New Connections Guide. An easy to use, interactive tutorial to teach you how to make the best connection between your HDTV and source devices. The Connections Guide button is located on the top button bar.
The HD Guru
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New Connections Guide. An easy to use, interactive tutorial to teach you how to make the best connection between your HDTV and source devices. The Connections Guide button is located on the top button bar.
The HD Guru
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We just purchased a Mitsubishi DLP 57″ 1080I 733 Series TV. Is it safe to use an X-Box 360 on this tevevision. I have done a little research which says it it safe, but since it is rear projection I am a little leary. Putting a 360 on our last TV is what broke it.
Thanks.
I Have A SONY 50″XBR2. PICTURE IS GREAT IF THE HD INPUT(CABLE)IS GOOD. HAVE BEEN WATCHING THE PLAYOFFS ON CBS & FOX, CBS HAS A LOT OF ARCHIVING (SP?)ON FAST MOVEMENT. FOX DOES NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM. FOX TALKES ABOUT “DLP” CAMERAS, IS THIS THE DIFFERENCE?
GREAT SITE!!!
Without me seeing your picture I can not tell you what the problem is. DLP is a display technology not for cameras.
The HD GuruÂÂ
Set up Samsung 1080i HD CRT with a HDMI to a cable box with VDI. Used a cable with HDMI to DVI cable and RCA audio connections. The TV has 4:3 aspect ratio. Why does the picture have the black sides? I thought this only happened when viewing a 480p on a wide screen TV.
Check your TV aspect settings on your cable box using the owner’s manual or call your cable provider. It must be set to 16:9 (widescreen) Also make sure your TV’s aspect is set to “Full”.
HD GuruÂÂ
HELP-I just got digital cable,had analog cable before.Cable installer had to put an amplifier booster on line to receive needed signal. I’m ready for a HD tv, Sony 40″ Bravia LCD BR2. I now need a HD box from Cablevision Cable,Will I get good digital quality picture,and should I request a HD box with HDMI connector? PS: I love your site,very helpful for EVERYONE!
2 questions, one specific, one general:
Specific: any thoughts on the new 9631 line from Philips? I have the 42PF9631 and I really like the picture and features. I won’t say it’s quite in the class of the Panasonic or Pioneers, but for a bit less money and with features I like (including Ambilight), I’m very happy with the HD and SD picture quality via cable.
General: any thoughts on getting an ISF technician to do a Service Menu calibration? Is it something that can make a difference to the average HD viewer, or just the video nuts? Is this kind of calibration as important on a 42″ TV as it is on a larger 60″ or larger TV? I’m smart enought not do fool around in the SM myself, but have heard from others that even small tweaks and calibrations there can really improve your picture quality as well as make your regular controls (contrast, brightness, color, etc) easier to use.
Hello, Great website!!!! I just bought the Sonyxbr2 40 inch and tv is great, but I do notice when there is dark/black in the picture I am getting destortion. What can I do to fix?
Kevin
I do not understand what you are describing as “distortion”. Could you please be more specific and provided a more detailed description as to what you are seeing and the HD Guru will try to assist you.
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My wife and I purchased a Hitachi Plasma, 55HDS69 two months ago. When watching non-HDTV channels, we sometimes get a vertical line of smeared pixels from the top to the bottom of the picture (not always in the same place). This does not happen when watching HDTV or when we hook the TV up directly to the cable (bypassing the DVR/Cable Box. It only happens when the TV is hooked up to the DVR/Cable Box. We had the TV looked at by an authorized Hitachi repair facility and they could not duplicate the problem. We also replaced the DVR/Cable Box, but it still happes. Is this common for Plasmas or do you think there is something wrong with the TV? Also, our DVR/Cable Box is a Motorola and it is not an HD receiver. Could it simply be a bad signal from this DVR/Cable Box?
Thanks and Merry Christmas,
Mike
It appears the problem is occuring within the cable box, otherwise it would appear using other source boxes with the same input. Contact your cable provider for help.
The HD GuruÂÂ
Awsome
Thanks for untangling the facts.
Sam
Thank you for the answer to my last question. If what you said is true though, then how come the games and DVD’s I play on my Playstation 2 look superior to the regular TV signal? Is it because I am using a Component Video (Red, Green, Blue) Cable on the PS2? When I switch to the PS2, in the upper right hand corner of the TV it says “Video: 480i” I didn’t think 480i was HD. If the DirecTV box accepted component cables, would the image look superior as well?
how can I hook up my Gateway laptop with DVI output to my Sony Grand Wega T.V. HDMI input. I have went into the programming of the T.V. and added my PC to number 6 and 7 video in so that it would acknowledge it, but there is nothing on the screen, do I need a device between the two of them to be able to be compatible?
Output of PC must match compatible format of your Sony. Consult your Sony owner’s manual for compatible formats and reset your PC monitor output to match.
