I bought a new Plasma TV, now what? - Page 2

T.G · 10-11-2010, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stewshi

Never go to a retail store and buy an HDMI cable unless you like giving money away. Now that I think about it you should never buy any cables from a box store like Best Buy unless in an emergency. They are almost always cheaper online by a lot. Heres some from Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...-keywords=hdmi

Monoprice.com and bluejeans cable are also two good places to get cables.

Monoprice cables tend to be a little bit stiff, but once installed, most of the time this isn't an issue.

elderboy02 · 10-11-2010, 10:02 AM

PS3's rock

10-11-2010, 10:10 AM

Enjoy your new TV D. And now that you have it may I suggest picking up a Wii for countless hours of interactive fun with your new TV!

10-11-2010, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mariogolbee

Enjoy your new TV D. And now that you have it may I suggest picking up a Wii for countless hours of interactive fun with your new TV!

I have a Wii, if I didn't I would have bought yours.

10-11-2010, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darrell

I have a Wii, if I didn't I would have bought yours.

It was a shameless plug.

I should have posted a link too.

Seriously though, congrats. I'm still at least lucky enough to be floating in the rear projection 1080i/720p realm. Some day I'll get up to speed. Until then, I'll be at your house playing Wii!

10-11-2010, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mariogolbee

It was a shameless plug.

I should have posted a link too.

Seriously though, congrats. I'm still at least lucky enough to be floating in the rear projection 1080i/720p realm. Some day I'll get up to speed. Until then, I'll be at your house playing Wii!

You're welcome to come over and play Wii at my house on any day that doesn't end in y.

10-11-2010, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darrell

You're welcome to come over and play Wii at my house on any day that doesn't end in y.

How about Huy play your Huy together on Sundae!

pektel · 10-11-2010, 10:13 AM

Remember to securely fasten the wristband.

T.G · 10-11-2010, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darrell

I bought a new Plasma TV, now what?

Message from Ahbroody: Don't play ball in the house.

GTsetGO · 10-11-2010, 10:15 AM

PS3 again. can't go wrong with it.

also, let me know if you need any HDMI cables. i can get them wholesale.

10-11-2010, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTsetGO

PS3 again. can't go wrong with it.

also, let me know if you need any HDMI cables. i can get them wholesale.

I appreciate the offer.

On that note, since I am new to this HDMI stuff. Am I going to need HDMI cables for ALL of my components (XBOX 360, DVR, Blu Ray, etc)?

10-11-2010, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darrell

I appreciate the offer.

On that note, since I am new to this HDMI stuff. Am I going to need HDMI cables for ALL of my components (XBOX 360, DVR, Blu Ray, etc)?

Only if you want to be like,"WOW!" And only if you have HDMI inputs for all of your components.

T.G · 10-11-2010, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mariogolbee

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darrell

I appreciate the offer.

On that note, since I am new to this HDMI stuff. Am I going to need HDMI cables for ALL of my components (XBOX 360, DVR, Blu Ray, etc)?

Only if you want to be like,"WOW!" And only if you have HDMI inputs for all of your components.

Outputs Mario. Outputs. You can get HDMI switchers if you run out of inputs.
(there are also external HD upconverters, but that's probably unnecessary for a system at this level)

Some stuff is debatable, like the Wii. IIRC, it's only a 480p output, so the difference is minor.

Unless you have an HD-DVR, your current DVR might not have the connector.

Remember, component video (YPbPr) can go up to 1080i, whereas HDMI goes up to 1080p currently. Depending on the source resolution, there might be no difference and no reason to upgrade. HDMI does carry a digital audio signal that component video would require to be carried on a separate cable(s), and for digital audio, you would need TOSlink or digital coax.

A lot of what you do with cabling also depends on if you have a surround sound system and how it is designed, configured and installed and can get quite convoluted in a hurry depending on number of components and their connections.

stewshi · 10-11-2010, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darrell

I appreciate the offer.

On that note, since I am new to this HDMI stuff. Am I going to need HDMI cables for ALL of my components (XBOX 360, DVR, Blu Ray, etc)?

You DVR, Xbox 360, PS3, Blu Ray will need the HDMI cable in order to get the best picture out of the unit. It is also the easiest since its just one cable for both the picture and the sound.

Do How many ports do you have?

For my house I have a Xbox 360 and PS3 and the cable box installed so I just need 3 HDMI ports on the TV. The fourth is usually just used if I need to hook up the camcorder or anything else to be viewed on the TV including a laptop if you have a port on that also.

10-11-2010, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stewshi

You DVR, Xbox 360, PS3, Blu Ray will need the HDMI cable in order to get the best picture out of the unit. It is also the easiest since its just one cable for both the picture and the sound.

Do How many ports do you have?

For my house I have a Xbox 360 and PS3 and the cable box installed so I just need 3 HDMI ports on the TV. The fourth is usually just used if I need to hook up the camcorder or anything else to be viewed on the TV including a laptop if you have a port on that also.

