Ohio Chatter DEV

bases_loaded

LCDs are more energy efficient than Plasmas(not by alot) and both are more energy efficient than CRT and Projection TVs

dlazz

bases_loaded wrote: LCDs are more energy efficient than Plasmas(not by alot) and both are more energy efficient than CRT and Projection TVs

I'm pretty much an expert because I Googled it a few minutes ago. Most people replace a CRT with a decent sized (32+)in TV, which would INCREASE usage.

I initially thought what you thought, because that's how it works with CRT computer monitors. As the size increases, LCD becomes more expensive. They also show a lot more, though.

I drain 3's

With our cable package, you have the choice of watching ESPN and certain other channels (TNT, USA, etc.) in standard definition and HD. First time after watching a game in HD, I can't stand watching it in anything else. The difference is that big. Hell, I even watch Sportscenter in HD.

Manhattan Buckeye

I don't know why people think you have to continually replace bulbs, even in the old Rear View projections, I've had mine for 9 years and have never had a problem.

Rotinaj

MANAZE wrote: my tvs are on for a good 20 hours a day. I sleep with them on. Would HDTVs be ok for something like that?

Well, you could always put the sleep timer on so you dont have to leave it on all night.

Fab1b

Manhattan Buckeye wrote: I don't know why people think you have to continually replace bulbs, even in the old Rear View projections, I've had mine for 9 years and have never had a problem.

Agree I had an RCA 52' rear projection tv and loved it. Had it for 5yrs then sold it to a buddy 3yrs ago. The only reason I sold it was because I wanted HD. He has now had the RCA for 3yrs and it works like a champ and has never given either of us an issue.

LJ

Manhattan Buckeye wrote: I don't know why people think you have to continually replace bulbs, even in the old Rear View projections, I've had mine for 9 years and have never had a problem.

They are talking about DLP's, those bulbs only last ~3 years

Polar Bear 73

I just got HDTV about 3 weeks ago and I must be doing something wrong. I switch back and forth between the non-HD channel and it's HD counterpart and I don't see any difference in the quality. Also when I switch to HD the picture gets smaller with 2-3 inch black bars on the top and bottom.

I was watching the golf tournament this weekend and kept toggling back in forth between HD and non-HD and I didn't see any difference in clarity, color or definition.

Can anyone help?

Manhattan Buckeye

^^^

I'd contact your cable provider or dish/directv. Could be faulty equipment. I have Comcast and my first hdtv cable box had problems.

LJ

Polar Bear 73 wrote: I just got HDTV about 3 weeks ago and I must be doing something wrong. I switch back and forth between the non-HD channel and it's HD counterpart and I don't see any difference in the quality. Also when I switch to HD the picture gets smaller with 2-3 inch black bars on the top and bottom.

I was watching the golf tournament this weekend and kept toggling back in forth between HD and non-HD and I didn't see any difference in clarity, color or definition.

Can anyone help?

How do you have it hooked up?

McFly1955

HDTV's are well worth it, IMO. I love my 50" Panasonic Plasma more than my LCD, and I will be purchasing 1080p projector in April after my basement is finished --- 100" screen woot.

Polar Bear 73

LJ wrote:
Polar Bear 73 wrote: I just got HDTV about 3 weeks ago and I must be doing something wrong. I switch back and forth between the non-HD channel and it's HD counterpart and I don't see any difference in the quality. Also when I switch to HD the picture gets smaller with 2-3 inch black bars on the top and bottom.

I was watching the golf tournament this weekend and kept toggling back in forth between HD and non-HD and I didn't see any difference in clarity, color or definition.

Can anyone help?
How do you have it hooked up?

I didn't hook it up the Insight cable guy did. Is there something in particular I should check?

LJ

Polar Bear 73 wrote:
LJ wrote:
Polar Bear 73 wrote: I just got HDTV about 3 weeks ago and I must be doing something wrong. I switch back and forth between the non-HD channel and it's HD counterpart and I don't see any difference in the quality. Also when I switch to HD the picture gets smaller with 2-3 inch black bars on the top and bottom.

I was watching the golf tournament this weekend and kept toggling back in forth between HD and non-HD and I didn't see any difference in clarity, color or definition.

Can anyone help?
How do you have it hooked up?
I didn't hook it up the Insight cable guy did. Is there something in particular I should check?

If he hooked it up I would just call them back out. My Insight HD works just fine. They set you up with a new DVR and everything right?

raiderbuck

Polar Bear 73 wrote:
LJ wrote:
Polar Bear 73 wrote: I just got HDTV about 3 weeks ago and I must be doing something wrong. I switch back and forth between the non-HD channel and it's HD counterpart and I don't see any difference in the quality. Also when I switch to HD the picture gets smaller with 2-3 inch black bars on the top and bottom.

I was watching the golf tournament this weekend and kept toggling back in forth between HD and non-HD and I didn't see any difference in clarity, color or definition.

Can anyone help?

How do you have it hooked up?
I didn't hook it up the Insight cable guy did. Is there something in particular I should check?

Do you have an HDMI cable? Does your cable box receiver offer HDMI output?

Thunder70

I doubt it's hooked up via HDMI. I didn't get a HDMI cable when DirecTV hooked up my cable. They just used AV cables.

justcompete

Definitely get an HDMI cable. The pictures is better but the sound REALLY improves. Also, make sure you have a HD box from your cable company.

raiderbuck

without HDMI cables...then yes HD is overrated.

I ordered my cables via Amazon.com, three 9.8 foot cables for $33 shipped.

WebFire

If you have a friend that works at Best Buy, ask them to get cables for you. Under $4 each.

LJ

www.firefold.com discount code OTFIRE

a 6ft high quality HDMI cable shipped to Westerville Ohio is $5.44

Polar Bear 73

Yes I did get set up with DVR. I was reading the manual for the TV and checking the connections, it appears that they set it up correctly. I saw the HDMI outlet on the cable box and the TV and they have a cable connected to it. How can you tell if it is an HDMI cable?

LJ

Polar Bear 73 wrote: Yes I did get set up with DVR. I was reading the manual for the TV and checking the connections, it appears that they set it up correctly. I saw the HDMI outlet on the cable box and the TV and they have a cable connected to it. How can you tell if it is an HDMI cable?

because only an HDMI cable can connect through HDMI ports.

Like I said, call Insight back, they may have not set your box up correctly.

raiderbuck

HDMI connectors look like this:

Polar Bear 73

I called, they said they would have someone call me back and determine if they need to come back out.

LJ

Polar Bear 73 wrote: I called, they said they would have someone call me back and determine if they need to come back out.

They will probably walk you through some settings on the box and on the tv. Hopefully that gets things cleared up.

raiderbuck

I can't believe I didn't notice this earlier...I have Insight Cable too. If you have DVR then you have the HD box. I didn't have HD when they set my box up, so the guy just used the standard def hook-ups. IIRC, there should be one HDMI cable running from the box to the TV. It should REPLACE the standard cable cord running from the box to the TV. You should also have a regular cable cord running from the wall to your cable receiver. If you do have this set up, and you are still having trouble...then it sounds like it may be the box.

Insight had to replace my last box because my DVR kept spazin' out on me, they were pretty helpful. Hope this helps.

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Are HDTVs over rated?