Comments on: Going HD: Part 1 http://paulstamatiou.com/going-hd-part-1 Tech News, Reviews and Guides Wed, 17 Mar 2010 03:43:27 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: PSTAM Update: Moving, DirecPath ISP Still Rocks — PaulStamatiou.com http://paulstamatiou.com/going-hd-part-1#comment-180161 PSTAM Update: Moving, DirecPath ISP Still Rocks — PaulStamatiou.com Tue, 19 May 2009 06:28:40 +0000 http://paulstamatiou.com/?p=2344#comment-180161 [...] for the move, I was concerned with how I was going to move (and not break) my 50-inch plasma HDTV. I was especially worried as plasmas are notoriously prone to cracking with even subtle flexing, [...] [...] for the move, I was concerned with how I was going to move (and not break) my 50-inch plasma HDTV. I was especially worried as plasmas are notoriously prone to cracking with even subtle flexing, [...]

]]> By: Going HD: Part 3 (Blu-ray and Surround Sound) - PaulStamatiou.com http://paulstamatiou.com/going-hd-part-1#comment-173586 Going HD: Part 3 (Blu-ray and Surround Sound) - PaulStamatiou.com Sun, 11 Jan 2009 07:40:59 +0000 http://paulstamatiou.com/?p=2344#comment-173586 [...] on this topic.It has been a while since I have written about my move to an HD home theater setup. Going HD: Part 1 detailed the arrival of Samsung’s 50-inch plasma HDTV while Going HD: Part 2 with discussing [...] [...] on this topic.It has been a while since I have written about my move to an HD home theater setup. Going HD: Part 1 detailed the arrival of Samsung’s 50-inch plasma HDTV while Going HD: Part 2 with discussing [...]

]]> By: CBS Launches HD Player - PaulStamatiou.com http://paulstamatiou.com/going-hd-part-1#comment-165606 CBS Launches HD Player - PaulStamatiou.com Fri, 18 Jul 2008 01:57:46 +0000 http://paulstamatiou.com/?p=2344#comment-165606 [...] episodes you want in higher quality? While I used to be a big fan of such services, ever since I got an HDTV I either watch shows when they are on or find them in HD later and feed them to my HTPC. No one [...] [...] episodes you want in higher quality? While I used to be a big fan of such services, ever since I got an HDTV I either watch shows when they are on or find them in HD later and feed them to my HTPC. No one [...]

]]> By: SufaXtrem http://paulstamatiou.com/going-hd-part-1#comment-163696 SufaXtrem Thu, 26 Jun 2008 09:55:18 +0000 http://paulstamatiou.com/?p=2344#comment-163696 @dave... plasma are truely getting out of bounce, thats why i bought my self a 37" [550 samsung] lcd with wiselink [got to this page because i was trying to find a way 2 get my ipod touch working with a kind of fix or plugin... unlucky...^^] i caught something about your sound problem and this is how i solved the problem! i have attached personal computer onto it which has a extended sound card from creative [x-fi fatal1ty champion] but u probelly dont want all that because ull need a quite alot of time installing all settings correctly. so i would recommend a bose reciever [but that cost a hell of amount of money!!!] another example would be onkyo [much cheaper but complicated finding the right modules [reciver and speakers of same brand] both firms [bose and onkyo] have wireless speakers [if i remember correctlly] and upgrade the sound [my pc`s soundcard upgrades the sound to a self choosed rate (kbs/s) it woz my best way to save money to solve the sound problem.... anyway i dont want to right u snoozie... just a note on the way if u having problems reading my "grammatic" i come from germany and thats why it could accure strange.... ...;) @dave…
plasma are truely getting out of bounce, thats why i bought my self a 37″ [550 samsung] lcd with wiselink [got to this page because i was trying to find a way 2 get my ipod touch working with a kind of fix or plugin... unlucky...^^]
i caught something about your sound problem and this is how i solved the problem!
i have attached personal computer onto it which has a extended sound card from creative [x-fi fatal1ty champion] but u probelly dont want all that because ull need a quite alot of time installing all settings correctly. so i would recommend a bose reciever [but that cost a hell of amount of money!!!] another example would be onkyo [much cheaper but complicated finding the right modules [reciver and speakers of same brand] both firms [bose and onkyo] have wireless speakers [if i remember correctlly] and upgrade the sound [my pc`s soundcard upgrades the sound to a self choosed rate (kbs/s) it woz my best way to save money to solve the sound problem….

