HDTV and Me...

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Originally posted by ssbomberman
The waviness I'm fairly certain is because of cheap 3rd party cables run through a switcher then into the TV...the upgrade should kill that problem...

I'm going component on everything over time as funds allow--the only problem is with system like Gamecube and Playstation, I'm not sure if I can plug them (with components) into the HD input because not all games are progressive scan and I tried plugging in a non-progessive DVD player and it won't allow it--it says only 480p or 1080i sources allowed.

--so will it allow me to play non-progressive games on PS2 and GC through that input? Or would I have to switch to the standard component for non and back to the HD for progressive?

I'm getting the Xbox component tonight since almost every game supports atleast 480p...the rest can wait for now...

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Actually, you'd be surprised at how many games DON'T do 480p on Xbox. Sure, Xbox is the leader in progressive scan, but that's still not the case for about half of the games for the system...It sucks that your input only allows 480p...I think you're stuck switching back and forth, if that's the case. Mine does 480i/480p/1080i and says so on the input...I thought that was the minimum behavior, but that might not be true...


As for the noise, the switcher might be the problem. If it can't handle the frequency of the input it'll screw it up. That's the reason people use component switchers rather than just normal RCA switcher...same product, with higher quality parts on the component one. Great cables could be useless connected to a bad switcher...the switcher having poor shielding could also those cause problems.

Congrats on the purchase. I'm not sure what resolution that the VGA input is set to, but unlike computer monitors, TV's with VGA typically only accept ONE resolution and refresh rate. Like the 27" Zenith's at school (non-HDTV) only accept 800x600 at 60 hz.

Videogames are usually made to fit a 4:3 area nowadays, so you're probably getting less picture when switching it to 16:9. Widescreen mode probably just moves the gauges around so that they'll fit, and it sends a signal that would otherwise be stretched vertically if viewed on a 4:3 screen.

I have been thinking of saving up for a 27" HDTV myself, but I find it hard to save money for that long... it would take me 3 months to save up for the lowest price unit! Besides, I would like to finish updating my speakers first (still have center and surround to go), which will probably amount to about $400.

Well I have everything updated and looking good. The Xbox works well in the HD input as all the games I have run in 480p. The only problem I am having is that reds are just too red on the DC and PS2 and it seems like it's mostly with 2-D games where the reds almost have a drop shadow effect...I tried lowering the color but that lowers all color levels and there's tint adjust, contrast, brightness, and sharpness...should I buy one of the DVDs that calibrate the TVs to make it perfect? Or is there a way I can just do it now...

Buy one of the DVDs. I just used Video essentials on my big screen(non HDTV) and I can't believe how much better it looks. It fixes exactly what you said your problem was with the reds and many more. It worked like a dream. I can't imagine how much nicer it can make a really nice TV look. Trust me, you won't regret it.