General A/V Advice

Hamurabi

So I just stepped into HD with a Sony WEGA 50" LCD projection TV.

A) Was this a bad move? And if so, why? The thing does 1080p IIRC, so I think I'm relatively futureproof'd. Is there something inherently wrong with "LCD projection" [which I didn't even know existed until I saw this one in Brandsmart, even being relatively well abreast of techie stuffs] sets?

I'd really like a DVD player that'll upconvert to at least 720p. Are there any quality sub-$100 ones that I should be looking at? I'd format versatility -- being able to play DivX, MP3- and VideoCD's would only sweeten the deal. HDMI would also be nice, since it seems to be the only way to get 1080p on the thing.

C) What kind of bulb life am I looking at? And are there any good rules to follow to minimize wear and/or tear on the thing?




Sorry if this is some sort of G&T faux pas nowadays. I'd more than understand if this needs a locking.

Flesh Into Gear

No, rear LCD is fine. I didn't know they that they, like DLP, could actually do true 1080p though.

If you have a 360 you can get a VGA cable and it will upscale your DVDs.

Did you get a special deal with bulb replacement? It should be fine and will last you a few years at the least. Um, don't leave it on when you sleep I guess.

Hamurabi

Flesh Into Gear wrote:

No, rear LCD is fine. I didn't know they that they, like DLP, could actually do true 1080p though.

If you have a 360 you can get a VGA cable and it will upscale your DVDs.

Did you get a special deal with bulb replacement? It should be fine and will last you a few years at the least. Um, don't leave it on when you sleep I guess.

The 360 won't upscale with component cables?

Flesh Into Gear

Hamurabi wrote:

Flesh Into Gear wrote:

No, rear LCD is fine. I didn't know they that they, like DLP, could actually do true 1080p though.

If you have a 360 you can get a VGA cable and it will upscale your DVDs.

Did you get a special deal with bulb replacement? It should be fine and will last you a few years at the least. Um, don't leave it on when you sleep I guess.

The 360 won't upscale with component cables?

nope

VGA cable is $40 and washes out the picture pretty bad unless you adjust the settings. Once I upped the saturation on my set a bit, I do prefer it over component. And I'm not sure about yours, but most TVs can't do 1080p over component but can over VGA

djklay

Hamurabi wrote:

A) Was this a bad move? And if so, why

The only thing I didn't like about rear projection LCD is the screen door effect. The display wasn't usually as bring as other technologies because of this. Though the last time I've checked out one of them was a few years back and I've been told they have improved the technology since. So if you're happy with the picture from your games and movies, no reason it could be a bad move.

Hamurabi

Hamurabi wrote:

I'd really like a DVD player that'll upconvert to at least 720p. Are there any quality sub-$100 ones that I should be looking at? I'd love format versatility -- being able to play DivX, MP3- and VideoCD's would only sweeten the deal. HDMI would also be nice, since it seems to be the only way to get 1080p on the thing.

In addendum, VHS support. :P

Flesh Into Gear

Hamurabi wrote:

Hamurabi wrote:

I'd really like a DVD player that'll upconvert to at least 720p. Are there any quality sub-$100 ones that I should be looking at? I'd love format versatility -- being able to play DivX, MP3- and VideoCD's would only sweeten the deal. HDMI would also be nice, since it seems to be the only way to get 1080p on the thing.

In addendum, VHS support. :P

uh

Hamurabi

Flesh Into Gear wrote:

Hamurabi wrote:

Hamurabi wrote:

I'd really like a DVD player that'll upconvert to at least 720p. Are there any quality sub-$100 ones that I should be looking at? I'd love format versatility -- being able to play DivX, MP3- and VideoCD's would only sweeten the deal. HDMI would also be nice, since it seems to be the only way to get 1080p on the thing.

In addendum, VHS support. :P

uh

If it's because I'm asking too much, I basically only need the first 3 qualities. I know there're a few out there for <$100, but I just need to make sure there're no super-secret G&T-only ones out there that I just don't know about, or something.

Flesh Into Gear

can't help you with that, but I'll try to look i guess

Warder45

Why not just get a separate VCR and hook it up through S-video or composite when you need it? That way you won't have to sacrifice your DVD quality and features so that you can get a combo drive.

Six

When looking at cheap upscaling players you need to ask why you're doing it. Is the scaler in the DVD player better than the scaler in your TV?

Unless you're getting a very good scaler, like the Faroudja scaler in the Oppo 971 or the excellent scaler in the Toshiba HD-DVD players, it might not really make that much of a difference. Your TV has a good scaler in it already.

SilkyNumNuts

Flesh Into Gear wrote:

Hamurabi wrote:

Flesh Into Gear wrote:

No, rear LCD is fine. I didn't know they that they, like DLP, could actually do true 1080p though.

If you have a 360 you can get a VGA cable and it will upscale your DVDs.