anyway i dont want to right u snoozie…
just a note on the way if u having problems reading my “grammatic” i come from germany and thats why it could accure strange….
…;)

]]> By: Dave http://paulstamatiou.com/going-hd-part-1#comment-163364 Dave Sun, 22 Jun 2008 06:44:44 +0000 http://paulstamatiou.com/?p=2344#comment-163364 Seems like a solid choice, although I was initially surprised you didn't go for an LCD if only for the PC input, but I know you know what you're doing. My general feeling, as somebody said above, is that Plasma really is a dying breed. I sell electronics at a major retail chain and our department carries very few plasmas these days. I just about always recommend LCDs to people; but then again, our biggest sellers are in the realm of thirtysomething inches anyhow. I use a 32" LCD myself, (don't even ask what brand - I was desperate,) almost strictly for playing Xbox 360 and watching the odd dvd. I have my macbook for everything else. Seems like a solid choice, although I was initially surprised you didn’t go for an LCD if only for the PC input, but I know you know what you’re doing. My general feeling, as somebody said above, is that Plasma really is a dying breed. I sell electronics at a major retail chain and our department carries very few plasmas these days. I just about always recommend LCDs to people; but then again, our biggest sellers are in the realm of thirtysomething inches anyhow.

I use a 32″ LCD myself, (don’t even ask what brand – I was desperate,) almost strictly for playing Xbox 360 and watching the odd dvd. I have my macbook for everything else.

]]> By: Paul Stamatiou http://paulstamatiou.com/going-hd-part-1#comment-163025 Paul Stamatiou Mon, 16 Jun 2008 15:27:47 +0000 http://paulstamatiou.com/?p=2344#comment-163025 @Dave - you might want to take a look at Wireless 5.1 systems. I think Panasonic has one of their own. The rear 2 speakers don't have any wires other than just power. @Dave – you might want to take a look at Wireless 5.1 systems. I think Panasonic has one of their own. The rear 2 speakers don’t have any wires other than just power.

]]> By: Dave Zatz http://paulstamatiou.com/going-hd-part-1#comment-163024 Dave Zatz Mon, 16 Jun 2008 15:22:23 +0000 http://paulstamatiou.com/?p=2344#comment-163024 One of the reasons I chose my Panasonic plasma (42") over the Samsung LCD (40") I was considering was audio quality. The Panasonic has a much fuller sound, so it's been fine without 5.1 audio. 5.1 is obviously much more immersive, but we have a nook over the fireplace (which is sort of an island) and it'd be pretty difficult to set up surround sound without wires all over the place. One of the reasons I chose my Panasonic plasma (42″) over the Samsung LCD (40″) I was considering was audio quality. The Panasonic has a much fuller sound, so it’s been fine without 5.1 audio. 5.1 is obviously much more immersive, but we have a nook over the fireplace (which is sort of an island) and it’d be pretty difficult to set up surround sound without wires all over the place.

]]> By: Paul Stamatiou http://paulstamatiou.com/going-hd-part-1#comment-163022 Paul Stamatiou Mon, 16 Jun 2008 14:55:58 +0000 http://paulstamatiou.com/?p=2344#comment-163022 Hey Michael - it does have the Wiselink feature although I've never played with it. I'll have to figure out a more permanent audio solution in the next few months. Hey Michael – it does have the Wiselink feature although I’ve never played with it. I’ll have to figure out a more permanent audio solution in the next few months.

]]> By: Michael http://paulstamatiou.com/going-hd-part-1#comment-163021 Michael Mon, 16 Jun 2008 14:52:28 +0000 http://paulstamatiou.com/?p=2344#comment-163021 My family just got the Samsung 550 series 46-inch LCD television, which must be simialr in some respects to your plasma. Here are some of my thoughts: 46 inches is pretty big when you look at in person and stand right in front of it. The audio is indeed pretty bad. Playing with the equalizer settings didn't help matters too much. Does your Samsung set have the Wiselink feature? It lets you plug in a USB drive, and view the pictures and play the music stored on it. It doesn't play video files, however, and it wasn't able to view any content on my brother's iPod Touch. Did you try conntecting your HD camcorder to the new set? I suppose it woudl be cool to watch your footage on the big screen. My family just got the Samsung 550 series 46-inch LCD television, which must be simialr in some respects to your plasma. Here are some of my thoughts:

46 inches is pretty big when you look at in person and stand right in front of it.
The audio is indeed pretty bad. Playing with the equalizer settings didn’t help matters too much.

