price, so its a choice of more memory and slimline, or less and a free game





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What are the drawbacks of buying a projection HDTV?

Q. In the next few months I plan to buy myself a HDTV. I have been cruising different electronic stores looking for the right one. I want a pretty decent sized one. So I'm thinking about getting a projection HDTV which are relatively inexpensive compared to LCDs and Plasmas of the same size. So I was wondering are there any drawbacks to projection HDTV?

A. Rear projection TVs have several disadvantages relative to flatscreens, including:

- The lamps must be replaced every few thousand hours, and they are expensive (~$300).
- They are bulkier (mainly thicker) than flatscreens (although some of the newer ones are not much thicker than the base on a flatscreen.)
- They usually have a lower angle of view than flatscreens (you can't sit as far off centre).
- picture quality isn't as good as the best flatscreens.
- They are more likely to look washed out in a bright room.

On the other hand, they are cheaper and still can give a good picture.

You might want to consider a front projector though. They have some of the same disadvantage as rear projectors (lamps need replacement, work best in dim/low ambient light room), but are the best way by far to get a cinema-like experience of a really big picture (8-10 feet). They can take up less space than other types of big screen HDTVs, and They are about the same price as a 720p or 1080p HDTV half the size. See projectorcentral.com for further info.


Can you tell the difference between 60hz and 120hz HDTVs?
Q. I'm looking to buy a new TV, around 40" 1080p for gaming, movies, and sports. It seems you can't buy a 120hz LCD HDTV for under $800 but is it really worth it?

Also, do you notice the difference much between the generic brands and higher end brands?

Thanks in advance to those giving good advice!

A. I believe you will see a big difference between 60 and 120 Hz on a 40" TV. Fast action, like sports, will look more fluid and smooth with a higher refresh rate.

No disrespect intended to Jason, but I think you're better off with a name-brand TV. I run a technical training facility. I have 3 32" LCD TVs with 60 Hz refresh rates side-by-side - Sony, Phillips, and Insignia. The Insignia looks great by itself, but turn on the Sony and Phillips, and the Insignia obviously has a lower picture quality than the others.

When you're in the store looking at TVs, bear in mind that they adjust picture elements to make the picture look the best it can in that environment. Ask the salesperson to adjust the picture back to factory default for each set you are considering. Then you can compare apples to apples. (The picture will be somewhat dull under the lighting in the store. It will look brighter in your living room.)


What is a good color to paint a room if the furniture and bed sheets are black?
Q. Ok, here's the deal. I'm moving into my brother's house...into a room that's not really small, but it's not big either. The whole room is white and I don't want to paint the ceiling, just the walls. I want to leave the trim in the room white. There is a giant window in the room that covers the entire wall opposite from the door. It also has a closet big enough to stand in. Here's the problem...I'm a big fan of anything black. Obviously making everything black isn't a good idea. I have a big screen HDTV that will be wall mounted that is black also. I have two floor speakers that are dark grey. My dresser is a medium brown color. I am going to buy a black sheet set because I really want black sheets. I would also like to hang stuff on the walls so they aren't bare either. I've narrowed down my idea to making the accessories black, but not sure what to paint the walls to contrast the blackness of everything else. I don't want anything too bright and girly either. Any ideas?

A. 1] maybe you could find a quilt/spread/duvet in a black, white, and bright - red, yellow, green, blue, or purple - color print [ geometric or stripe, maybe ]The sheets will be under the spread, so won't matter that much.
2] paint the walls the bright color, and add throw pillows in the bright for bed and chair
3] frame all art in similar color and material - oak/walnut, brass/chrome, colored enamel
4] add some accessories in the bright, and maybe the black
[ iron candlesticks? ] or chrome [ lamps? ] - vase, ornaments, flowerpots, candles





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What way should I go with an HDTV?

Q. Im ready to make the HDTV plunge and here is my situation... I currently have DirecTV/Tivo and pretty much watch only network and cable programs but virtually never movies. We use our DVD player once a year! I do however want to watch NFL and NHL in hi-def this season yet still have decent quality on stand def older programs.

I know I want something around 42" based on the room and seating location but do I really need 1080p? Also for that size is Plasma or LCD the way to go?

Thanks in advance for everyone help!

