HDTV for Dummies. Only I'm not giving the advice, I'm the dummy.

 

New member
Username: Organizm

Post Number: 1
Registered: Jan-07
I need a bit of help here.

I just recieved this TV as a sort of hand me down:http://www.amazon.com/Sharp-Aquos-LC-26GA5U-Widescreen-Flat-Panel/dp/B00070E8LK I dont have an instruction manual, or a remote, so all I know about it is from that amazon.com link.

Its HD capabilities never even phased me until just this month when I purchased an xbox 360, which is HD capable, and now I want to make sure I'm getting the most out of my HD experiance.

1. I use my xbox360 for both games, and HD-dvds, which I can play in its HD-DVD player, which I purchased seperatley (it does not support HDMI, though I"m still not sure I understand what that is anyway). I can set my xbox to either 720p, 1080i, or 1080p (1080p doesn't appear to work), with my TV, which is ideal for video games and movies?

2. I also have comcast digital cable. I know they supply some HD-channels. What do I need to be able to see those channels in HD? It says int he description that my TV supports up to 720p. Does this mean I won't be able to watch channels that broadcast in 1080i, only those broadcasted in 720p? I don't see any HD plugs, component or HDMI, so do I need to purchase something seperatley?


My head is starting to hurt from all of this. So thanks in advance,

Carlo
 

Gold Member
Username: John_s

Columbus, Ohio US

Post Number: 1284
Registered: Feb-04
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I can set my xbox to either 720p, 1080i, or 1080p (1080p doesn't appear to work), with my TV, which is ideal for video games and movies?

Any incoming video signal will be scaled to your 768 vertical resolution. This includes any 1080 signal (1080p will not work on this display). I would guess the best setting would be 720p, not only because it is better for fast motion (games and movies) but also 720 more closely matches the native resolution on this TV. It will not hurt to try both. Ultimately, your eyes have to be your guide.

What do I need to be able to see those channels in HD?

You have to rent a Comcast HD cable box with the appropriate HD channel bundle. That box will have component and I believe HDMI outputs. Yes your TV can handle a 1080i signal---you've already proven that with your xbox.
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New member
Username: Kramg

Post Number: 5
Registered: Feb-07
John, I just purchased a Magnavox LCD HDTV with a built in HD ATC tuner. I Plugged it into a cable outlet without a cable box and ran autoprogram. It identified 333 digital channels some in HD. The channels are a bit wacky, (71-117). Don't know how this is happening but am not complaining. Do you know how I can get a guide to all these channels. Thanks
 

New member
Username: Not2night

Post Number: 1
Registered: Apr-04
We just purchased a HT LCD SAMSUNG TV 26 INCH. It says it has a HDTuner so you can connect the cable into it with out a box and receive hd channels.That is a lie , you have tohave a off air antenna for this. We have Sat. but not the local HD channels yet. We also have a 65 IN MITS HD TV , That TV has a DTV INPUT I put in the cable to that input on the back of the TV and get 4 local channels in HD.
unless I am doing somthing wrong on the Samsung LCD 26 , Not getting the locals in HD?
any help out there/
 

Silver Member
Username: Cableguy

Somewhere on... U.S.

Post Number: 968
Registered: Mar-05
Ms Fudge~ it's best if you know the facts before you say somebody is lying about something that is factually true. Because you have a satellite system, YOU have to connect an antenna to receive OTA HD signals. Most cable companies pass local HD channels thru in the clear meaning you don't need a STB to view them if your TV is digital cable ready. The cable wire you tried connecting was a satellite feed and that's why it doesn't work the way you want it to, hence you needing the addition of an antenna.
Once you connect the antenna to your TV, do a full channel scan (autoprogram channels) and you will find what is available in your area if your antenna is positioned properly to receive them. You can go to antennaweb.org to see how you need to configure your antenna and what channels are available in your area.
 

New member
Username: Not2night

Post Number: 2
Registered: Apr-04
No that is not correct, The cable I used was from the cable co. . going directly in to the back of the TV. where it says cable. (2 one says air and one says cable) . The satelite is connected via HDMI from the sat box to the back of the tv. I was under the impression that since this TV says it has a built in hdtunner that i could connect the cable into the back of the tv and get local hd channels.just like I do on my Mits 65 tv , on that 65 I connect the cable into the back where it says DTV, the sat is connected via dvi on that and nothing in going into the ant a or b be cause the cable from cable co is going into the dtv. So since they stated in the book that no addl hd boxes were needed to get local I assumed I could just put the cable into the back of the tv where it says cable and get the local hd channels, but that does not bring in the channels in hd, the owner mannual does not say you need overthe air antenna.
 

Silver Member
Username: Cableguy

Somewhere on... U.S.

Post Number: 970
Registered: Mar-05
Ok, then my apologies for not understanding your connections. As I said "most" cable companies pass local HD channels thru in the clear, so if you have your "cable company" cable wire connected to your digital tuner and have done a channel scan and are unable to pull them in, call your provider and ask them if the channels are being passed in the clear or not. It would also help in you include who your provider is and in what state so others that know about it can chime in as well.
 

New member
Username: Not2night

Post Number: 3
Registered: Apr-04
I am in Raleigh NC cable co is Time Warner.
I only subscribe to the basic package it is like $11 a month. Since I have Satelite via DirectTV
I was just under the impression that since the cable is connected to my 65Mitsh in the DTV outlet inthe back of the TV ,and the HD is great on that. Now the 65 is projection and the samsung is LCD. I was just thinking that this SamSung would also be able to do the same
since it has a HDTUNNER, It just looks funny when we look at it.
Sat will install the 5 LB LINE ,on Sunday for local HD ,
just keep basic cable for those very windy days! did plug it in both air and cable and did scann. but it is not as pretty of a hd picture as Sat. IF i put cable booster on the outlet where the cable (not sat)
comes out if the wall do you think that will boost the reception of the cable?
 

Gold Member
Username: John_s

Columbus, Ohio US

Post Number: 1400
Registered: Feb-04
Ms Fudge I can feel your pain and frustration here. I did look up an owners manual on one of the current Samsung 26" LCDs. It says, under the features section: "With a built-in HD digital tuner, non-subscription HD broadcasts can be viewed with no Set-Top Box needed." The first question I have is whether these TVs have a QAM tuner. This tuner is separate from the either the NTSC or ATSC tuners. Please read my post on another thread.

https://www.ecoustics.com/electronics/forum/home-video/331465.html

Samsung does not mention anything about QAM in the detailed specs on any of their TVs. Of course, that doesn't mean they are not QAM equipped, but one would think they'd mention it.

Ms Fudge have you tried checking the digital signal strength feature in the main menu under the "channel"? You may very well have a weak signal.
 

New member
Username: Not2night

Post Number: 4
Registered: Apr-04
strength indicater in dim, not avaiable under cable but is under hdmi but that is for the satelite.I am just clueless on this. I will be calling Samsung today .. thank you for your help. but this will help others.
 

Gold Member
Username: John_s

Columbus, Ohio US

Post Number: 1406
Registered: Feb-04
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"but this will help others."

Yes, I would like to know if Samsung displays are QAM equipped. If they are, I still think your problem is signal strength. In either case, let us know.
 

New member
Username: Cabluck

Post Number: 1
Registered: Mar-13
i dont know how to program air antenna tv on my rca scenium model number hdlp 50w 151can some on help me iwent to menue and did the outo programing but nothing happens do neen a special box for antenna or just the regular antenna what am i doing wrong
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