Are HDTVs over rated?

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bases_loaded

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6,912 posts
Feb 22, 2010 10:38 AM
LCDs are more energy efficient than Plasmas(not by alot) and both are more energy efficient than CRT and Projection TVs
Feb 22, 2010 10:38am
M

MontyBrunswick

Feb 22, 2010 10:42 AM
bases_loaded wrote: LCDs are more energy efficient than Plasmas(not by alot) and both are more energy efficient than CRT and Projection TVs
I'm pretty much an expert because I Googled it a few minutes ago. Most people replace a CRT with a decent sized (32+)in TV, which would INCREASE usage.

I initially thought what you thought, because that's how it works with CRT computer monitors. As the size increases, LCD becomes more expensive. They also show a lot more, though.
Feb 22, 2010 10:42am
I

I drain 3's

Senior Member

574 posts
Feb 22, 2010 10:46 AM
With our cable package, you have the choice of watching ESPN and certain other channels (TNT, USA, etc.) in standard definition and HD. First time after watching a game in HD, I can't stand watching it in anything else. The difference is that big. Hell, I even watch Sportscenter in HD.
Feb 22, 2010 10:46am
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Manhattan Buckeye

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7,566 posts
Feb 22, 2010 10:52 AM
I don't know why people think you have to continually replace bulbs, even in the old Rear View projections, I've had mine for 9 years and have never had a problem.
Feb 22, 2010 10:52am
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Rotinaj

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7,699 posts
Feb 22, 2010 11:14 AM
MANAZE wrote: my tvs are on for a good 20 hours a day. I sleep with them on. Would HDTVs be ok for something like that?
Well, you could always put the sleep timer on so you dont have to leave it on all night.
Feb 22, 2010 11:14am
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Fab1b

The Bald A-Hole!!

12,949 posts
Feb 22, 2010 11:15 AM
Manhattan Buckeye wrote: I don't know why people think you have to continually replace bulbs, even in the old Rear View projections, I've had mine for 9 years and have never had a problem.
Agree I had an RCA 52' rear projection tv and loved it. Had it for 5yrs then sold it to a buddy 3yrs ago. The only reason I sold it was because I wanted HD. He has now had the RCA for 3yrs and it works like a champ and has never given either of us an issue.
Feb 22, 2010 11:15am
LJ's avatar

LJ

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16,351 posts
Feb 22, 2010 11:16 AM
Manhattan Buckeye wrote: I don't know why people think you have to continually replace bulbs, even in the old Rear View projections, I've had mine for 9 years and have never had a problem.
They are talking about DLP's, those bulbs only last ~3 years
Feb 22, 2010 11:16am
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Polar Bear 73

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216 posts
Feb 22, 2010 11:39 AM
I just got HDTV about 3 weeks ago and I must be doing something wrong. I switch back and forth between the non-HD channel and it's HD counterpart and I don't see any difference in the quality. Also when I switch to HD the picture gets smaller with 2-3 inch black bars on the top and bottom.

I was watching the golf tournament this weekend and kept toggling back in forth between HD and non-HD and I didn't see any difference in clarity, color or definition.

Can anyone help?
Feb 22, 2010 11:39am
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Manhattan Buckeye

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7,566 posts
Feb 22, 2010 11:42 AM
^^^

I'd contact your cable provider or dish/directv. Could be faulty equipment. I have Comcast and my first hdtv cable box had problems.
Feb 22, 2010 11:42am
LJ's avatar

LJ

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16,351 posts
Feb 22, 2010 11:44 AM
Polar Bear 73 wrote: I just got HDTV about 3 weeks ago and I must be doing something wrong. I switch back and forth between the non-HD channel and it's HD counterpart and I don't see any difference in the quality. Also when I switch to HD the picture gets smaller with 2-3 inch black bars on the top and bottom.

I was watching the golf tournament this weekend and kept toggling back in forth between HD and non-HD and I didn't see any difference in clarity, color or definition.

Can anyone help?
How do you have it hooked up?
Feb 22, 2010 11:44am
McFly1955's avatar

McFly1955

Senior Member

1,441 posts
Feb 22, 2010 11:51 AM
HDTV's are well worth it, IMO. I love my 50" Panasonic Plasma more than my LCD, and I will be purchasing 1080p projector in April after my basement is finished --- 100" screen woot.
Feb 22, 2010 11:51am
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Polar Bear 73

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216 posts
Feb 22, 2010 11:52 AM
LJ wrote:
Polar Bear 73 wrote: I just got HDTV about 3 weeks ago and I must be doing something wrong. I switch back and forth between the non-HD channel and it's HD counterpart and I don't see any difference in the quality. Also when I switch to HD the picture gets smaller with 2-3 inch black bars on the top and bottom.

I was watching the golf tournament this weekend and kept toggling back in forth between HD and non-HD and I didn't see any difference in clarity, color or definition.