A. Rob: This sounds like a serious question, and is even written in readable English. 42" is pretty small, unless your sitting distance is no more than about 8'. Also, you don't give a budget!
For the best bang for the buck (!), I would say take a really hard look at the Panasonic plasmas - they make a quality LCD also. Just saw their 50" plasma at Costco for $1400, on sale. It's last year's model, but a really nice set.
To get better educated on what's out there, read the following sites: www.Plasmatvbuyingguide.com; and
www.LCDtvbuyingguide.com.
Good luck!


What is the difference between these television formats?
Q. What is the difference between 1080i, 1080p, 720p, 720i, HDTV, HR HDTV, and Blu-Ray Disc. If these are formats at all. Thanks.

A. 1) Resolution: How much information the TV is capable of displaying on the screen. The number is the amount of horizontal lines in total. I stands for interlaced, P stands for progressive. So a TV that can display 1080p can show you 1080 lines all at the same time (currently the highest resolution available to the public), a TV that can display 1080i also uses 1080 lines, but being interlaced- only shows roughly 1/2 of them at a time. Technically, a 1080p TV is showing twice as much info at any given time- although you'll notice that this does NOT mean the picture is twice as good...

2) HD Ready or Capable vs. HDTV or HD integrated: If a TV is labeled HDTV or HD integrated, this means the TV is not only capable of at least 720p in a 16:9 format- but it also has a HD tuner on board (this part only matters if you will be receiving your signal off of antenna though). If a TV is labeled HD ready or capable- this means it too can produce a 720p or better picture in it's 16:9 format, but the TV does not have a HD tuner built-in. If you will be getting your TV signal through cable or satellite- this will mean nothing to you...

3) HD-DVD and Blu-Ray: These are competing formats (remember VHS and Beta?) in the 720p or higher DVD format. These happen to be DVD's that show a higher resolution. Putting the answer from the 1st item into use- A normal DVD is encoded mpeg2. A normal DVD player will send this signal out to the TV either 480i or 480p depending on your player, cableing, and TV. A Blu-Ray or HD-DVD will send out a 1080p signal (again depending on your set up). These require a HD-DVD and/or Blu-ray player- not a normal DVD player, and to take advantage of the picture quality, need to be connected to a TV that can display a 1080p picture via a HDMI connection.

If you are behind in the "technology" realm- I would highly suggest going to your local home theater store (no I do not mean Best Buy or Tweeter, or Circut City- I mean go find a real home theater store) and tell a real a/v saleman what you are looking for. The knowledge and expertise a good a/v person will offer you is better than the $50 you'll save by trying to do this yourself down at CostCo...


whats the difference betweene 1080 i and 1080 p hdtvs?
Q. looking to buy a 22inch hdtv. but some are 720 and some are 1080 i. i know the big screens are 1080 p . please help.

A. 1080i means that the signal is interlaced, that means all the "odd numbered lines" info are sent first (line 1 3 5 7 9...) then they send all the 'even numbered lines" (2 4 6 8 10...)
That was an old technique used to save half of the very limited bandwidth back then. Because of the technology, LCD and Plasma are inherently progressive (P, that means lines are sent 1 2 3 4 5...)
All HDTVs contain a deinterlacing system to change I into P, but some works better than others. On some TVs you will see weird scan lines.

There is a 1080p 22", for example there's a 1080p 22" Vizio selling in costco called VO22LF. But then, I don't think you can tell the difference between 720p (720 lines on a screen) and 1080p on a 22" without staring at it for an hour. It matters when you want the TV to double as your monitor though.

Be careful , some 22" are made to monitor specs and are not 16:9 but 16:10, when you watch TV the images will look slightly stretched vertically.





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Monday, April 29, 2013

setting up satellite dish to receive local channels?

Q. is there a way to use a satellite dish, which is not connected, as a rooftop antenna ? appreciate any suggestion.

A. The dish would not function as an Over The Air Antenna , I understand that there are clip on antennas manufactured by Terk that do mount onto your dish for local channels SD and HDTV.

If you're trying to be frugal and just wondering if your dish can serve another purpose the answer is No , small dishes such as those used for Pay TV services like Dish Network and Direct TV have encrypted programming that require an authorized receiver.

You can make yourself a $$$ CHEAP DIY Do it Yourself indoor antenna using Coat hangers that works very well and rivals $60 dollar models sold in Electronic stores by the following these instructions.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWQhlmJTMzw
People claim that this antenna works so good they get reception of distant TV stations.

The ways that cannot be discussed given in a previous answer is by illegal means and requires you to spend over $100 dollars on a FTA receiver and it's not guaranteed , for that money you could buy a high end roof antenna.