The HD GuruÂÂ
Thank you for the website. I have learned more in 30 minutes of reading your comments than all the literature available on HDTV. Costco sells many different brands of HD and they have a customer satisfaction policy. If a plasma or LCD TV goes bad after the normal policy expires, Costco will accept the defective TV and either return your money or exchangefor a like model. When a Costco sales rep is asked what their return policy is for HDTV’s, his response is “100% customer satisfaction”. I even asked about the time limit for returns and the sales rep just repeats,”100% customer satisfaction”. If this is the case, why would anyone buy their HDTV any place but Costco?
You have to be member, Costco does not deliver, they have a limited selection of makes and modes, sometimes they are speical club modelproducts with less features not found in normal B&M retailers. They sell a number of discontinued last year’s models. You need to know what you are buying to avoid headaches and returns.ÂÂ
The HD GuruÂÂ
First off, thanks for answering my previous question and your excellent insight.
Regarding the connections guide, I have a new DVD recorder. How will it fit into the scheme? Don’t see an icon for one. I can get it to record on one channel only (CBS), but can’t figure out how to get in it in line with my HDTV and cable/dvr box so that I can record all the cable content. the included manuels are of no help.
Thanks.
Hello, love your site! A quick question, we have a Sharp LC-40C45U LCD TV connected to a DirectTV (Standard def) Box with an S-Video Cable and the picture quality is really bad. Is this HDTV not be able to show SDTV images in high quality?
Good upconversion of SD to HD is difficult to perform well, requiring a very good scaler chip, however if the actual signal is fair to poor, it will look bad on an HDTV no matter how good the upconversion chip is. What can you do? Trying the HD Directv box, set to upconvert may (or may not) make an improvement, its all trial and error. Why have a standard def box connected to an HDTV? Another alternative is cable or over the air reception. Sorry there is no simple answer.
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I’m looking at a samsung 40″ lcd (lns4095). what do you think? thanks
The HD Guru recommends the Samsung/Sony “SPVA” equipped LCD HDTV (this series has one). Check out the other comments and the HD Guru archive for my more information.ÂÂ
The HD GuruÂÂ
I just added a Sony DAV-X1 to my Panasonic plasm TV with an HD cable source. My current set up is DVI to HDVI (video) RCA-RCA (Audio) Set Top To TV.
Introducing the Sony into the mix, I used HDMI-HDMI for DVD to TV & switched the audio cables to be from the set top box to the Sony.
I got no sound, so switched back for the night! My problem may have been that I did not “tell the TV” that I was using an alternate speaker system.
Am I on the right track, or have I missed something?
I am not 100% clear about what your describing. However you are correct if you are on the right track if you are using the same input. The Panasonic needs to know the audio is being sent over HDMI with the video, not externally as it is with DVI (DVI is video only)
Consult your Panasonic owner’s manual for instructions on making the switch to HDMI without external audio active
The HD Guru
on 12/17 I inquired about my 42″ panny regarding deinterlacing and pixel on/off pattern. On12/19 you posted your answer, however I was confused with the mention of 133×768. can you explain what that relates to or is it just a typo. Thanks Benny
Just wanted to repost this…Really curious about whether or not it is worth a HD player on a TV w/out HDMI inputs.
I want to get either a HD DVD player or Blu-Ray Player. Which format is gonna be around? Also, I have a Toshiba 57HD Projection TV(480i/p, 720p, 1080i). It only has componet inputs, no HDMI. My question is is it worth purchasing a HD/Blu Ray player if your TV doesen’t have HDMI inputs?
Thank You
Right now it is not an issue. The studios are not using image constrant token (ICT, it means downrezzing over analog) and wouldn’t for at least a couple more years (maybe never) . By then HDTVs will be so inexpensive you may find them in your local supermarket.
The HD GuruÂÂ
THANKS FOR THE INFO.I AM A LITTLE CONFUSED WITH THE 133X768. I HAVE NEVER HERD OF THAT BEFORE,CAN YOU PLEASE EXPLAIN WHAT THAT IS. THANKS BENNY
THOUGHT I WOULD CHECK TO SEE IF I AM IN THE WRONG SECTION. ON 12/12 I INQUIRED WHETHER MY TH42PX60U WAS COMPERABLE TO THE 50″600U BOBBY’S PANNY HAS IN RELATION TO DEINTERLACING,THE ONE PIXEL ON/OFF PATERN
AND DEEP BLACK.
THANKS FOR THE BEST HD SITE.BENNY
All the panasonics properly deinterlace. The the 50″ has enough bandwidth to display full 720p signals. The HD Guru only tests 1080 bandwidth with 1080p displays. The 50″ panasonics are 133×768.
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i need help, i just purchaced a lcd-32d40u and monster hdtv cables i need to know how to connect from a dish sat box to my t v
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HDMI would be the best connnection. Read my post (found under uncategorized) What Retailers Don’t Want You to Know About HDMI Cables” for more information.
