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What do you think of this plasma display? (skip to post 12)
whuppins
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Update: This thread was originally for general questions about flat panel technology and cable HDTV service. Feel free to comment on that stuff, but at this point I'd more appreciate comments on a plasma TV that I'm considering buying. See post #12.
Sorry for adding to the glut of HDTV/Flat panel display threads, but some of the stuff I've been trying to research hasn't been as easy to find as I originally thought. I'm looking to finally move into the 21st century with a flat-panel TV and HD programming. I'm kind of confused on a few points, and would appreciate some help.
Can someone explain the varying degrees of HD compliance among displays? Here's what I've been able to piece together: There are three basic categories of HD readiness among display hardware. I'll use Best Buy's site as an example, just for the sake of convenience.
Category 1 Displays sold as "Digital Cable Ready" that supposedly eliminate the need for an HD box... although you still need a "CableCARD" from your cable provider. Example: Pioneer PDP-4271HD.
Category 2 Displays sold as "HD Built-in"; the majority of displays seem to fall in this category. These do not include a CableCARD slot but instead require you to get an HD converter box to watch cable programming in HD. Example: Philips 50PFP5332D.
Category 3 Displays sold as "HD-ready" and/or "monitors" that cannot display HD programming out of the box without purchasing...something. Example: Maxent MX-50X5.
Here come the questions:
1.) Most importantly, are these categories even correct? Do they basically describe the main types of displays? Or are there actually 4 categories, or 2, or whatever?
2.) How many physical pieces of hardware do I need to obtain from the cable company in order to watch HD programming over digital cable for each category (ignore over-the-air HD programming for the time being)? It seems like this: Category 1 requires a cable card but no digital cable box, Category 2 requires an HD box and a cable box, Category 3 requires an HD box, a cable box, and some other mystery piece of hardware.
3.) This kind of goes along with the end of the last question, but what's the difference between Categories 2 and 3?
There will be more questions because this shit is so confusing, so please check back often. Thanks.
Sorry for adding to the glut of HDTV/Flat panel display threads, but some of the stuff I've been trying to research hasn't been as easy to find as I originally thought. I'm looking to finally move into the 21st century with a flat-panel TV and HD programming. I'm kind of confused on a few points, and would appreciate some help.
Can someone explain the varying degrees of HD compliance among displays? Here's what I've been able to piece together: There are three basic categories of HD readiness among display hardware. I'll use Best Buy's site as an example, just for the sake of convenience.
Category 1 Displays sold as "Digital Cable Ready" that supposedly eliminate the need for an HD box... although you still need a "CableCARD" from your cable provider. Example: Pioneer PDP-4271HD.
Category 2 Displays sold as "HD Built-in"; the majority of displays seem to fall in this category. These do not include a CableCARD slot but instead require you to get an HD converter box to watch cable programming in HD. Example: Philips 50PFP5332D.
Category 3 Displays sold as "HD-ready" and/or "monitors" that cannot display HD programming out of the box without purchasing...something. Example: Maxent MX-50X5.
Here come the questions:
1.) Most importantly, are these categories even correct? Do they basically describe the main types of displays? Or are there actually 4 categories, or 2, or whatever?
2.) How many physical pieces of hardware do I need to obtain from the cable company in order to watch HD programming over digital cable for each category (ignore over-the-air HD programming for the time being)? It seems like this: Category 1 requires a cable card but no digital cable box, Category 2 requires an HD box and a cable box, Category 3 requires an HD box, a cable box, and some other mystery piece of hardware.
3.) This kind of goes along with the end of the last question, but what's the difference between Categories 2 and 3?
There will be more questions because this shit is so confusing, so please check back often. Thanks.
whuppins on
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2) I believe the card is just a replacement for the cable box so options 1 and 2 aren't really any different other than the card has a smaller for factor as I'm pretty sure that the HD box and the cable box are combined into one thing. The third set is missing a onboard HD Tuner, but the HD box should act as one, however the lack of a HD tuner may affect other things.
The cable box will act as the HD Tuner, which is the additional piece you would need if they didn't.
Also, the Cable Card is just a replacement for a set-top cable box. If your TV has a Cable Card slot, it should have a built in HD Tuner.
That said, the difference (or lack thereof) between categories 1 and 2 is about what I thought it would be. It struck me as odd that people are pimping these Category 1 displays when you still have to get hardware from your cable company in order to watch their programming. It doesn't seem like it's saving you any time or money. If I'm wrong and there's some distinct benefit to using a cable card, then someone please correct me.
I'd like someone to elaborate on the differences with category 3 displays, though. I think part of my confusion stems from the different terminology everyone uses for these pieces of hardware. What exactly is the "HD tuner" that you're talking about, and what does it enable the Philips to do that the Maxent can't?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HD_tuner
Basically, the HD Tuner allows the TV to decode over-the-air signals. With a tuner built into your TV, you should be able to plug an antenna into your TV and decode the signals. Without one, you'll need a seperate box to decode the signals and pass them to your TV in whatever format your TV accepts, i.e. Component, HDMI, VGA.
So, you're saying that the only thing that the Category 2's can do that the Category 3's can't is receive over-the-air HD programming?
Is that even an issue if I'm going to be receiving my local ABC, PBS, etc. affiliates over digital cable anyway?
Nope.
Well, I guess I could save money by shopping for a 'monitor' in that case, but all the models I'm looking for are only available with built-in HD tuners anyway.
Next question: Suppose I buy a display that only supports 720p. What happens when I try to watch CBS HD, which Wikipedia says is broadcast in 1080i?
A.) The TV will be able to handle the signal and show the programming, though not in its intended display mode.
B.) It's totally incompatible. I'll get a black screen.
C.) It's not really an issue -- pretty much any HDTV they sell nowadays supports both 720p and 1080i.
D.) None of the above (please explain).
Thanks for your help. If you or anyone else would like to comment, here's the one I've had my eye on ($3,600 at my local Best Buy). A couple things to keep in mind: A big screen was the #1 priority. It would be used mostly for HDTV and DVDs; no game consoles to hook up.
Thoughts?
As to the initial question.
Yeah HD built in is pretty stupid. You have to have a box to get anything other than locals in HD anyways. Just get the monitor unless you're somewhere that doesn't support sattelite or cable.
Secondly yeah basically all HDTVS will do 720p 1080i. It's the ones that do 1080p that are all fancy and whatnot. A resolution that is woefully undersupported anyways.
LG's are pretty freakin sweet. Just don't buy a Westinghouse.
Oh wait, one thing. What are you going to be using it for mainly? Movies, games?