If Santa delivered a new HDTV to your home today, use this list to help get your HDTV up, running and looking good. Please read the owner’s manual before proceeding.
1) Get it ready
If it is flat, (LCD or Plasma) the HDTV may need attachment to its table stand (if you are not wall mounting it.). This requires two or more people. Remember, NEVER LAY A FLAT TV ON ITS FACE OR BACK. HOLD IT UP (vertical) BY HAVING IT SUPPORTED ON THE BOTTOM OF THE BEZEL THAT SURROUNDS THE SCREEN. TO KEEP THE SET VERTICAL HAVE SOMEONE HOLD IT UP TO KEEP IT FROM FALLING OVER UNTIL IT IS PROPERLY ATTACHED TO THE TABLE STAND. NEVER PLACE ANY PRESSURE ON THE SCREEN (SUCH AS YOU PALM) DON’T TOUCH THE SCREEN. IT DOESN’T TAKE MUCH PRESSURE TO CRACK IT! If the screen cracks, the HDTV is destroyed. Always lift by it by the bottom of the outside of the bezel, you may also steady it by grabbing the edges and sides of the bezel.
2) Make sure your new HDTV is functional.
This will save you a lot of aggravation. As soon as it is unpacked and supported (such as assembling the table stand and attaching the panel properly by consulting the owner’s manual), connect the power cord to wall AC and power it up. Put the batteries in the TV remote and hit the menu button. If you get an on-screen menu of any kind the HDTV is functional. If it stays black, it is probably dead. After verifying the on-screen menu, proceed to connect the TV to your signal sources.
3) To see HDTV programs you will need one of the following depending on the related service.
A) For over-the-air reception, you need a TV antenna connected to the HDTV via the HDTV’s F type connector. If there is no F type connector on the back of the set you received an HDTV monitor, meaning there is no built-in digital tuner. You will need purchase a free standing HDTV tuner box to get the free over the air channels if it’s a tunerless HD monitor.
B) For HD Cable You will need either a HD cable box, a CableCARD (if your new HDTV has a slot know as a DCR or digital cable ready TV and you have receive the card from your cable provider) or you may connect the cable directed to the TV’s F connector to receive the unencrypted HDTV cable channels (generally the broadcast network stations) provided your new HDTV has an unencrypted QAM tuner built-in (most digital tuner sets do, you need to check the owner’s manual for inclusion and instructions to scan in the channels once connected)
C) For HD satellite reception you will need an HD satellite box and the appropriate dish already installed (check with your satellite provider for more information)
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4) To see HDTV with a HD satellite box or HD cable box you must use the component video connection (YPrPb) or HDMI or DVI connection. Oh no, you don’t have either one of these cables. Here is a tip to get you up and running till you get one. Temporarily use an audio/video cable you may have laying around (it came with your VCR, DVD player or other video component). This cable is the one that has three RCA type connectors, a yellow one, a red one and a white one at each end. Connect the yellow one to the Y output jack on the source box and the other end to the HDTVs component video Y input. Then connect the red one to the Pr output jack on the source box and the Pr input on the HDTV and finally connect the white one to the Pb jack on the HDTV and source box. Make sure all three are on the same numbered input on the HDTV (i.e. input 6 see owners manual for identification of the component video input on the HDTV) With the same numbered input selected on the HDTVs video input via the “input” button on the remote control, you will be able to see an HDTV image once you tune to an HD channel (the how to is in the owner’s manual). Not sure which channels are in HD? Use channel up on the remote, till you see a widescreen HD image (tip- make sure the HDTV’s aspect ratio you selected is the“FULL” mode and the source box is in its 1080i output mode) You will need an audio cable too, in order transfer the audio from the source box to the display (unless you are using an HDMI cable and connection).
5) Once you have your HD image on the screen, change the user picture controls. Get the set out of “Vivid” and into standard, movie or cinema (depending on the set) if you don’tt have an input named “movie” the HDTV will have one of the others and either one will produce a more accurate image. Next, turn down the contrast control to 50% or less. (I have written about setting the controls in more detail, see the archive button). Adjust the brightness control low enough to get the deepest black possible but do not bring it any lower, for it will bury the dark detail. This will require some experimentation by raising and lowering the control to you reach the ideal level. Adjust the color and tint control to produce the most natural, accurate skin tones.
6) Sit back and enjoy the HDTV experience. Have a Happy Holiday.
