High-Def Is the Word at Electronics Show

The Associated Press ^ | Jan 7 | GARY GENTILE

[george76]

The wraps came off high-definition DVD players at this year's annual Consumer Electronics Show, offering the final component to replicate the movie theater experience at home.

And while a fierce DVD format war likely will delay the mass adoption of such devices, digital video is here to stay - the Consumer Electronics Association trade group estimates 25 million U.S. homes will have a high-def TV set by year's end.

But big, expensive flat-panel sets aside, this year's gadget show offered plenty of smaller screens for video...

Yahoo Inc., DirecTV, Starz Entertainment Group and Sony were also among the companies getting deeper into the business of trying to make it simple to watch recorded Hollywood movies, home video and even live streaming television wherever you may be, on all manner of device.

Not to be outdone, radio was out in force as well, including palm-sized satellite receivers that hold hours of recorded music.

Digital radios, which promise a high-definition listening experience from traditional earth-bound stations, were also on display as that service begins a wider national rollout this year.

- The Inno, a portable combination XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. receiver/MP3 player with 1 gigabyte of internal memory.

- Several new handheld video options included the Gigabeat player from Toshiba, one of a series of devices running Microsoft Corp.'s portable media center software.

[Caipirabob]

Here's a post made on 12/30/05 regarding my recent purchase of a Samsung HD-DVD 850 unit for any FReepers considering such:

***

I ended up reading a lot of the review and performance comparisons. In the end I decided the 850 was sufficient for my needs. I ended up buying it at Brandsmart last night for $138 (versus $134 plus delivery at Newegg.)

We hooked it up in minutes using the HDMI and Standard jacks for sound as I didn't have the digital audio wire. We kept the old unit in place for comparison. We played the old standby "Star Wars IV" as a benchmark between the two units.

The difference was immediately apparent. We had set the HD DVD to a setting of 1920 * 1080. The lines that used to digitally blur on the star destroyer in the opening scene were obvious in the old unit, but completely softened and removed in the new HD DVD unit. The clarity was excellent, although I did notice more of a "halo affect" on the opening text in the movie. The text was also noticeably softened and smooth out. No more rough or digitally boxy edges.

That made all the difference I needed. The Samsung is perfect for me.

There are many additional features that allow you to select definition modes and screen size for the movies. Very nice, especially since the option on the television doesn't always fit the DVD feature so that you can see subtitles when you want them. For the price, I don't think you can go wrong. Just thought I'd share and hope this helps some.

[happydogx2]

After RESEARCH I bought the Panasonic 50" Plasma. (50PX50U) HD w/the best resolution around.

Has HDMI too - a single cable carrying audio and video from your receiver to the TV. DVD's, receivers, DVR's and even Satellite receivers are available with HDMI - no more cable spagetti.

It was known for all of 2005 that Dish Network was going to upgrade to HD w/4 MPEG receiver in the first part of 2006.

If I am going to spend thousands of dollars on a plasma or for those who spend a few hundred on a Satellite Dish I'd recommend doing some research first - try CNET as a starter for news and reviews.

Knowledge is your friend and can save you beaucoup dollars in the long run.

happydogx2

[happydogx2]

My 50" panny does not have "issues" and I'm a 4500 feet.

I don't think it's how high the elevation is - it depends upon how high you are. :)

happydogx2

[Atlas Sneezed]

I have heard that people at 6000 (Tahoe) have troubles, and those at 5000 may be fine.

[Andy from Chapel Hill]

IMHO, the Westinghouse 37" LCD is the best set for cable or sat use. At under $1800, it is true 1080P and looks great!

See
http://soundandvisionmag.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=9154017/fd=1/zip_code=27517/sort_type=bottomline

[dhs12345]

I prefer the dlp. Best value IMO. However, it is best that you to compare at the store.

Plasma = too expensive versus value

LCD = annoying screen door effect.

dlp = off angle viewing issues. However, mine okay at approx 120 deg

[Global2010]

We are looking at a 45-50 incher for Christmas this year.

I did my Consumer Reports research.

I worry about burn out on the Plasma as we have the tv on around the clock on our home bound days.

I am confused about the LCD they say front projection yet in the store they don't have a projector sitting in front of them.

We can get HDTV via our cable so that is not issue.

Sound is a concern as we have medical machines going in our living space.
I don't want to many bells and whistles.
Do they have wireless surround systems.
We are hearing prices will drop around Dec. to push sales.
Looking at spending $2000

Anyone have or seen a Hewlet Packard they will come out and set it all up and the price as of today is $2600. Consumer Reports rates it highest for a lower end price plasma.

