Hello everyone we will be online and fully functional soon, for the moment we are on test/development phase.
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Greg Tarr
Greg Tarr is HD Guru.com managing editor specializing in hard news and feature reporting from the consumer electronics industry. He is a 32-year veteran of the consumer electronics industry covering the development, marketing and sales of consumer TV and video products, cameras and home theater equipment. Prior to joining HD Guru.com, he was an editor at CE retail trade publication This Week In Consumer Electronics (TWICE) and before that, Home Furnishings Daily (HFD). He began his career in journalism in the 1980s as a sports writer and later political reporter for several Connecticut daily newspapers. In his career, Tarr was recognized twice as HDTV journalist of the year by the Academy of Digital Television Pioneers for his work covering the U.S. transition to digital television broadcasting.
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I’m curious if you’re going to update this information with better stuff. I’d like to debate with you on some of the information here.
when the blue-ray and hd dvd players home theaters systems are coming to the market? thanks!!!
Hi –
From information on your site, specifically pros/cons of Plasma/LCD’s tvs, I’m very interested in purchasing a Plasma TV but the only reservation is the elevation restrictions. I live in Denver, CO but have read that we are under the latest recommended limit of 6500 ft. I didn’t see anything on your site regarding plasma tv’s and elevation restrictions and wanted to verify that Plasma TV’s are fine for our elevation.
Your thoughts are appreciated.
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See my reply to Russ regarding high altitude plasma. You don’t mention what size plasma you want.ÂÂ
The HD Guru
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I recently purchased a 32″ Olevia LCD (Model#332H)
I have been pretty satisfied so far with pic quality and such, but
I encountered an issue with component in from the DVD players.
As soon as you hit play the TV goes to blue screen with a “no signal”
message. The odd thing is a small percentage of my DVDs will play but most will not – and it doesn’t matter if it’s “original” or if it’s a DVD backup. This is happening with two different DVD players (JVC and Pioneer) and I even changed out the component cables with the same results. What is confusing is – if I run component from the HD cable box, it recognizes it with no signal drop. Both DVD players are around 3 years old (not progressive) The first Olevia Tech guy I got (Jerry) was very helpful and shared practical suggestions but the second Tech was condescending, blaming everything from user error, cables, DVD players etc. They are willing to set up an RMA and swap it for another, but I thought I would check with the Guru first to see if this a common problem. Am I correct? I shouldn’t have to buy a new DVD player to make this work?
Note: I took my Pioneer player to work and hooked it to a 20″ Magnavox LCD via component with no issues.
Thanks
Why is it when I watch the football game in 720 off the air the players look great but the AstroTurf always looks funny like it is out of focus real blurry?
Thanks Guru!
Thanks guru, I will try the switching trick.
Is there any thing I can do to get a better picture during hd sporting events and also sd channels in general
I just purchased a Samsung 4695/1080 lcd. I am not too impressed. The picture looked much better in the store than home.Plasma and dlp was not an option due to room and viewing angles.Watching hd football on some channels produces a very bad blur during motion, also direct tv guy could not get picture when tv is connected to hdmi.Is there an adjustment we need to make.
Please help
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Contrary to what you have been told, Plasma offers far better viewing angles than LCD flat panels and rear projectors. It also has a much faster response time.
There might be a toogle for HDMI output on your directv receiver as well as the need for the samsung to recognize the connection. Most likely the problem is the second so that is where I will begin.
First connect the source (directv) to the HDMI input on the Samsung . Power off the samsung lcd for 15 seconds, (keeping the directv box on), then power back on Samsung LCD. next try switching the Samsung LCD  to the HDMI input , it should now be active. This is a quirk with the Samsungs that I wish they would address.ÂÂ
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Can you tell us sometime about antennas..Mabey reviews some brands, where and how to mount them, different quality between cable and antenna.
I didn’t understand your comment about low hi-def coming from Dish and Direct TV. What are they doing that degrades the picture quality?