THe HD Guru
I have a Sony KDF-E50A10 and just got a BlueRay player that has a HDMI option to choose either RGB output or Y Pb/Cb Pr/Cr output. Which is best for my TV?
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Y Pb/Cb Pr/Cr mode
The HD GuruÂÂ
i just got a panasonic th58px600u. can u tell me, how can i best set the TV to produce the best lifelike and HD picture.. and also, is it safe to connect an xbox 360 and play it on this plasma tv?
and lastly, will the pc connected to the tv produce a burn?
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Read my article LCD vs. Plasma, in it you will find how to set it to prevent burn in. Do this now, sets are most sensitve to uneven wear in the first 200 hours of use.
To view a video game simply turn the picture control down a low as you can and still be be able to see the light detial on the screen. The lower the picture (also called contrast) the less chance of uneven phosphor wear. This setting should be below 50% preferably in the 20-30% range in standard mode when playing games. These simple actions and not leaving a static gamesceen on the TV for hours  when not playing greatly increases the period needed to possibly create uneven wear.
One final note all plasmas have a memory caused by holding the charge within the cells for a period. Tis is temporary and fades in less than an hour, creating no permenent harm.
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Great site!
i’m reading a lot on panasonic. I have aTH42px60u,i would like to know if my model is up to speed with the TH50PX600U in the specs.Your review was great on Bobby’s 50″ I hope my review is as good.
I recently purchased a Sony Bravia KDL40S2000. When watching HD channels I get the 1080i signal. When I go to non HD channels I receive them at 480i signal. The picture is more grainy, of course I realize partly because of distortion of widescreen. But is this normal to be 480i on non HD channel or is it the TV? Can’t seem to get anyone else to answer this queston. Thanks for your help.
Steve
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Are you using the set’s built-in tuner or a cable box? If it is built-in the set wil show you the type of broadcast it is being fed (480i,480p,720p or 1080i) If it is a cablebox there are menus that let you chose the output resolution of the box.
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The HD Guru
I purchased a Panasonic th50px600 in september. I love it, it has a great picture and hd is terrific. Can you tell meif it passed the bandwith test.Reading all the recent coments,makes me wonder if I got my moneys worth.
Bobby
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The Bbndwidth tests were only conducted using 1080i signals on 1080p displays, the 50″ Panasonic you have is 1365x768p. I did test it with 720p signals and it does fully resolve the one pixel on/off pattern. Enjoy the plasma.
The HD Guru
I want to add a hd flat screen to the solarium of my home. It would be difficult to not have direct sunlight on the screen for some times of the day. I have a 37 inch sylvania lcd that I am hoping to use there. What do you recomend?
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No display can handle direct sunlight. Brightly lit rooms benifit from LCD’s inherent high brightness. See my top picks article. For lower priced LCDs I like the Samsung SPVA panels, they are contained  in some of its 30+ screen size HDTVs. Check the Samsung website for models with SPVA.
The HD GuruÂÂ
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DOES THE PANNY TH50PX600 PASS BOTH DEINTERLACE AND3.2 TESTS. IF NOT WOULD, YOU STILL PUT IT WITH THE UPPER TV’S TO PURCHASE IN THAT SIZE.
THANKS JOHNNY R.
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It has the best black level of any of the 50 sets I have tested. My other choice is Pioneer, not quite as good black level but does pass both tests. These are the two top 768p 50″ plasmas
The HD Guru
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What is the difference between 1080p and 1080i? I have a 65″ Mitsubishi HDTV but I think it only has 1080p resolution.
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My resolution article covers this subject. As far as how your set handles 1080i, if it is current model it properly deinterlaces 1080i into 1080p. If it’s last years it only handles a single 540 line field every frame cutting effective resolution in half.
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Hello What Do You Think About The Hitachi 42hp69
The HD Guru has top rated a Hitachi plasma.All current models use the same 1024 x1080i panel but the HD Guru has not test this specific model .Check the Hitachii website for all the similarities to the top rated Director series 42″ plasma
The HD Guru
do the pass fail results on theTH-PX600U Panasonic plasma tv’s apply to all sizes on the resolution tests.
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All but the th65PX600 it passes both tests while all the smaller pannys pass the deinterlace test but fail in the 3:2 test.ÂÂ
The HD Guru
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What TV you would pick, Sony Grand WEGA 50″ 1080p Rear-Projection SXRD HDTV or Samsung 50″dlp 1080p.
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The HD Guru plans to post his rear projection picks this weekend, stay tuned.
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Does it hurt to play xbox 360 on an LCD TV.
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You can get image retention on an LCD panel, (as is the case on my Dell computer monitor) I would limit the time you use the xbox on it. How much??? 15%,25% ???, don’t know haven’t done tests. I don’t have the answer.
The HD Guru