hdtv, anyone got one?

[Nevada Sixx]

hi, im trying to decide between a edtv and a hdtv,,

for someone who has a hdtv set,, when you play a dvd/vhs,,or just watching regular cable tv,, does your whole screen show images? or does it have large black lines at the top and bottom since its not broadcast in hd. I want a set that show the image over the whole screen just like my old one.
anyone got one?

 

[MXGirl230]

We have a 51" widescreen Magnavox HDTV. It's HD ready but we don't subscribe to HD. Only because there are so few channels broadcasted in HD. When we bought it the salesman said that in 5yrs or so every channel will be HD so that's why we went with it. Figured this will be the last TV we will buy for the living room. The format can be changed to view any channel in auto which will stretch the image to fit the screen. It can be changed to view any show/movie in 4:3 which leaves black lines on both sides of the show, movie whatever.
We went with the widescreen version, because movies are better in widescreen. In our opinion. If we are watching the Matrix and there is a fight going on we can see both characters at the same time. It doesn't switch back and forth between the characters.

 

[dirt bike dave]

As far as I know, all the modern HDTV or EDTV sets will allow you to chose how you want the picture displayed. Mine offers Full Screen, Zoom, Wide Zoom and Normal. You can use which ever you prfer whether you area watching TV, VHS or DVD.

On DVDs, the Full Screen basically duplicates the movie shape. Usually No black lines anywhere, but some movies may have a black line at top and bottom. But you will see all the way out to the right and left, just like at the movies.

Wide Zoom fills the full screen, but you lose the very edges of the image.

Zoom fills the full screen, but you lose the corners.

Normal cuts off the sides, but is the format most TV is broadcast in. If you choose to watch TV on the other modes, the people will look fat as the image is stretched right to left to fill the screen.

 

[Okiewan]

EDTV is a new one for me?

I've had HD for a while (53"). Regular programs (4:3) can be displayed a few ways depending on the TV you get. Some are really good at stretching the picture to fit the display and you get used to it. I typically watch regular stuff with black bars on the sides, I really don't "notice it" anymore.

It's so worth it! Most of the prime time network channels are HD, ESPN, DiscoveryHD, Inhd 1 & 2, HD Net, HBO, SHO, Max, TNT, etc.. and more stuff being added all the time.

The only bad thing about HD... watching low-res, old school stuff sucks :nod:

 

[Okiewan]

I want to clear up "everyoone will have to braodcast in High Def".

Thre requirement is to braodcast a digital signal, the standard does not mandate HD.

MXGirl referred to widescreen ... THAT is the very definition of... uh... High Definition ;) A 16:9 aspect ratio is required to be called HD.

 

[MXGirl230]

The only bad thing about HD... watching low-res, old school stuff sucks :nod:

Ditto!

Discovery HD looks sweet! I always get caught watching that at work when I pass through electronics! I can't help it, I feel like I'm in the water with the fish.

 

[Okiewan]

Discovery does rock! You'll notice some "HD" looks better than others. There are a few reasons for the that.

1) Content shot with HD cameras (most of Discovery's stuff and more and more sporting events) will always look the best. Once you've seen Monday Night Football in HD, you can't go back.

2) Existing movies are typically converted from film to HD, the quality depends on how well it's converted, some are btter than others. Example, HD Net shows up-converted Hogan's Heros.. you wouldn't believe how good it looks! The IMAX stuff on InHD is about the best quality conversion I've seen.

3) Delivery. Directv, Dish, Cable. They ALL compress the signal to one degree or another. Some channels get less compressed than others. Most still look VERY good however, but the purists rant BIG TIME about any compression.

The best HD signal is free. Uncompressed and over the air. If you are close enough to pick up your local network channels over an antenna, you can get HD.

This website will help you fiigure-out where your tv towers are, how far and what kind/size of antenna you need. I used a $15.00 "HD" (really just a UHF antenna) in Oklahoma and got a strong signal, based on the info I found at the site. Just enter your address and it'll tell ya what you need. Sweet, free service.

Go here: http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspx

 

[Nevada Sixx]

when a show is broadcast in HD,,does it fill the whole screen without any zooms or compression needed?
thanks.

 

[Okiewan]

Yes... if you get a HD TV, the screen is 16:9 . 16:9 = HD.
UNLESS you watch a movie that is greater than 16:9, then you can end-up with bars at the top and bottom.

GREAT info here: http://www.hypermaths.org/quadibloc/other/aspint.htm

 

[Kav]

I’ve got a 30’ wide screen. Like dirt bike dave said mine also has multiple zooms. Mine are none (Normal ratio of 4:3), 14:9, 16:9, subtitle zoom, super wide (zooms so that the middle of the picture is less distorted then the edges. Good for stuff not filmed in 16:9), wide screen (evenly stretches the picture to fill the screen), and auto zoom (does its best to removed any letter box bars. It’s not perfect, but it’s pretty good, and if the movie you are watching is not in 14:9 or 16:9 (like Boondock Saints) it does a great job.

Also the PS2 and X-Box can put out a HD signal depending on the game. X-Box games will of a icon on the box ID’ing games that do this. MX-Unleashed, MX vs. ATV Unleashed, and Grand Turismo 4 all can be played in HDTV on the PS2. In order to use HDTV on a PS2 you need to get your hands on a component cable. It has three output for video, and two for sound.

Keep in mind there are different types of HD resolution. This link will explain it better: http://www.hdtvinfoport.com/HDTV-Resolution.html

 

[Nevada Sixx]

that would be real cool to have ps2 using hdtv,,i mostly will just watch regular cable and dvd/vhs rentals, i dont think i'd ever subscribe to digital hdtv service if i can help it.

so, should i get edtv or hdtv,, i found a hdtv lcd projection i like alot, its 44 inches and has pip. its about the same price as a 42 inch edtv. i'm not to crazy about having black lines at top and bottom........what would you guys get?

 

[dirt bike dave]

I'm certainly no expert on the subject, but I've heard edtv is inferior to HD. Your eyes may disagree, though.

There are so many options and everyone has different priorities, so it's hard to give advice on the topic. Do some more research on-line and by going into stores in your area. Once you get informed, you will be able to recognize a good deal. Set a budget and try to stick to it.

Some people will gladly spend 200% more to get something that is 5% better. If you are not one of those people, don't even tempt yourself!

I will tell you that after you get an HDTV picture, you won't be renting vhs tapes anymore. Once you get used to DVD on HD, you will really notice how bad the video and sound quality are on VHS.