Your definition of cable card in the glossary has a few sentences that repeat themselves. Thanks
HEY, IM TRYING TO DECIDE WEATHER TO BUY A VERY LARGE SIZE HDTV, OR A HD PROJECTOR, AND MY QUESTION IS, WHICH WILL I BE MOST SATISFIED WITH WHEN IT COMES TO SIZE AND PICTURE QUALITY??
Could you have a forum about Blue ray..What is it? Is it a DVD. Or is it a new form of a DVD player??Is it expensive to get?I don’t understand..If you or anyone knows about it let me know….John P.
I’m thinking about purchasing a Sony XBR-3 LDC in the 46″ range. What can you tell me about this unit. It looks like one of the best pictures in the store, but I don’t know much about it.
I purchased a Viore 42″ 1280×1280 plazma TV 18 months ago from Walmart. It has a great picture and have never had one minutes problem out of it. Just wondering if anyone knows more about who actually manufactured these units. As for myself no complaints at all one this TV.
I just read the article on HDMI cable. I just had Satellite HDTV installed and when using the HDMI cable, the picture was perfect, then the screen went blue for 5 seconds, then perfect again.
The technician used an S video connection (leaving the HDMI installed) and the intermittent picture stopped.
I have a Sceptre X42″ LCD monitor.
Will the use of the S video detract from the quality of the HDTV?
Any idea on what might be causing the problem?
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I work for a cable provider and have some suggestions for those who are considering purchasing a television with CableCard capabilities.
First of all determine whether your cable provider supports CableCards. It is useless to purchase a television with this feature if your cable provider doesn’t have them.
Second. Talk to your cable provider to determine the reliability of the set in question. Some sets have problems with CableCards and have been known to not work.
Third. Make sure the set you are purchasing has the most recent firmware update. This is provided by the manufaturer and can make a difference when installing a CableCard. Older versions tend to lose their channel mapping and cause the set not to display many channels.
Ask around. Find out which set seems to work well with the CableCard. Your cable provider can sometimes help you with that but nothing beats asking owners. That is your best source.
CableCard is new and all the bugs aren’t worked out yet. Manufacturers of the cards are constantly working on upgrading these cards so that they will work with every set but there still seems alot of work to go.
Gurr
I’ve got Time/W cable and the dvr/hd converter hooked up to a receiver. Just bought a dvd/burner/vhs to go along with the receiver – cd – dvdplayer. My goal is to burn dvd’s from my cable box and dvd player but I’m having trouble finding the video source. I can view dvd’s and vcrs from my new unit and I’m running my cable out through my dvdburner. Can you help me with the set up. (I saw your site on the T/W scroll and it mentioned set up – but – all the questions here seem to be about best buys)
how can get good pic with hdmi wich one of best of one 720p or1080i
do you have any comments on the poloroid HD flat screen systems. what are your ratings?
Will I do harm to my HD/LCD TV by playing Xbox 360 games on it?
I have a 52in Mitsubishi that i love to be in front of, but i just started to watch NBA basketball in HD and i wanted to know if it is normal for the picture to (not sure how to explain it) create shadows (or not sure if thats called noise) when there is a bright white moment in the game or a show. When the picture is in full color, its the best thing i very seen, but when the game or show has a quick white flash, any movement after that as like a shadow following whatever is moving for about 30sec/1min. not sure if you have seen it before. what do you think?
It sounds to me there is something wrong with you Mitsubishi. Have it checked out by a service technician.
The HD Guru
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I got the Toshiba 42’inch Plasma.. and im useing HDMI,, thrue a HDMI Cable For time warner cable.. The Time Warner Cable Box. Includes DVR/HD-HDMI hook up.. Can i use HDMI for this box, and would any thing go wrong.. Or is HDMI only for DVD-HD-HDMI, ONly… thank you
will you be rating sets?
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Yes and the reviews will be short and simple without technical mumbo jumbo. For indepth product reviews you can read the ones I write in hobbiest  magazines. I currently have reviews appearing in Home Theater magazine and Digital TV and articles in Best Magazine.
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When will Dish stsrt broadcasting in 1080P?
