In for a new HDTV- fuzzy on HDMI differences

jrazz wrote on 8/16/2006, 1:40 PM
I am under the impression that HDMI has undergone changes to where the older version (if I am using correct terminology) will not put forth full HD resolution with the DRM that is implemented in the Blu-Ray Discs. I am also under the impression that anything other than the new HDMI, including composite, will not play the full 1080.

Am I right in thinking this? If not, can someone point me to a good article on the subject. I would like a flat panel/flat screen HDTV between 32" & 37" widescreen. I would not want to pay anymore than 2,000 USD for it and I want it to be compatible with Blu-Ray as well as HD-DVD. Any suggestions?

j razz

Comments

johnmeyer wrote on 8/16/2006, 1:53 PM
Don't have an article, but you'll find answers at this site (which you probably already know about):

AVS Forum
jrazz wrote on 8/16/2006, 2:53 PM
Okay, took a look at AVS and got some ideas. I am looking at this model: Samsung LN-S4052D - B&H has it for 2500.00, Tigerdirect has it for 1899.99 and I found another site (Soureceoneaudio.com) that has it for 200 cheaper. It has HDMI, D-Sub, Component, S-Video, and other connections. It is 42 inches with 40 inches being viewable. It has a 4000:1 contrast ratio, 8ms response time with a resolution of 1366x768. It has some pretty neat features unique to Samsung and I can use it as an external monitor with the D-Sub connection.

Any thoughts on this? Link to TV on Tiger Direct

j razz
jrazz wrote on 8/16/2006, 7:35 PM
I went to Best Buy tonight and they have the next model up there for a little over 3,000- georgeous display and a beautiful picture, even from extreme angles. I looked on Amazon and they had it for about 50 dollars cheaper after shipping than did Tigerdirect, but I know if I order from Tiger, I will get it in 2-3 days- so I think I am going to go with this model and place the order tomorrow.

If anybody has any other suggestions, let me know- thanks.

j razz
rextilleon wrote on 8/16/2006, 7:59 PM
I own the 32" Samsung and the footage from my X1U looks fantastic. HD television is spectacular.
teaktart wrote on 8/17/2006, 11:26 PM
I have the same Samsung as rextilleon and I recently added a Sony Dvd player that "upconverts" using the HDMI. To me it makes my A1U footage which ends up on a dvd look pretty darned good as well. (Not like straight off the camera which will knock your socks off, but better than SD on a CRT tv. ) It also does a decent job of "upconverting" my older SD dvds... So this is where I really like using this HDTV.

The big let down, and be prepared, and forwarned..... is watching standard tv on this Samsung. It can look pretty bad and I wish I had a CRT right next to it for watching older programs. However, You can tell some big changes in quality/resolution when standard broadcast footage is shot in HD and widescreen. The overall appearance is crisper and the colors better....

So for me, its a matter of being patient waiting for more programing to be done in HD so the overal quality over standard cable improves. My cable company doesn't offer that many HD channels for the price right now so I'm holding out and trying to spend less time watching tv and more time doing something more creative like making my own......!



Teaktart
JJKizak wrote on 8/18/2006, 5:24 AM
SD OTA performance is not very good. Blurry pictures and sound levels up and down with 15 db swings. I attribute this mostly to local channels but NBC has some big focus problems nationally on HD on every scene change---out of focus for about 1/8th seconds then in focus. Drives you nuts.
JJK
jrazz wrote on 8/18/2006, 6:14 AM
Something I am real excited about is hooking this puppy up to my computer as a second monitor... just imagine all that real estate.

Yeah, about the sd, I went into Best Buy and took a look at it in store. They had a bluray disc player hooked up to it. I don't know what they were playing on it, but it sure wasn't hi-def material (or atleast I hope it wasn't). All the reviews I read were great, save watching standard def on it.

j razz