Advice on SD - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

dynot · 2004-02-12, 01:28 PM

Hi everyone. I've been lurking on AVS and someone referred me here for Canadian info. Should be more helpful on issues specific to the state of Cdn HD.

First let me apologize if this has been covered already but I checked and wasn't able to find anything.

I am set on a Sammy DLP but my concern is that most of my viewing will be SD as I won't get get HD till later in the year. In fact, after seeing the new HLP models I might wait for the HD2+ chip.

Can anyone tell me how SD from a BEV 3100 looks like on the Sammy 56"? Is it at least as good as my current 32" direct view Panny? I could buy now and benefit from DVD viewing at close to HD until I get the HD receiver.

Will this SD signal look better on a CRT RPTV?

Thanks for your help in advance...

mguisado · 2004-02-12, 08:18 PM

Whenever you expand a 480i image to 57", it won't look like your 32". The good thing about the DLP is that you don't have to use strech modes so that makes it look a little better.

My 46" dlp definately doesn't look as good as my 27" sd set. But it's watchable. We've gotten used to it. The TV is very source dependant, some channels look better than others. I have Shaw digital, so I can't tell you how Bell will look. But SD perfromance (after some tweaking) looks acceptable to me.

dynot · 2004-02-12, 09:00 PM

Thanks for the reply.

So then the question becomes why would one buy a DLP unless he/she has HD access already? Even if we get acceptable SD why plunk down $5-6K when we can get better or just as good reception on a regular set.

For me it looks like one should add the cost of an HD receiver when considering an HD set.

HeaTransfer · 2004-02-13, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dynot

Thanks for the reply.

So then the question becomes why would one buy a DLP unless he/she has HD access already? Even if we get acceptable SD why plunk down $5-6K when we can get better or just as good reception on a regular set.

For me it looks like one should add the cost of an HD receiver when considering an HD set.

Be careful how you use "reception" - as the TV itself is not generally responsible for reception. And you're right, $5-6k is a huge chunk.

Everyone has different ideas of value. DLP is indeed expensive, but there are advantages (which I'm sure you're aware of). The fact of the matter is, when you take a picture with relatively limited source information and blow it up to a huge size, it will look crappy pretty much no matter what type of display you have; rpcrt, dlp, rplcd, tube... That said, seeing movies on large widescreen off of good DVD source is a very ... positive experience.

In terms of straight value, SD tube is the way to go. In terms of HD/big-screen value, it's RPCRT.

In Canada, HD is still, sad to say, essentially bleeding edge. It seems to be on the radar of many people who have bought HD ready sets, but actual HD penetration is quite low.

researchboy · 2004-05-27, 07:33 PM

I'm in the game with a Samsung HLN467WX. I picked it up for a wicked deal at The Bay (of all places) . It is a Tantus set so comes with the 3 year warranty. I picked up another two years to have it covered until January 2008. It came with the DVD HD931 (with DVI cable) as a promotional offer.

I run the DVD player through DVI and have an older SHAW digital cable terminal though S-Video (yup S-Video). Standard and digital channels are quite acceptable. I have it set to panoramic view which doesn't distort the 4:3 very much when viewing at 6:9. The DVD through DVI is almost too sharp.

I did have the SHAW HD DCT 6200 hooked up to my set via DVI and ALL channels were improved greatly over S-Video. All Standard definition channels looked 'really' good through DVI. HD signal was absolutely incredible. Let the TV do all the converting. The cable box needs to be set at 720p... then just let the tv do it's thing.

I took this DCT 6200 back as I just purchased the Gefen 2x1 DVI Switcher so that I can have two DVI sources into the set. My Samsung DLP only came with one DVI input.

I am now awaiting the much anticipated Star Choice DSR 530 which will hopefully be DVI enabled. Then I'll be set for a while.

Bplayer · 2004-05-27, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by researchboy

.. and have an older SHAW digital cable terminal though S-Video (yup S-Video). Standard and digital channels are quite acceptable.

