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Joining the HD Revolution
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jurgenk 2009-01-01, 16:20 #1
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Subject: Joining the HD Revolution
Hey, recently purchased a couple of LCD HD TV's; this 40" Samsung and this 19" Samsung (got the 40" for $890 delivered and the 19" through my credit card rewards program).  I recently purchased this LG DVD player as I did not want to play movies through my PS2 system anymore.  Eventually, I may buy a PS3 system to serve as a BluRay player as well as a games systems for my boys (10 and 12).

Couple of different questions I have: I get basic cable service from my local provider, do I need a converter box to see programs available in HD, or are these televisions capable of this?  Also, should I splash out some more money for a DVD player that is capable of up-converting to better take advantage of this technology?  I only have about 20 DVD titles and I am looking for the most economical solution to my future needs.

In other words, should I just keep the DVD player that I have and buy a PS3 system to watch movies, or should I just stick with the DVD technology but buy a better player.  I am in no way overly concerned with having the best of everything, I just want to get my money's worth of the technology.  Thanks for any thoughts....

Brad
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MarkR 2009-01-01, 22:02 #2
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Quote by jurgenk:
I get basic cable service from my local provider, do I need a converter box to see programs available in HD, or are these televisions capable of this? 
To see cable channels in HD, you will need a converter box from your cable company.  Your TV is probably able to show your local broadcast channels in HD without a converter, however.

Quote by jurgenk:
Also, should I splash out some more money for a DVD player that is capable of up-converting to better take advantage of this technology?  I only have about 20 DVD titles and I am looking for the most economical solution to my future needs.
It depends on how many movies you watch.  You only own 20 titles, but do you rent often?  If you don't watch a lot of DVDs, I'd keep the current DVD player and wait until I could afford a PS3.  If you do watch a lot of DVDs, upconverting players are so cheap anymore, it would definitely be worth the investment.
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jurgenk 2009-01-02, 02:30 #3
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Thanks Mark... I decided to order a Samsung DVD1080p8 as it was only $90.  Once I get it, the TV's, and some HDMI cables I ordered, I will be in stoner bliss...

Quote by MarkR:
To see cable channels in HD, you will need a converter box from your cable company.  Your TV is probably able to show your local broadcast channels in HD without a converter, however.

Did not understand this though... these two statements conflict do they not?

Brad
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mrk (Moderator) 2009-01-02, 04:55 #4
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Did not understand this though... these two statements conflict do they not?

He meant that for channels you could get with just an antenna, your television could probably receive them in HD without anything special. For channels only available through cable, you'd need to get a converter box from your cable company.
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jurgenk 2009-01-02, 05:06 #5
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Thanks K... that makes sense now.

Brad
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KarmaMaster1507 2009-01-02, 13:51 #6
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You should be able to get your over-the-air stations in HD just fine (you might need an antenna, idk for sure).  Otherwise you'll need to subcribe to some sort of digital/HD cable service and they will lease you the box.  On some TVs though, you have to choose for the tuner to be either cable or antenna.  If your in cable mode and are watching local channels from the cable feed, you will not get HD unless you upgrade to the digital/HD service.
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jurgenk 2009-01-02, 17:39 #7
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Just found out that my local cable provider does not yet offer HD service to my little hamlet, but all good things come to those who wait I suppose.

Brad
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AmrcanPoet 2009-01-03, 21:00 #8
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I can't suggest Dish Network's HD service highly enough.  They have the highest quality and quantity when it comes to HD.  Only service broadcasting in full 1080p, with roughly 150-200 HD channels, plus a free HD DVR.
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MarkR 2009-01-04, 00:33 #9
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Quote by AmrcanPoet:
I can't suggest Dish Network's HD service highly enough.  They have the highest quality and quantity when it comes to HD.  Only service broadcasting in full 1080p, with roughly 150-200 HD channels, plus a free HD DVR.

Yeah, but you need to live in an area where it doesn't rain.  If there's even a strong wind, my parents' Dish Network goes on the fritz.
You know who’s bitter in America?  I am.  Because shit-kickers voted twice for a retarded guy they wanted to have a beer with and everybody else had to suffer the consequences.
- Bill Maher
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AmrcanPoet 2009-01-04, 11:53 #10
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Hmm...I've had some drop-off over the years, but we've has some pretty nasty winds and rain here, and our service has worked just fine.  Perhaps your parents are using an older setup?
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Peregrine 2009-01-05, 09:45 #11
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I just dumped Dish Network for Cable. Mine did not go out that often with regard to rain/snow, and when it did it was normally less then one minute. And only once in 3-4 years at like the very climax of a movie we were watching.
I just really didn't want to spend the extra cash on Hi-Def (and I have had a Hi-Def CRT TV for 5 years now /me is an early adopter).

My cable company offers 30+ FREE HD channels. That's enough for me, for now. No contract with Cable so I can switch back and Dish put me on temporary suspension so I can switch back without having to sign a new contract.
I hear both Satellie companies have issues with Windows Media Center and Cable works flawlessly with it. So now I have a "free", can be as big as I want it to be by adding more hard disk space, DVR. Also you can't beat the fact that I can just splice my cable line and add a new TV at any time without a cable/sat box.
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flattop100 2009-01-05, 11:18 #12
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I am confused - I thought upsampling DVD boxes were hooey, since the TV basically does that anyway. Is there pixel interpolating or something?
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Einkoro (Administrator) 2009-01-05, 12:01 #13
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Quote by flattop100:
I am confused - I thought upsampling DVD boxes were hooey, since the TV basically does that anyway. Is there pixel interpolating or something?

Depends on the hardware/software doing the scaling. Some do a better job than others.
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peter 2009-01-05, 13:12 #14
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In reply to post #12
Quote by flattop100:
I am confused - I thought upsampling DVD boxes were hooey, since the TV basically does that anyway. Is there pixel interpolating or something?
As a wildly unsubstantiated guess, I wonder whether you can do better upscaling if you combine it with the video decode step. Or, even more plausibly, if you have some knowledge of the contents of upcoming frames.

Peter
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jurgenk 2009-01-05, 15:47 #15
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Member since Jul 2006 · 69 posts · Location: British Columbia
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In reply to post #12
Quote by flattop100:
I am confused - I thought upsampling DVD boxes were hooey, since the TV basically does that anyway. Is there pixel interpolating or something?

I ask a simple question on High Definition and then the eggheads get involved and get me confused.  Hooey or not I am going to see a difference and you will not convince me any different flatty....

Brad
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