Copyright 2006 HD Guru (sm) All rights reserved
Guru,
I’m trying to set up my Bose 3-2-1 system to my 42″ Panasonic HD Plasma. I have an HDMI cable connecting the HD cable box to my TV (picture is great) and would like to set up the audio to run through my Bose system. The Bose system does not have any HDMI connections. I’ve tried connecting my cable box to my Bose system, but am not hearing anything. Even though my video is via HDMI, can I still hear the audio via regular cables between the Bose and the HD cable box?
Hi Guru,
I couldn’t get any image on my television using the HDMI cable, I tried all three HDMI connections and made sure that the t.v. was set to the corresponding input and none of them gave me a picture. I called my cable company and they told me to just go ahead and use the component cables that they provided with the HD cable box. They also told me that HDMI cables are very unreliable and they don’t reccomend using them. I finally got a picture using the component cables and the image on HD is awesome, but I am disappointed that I couldn’t use HDMI, what did I do wrong?
Greetings, Guru;
I’m considering a new flat-screen. My understanding is that a digital tuner will soon be required, and I’m also told “digital” reception is much, much better than analog, which would be a good thing, since OTA reception here stinks. A visit to AntennaWeb indicates digital reception to my area code/address consists of only one additional station than what I’m already getting OTA (which I plan on keeping, i.e., no cable available, no “dish” desired.). It seems to me, I may as well wait until 2009, since electronic device prices always seem to retreat over time. Can you provide insight I may have missed? (For your use only, my address is 425 Spencer Creek Road, Kalama, WA, 98625.
Thanks for your attention!
D.
I just got Wii. I hooked it up to an old tv with no AV outputs. I have a Scientific Atlanta Explorer 4200 with AV outputs. I just can’t seem to get it to work.
Please Help.
Thanks Jeff
Hi Guru
I have;
Panasonic hdtv plasma with one hdmi input
Direct tv hd satilite box with one hdmi output
Sony blu ray with one hdmi output
Bose 3-2-1 seris receiver w/sub and 2 bose speaers however no hdmi in/output
How do I get all these connected to get the full HD viewing experience and have all sound going thru bose surround system.
Thanks
Lisa
I have a panasonic 42 plasma. I have dish network and just purchased a 100.00 dollar monster cord because the dish rep said,”that the others are not that clear” and Best Buy said, “they have had several cords break”. Idiot, I know. I have since purchased a DVD and called Dish to trouble shoot, but said they no nothing about hooking up DVD units since it is not from Dish and said that I needed to go purchase another HDMI cord. Hate Dish! Do I really need two have 2 cords for my dish receiver and a dvd? Please let me know.
In your article “Setting up your new HDTV”, you mentioned another archived article you had written with lots of screen set up details— (I have written about setting the controls in more detail, see the archive button). But, I cannot locate that archived article. I went thru all the archived months. Hope you can help locate it. Many thanks—a great web site!!
I have a Mitsubishi 65″ wide screen, Bright House Network HD box, JVC DVD player.. When watching widescreen DVD movies, it’s not filling the full screen. I cannot find in the menu for the cable nor TV to check the aspect ratio, but the DVD is set to 16:9. DVD is using Component 1. Help…
what is the highest recommended for plasma tv’s… particularly samsung FPT5884… thanks
how would i go about hookin up my remote to my TV Guide
Does anybody know the answer to the question above?
Hello. I have a new toshiba 20hl67 lcd tv and the latest direct tv hd satellite box. I connected the hdmi and-no picture! Direct tv technician who put up their newest dish told me that the hdmi connections are not compatible with Toshibas. I’ve tried 2 new cords. Toshiba says they know nothing about this. Direct tv just says it’s not compatible, so use component. (The direct tv box is also the 2nd one-and new!). What brands ARE HDMI compatible? (I’m not an AV geek). Not happy!
After several weeks of research & visting show rooms & ware houses I choose the sony kld-46xbr2 which I purchased (so I thought) at Costco on 1/31/06. When I tried to register the warranty I discovered I had model kdl-46v25l1 & sonys web site did not recognise that model, so I call sony support & was told this is a ware house model they
needed to register it. I asked what the differences are between the models & she told me the kdl46v25li is an early model made 1/06 & kdl46xbr2 is a newer mdl. made 8/06 & had
more features, but she was unsure of what they are. Now I am upset that after all my research I
have a older T.V. with less features. Do you know what features the 46xbr2 has that the 46v25l1 dose not have?