Does your Samsung set have the Wiselink feature? It lets you plug in a USB drive, and view the pictures and play the music stored on it. It doesn’t play video files, however, and it wasn’t able to view any content on my brother’s iPod Touch.

Did you try conntecting your HD camcorder to the new set? I suppose it woudl be cool to watch your footage on the big screen.

]]> By: Brandon http://paulstamatiou.com/going-hd-part-1#comment-162967 Brandon Sun, 15 Jun 2008 03:34:43 +0000 http://paulstamatiou.com/?p=2344#comment-162967 I just bought the LN46A650 LCD from Samsung. It has an amazing picture and regular DVD's look really good. Just as good (if not a little better) than they did on my six year old 36" Sony. My DVD player outputs 480P over component video which helps. I pickup local HD channels now and I'll be adding the HD package from Charter in a couple months. A couple weeks after I bought this TV, Best Buy dropped the price by $500. Luckily I was paying attention and got the price match. I'm also running the TiVo HD unit. I had a single tuner Series 2 before. It's nice just having the dual tuners now. I'll get the multi-stream cable card from Charter when I add the HD service. Enjoy your new TV! I just bought the LN46A650 LCD from Samsung. It has an amazing picture and regular DVD’s look really good. Just as good (if not a little better) than they did on my six year old 36″ Sony. My DVD player outputs 480P over component video which helps.

I pickup local HD channels now and I’ll be adding the HD package from Charter in a couple months. A couple weeks after I bought this TV, Best Buy dropped the price by $500. Luckily I was paying attention and got the price match.

I’m also running the TiVo HD unit. I had a single tuner Series 2 before. It’s nice just having the dual tuners now. I’ll get the multi-stream cable card from Charter when I add the HD service.

Enjoy your new TV!

]]> By: Aron Clark http://paulstamatiou.com/going-hd-part-1#comment-162861 Aron Clark Thu, 12 Jun 2008 20:35:22 +0000 http://paulstamatiou.com/?p=2344#comment-162861 Another great post Paul, and I look forward to your trials and tribulations with the HD setup. However far away I am from living in my own place and needing to think about a setup for my place, I can't help myself planning it. I am the sort of person that finds myself planning deep into the future, but I make a point of not getting my hopes up because I know that most of the time in life, things never go as planned. But like I say, it does make me feel a little 'excited' to think that one day I can get away from my family and just have my own space, even if it does bring its own bills! And I think I will begin planning what I hope will become the technology in my first place, including a living room HD setup. Ideally, I would like it to be very clean and basic with not too many digital boxes and whatnot, and hopefully there will be some consoles/boxes that will combine some of my needs in one. In fact, its almost guaranteed there will! Another great post Paul, and I look forward to your trials and tribulations with the HD setup.

However far away I am from living in my own place and needing to think about a setup for my place, I can’t help myself planning it. I am the sort of person that finds myself planning deep into the future, but I make a point of not getting my hopes up because I know that most of the time in life, things never go as planned.

But like I say, it does make me feel a little ‘excited’ to think that one day I can get away from my family and just have my own space, even if it does bring its own bills! And I think I will begin planning what I hope will become the technology in my first place, including a living room HD setup.

Ideally, I would like it to be very clean and basic with not too many digital boxes and whatnot, and hopefully there will be some consoles/boxes that will combine some of my needs in one. In fact, its almost guaranteed there will!

]]> By: Chris Morrell http://paulstamatiou.com/going-hd-part-1#comment-162829 Chris Morrell Thu, 12 Jun 2008 02:14:38 +0000 http://paulstamatiou.com/?p=2344#comment-162829 The TV looks great although it requires a secondary set of speakers to really be enjoyed. Looking forward to playing some fun games of MarioKart Wii. Perhaps I'll lug a PC over there also for some high-res gaming. The TV looks great although it requires a secondary set of speakers to really be enjoyed. Looking forward to playing some fun games of MarioKart Wii. Perhaps I’ll lug a PC over there also for some high-res gaming.