I have an HD Plasma TV. I want to get an HDTV outdoor antenna. Do I need a converter box?
Q. I have an old Panasonic 42" Plasma screen TV. I want to get rid of cable and Satellite and buy a HDTV antenna. I found several to choose from on ebay.com. But some come with a converter box. Do I need a converter box? What does a converter box do?

A. It already has a digital converter built in.
On the antenna issue: Don't buy one, make one! Speaking from experience here. I got a really nice low profile antenna and couldn't get all the local channels. I got 7 out of 16. I researched antennas and hear of a home made one that supposedly works better. $15 dollars later I made my own.
you just use coat hangers, piece of wood, screws, etc
Go to YOUTUBE and search home made antenna. They all are about the same instructions. I get EVERY SINGLE CHANNEL from my hoopty antenna that is hidden behind the HDTV. Go figure!


I want to hook up a new DVR to the internet wirelessly?
Q. I want to hook up a new DVR to the internet but it requires a hardwire LAN. I want to go wireless. I looked into it and it seems that I need a wireless gaming adapter. Can I just use any wireless modem?

A. Tivos have wireless network adapter. Works good with netflix and youtube on tivo. also tivo hd records hdtv from an antenna and or cable





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How to make a commentary in windows movie maker 2011 with A camera?

Q. hey I was just wondering how to make a commentary in windows movie maker 2011 I have no mic but i do have cameras with mics on them soo any tips?

A. Aunsoft Video Converter helps you convert between various formats. It is the must-have conversion tool for video lovers, and enables you to enjoy movies on computer, to further edit video for creation, to present video on HDTV, and to publish video online in web-friendly format. You can control your video and music on popular portable devices including iPad, Nexus One, HTC Hero, Zune, iPod, PSP, Apple TV, iPhone anytime anywhere.

Aunsoft Video Converter supports a lot of video and audio formats. It can convert TiVo to MPEG for you, making it easy for you to burn the output MPEG file to DVD with burning software. Then you can enjoy recorded TV shows anytime you want. It converts MKV, MTS, M2TS, TOD, MOD, TS, FLV, MXF to MP4, WMV for you to play different videos on portable devices like iPad, iPhone 4, Zune, PSP, XboX 360, Apple TV, WD TV, Nexus One, HTC Android Phones, HTC Legend, HTC EVO 4G, Motorola Droid X, Droid 2. And it can even let you convert the popular Flip Video/Flip HD video from Flip Mino, Flip Ultra, Flip MinoHD, Flip Ultra HD, Flip SlideHD pocket camcorders with high quality.

With this powerful converter, you can also convert videos for video editing software like Adobe Premiere, Windows Movie Maker, Sony Vegas, and upload video to YouTube and MySpace to share videos.

http://www.aunsoft.com/video-converter/


Some computer experts say that the graphical quality of video games has reached a plateau?
Q. e.g., look how good the graphics are for a game like Crysis 2. These are rendered on hardware that was nearly outdated in 2005. You could imagine the potential of similar hardware in 2011. Or would it even make a difference?

What will make the next generation of gaming distinctive from the current?

In the past, the answer to this question was easy: GRAPHICS.

A. PC graphics can continue to march forward with ever more impressive hardware optimizations, higher resolutions, better physics, etc. However consoles are going to have a much tougher time of it. Sure with this generation we saw the jump to HD, or at least 720p@30fps. However the next batch of consoles should have no problem with 1080p@60fps which is the maximum any HDTV is capable of producing. Even 3D won't be a problem for these consoles - if they decide to support it.

Really the only direction left is better physics, and better textures. However these are going to seem more like minor bumps vs. the huge leaps we've been used to. It might also mean consoles will come out less frequently - no need to upgrade as frequently.

The 360, for instance, will turn 7 later this year and while Microsoft is working on a new console we probably won't see it on shelves until 2013 at the earliest - nearly 9 years after the 360 came out.


Is there anyway i can watch a re-run of RAW on the internet yet?
Q. I was at the packer game and couldn't watch it which really disappointed me.

A. Yes, you can watch last night's November 14th, 2011 edition of WWE's Monday Night Raw in the following link below in a website called Telly-tv. It contains the entire full episode of "Raw gets Rocked" in different parts. It's also in HD format allowing to watch high quality.

http://www.telly-tv.com/wwe-raw/71812-watch-wwe-raw-11-14-2011-14th-november-2011-hdtv-watch-online-download-video-update-divx.html





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