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Dish has not made any announcement about any intent to switch to 1080p broadcasts.
The HD Guru
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Gary………..
Re your report on HD resolution … Nov 2006 issue. How does the
sony xrb 60inch perform ……..Did it pass or fail. is this a lcos?
Thanks……richard.
As an old mainframer, I’m still trying to find out the difference between cable, Dish Network and Direct TV as far as HD signal is concerned.
Also, whether LCD, Plasma, DLP – which is the best way to go. I’m on a VA pension so my finances are very limited, but my son works for Dell so I can get a discount on one of their sets. Are they worth it? What about Samsung? LG?
Im an absolute tyro in this and could use any help you can give.
I NEED HELP WITH MY SCIENTIFIC ATLANTA HD CABLE BOX
info concering help in installing tv/reciever and surrondsound system
People just want to know which one to buy..develop a site that is independent of manufacturers that give it a simple rating according to its merits. All the mumbo jumbo bull of all the specs is to over-whelming for folks that can barely set the VCR clock to anything but a flashing 12:00.
Hello,
I have a question about the setup of this test. What kind of connections were used: hdmi/dvi or component in? Does it make any difference? I am asking because some hints in the article indicate that it might be component in. I have Philips 42pf9630a model which did not pass the tests. On the other hand, I read that Pixel Plus 2 is engaged only for the signal incoming via the HDMI input. Another question is: I just read at http://www.projectorcentral.com comparing Panasonic’s
newest LCD projector wich Sanyo plv-z5 and they have quite interesting very practical comment: Panny wins the resolution test but equally loses the sharpness test. I mean we all are interested in the final results only. Any comments (in a future article) about that would be highly appreciated.
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I tested the Philips using HDMI and component, no difference, it still fails the 2:3 and deinterlace test for 1080i test signals.
My reviews will all have a simple overall rating of 1-4 Hearts. It is explained on the home page, near the bottom.
The HD GuruÂÂ
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hd dvd player toshiba hd-1
whats the best connection for audio? opitical or 5.1 connection?
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Optical and digital coaxial connection provide the same information to your surround sound receiver. No preference other than optical is not subject to RF (radio frequency) interference
The HD Guru
my advice to davew is to toss the sony… i mean, drc and all… comon…
(what does any of that mean and who torched the car in m ike’s alley?)
Hi:
I’m in process of buying a SONY KDL46XBR2 but now I’m confused. Have the SONY made any changes to this model yet and if so, how can I tell? Can I tell from serial number? Please e-mail me ASAP.
Thanks
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I am not aware of any changes by SOny . I suggest you call their customer service department for the latest information.
The HD Guru
only turn on DRC (Digital Reality Creation) when you are viewing from a non-HD source such as a DVD or basic cable. DRC allows the visual illimination of spacers between lines. It really helps when you are stretching the aspect ratio of an image from 4:3 to 16:9. while at work, we tried feeding an HD signal into the Sony KDL46XBR2 and run the DRC. It looked funny.
Gary,
I read your article in November’s Home Theater and have a question about the sony VPL VW100: what are the settings to get the most out of this projector?
Thanks for a great article,
Rob.
Hi Gary,
When I read your first expose on resolution shortchanged through bobbing, I quickly wrote a letter in praise of it to TPV, to which Scott Wilkerson replied–edifyingly, I might add–in the next issue. The second round of scorekeeping is even more fascinating as 1080p becomes more established in the marketplace. Thank heaven that someone has an eye on the detail (is the devil in there?), keeping the players in this game honest.
Best,
Ed
Hello,
I read Gary’s Merson’s HD TV article in November’s issue and I have a question or two about the Sony KDL-46XBR2. I own this set and I was thinking that based on this article that I should turn off DRC or perhaps set it to DRC1. Are there any side effects in doing this? What was the intended purpose of DRC? Also, will this set pass the 3:2 film cadence test by changing this setting? Do I have any leverage or perhaps I should exchange it with a later serial model? Do you know of any updates or the serial model range of the sets that fail these tests?
My set is still on warranty I want to act before it’s too late.