]]> By: Oli from the-iBlog.com http://paulstamatiou.com/going-hd-part-1#comment-162823 Oli from the-iBlog.com Wed, 11 Jun 2008 22:38:22 +0000 http://paulstamatiou.com/?p=2344#comment-162823 I've always been an LCD fan myself. I do too much gaming to want to take the risk. I currently use a 40in Samsung LCD. I’ve always been an LCD fan myself. I do too much gaming to want to take the risk. I currently use a 40in Samsung LCD.

]]> By: Ryan http://paulstamatiou.com/going-hd-part-1#comment-162807 Ryan Wed, 11 Jun 2008 18:45:26 +0000 http://paulstamatiou.com/?p=2344#comment-162807 Comcast is making out on this digital conversion. Regardless of the government mandate, Comcast keeps double dipping by tacking on extra charges for HD content, digital cable converters, and so on. I'm so tired of Comcast, but choice is limited unless you're willing to make the switch to the dish. Comcast is making out on this digital conversion. Regardless of the government mandate, Comcast keeps double dipping by tacking on extra charges for HD content, digital cable converters, and so on. I’m so tired of Comcast, but choice is limited unless you’re willing to make the switch to the dish.

]]> By: Dave Zatz http://paulstamatiou.com/going-hd-part-1#comment-162802 Dave Zatz Wed, 11 Jun 2008 16:36:07 +0000 http://paulstamatiou.com/?p=2344#comment-162802 Merrick, my Panasonic has an anti-glare coating. Has worked out fine - at my old place, it was near many large windows and I didn't have a problem. (New place it's recessed in a nook above the fireplace.) Merrick, my Panasonic has an anti-glare coating. Has worked out fine – at my old place, it was near many large windows and I didn’t have a problem. (New place it’s recessed in a nook above the fireplace.)

]]> By: Merrick http://paulstamatiou.com/going-hd-part-1#comment-162801 Merrick Wed, 11 Jun 2008 16:30:04 +0000 http://paulstamatiou.com/?p=2344#comment-162801 My larger issue with the plasma's was the reflection, for example I could see the trees 50 feet behind us through the window while watching tv. My larger issue with the plasma’s was the reflection, for example I could see the trees 50 feet behind us through the window while watching tv.

]]> By: Nick http://paulstamatiou.com/going-hd-part-1#comment-162800 Nick Wed, 11 Jun 2008 16:20:17 +0000 http://paulstamatiou.com/?p=2344#comment-162800 Wow, great TV choice Paul. I'm going to purchase a 37" TV (50" is just too big for my place) but instead of plasma, I'm going with Samsung's LCD. Wow, great TV choice Paul. I’m going to purchase a 37″ TV (50″ is just too big for my place) but instead of plasma, I’m going with Samsung’s LCD.

]]> By: DrFence http://paulstamatiou.com/going-hd-part-1#comment-162798 DrFence Wed, 11 Jun 2008 15:16:33 +0000 http://paulstamatiou.com/?p=2344#comment-162798 What dvr are you using with DirecTV? I just got rid of my HR10-250 and got their HR21-100 receiver. It's a decent receiver and I was surprised at how nice the interface was. The way that you manage "season passes" is a bit strange as now it's called the "prioritizer" which gives no indication that you're managing a season pass. Took me a while to figure that out. What dvr are you using with DirecTV? I just got rid of my HR10-250 and got their HR21-100 receiver. It’s a decent receiver and I was surprised at how nice the interface was. The way that you manage “season passes” is a bit strange as now it’s called the “prioritizer” which gives no indication that you’re managing a season pass. Took me a while to figure that out.

]]> By: Mark M http://paulstamatiou.com/going-hd-part-1#comment-162797 Mark M Wed, 11 Jun 2008 14:43:24 +0000 http://paulstamatiou.com/?p=2344#comment-162797 Paul, what happened to the huge projector/riser setup? New apartment? As far as viewing full 1080p HD content, I bought a PS3 about 6 months ago for $450 and it has been the single best media purchase I've ever made. The fact that it's a superb gaming machine is more of a perk for me (I'm not a huge gamer). But where the PS3 really shines is its ability to store and play personal pictures and HD videos downloaded online. The Sony store also has free 1080p movie previews and game demos -- on top of all that, it can also play the winning HD video format, Blu-ray (and regular DVD's as well). With HDMI and optical outputs, It has been the best single solution media player/server I've ever used, and with such a nice TV, you would definitely enjoy having full 1080p. Paul, what happened to the huge projector/riser setup? New apartment?