It has three HDMI inputs. So that will cover Blu Ray, XBOX, and Cable.

Jbailey · 10-11-2010, 10:32 AM

There are calibration DVD's you can buy that help adjust your TV's picture. I have a few I've used on my CRT tubes and on plasmas. I still have them if you would be interested Darrell I can send one out.
http://www.ramelectronics.net/Video-calibration.ep

10-11-2010, 11:17 AM

I am getting a new surround sound this weekend. I just want to hear it in person before I buy it. I already saw the TV in person, but the price was better online and Sears doesn't match the online price of THEIR OWN WEBSITE!

I have an HD DVR, I know it has HDMI. Honestly the Wii never occurred to me to hook up via HDMI, the graphics are pretty lame on it, I doubt HDMI will improve it at all.

T.G · 10-11-2010, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darrell

I am getting a new surround sound this weekend. I just want to hear it in person before I buy it. I already saw the TV in person, but the price was better online and Sears doesn't match the online price of THEIR OWN WEBSITE!

I have an HD DVR, I know it has HDMI. Honestly the Wii never occurred to me to hook up via HDMI, the graphics are pretty lame on it, I doubt HDMI will improve it at all.

In order for the surround sound system to get the digital audio signal from your HD components, it will most likely include an HDMI input switcher as part of the processor that you will have to connect through. You'll run all your device HDMI outputs into the switcher/processor, and then, from there, a single HDMI output to the display device.

The Wii graphics improvement over HDMI is likely negligible on smaller screens like yours.

10-14-2010, 11:57 AM

Can anyone recommend a nice Blu Ray player (that is NOT a PS3) that up converts standard DVD's and also has Netflix?

AD720 · 10-14-2010, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darrell

Can anyone recommend a nice Blu Ray player (that is NOT a PS3) that up converts standard DVD's and also has Netflix?

I have both an Insignia (best buy house brand, rumored to be manufactured by Samsung) and a Samsung. Both have netflix built in. The Samsung does Netflix, Pandora, Youtube and Blockbuster. The Insignia only does Netflix but it has a USB port and can play movies off of that. The build quality seems a little better on the Insignia, to be honest. Neither have WIFI and I wish that one did.

I would say go with whatever is on sale. If you aren't making the jump to 3d they are all pretty similar. Make sure it is Blu-ray profile 2.0 though.

10-11-2010, 10:02 AM	#2
elderboy02 Lets Go Buckeyes! Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Dan Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 12,512 Trading: (133)	Re: I bought a new Plasma TV, now what? PS3's rock

10-11-2010, 10:10 AM	#3
mariogolbee Guest Posts: n/a	Re: I bought a new Plasma TV, now what? Enjoy your new TV D. And now that you have it may I suggest picking up a Wii for countless hours of interactive fun with your new TV!

10-11-2010, 10:13 AM	#8
pektel I'm nuts for the place Join Date: Jul 2010 First Name: Peter Location: Grand Rapids, MN Posts: 4,320 Trading: (28)	Re: I bought a new Plasma TV, now what? Remember to securely fasten the wristband. __________________ The problem is not the problem. The problem is your ATTITUDE about the problem.

10-11-2010, 10:15 AM	#10
GTsetGO those were the droids Join Date: Nov 2008 First Name: Rob Location: Newport News, VA Posts: 1,686 Trading: (5)	Re: I bought a new Plasma TV, now what? PS3 again. can't go wrong with it. also, let me know if you need any HDMI cables. i can get them wholesale. __________________ Modded Mustangs

10-11-2010, 10:32 AM	#16
Jbailey Brewcifer Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Dave Location: Madison, WI Posts: 5,215 Trading: (17)	Re: I bought a new Plasma TV, now what? There are calibration DVD's you can buy that help adjust your TV's picture. I have a few I've used on my CRT tubes and on plasmas. I still have them if you would be interested Darrell I can send one out. http://www.ramelectronics.net/Video-calibration.ep __________________ "Sent to spy on a Cuban talent show first stop- Havana au go-go." Field Marshall Douche Bag.

10-11-2010, 11:17 AM	#17
Darrell Guest Posts: n/a	Re: I bought a new Plasma TV, now what? I am getting a new surround sound this weekend. I just want to hear it in person before I buy it. I already saw the TV in person, but the price was better online and Sears doesn't match the online price of THEIR OWN WEBSITE! I have an HD DVR, I know it has HDMI. Honestly the Wii never occurred to me to hook up via HDMI, the graphics are pretty lame on it, I doubt HDMI will improve it at all.

10-14-2010, 11:57 AM	#19
Darrell Guest Posts: n/a	Re: I bought a new Plasma TV, now what? Can anyone recommend a nice Blu Ray player (that is NOT a PS3) that up converts standard DVD's and also has Netflix?