The model you have is known as a derivitive model, it probably share the same chassis with another Sony LCD. Call Sony back and confirm which model it is derived from (possibly the 2500 series 46″) Then go to the Sony website to compare the specs and features.
The HD GuruÂÂ
Hello!
I just got a Magnavox 37″ LCD HDTV. The picture is nice, but there are clouds when the screen is black, there is an especially noticeable one in the top, left corner of the screen. Will this go away as the screen gets ‘broken in’ or should I exchange it?
Thanks for your help,
Mike
Exchange it, they will not go away.
The HD GuruÂÂ
I have a samsung 40″ plasma set with PIP and can not get a signal to the PIP. Comcast has sent 3 tech’s to get it to work but no solution. I get a PIP window but no picture. HELP!!!!
Have you contacted Samsung customer service?
The HD GuruÂÂ
Hi!
Great site!
I have a toshiba 46″ HDTV. I also have a Scientific-Atlanta HD DVR Cable Box. I have the ration set at Full and the Widescreen choice on the Cable. I only get the screen filled when I watch HD broadcast channels. Is there a way to fill screen on all channels without the stretch or zoom mode? ty
No. That’s what these modes are for. Something as to give when you try to fill a rectangle with a near square image.
The HD GuruÂÂ
where did my ? go..?
I HAVE A BOSE LIFESTYLES 27 SURROUND SOUND SYSTEM. WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO HOOK MY COMCAST HD CABLE BOX AND 50″ PANASONIC VIERA PLAZMA TO IT TO MAXIMIZE IT ABLILTY.
I am not familier with the Bose system so I can’t make specific recommendations. Generally speaking one should connect an HDTV or HD source to the surround sound via HDMI if available, if not use the digital audio output (coaxial or SPDIF-optical)
The HD GuruÂÂ
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Every Tuesday at 8:00AM eastern time,HD NET broadcasts test patterns which can help you calibrate your set.
HD NET is available on Direct TV and Dish network.
If you whant to get it very good,I’d recommend a ISF calibration.
My 37″ Panasonic Plasma and my 46″ Sony Bravia flat panel LCD are both 768P.I have Direct tv and in the setup menu for the HD recievers My options are 1080I or 720P. What would be the proper choice?
Right now I have the Direct tv recievers set at 1080I. thanks
If you can only choose one setting, leave it at 1080i. Some set top boxes will allow display of native 720p (i.e.ABC-HD) as 720p and native 1080i as 1080i. If your box does it, I would put in into that mode.
The HD GuruÂÂ
Dear HD Guru,
I have recently purchased a 60″ Sony SXRD HDTV that I want to hook up to my surround sound. I have a Bose lifestyle system that does not have HDMI in or out. I have an HD DVR cable box from my provider. I have my DVR hooked up to the HDTV with a HDMI cable. For my audio is it better to go from the DVR to the Bose brain with an optical cable and turn the sound off on the TV or should I go from the optical out on the TV to the Bose brain. Please let me know what you think.
It is easier to take the digital audio out of the DVR into the Bose, though you need to check for lip sync issues. If you have them try the other way (I asssume it will pass the digital audio through, you may have to check the TV owner’s manual to confirm)
The HD GuruÂÂ
Thanks,
Jason
this is part of message i sent on 1/16/07
this is the amp im using.its a sony digital cinema sound/cimema studio ex..just thought i would let you know what all this was getting connected to..thank you
I HAVE A 50INCH HDTV PANASONIC CONECTED TO A HD SATELITE BOX MY HD CHANNELS LOOK GREAT; BUT THE REST FORGET IT. HELP ME OUT GURU
Contact your satellite provider and have a technician look at the the picture. You may have incorrect settings on the satellite box.
The HD GuruÂÂ
Dear HD Guru:
I must be a dolt? I can’t find the archived article on “break-in and setting of the plasma’s user controls (found in the plasma/lcd article).”
Can you direct, or repost?
Thanks,
Rich :)
Check the Nov. archive for LCD vs. Plasma and Dec. archive for “Setting Up Your New HDTV”
The HD Guru
HD Guru….. How do I hook up to my hdtv, when There is a AB switch connected before box, that is so my wife can watch and tape dvd’s? I want to use HDMI cable. thanks John. :-)
LIZ from 13 Jan-
Also make sure that the TV or cable/satellite box is not set to “zoom”.