Nice summary. What is your viewing distance?

researchboy · 2004-05-29, 03:29 PM

Viewing distance is 8-9 feet. I chose this size of set based on my viewing distance. Could be half a foot closer when viewing HD signals but then we're splitting pixels. =D

Since Bill C-2 is now dead, hopefully there will be some sort of movement to open the skies and get some 'man gear' in the HD game. I understand that the new DVR box from Star Choice will be completely obsolete before it even hit the shelves. NO DVI is the rumoured word. Unlike this box..... HR10-250 HD
http://www.dbstalk.com/reviews/HR10-...Tivo/index.htm

2004-02-12, 01:28 PM	#1
dynot Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: montreal Posts: 311	Advice on SD Hi everyone. I've been lurking on AVS and someone referred me here for Canadian info. Should be more helpful on issues specific to the state of Cdn HD. First let me apologize if this has been covered already but I checked and wasn't able to find anything. I am set on a Sammy DLP but my concern is that most of my viewing will be SD as I won't get get HD till later in the year. In fact, after seeing the new HLP models I might wait for the HD2+ chip. Can anyone tell me how SD from a BEV 3100 looks like on the Sammy 56"? Is it at least as good as my current 32" direct view Panny? I could buy now and benefit from DVD viewing at close to HD until I get the HD receiver. Will this SD signal look better on a CRT RPTV? Thanks for your help in advance...

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2004-02-12, 08:18 PM	#2
mguisado Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 47	Whenever you expand a 480i image to 57", it won't look like your 32". The good thing about the DLP is that you don't have to use strech modes so that makes it look a little better. My 46" dlp definately doesn't look as good as my 27" sd set. But it's watchable. We've gotten used to it. The TV is very source dependant, some channels look better than others. I have Shaw digital, so I can't tell you how Bell will look. But SD perfromance (after some tweaking) looks acceptable to me.

2004-02-12, 09:00 PM	#3
dynot Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: montreal Posts: 311	Thanks for the reply. So then the question becomes why would one buy a DLP unless he/she has HD access already? Even if we get acceptable SD why plunk down $5-6K when we can get better or just as good reception on a regular set. For me it looks like one should add the cost of an HD receiver when considering an HD set.

2004-05-27, 07:33 PM	#5
researchboy Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Victoria, BC Posts: 48	I'm in the game with a Samsung HLN467WX. I picked it up for a wicked deal at The Bay (of all places) . It is a Tantus set so comes with the 3 year warranty. I picked up another two years to have it covered until January 2008. It came with the DVD HD931 (with DVI cable) as a promotional offer. I run the DVD player through DVI and have an older SHAW digital cable terminal though S-Video (yup S-Video). Standard and digital channels are quite acceptable. I have it set to panoramic view which doesn't distort the 4:3 very much when viewing at 6:9. The DVD through DVI is almost too sharp. I did have the SHAW HD DCT 6200 hooked up to my set via DVI and ALL channels were improved greatly over S-Video. All Standard definition channels looked 'really' good through DVI. HD signal was absolutely incredible. Let the TV do all the converting. The cable box needs to be set at 720p... then just let the tv do it's thing. I took this DCT 6200 back as I just purchased the Gefen 2x1 DVI Switcher so that I can have two DVI sources into the set. My Samsung DLP only came with one DVI input. I am now awaiting the much anticipated Star Choice DSR 530 which will hopefully be DVI enabled. Then I'll be set for a while.

2004-05-29, 03:29 PM	#7
researchboy Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Victoria, BC Posts: 48	Viewing distance is 8-9 feet. I chose this size of set based on my viewing distance. Could be half a foot closer when viewing HD signals but then we're splitting pixels. =D Since Bill C-2 is now dead, hopefully there will be some sort of movement to open the skies and get some 'man gear' in the HD game. I understand that the new DVR box from Star Choice will be completely obsolete before it even hit the shelves. NO DVI is the rumoured word. Unlike this box..... HR10-250 HD http://www.dbstalk.com/reviews/HR10-...Tivo/index.htm