Did you get a special deal with bulb replacement? It should be fine and will last you a few years at the least. Um, don't leave it on when you sleep I guess.

The 360 won't upscale with component cables?

nope

VGA cable is $40 and washes out the picture pretty bad unless you adjust the settings. Once I upped the saturation on my set a bit, I do prefer it over component. And I'm not sure about yours, but most TVs can't do 1080p over component but can over VGA

I have a Samsung TV, and have the saturation problem with the game mode on, but not with it off. It's kinda stupid. What does game mode actually do that's supposed to improve it? Anyone know?

Six

SilkyNumNuts wrote:

Flesh Into Gear wrote:

Hamurabi wrote:

Flesh Into Gear wrote:

No, rear LCD is fine. I didn't know they that they, like DLP, could actually do true 1080p though.

If you have a 360 you can get a VGA cable and it will upscale your DVDs.

Did you get a special deal with bulb replacement? It should be fine and will last you a few years at the least. Um, don't leave it on when you sleep I guess.

The 360 won't upscale with component cables?

nope

VGA cable is $40 and washes out the picture pretty bad unless you adjust the settings. Once I upped the saturation on my set a bit, I do prefer it over component. And I'm not sure about yours, but most TVs can't do 1080p over component but can over VGA

I have a Samsung TV, and have the saturation problem with the game mode on, but not with it off. It's kinda stupid. What does game mode actually do that's supposed to improve it? Anyone know?

It turns off some visual post processing that can slow down the display. With most things that doesn't matter, but in video games where timing is obviously important it gives you the option.

SilkyNumNuts

SixkillerNYC wrote:

SilkyNumNuts wrote:

Flesh Into Gear wrote:

Hamurabi wrote:

Flesh Into Gear wrote:

No, rear LCD is fine. I didn't know they that they, like DLP, could actually do true 1080p though.

If you have a 360 you can get a VGA cable and it will upscale your DVDs.

Did you get a special deal with bulb replacement? It should be fine and will last you a few years at the least. Um, don't leave it on when you sleep I guess.

The 360 won't upscale with component cables?

nope

VGA cable is $40 and washes out the picture pretty bad unless you adjust the settings. Once I upped the saturation on my set a bit, I do prefer it over component. And I'm not sure about yours, but most TVs can't do 1080p over component but can over VGA

I have a Samsung TV, and have the saturation problem with the game mode on, but not with it off. It's kinda stupid. What does game mode actually do that's supposed to improve it? Anyone know?

It turns off some visual post processing that can slow down the display. With most things that doesn't matter, but in video games where timing is obviously important it gives you the option.

Hmm. I haven't noticed a problem at all with this, but I might try turning it on and turning the saturation up and seeing if it goes better.

Six

SilkyNumNuts wrote:

SixkillerNYC wrote:

SilkyNumNuts wrote:

Flesh Into Gear wrote:

Hamurabi wrote:

Flesh Into Gear wrote:

No, rear LCD is fine. I didn't know they that they, like DLP, could actually do true 1080p though.

If you have a 360 you can get a VGA cable and it will upscale your DVDs.

Did you get a special deal with bulb replacement? It should be fine and will last you a few years at the least. Um, don't leave it on when you sleep I guess.

The 360 won't upscale with component cables?

nope

VGA cable is $40 and washes out the picture pretty bad unless you adjust the settings. Once I upped the saturation on my set a bit, I do prefer it over component. And I'm not sure about yours, but most TVs can't do 1080p over component but can over VGA

I have a Samsung TV, and have the saturation problem with the game mode on, but not with it off. It's kinda stupid. What does game mode actually do that's supposed to improve it? Anyone know?

It turns off some visual post processing that can slow down the display. With most things that doesn't matter, but in video games where timing is obviously important it gives you the option.

Hmm. I haven't noticed a problem at all with this, but I might try turning it on and turning the saturation up and seeing if it goes better.

If you dont have any issues with game mode off then there's no reason to use it.

Hamurabi

SixkillerNYC wrote:

When looking at cheap upscaling players you need to ask why you're doing it. Is the scaler in the DVD player better than the scaler in your TV?

Unless you're getting a very good scaler, like the Faroudja scaler in the Oppo 971 or the excellent scaler in the Toshiba HD-DVD players, it might not really make that much of a difference. Your TV has a good scaler in it already.

Well, I don't have any kind of standalone DVD player right now anyway, and I don't feel like cheaping out and getting something that'll just 'do the job,' sans frills and/or thrills. And I'm also looking to play some of my burned stuff that I didn't feel like spending hours encoding to DVD on the player, too, and a lot of these sub-$100 players will let me do just that.

Six

Hamurabi wrote:

SixkillerNYC wrote:

When looking at cheap upscaling players you need to ask why you're doing it. Is the scaler in the DVD player better than the scaler in your TV?

Unless you're getting a very good scaler, like the Faroudja scaler in the Oppo 971 or the excellent scaler in the Toshiba HD-DVD players, it might not really make that much of a difference. Your TV has a good scaler in it already.