Can anyone help?
How do you have it hooked up?
I didn't hook it up the Insight cable guy did. Is there something in particular I should check?
Feb 22, 2010 11:52am
LJ's avatar

LJ

Senior Member

16,351 posts
Feb 22, 2010 11:54 AM
Polar Bear 73 wrote:
LJ wrote:
Polar Bear 73 wrote: I just got HDTV about 3 weeks ago and I must be doing something wrong. I switch back and forth between the non-HD channel and it's HD counterpart and I don't see any difference in the quality. Also when I switch to HD the picture gets smaller with 2-3 inch black bars on the top and bottom.

I was watching the golf tournament this weekend and kept toggling back in forth between HD and non-HD and I didn't see any difference in clarity, color or definition.

Can anyone help?
How do you have it hooked up?
I didn't hook it up the Insight cable guy did. Is there something in particular I should check?
If he hooked it up I would just call them back out. My Insight HD works just fine. They set you up with a new DVR and everything right?
Feb 22, 2010 11:54am
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raiderbuck

Senior Member

1,623 posts
Feb 22, 2010 12:02 PM
Polar Bear 73 wrote:
LJ wrote:
Polar Bear 73 wrote: I just got HDTV about 3 weeks ago and I must be doing something wrong. I switch back and forth between the non-HD channel and it's HD counterpart and I don't see any difference in the quality. Also when I switch to HD the picture gets smaller with 2-3 inch black bars on the top and bottom.

I was watching the golf tournament this weekend and kept toggling back in forth between HD and non-HD and I didn't see any difference in clarity, color or definition.

Can anyone help?

How do you have it hooked up?
I didn't hook it up the Insight cable guy did. Is there something in particular I should check?
Do you have an HDMI cable? Does your cable box receiver offer HDMI output?
Feb 22, 2010 12:02pm
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Thunder70

Senior Member

748 posts
Feb 22, 2010 12:48 PM
I doubt it's hooked up via HDMI. I didn't get a HDMI cable when DirecTV hooked up my cable. They just used AV cables.
Feb 22, 2010 12:48pm
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justcompete

Senior Member

263 posts
Feb 22, 2010 1:03 PM
Definitely get an HDMI cable. The pictures is better but the sound REALLY improves. Also, make sure you have a HD box from your cable company.
Feb 22, 2010 1:03pm
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raiderbuck

Senior Member

1,623 posts
Feb 22, 2010 1:25 PM
without HDMI cables...then yes HD is overrated.

I ordered my cables via Amazon.com, three 9.8 foot cables for $33 shipped.
Feb 22, 2010 1:25pm
W

WebFire

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14,779 posts
Feb 22, 2010 1:31 PM
If you have a friend that works at Best Buy, ask them to get cables for you. Under $4 each.
Feb 22, 2010 1:31pm
LJ's avatar

LJ

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16,351 posts
Feb 22, 2010 1:40 PM
www.firefold.com discount code OTFIRE

a 6ft high quality HDMI cable shipped to Westerville Ohio is $5.44
Feb 22, 2010 1:40pm
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Polar Bear 73

Senior Member

216 posts
Feb 22, 2010 2:06 PM
Yes I did get set up with DVR. I was reading the manual for the TV and checking the connections, it appears that they set it up correctly. I saw the HDMI outlet on the cable box and the TV and they have a cable connected to it. How can you tell if it is an HDMI cable?
Feb 22, 2010 2:06pm
LJ's avatar

LJ

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16,351 posts
Feb 22, 2010 2:08 PM
Polar Bear 73 wrote: Yes I did get set up with DVR. I was reading the manual for the TV and checking the connections, it appears that they set it up correctly. I saw the HDMI outlet on the cable box and the TV and they have a cable connected to it. How can you tell if it is an HDMI cable?
because only an HDMI cable can connect through HDMI ports.

Like I said, call Insight back, they may have not set your box up correctly.
Feb 22, 2010 2:08pm
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raiderbuck

Senior Member

1,623 posts
Feb 22, 2010 2:12 PM
HDMI connectors look like this:

Feb 22, 2010 2:12pm
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Polar Bear 73

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216 posts
Feb 22, 2010 3:43 PM
I called, they said they would have someone call me back and determine if they need to come back out.
Feb 22, 2010 3:43pm
LJ's avatar

LJ

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16,351 posts
Feb 22, 2010 3:45 PM
Polar Bear 73 wrote: I called, they said they would have someone call me back and determine if they need to come back out.
They will probably walk you through some settings on the box and on the tv. Hopefully that gets things cleared up.
Feb 22, 2010 3:45pm
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raiderbuck

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1,623 posts
Feb 22, 2010 4:03 PM
I can't believe I didn't notice this earlier...I have Insight Cable too. If you have DVR then you have the HD box. I didn't have HD when they set my box up, so the guy just used the standard def hook-ups. IIRC, there should be one HDMI cable running from the box to the TV. It should REPLACE the standard cable cord running from the box to the TV. You should also have a regular cable cord running from the wall to your cable receiver. If you do have this set up, and you are still having trouble...then it sounds like it may be the box.

Insight had to replace my last box because my DVR kept spazin' out on me, they were pretty helpful. Hope this helps.
Feb 22, 2010 4:03pm