I use an antenna for local channels. Just recently I have black bars on the left and right side of the screen? TV is set to 16×9. However when I switch to my satelite I see the 16×9 OK? Any ideas? Program is HD.. NFL, channel 6-1? Scott
Dear HD Guru,
My plasma HDTV just started to cut off the top and bottom of the picture. When watching a sporting event I lose the top half of the score shown and when I’m watching headline news I don’t see the ticker tape that scrolls on the bottom of the picture. How can I fix this
Either your TV, or set top box or both are set to the wrong aspect ratio. HDTV should be set to “Full” source box set to widescreen (or will read 16:9)
HD Guru
Will buying the Monster caliibration wizard DVD be a good Idea for calibrating my HD TV.
Yes. It will help you properly set the user controls on you HDTV.
It will allow you to color “calibrate” the white balance of your TV (know as ISF Calibration) This requires sophisticated test equipment and specific training. You can find a trained tech at imagingscience.com if you are interested in this service
 HD Guru
I have hdtv and the hdtv channels are beautiful. But the other channels that are not high definition are not very clear . They have a little fuzzyness to them. Do you think there is somthing wrong with the TV or the cable .
Upconversion of standard def channels is very challaging for the HDTVs internal scaler and some sets do a better job than others. A poor signal will make the problem worse. Check with you cable provider to have them come to you home and test your signal.
HD Guru ÂÂ
Hey, I purchased aa Symphonic 32″ hdtv. When I connect the hdmi cable to the satellite receiver box, and turn on the t.v., it acts like it loses its signal intermittently. What could the problem be, on the normal channels, it functions properly. Could it be the almost $40.00 hdmi cable?
Could be the HDMI cable, the TV or the Sat box. First exchange the cable, if you still have a problem call the customer service department of your Sat provider for a service call, it may be a bad box. If the box is good too, its your TV.
HD GuruÂÂ
Dear Guru,
I just bought a Mitsubishi WD-57831. I have used component wires for most of my components.
Here is my issue. I have an XBOX 360 that currently does not have an HDMI cable available, it only has component. The other thing is my TV doesnt allow 1080P to be input into the TV using Component. It only allows 1080i. Can I use a componnet to HDMI coupler?
Second question… is there any difference between a 20 dollar HDMI cable and a 300 dollar HDMI cable? Is this BS that Monster is telling me?
Thanks,
Will
There is no such item as a component video to HDMI converter on the market. Please read my “what retailers won’t tell you about HDMI cables” article in the archive but the short simple answer is no.
HD GuruÂÂ
Dear Guru, I had cable in home since the 70,s. Recently had IO digital installed.Cable man had to run rg6 coaxial cable from pole to basement. I still have old thinner coxial throughout house,he installed a amplifier to boost signal,so I could receive signal for Digital. I want to purchase a HDTV. Will I receive Good HD? I will be spending $3000.00 on a Sony 40″ xbr2, But worried? Would very much appreciate your comment.
dear hdguru,
after buying an hd dlp tv and blu-ray disc player, what is the best home theatre system to complete the dream room and what are the best wires or cables? thanks for your time
Is it possible for a built-in/Integrated tuner to be strong enough that one does not need an antenna in order to receive Over-the-Air (OTA) digital broadcasts?
I purchased a Panasonic TH-50PX600U based on your recommendation, as well as Consumer Reports, and I’m able to receive HD broadcasts without having my indoor antenna turned on. My goal was to avoid the monthly expense of cable or satellite service and so I purchased an Indoor antenna, but now I’m thinking I don’t even need it.
By the way…your site is a tremendous source of information.
I just got a Samsung 42″ DLP TV how long does the light bulb in these tv last? what is the cost to replace them? and how much better is 1080p then 1080i?
Lamp life is most affected by the number of turn on/shut off cycles. I recommend leaving it on rather than turning it off every time you leave and plan to return. Check with Samsung for rated lifetime.
HD GuruÂÂ
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HDMI Cables!!!
You can get them on Amazon.com for less than $10 each plus shipping. They work just fine. Don’t believe the salesperson at Best Buy that tries to sell you a Monster Cable for $160. You won’t notice the difference.