Help!

[luckystarmom]

We have the Westinghouse LCD (don't know what size), and we love it!!!!!!!!!!

[Liberty Valance]

We've got a 32" Dell HDTV and digital cable. The DVR function is amazing. Never thought i'd be able to pause live TV.

[Las Vegas Dave]

To all,

I am starting a HDTV ping list, please ping or frmail me if you would like to be on it.

HD locals may already be on your cable system IF your local cable tv offers them, (I believe it is Federal law that there can be no additional charges for free broadcast TV). You must have the built in tuner to receive, just set up your tuner to find TV stations, and watch, you will need a splitter before any cable box and route a cable directly into the TV's 75ohm screw-in connection. For example, some of our network HD locals are on channels 83.2, 111.10, 118.1, 118.3, and this is all on basic $10/mth cable without paying the additional box rental! We have the DISH gold package for all the other cable channels.(I also still have the VOOM supplied roof top antenna that is disconnected, I plan on putting up a better antenna and rotor next year for more channel selections from distant stations.)

My TV is a SONY 34XBR960 with the superfine picture tube, built-in subwoofer, SONY memory card slot for showing digital camera photos, the newer SONY model has eliminated those features, but still a good TV, and one final comment, a CRT produces the best resolution and the picture tube if proven technology.(It was the largest HDTV that would fit into our entertainment center.)

[LibWhacker]

Please add me to your hdtv ping list, thank you. We just bought one and the picture's unbelievable. It's like you're there, better in a lot of ways. Football and baseball broadcasts are beautiful and I'm starting to watch a lot more sports again.

[dhs12345]

Have a DLP and love it. The picture quality is by far the best (IMO). Looks "natural" versus "digital."

Also the DLP doesn't take up much space versus a regular projection TV. More than a plasma or LCD, though.

Unfortunately, LCD looks digital (as it is and especially if you are close). Need something that is "analog" versus a digital source on a digital display.

Plasma was too expensive when we looked (could get a huge DLP for a small fraction of the cost of a dinky Plasma).

Off angle viewing of the DLP is not an issue for us either.

Most monitors are 1080p, now. And most probably have a tuner and cable card. Unfortunately, chances are good that both won't be used if you use cable or satellite. And these items add cost to the monitor. Still the tuner can be hooked up to an antenna for over the air reception of local stations. This is nice.

We have Comcast and are pretty happy with the HD offering. Each premium station, HBO, Cinemax, etc. come with an HD version of one of their stations. And Comcast receive and rebroadcast the local stations in HD.

Most local primetime shows are now in HD. And a couple of the news stations are HD, now.

Via Comcast we get INHD, INHD2, PBSHD, DiscoveryHD, TNTHD, ESPNHD, ESPN2HD plus the local stations.

The quality is stunning.

As for audio, don't know much about wireless surround systems. Unfortunately, the best solution is to run wires.

Shop around!

[savedbygrace]

Because they are designed to support the High Definition TV standard of 760p - the computer functionality is just an added plus.

760p? Please source that. Never heard of 760p.

[reagan_fanatic]

The best HDTV signals are off-air. I have a 55" Mitsubishi wide screen and an HD antenna on my roof. I can get all my local HD stations, and the picture quality is just stunning, especially when you switch back and forth from standard to HD.

The company I work for sells off-air HDTV antennas, and business has been really booming for this stuff.

[george76]

How does your Dell compare ?

Quality, prices, service ?

[george76]

This is old thread.

I do not remember about 760p.

If I do recall, I will ping you.

[Global2010]

I dug up this older thread to help in my research and hoped it would come back to life with some updates.

After all 2grand is a whole lotta money to spend for us.

However when your home bound on the down dayz movies and such are your best option being a quad. but on our up dayz we are gone from sun up to sun down or somewhere abouts in there.

We would like to get back to sports too and the big screen is what keeps you in the action.

[Global2010]

What does DLP stand for and what brand did you purchase.

[TC Rider]

I've had HD for nearly a year now and get all signals from TWC (Time Warner Cable).

No problems with their box, which includes a DVR.

I'll be waiting for the HD DVD wars to declare a winner before investing in a new DVD player.

I have a Sony Upconvert model now that I bought this year for $100.

Sadly, I've become addicted to Discovery HD. I now feel closer to the Teutul family than my own.

[newfreep]

I'm "in the biz" as an importer of high-end audio products. Samsung is expected to exhibit their new screen technology at CES2007 that is far superior to Plasma, LCD, etc. I hope to get to their exhibit during CES but will be busy with running my show.