As far as viewing full 1080p HD content, I bought a PS3 about 6 months ago for $450 and it has been the single best media purchase I’ve ever made. The fact that it’s a superb gaming machine is more of a perk for me (I’m not a huge gamer). But where the PS3 really shines is its ability to store and play personal pictures and HD videos downloaded online. The Sony store also has free 1080p movie previews and game demos — on top of all that, it can also play the winning HD video format, Blu-ray (and regular DVD’s as well). With HDMI and optical outputs, It has been the best single solution media player/server I’ve ever used, and with such a nice TV, you would definitely enjoy having full 1080p.

]]> By: Tony http://paulstamatiou.com/going-hd-part-1#comment-162796 Tony Wed, 11 Jun 2008 14:21:39 +0000 http://paulstamatiou.com/?p=2344#comment-162796 @Paul - Like Dave said, normal viewing such as a 2 hour movie with black bars should never be a problem. If you are concerned about it, your TV should have an option to use grey bars instead of black. I watched I Am Legend over the weekend which had black bars along the top and bottom and it wasn't an issue. @Paul – Like Dave said, normal viewing such as a 2 hour movie with black bars should never be a problem. If you are concerned about it, your TV should have an option to use grey bars instead of black.

I watched I Am Legend over the weekend which had black bars along the top and bottom and it wasn’t an issue.

]]> By: Adrian http://paulstamatiou.com/going-hd-part-1#comment-162794 Adrian Wed, 11 Jun 2008 14:09:06 +0000 http://paulstamatiou.com/?p=2344#comment-162794 I know Plasma's have a lot going for them, but to be honest, I wouldn't want a TV that required me to run "maintenance" to prevent burn in after 2 hours of watching something. I know Plasma’s have a lot going for them, but to be honest, I wouldn’t want a TV that required me to run “maintenance” to prevent burn in after 2 hours of watching something.

]]> By: Dave Zatz http://paulstamatiou.com/going-hd-part-1#comment-162793 Dave Zatz Wed, 11 Jun 2008 14:02:47 +0000 http://paulstamatiou.com/?p=2344#comment-162793 Paul, for normal viewing habits burn in will never be a problem with a modern plasma. I wouldn't even waste time with the gradient - watching another hour on another channel will take care of it. Paul, for normal viewing habits burn in will never be a problem with a modern plasma. I wouldn’t even waste time with the gradient – watching another hour on another channel will take care of it.

]]> By: Paul Stamatiou http://paulstamatiou.com/going-hd-part-1#comment-162792 Paul Stamatiou Wed, 11 Jun 2008 13:59:57 +0000 http://paulstamatiou.com/?p=2344#comment-162792 Also @Tony - do you have any burn-in issues with movies that show top and bottom black bars? or is it not really a problem if its just black? Also @Tony – do you have any burn-in issues with movies that show top and bottom black bars? or is it not really a problem if its just black?

]]> By: Paul Stamatiou http://paulstamatiou.com/going-hd-part-1#comment-162791 Paul Stamatiou Wed, 11 Jun 2008 13:58:59 +0000 http://paulstamatiou.com/?p=2344#comment-162791 @Tony - I was worried about watching a basketball game or something and having the score box get burned in.. but if you can watch it that long and remove it with an hour of gradient work that's great news. @Tony – I was worried about watching a basketball game or something and having the score box get burned in.. but if you can watch it that long and remove it with an hour of gradient work that’s great news.

]]> By: Tony http://paulstamatiou.com/going-hd-part-1#comment-162790 Tony Wed, 11 Jun 2008 13:48:32 +0000 http://paulstamatiou.com/?p=2344#comment-162790 @Paul - Yeah, there is the scrolling feature as well as a white out feature to remove any image burn in. The scrolling works better but I've also heard that an unused channel with snow works well also. My girlfriend made the mistake of watching TLC for about 8 hours one day while I was at work. I ran the scrolling gradient for about an hour and it removed the burnt in red logo in the lower right hand corner without any problems. @Paul – Yeah, there is the scrolling feature as well as a white out feature to remove any image burn in. The scrolling works better but I’ve also heard that an unused channel with snow works well also.

My girlfriend made the mistake of watching TLC for about 8 hours one day while I was at work. I ran the scrolling gradient for about an hour and it removed the burnt in red logo in the lower right hand corner without any problems.

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