I am in the market for an HDTV for my bedroom and I’m considering a plasma model. In the past I’ve always thought I would steer clear of plasma because of burn-in problems, but based on your articles, that seems to be less of a problem now.
However I have one question. When watching 4×3 programming I prefer to watch it with sidebars rather than stretching the picture. If I watch a lot of 4×3 programming will the sidebars cause an issue such as burn-in (or maybe the opposite of burn-in)?
If you follow the directions for break-in and setting of the plasma’s user controls found in the plasma/lcd article in the archive you should not have an issue with burn-in.
The HD GuruÂÂ
Dear HD Guru,
Thanks so much for this awesome site. I tried to buy a book to help me with my set-up, but had no luck of any kind until I found your site via a TV commercial. When are you coming out with your “HDTV For Dummies” book !!!
I will be getting a sony 40″ bravia xbr LCD 1080p. I will need a hd cable box, Do I need to connect cable wire to f connector or get a cable box with a hdmi connection? I do not want to much trouble in connecting tv,I have a AB switch now so my wife can watch and record another channel. Thanks,ps: I am not very good in electronic connections.
You may connect the cable directly to the LCD if you only want to watch the local broadcast network channels your cable company provides. All premium cable fare is scrambled requiring use of an HD cable box connected to your Sony. If you want to record using an external device such as a DVD recorder you can split the cable signal prior to entering the HD box (using a splitter). Contact your cable provider to make sure you have adaquate signal before splitting (the cable provider can test your signal strength and boost it if necessary.
The HD GuruÂÂ
Gary
Thanks for giving us the STRAIGHT scoop on HDTV and cutting through all the BS that we keep getting from the advertisers!!!!!
With the HDMI cable is more expensive better?
Read my HDMI article in the archive
The HD GuruÂÂ
Just a comment regarding your step 1 and never laying the TV flat on it’s face. The manual for new Sharp 62U TVs explicitly state to lay the TV on it’s face to install the stand.
ft
Interesting. . While the Shaarp TV may indeed support its own weight sufficently enough with the screen on its face (many don’t) if there is anything on the floor that is laying around when you place the screen on the floor the delicate glass will likely crack. With my recommended method you take no changes. Using their suggestion, you gamble. Pick one
The HD Guru
Also experiment with your scalers. If you have an upscaling dvd player for example,experiment to see if your tv’s scaler looks better then the dvd player or any other associated equipment with upscaling. You may be surprised at the results.
A friend of mine just got a ps3, nintendo wii, and already had an XBOX 360 premium. He also just got a samsung 50 inch hdtv that is 720p whatever that means. However he also has a surround sound systemt that is not hooked up and a cable box that is also not hooked up. I want to be the hero and be able to hook all of this up for him but have no clue since there are so many variables. Can anyone help?
Connection information is included in the owners’ manuals of all the sources and the HDTV so start there. A thorough reading of all the infomation contained with the manuals should provide you with the means to get everything connected. Always uses the best connection available for video (I have covered this in previous comments) i.e. HDMI for PS3, component video with the others.
The HD GuruÂÂ
When you said turn the contrast down to 50% I went to turn mine down and saw that it goes from -30 to +30. Did you mean to set it at 0 or at +15.
On your set the 50% setting is at “0″ .
The HD GuruÂÂ
My new JVC LT46FN97 LCD 1080p displays a white veritcal line along the left edge of the screen only on channel 5 (NBC 1080i)when in full native aspect mode. Other 1080i broadcast channels (CBS or WGN) don’t have this problem. Is this a broadcast problem or can the TV be adjusted?
Most Holy One,
If one were to consider purchasing an HDTV less than 20″, 13-17″ would be a nice fit, what model, in your opinion, is best? Thank you.
To date, all the under 20″ HDTV the HD Guru has seen to date look pretty awful. Set makers are forced to keep the price down, so they use earlier generation LCD panels with slower response time and poor viewing angles. The HD Guru can’t recommend any HDTVs in this size range.
The HD Guru
When we watch HD the picture appears as widescreen with borders at top and bottom, regular channels fill the whole screen. Are we missing something or is this how HD comes through?
I assume you are using a widescreen (16:9) HDTV. You must set the TV to Full aspect ratio and the source box (cable box or satellite) for widescreen output as well (it may be set for 4:3). This should eliminate the bars on broadcast network HD programs.
The HD GuruÂÂ