I found HDMI cables (can't remember if they were Phillips or Monster (the latter aka "overpriced and overhyped") brand) at Lowe's or HD (can't remember that either - noticing a trend?) for easily 1/3 the cost of the same at CC, BB or other electronic stores.

OK, I'm gonna show some of my TV technology ignorance here.

I don't even know what DVI, HDMI(although my DVD is hooked up with one),F-type, SD are.

Does that mean that my two hdtv's are getting the hd channels someplace else besides the cable tv coax they are hooked to? I had trouble with one not getting the hd, until I found a splitter on the cable line hidden in the corner of my basement. I took it out, and now all works good.

I went in to a store when I bought one of these with a wooden folding ruler to find one that would fit in the cabinet.

The kid says, "what's that thing?"

I said, "a stick of inches."

"what?"

"A folding ruler"

"Oh. what's that for?"

"So I make sure the TV I buy will fit in our cabinet."

"Well put it away, the dimensions are here on the sticker."

This was after I spent 10 minutes walking around measuring tv's.

Man, I'm so lost when it comes to all this stuff.

Some diagrams...

F-Type (Coax) - Typically Standard Definition (SD). HD Capable only for Over The Air ATSC (Digital) tuners)


Composite (Not HD, but Good SD, better than coax)


S-Video (Not HD, but Better SD, better than composite)


Component (HD Capable - Analog R/G/B, some say still the best)


DVI (HD Capable - Digital Video, no audio - separate connections, becoming obsolete)


HDMI (HD Capable - Combined Digital Video and Audio Signals, becoming the standard, obviating DVI)


2Suns, you could be getting HD on your TV through your cable box IF the cable box is hooked to your TV by Component, DVI or HDMI. If the box is connected to your TV by Coax, then I doubt your TV's are displaying HD. They might be playing HD channels 'downconverted' by your box to SD out of the coax line.

If your cable box is HD capable, it will have component, DVI or HDMI output ports to connect an HD set to.

Our HD TV's at home have digital HD tuners in them. Coax into the TV, HD picture displayed, no external box.

However, the incoming signal sucks OR the digital tuner cards are weak (value level TV's). I'm going with the ladder. I don't think the internal processing has enough capacity to render a great digital HD picture off the incoming feed. The picture looks good if there is not too much motion on the screen. Watching football or something with a lot of motion does not look as good.

Point is: It's possible to have HD without an HD box or OTA reception. We have it. It's not optimal, at least in our case. The local cable company wants $40 more per month for HD digital receiver boxes (stupid packaging!).

D

Ken: Why do some still stay component is the best? HDMI or DVI appears to be the best. Infact, many up-converting DVD players won't export to component above 720p.

Also, please correct me if I am wrong, component cables will not work with 1080p? I don't believe the frequency is there to handle it? Help????

Point is: HDMI or traditional DVI (same thing your computer monitors should have the option for, assuming they're not 9348394 years old) is the way to go, IMHO.

Amazon.com for affordable cables!

If your TV is displaying HD content direct from an incoming Cable, then the cable company is putting out a QAM digital signal that the TV's QAM capable digital tuner is decoding.

Yes. That (QAM Digital Cable signal) can be HD content direct over Coax, no box required.

Some still say Component is best for a few reasons:
1) Compatability. (There are still a few flavors (versions) of HDMI that some devices support and some don't).
2) Which device has the best D/A converter. If the TV has the best D/A converter/processing internally then maybe HDMI is the bet. If the external device has the best D/A converter processing, then component may be best.
3 Other thoughts: Cable length considerations, Copy Protections...

Not sure about Component being able or not to carry 1080p. Good question. Quick web search is mentioning the RCA connectors as the limitation. Thanks for pointing that out.

Here something I just ran across related to cabling:
http://www.audiolofftreport.com/dvi_hdmi.html

They do that to keep the movie industry happy. The movie industry doesn't like high quality analog (read non-copy protected) video.

Never thought about it in that respect. Any word on the analog jacks and being able to handle 1080p?

Nothing?

I've mentioned before that I work in the consumer electronics industry.
I'm just asking to get a reading on the market. How much everyone here talks about lcd and plasma is in line with current markets, wonder how the next couple of years will look. Barring a full depression.

I found that when i had my cable box connected to my receiver via hdmi the sound dropped out much more than normal so I reconnected it via component & tosilink cables and it is much better.

If anyone is looking to buy cables try www.monoprice.com there prices are incredible. You can get hdmi cables for about $5. Great place - i have bought tons of stuff.

Hockey Family -> The thing about the laser TVs is that Mitsubishi made a big deal about them 2 years ago as the next big thing in DLP technology, then they have been pretty quiet about the technology. Since everyone wants slim little LCDs and Plasma, and the prices are dropping, DLP has fallen by the way side except for people like me who want a BIG TV (65" plasma is still pretty pricey) They probably couldn't sell enough to keep the pricing competitive with LCD/Plasma much less the LED based DLPs.

Thanks TimBob

Pretty much what I'm thinking as well. I work in operations, not marketing, and I was curious as to what others think.
The laser is supposed to compete in the slim market, I just saw one for the first time a few weeks ago. Seems to be a little thicker than sony LCDs, but also a bit thinner than mitsu DLPs. And they can be hung on a wall. But the pricing may not be competitive enough, even with the claimed advantages, and especially in this economy. Will have to wait and see what next year brings.

I've actually been looking to replace my 2003 720p with a 1080p and have seen "120MHz" in adds. Is a higher frequency (80MHz to 120MHz) really neccesary or is it just sales hype?

Many thanks for all the input
We are leaning (at this point) towards a 50" (maybe a 46") plasma - I like the Panasonic. My next step is to check out my stereo system and speaker setups for the space and see what I will need there (no sense making the investment if it will sound poorly).
Now its time to find a sale over the next 45 days or so.
Any preferences on Direct TV versus Dish 9in all HD)?

I've got a Sony Bravia XBR 32" LCD upstairs in our living room. I've been really happy with the Sony. I'm looking for a 57-60" flat panel to mount on a wall in our basement. I've been looking at a 60" Pioneer Elite plasma. Wow, I've yet to see a TV with deeper blacks or a picture that compares. But, it's expensive at over $5k.

I've read some good things about the Panasonics. The place I was looking at the Pioneer also recommended LG's new Class 60" Plasma. It's not quite the Pioneer but is under $4k. So I have some decisions to make.