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General discussion

Watching non-HD digital satellite on HDTV Plasma (help!)

Oct 3, 2005 4:10AM PDT

After weighing all the costs involved, and esp. living in Hawaii with limited availability, I decided to just go and get the Maxent 42-X3 42" Plasma at Costco yesterday.

The DISH Network guy is coming over today. To test the TV (which doesn't have a built in tuner), I used the RCA cables and hooked up a VCR and played a VHS tape. Also, I had an old DVR I used on the mainland and hooked it up also with the RCA cables.

The pictures from the VCR and DVR were HORRIBLE! I mean my mother in law's 10 year old Tube TV looked better. Jags everywhere, any slight movement looked like pixel heaven. I played a DVD and with the 16:9 format, at least that looked acceptable.

I plan on getting the HD package sooner or later, but in the meantime, I want to enjoy my non-HD digital feeds from DISH Network (esp. sports! - most sports programming doesn't do HD, only some ESPN broadcasts). The questions I have are:

1) Is this particular to my Maxent TV, and is this basically it is an inferior product, or is this kind of issue particular to all Plasma HDTVs?

2) Is there a setting (non-HDTV setting?) where I can get a better picture from digital satellite feeds?

3) Are there better cables to use (S video rather than RCA jacks) to make the picture less grainy and choppy?

4) If not big screen plasma, what is the best big (and hopefully flat panel) picture for digital, non-HDTV satellite?

Frustrated in Hawaii,

Will Lee
koreambear@yahoo.com

Discussion is locked

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Watching non-HD digital satellite on HDTV Plasma
Oct 3, 2005 5:39AM PDT

You should alwise use the best connection that you have.
So S-video would be better than composit.
This seams to be one area that is NOT reviewed!! How well a HDTV will do on analog sources!!
NTSC analog TV is 320x240 in computer terms, so the HDTV in having to scan convert it up to 1024x768 or 1280x720.
Yes the DVD will look good since it is 640x480.
You may just have to try all the settings to find one that looks the best.
Some are buying scan converts, but they cost around $1000 so it is not a "easy" fix.
But when you get the HD package you connection should be componet or better so that should help. John

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DISH NETWORK 811 SYSTEM
Oct 3, 2005 5:46AM PDT

I might save you tons of problems, I have dish net 811 hi-def sat system and its awsome I have basic+hi-def and VOOM for $45.00 per month also it has a awsome over the air tuner so just throw up an outside antenna and enjoy all the local digital hi-def channels, also YOU MUST GET A D.V.I. CABLE FROM YOUR SAT BOX TO YOUR T.V if your t.v. has a h.d.m.i. input then you can buy an adapter in closing to make your d.v.d. picture look stunning get the DENON 2900 with d.v.i. output and a GIFIN d.v.i. switcher so you can switch between your sat system and d.v.d. player, using line s. vidio and even componit inputs just wont give you a great picture let me know how your system turns out also Iam goint to get the SONY vpl-hs51 projector and screen the projector sells for $3500 I just dont care for plasma because they look like a picture on the wall and the rear projectors look like a big box with a picture in it respond to stewart norrie cadillacstew@aol.com

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Thanks everyone-I am going to be getting the DISH 942
Oct 3, 2005 11:13AM PDT

The DISH network guy said this might clean up a lot of the jagged edges even for non-HD broadcasts. And of course, the HD programming is going to be great. I guess this is common to any kind of plasma TV - not just Maxent.

Stewart - you are saying that the 811 or 942 has a built in antenna tuner for free HD broacasts? Can you tell me more about that (email me! addy below)? Do you need more equipment? What free channels are in HD? Also, I am in Hawaii, so I might be out of luck on some of the good stuff going on.

Will Lee
koreambear@yahoo.com

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Cables help
Oct 3, 2005 3:13PM PDT

1.) the maxent hdtv plasmas are a great buy..but as always, you do get what you paid for. (limited amount of inputs, longevity, "sexiness" Silly)

2.) there isnt really one setting or switch that'll fix your picture problem. with your old tv, its like u had a glass of water and a tablespooon of coolaid..it looked fine. now, you still have the same tablespoon of coolaid, but you're pouring it into a gallon of water. its gonna be much different. (i love coolaid)

3.) RCA's are inferior cables now even though they'll still work. definitely go for Component and DVI(or HDMI) cables for the stuff you use most. then s-video. keep in mind that a vcr and most stand alone dvr's are not meant for hdtv. thats probably why your picture is so grainy.

4.) as far is the best HDTV to watch non-hd on..i'd probably say a HDTV tube..i'm sure others have their own opinions..but yea. its the only downside to HD right now, is that non-hd doesnt look so hot. but in a few years, things will be MUCH different.

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Nice analogy
Oct 4, 2005 1:21AM PDT

"its like u had a glass of water and a tablespooon of coolaid..it looked fine. now, you still have the same tablespoon of coolaid, but you're pouring it into a gallon of water. its gonna be much different. (i love coolaid)"
This is a good way to put it. John

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Nice analogy - unless your name is Jim Jones
Oct 4, 2005 5:10AM PDT

Hey, thanks a lot. I love this forum.

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What free channels are in HD?
Oct 4, 2005 1:13AM PDT

More info about Hawaii!!! How is the weather this time of year??? I'm traveling to Ohau on the 18th will be there a week.
Oh yea,,, About DHTV, what broadcast channels do you have now? ABC,NBC,CBS??? Thay are all required by the FCC to have thier HD channels up and running. You just need a good antenna aimed at the tower and hooked up to your 942.
Dish uses MPG2 so with component or DVI/HDMI the regular channels will look better. John

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This time of year is great; any time of year is great
Oct 4, 2005 5:14AM PDT

Basically, weathermen here should be fired b/c it is the same weekly forecast - 85-90, sunny, with chance of scattered light showers throughout the week.

I think we are out of the hot and humid season, about a month from August to September. If you are staying in Waikiki, the trade winds really are great there - it really is paradise. Some other parts can get pretty hot since the trades don't kick in as much.

Let me know if you have other logistical questions or need other info re: hawaii. Glad you could come out. Just email me.

Will Lee
koreamebear@yahoo.com