Well, I don't have any kind of standalone DVD player right now anyway, and I don't feel like cheaping out and getting something that'll just 'do the job,' sans frills and/or thrills. And I'm also looking to play some of my burned stuff that I didn't feel like spending hours encoding to DVD on the player, too, and a lot of these sub-$100 players will let me do just that.

I'm a big fan of the Oppo 971, but it's $200 so a little out of your range.

Newegg sells a player called the Bravo Dv1 which some really love, but a lot of people perform some simple mods because it's such a cheaply made player.

I'd recommend looking at the SD DVD forum at AVS and seeing what people have to say about the more affordable players.

But really, the scaler in your TV is good, so getting a good prog scan DVD player and letting the TV scale from 480p will work great too.

Hamurabi

SixkillerNYC wrote:

Hamurabi wrote:

SixkillerNYC wrote:

When looking at cheap upscaling players you need to ask why you're doing it. Is the scaler in the DVD player better than the scaler in your TV?

Unless you're getting a very good scaler, like the Faroudja scaler in the Oppo 971 or the excellent scaler in the Toshiba HD-DVD players, it might not really make that much of a difference. Your TV has a good scaler in it already.

Well, I don't have any kind of standalone DVD player right now anyway, and I don't feel like cheaping out and getting something that'll just 'do the job,' sans frills and/or thrills. And I'm also looking to play some of my burned stuff that I didn't feel like spending hours encoding to DVD on the player, too, and a lot of these sub-$100 players will let me do just that.

I'm a big fan of the Oppo 971, but it's $200 so a little out of your range.

Newegg sells a player called the Bravo Dv1 which some really love, but a lot of people perform some simple mods because it's such a cheaply made player.

I'd recommend looking at the SD DVD forum at AVS and seeing what people have to say about the more affordable players.

But really, the scaler in your TV is good, so getting a good prog scan DVD player and letting the TV scale from 480p will work great too.

Why do HDMI cables have to be so fucking expensive. :evil:

Six

Hamurabi wrote:

SixkillerNYC wrote:

Hamurabi wrote:

SixkillerNYC wrote:

When looking at cheap upscaling players you need to ask why you're doing it. Is the scaler in the DVD player better than the scaler in your TV?

Unless you're getting a very good scaler, like the Faroudja scaler in the Oppo 971 or the excellent scaler in the Toshiba HD-DVD players, it might not really make that much of a difference. Your TV has a good scaler in it already.

Well, I don't have any kind of standalone DVD player right now anyway, and I don't feel like cheaping out and getting something that'll just 'do the job,' sans frills and/or thrills. And I'm also looking to play some of my burned stuff that I didn't feel like spending hours encoding to DVD on the player, too, and a lot of these sub-$100 players will let me do just that.

I'm a big fan of the Oppo 971, but it's $200 so a little out of your range.

Newegg sells a player called the Bravo Dv1 which some really love, but a lot of people perform some simple mods because it's such a cheaply made player.

I'd recommend looking at the SD DVD forum at AVS and seeing what people have to say about the more affordable players.

But really, the scaler in your TV is good, so getting a good prog scan DVD player and letting the TV scale from 480p will work great too.

Why do HDMI cables have to be so fucking expensive. :evil:

Because you're looking in the wrong place:

http://www.monoprice.com

Hamurabi

SixkillerNYC wrote:

Hamurabi wrote:

SixkillerNYC wrote:

Hamurabi wrote:

SixkillerNYC wrote:

When looking at cheap upscaling players you need to ask why you're doing it. Is the scaler in the DVD player better than the scaler in your TV?

Unless you're getting a very good scaler, like the Faroudja scaler in the Oppo 971 or the excellent scaler in the Toshiba HD-DVD players, it might not really make that much of a difference. Your TV has a good scaler in it already.

Well, I don't have any kind of standalone DVD player right now anyway, and I don't feel like cheaping out and getting something that'll just 'do the job,' sans frills and/or thrills. And I'm also looking to play some of my burned stuff that I didn't feel like spending hours encoding to DVD on the player, too, and a lot of these sub-$100 players will let me do just that.

I'm a big fan of the Oppo 971, but it's $200 so a little out of your range.

Newegg sells a player called the Bravo Dv1 which some really love, but a lot of people perform some simple mods because it's such a cheaply made player.

I'd recommend looking at the SD DVD forum at AVS and seeing what people have to say about the more affordable players.

But really, the scaler in your TV is good, so getting a good prog scan DVD player and letting the TV scale from 480p will work great too.

Why do HDMI cables have to be so fucking expensive. :evil:

Because you're looking in the wrong place:

http://www.monoprice.com

That's crazy. You're crazy.

Also, holy shit.

There has to be some kinda catch to these prices.

Six

Nope. They're very high quality cables, and they're a great company to deal with.