New guy dumb question...


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New guy dumb question...

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sparky
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Apr 11, 2005, 4:09 PM

Post #1 of 19 (4077 views)
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New guy dumb question...	Can't Post

I recently purchased a Samsung 42" EDTV plasma tv and was wondering if I could get some input from you all. I would like to know the best connection to use to get the best picture possible. I know it's not HD, but I still want to get the best picture I can. Do I use s-video or component cables? I have a digital satillite feed so the picture quality should be real good. I hooked it up last night and wasn't that blown away with the quality of the picture. It might be in the tv settings themselves, but I have no clue. Please help??

Klein
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Apr 12, 2005, 6:02 AM

Post #2 of 19 (4065 views)
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Re: [sparky] New guy dumb question... [In reply to]	Can't Post

First of all do you mind if I ask you a few questions? What all are you hooking up to this TV? DVD Player? Surround Sound? Satellite (What company, What connection options) etc etc. Where did you buy it? And didn't the guy there ask you these questions?

The connections you use make a dramatic difference so I'm glad that you asked this question. However, there are many thinks other than the cables themselves that can make a large difference in picture quality. Are you using a clean power supply with your plasma TV? A clean power device, common produced by Monster Power, will make a dramatic difference in the quality of your picture as well as make your product last longer. Now by clean power device I DO NOT mean surge protector. A surge is nice, but that means very little as those chances are minute that a surge could mean trouble for you. Although everyday pollution travels through your powerline and shows up on your tv. Your past tvs didn't have the resolution capability to display this pollution, but a EDTV plasma certainly will.

-Klein

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"When you go in for a job interview, I think a good thing to ask is if they ever press charges."
-Jack Handey

sparky
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Apr 12, 2005, 2:28 PM

Post #3 of 19 (4062 views)
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Re: [Klein] New guy dumb question... [In reply to]	Can't Post

Wow! I must say I never really thought about all those questions before. Where to start? Ok, first off, the tv is a Samsung SP-P4251. To it I am connecting a JVC receiver and Panasonic DVD player. I have Direct TV, with a basic Samsung receiver. I purchased the TV from an reputable online distributor, but they never asked any of these questions.

Klein
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Apr 12, 2005, 5:53 PM

Post #4 of 19 (4059 views)
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Re: [sparky] New guy dumb question... [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

To it I am connecting a JVC receiver and Panasonic DVD player. I have Direct TV, with a basic Samsung receiver.

The basic Samsung receiver I would guess has just S-Video for a connection. I would bet that your DVD player has component video. My question is do you have the capability of running your video through your JVC receiver? Is it a Surround Sound Receiver with optical inputs? Do you have a model #? We're getting close to the best solution for you but not quite there yet. Unsure

In Reply To

I purchased the TV from an reputable online distributor, but they never asked any of these questions.

Remember that when you buy products like plasma T Vs online you lose out on a lot of warranty stuff and you lose the customer specialist that would normally be there to guide you through this process. As far as the clean power source that I mentioned. You'll notice the picture under my screen name on the left. That is a picture of the one that I would buy if I were in your situation. Plasma TVs draw an extreme amount of power much more than any average TV, that will very much help make sure that the power thats going in isn't going to be damaging your system, and allow you the best picture quality possible. The model # is HTS-3500 and it is one of the many clean powers available at BestBuy or Monster.com. You'll notice that they are the same price at both locations so I reccomend going to the store as it will save you time and money for shipping.

Again I wish you good luck. But let me kknow what I can do to help you out a little further.

-Klein

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"When you go in for a job interview, I think a good thing to ask is if they ever press charges."
-Jack Handey

sparky
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Apr 12, 2005, 6:35 PM

Post #5 of 19 (4058 views)
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Re: [Klein] New guy dumb question... [In reply to]	Can't Post

Yes, that's all the samsung has is the s-video connection, as far as my JVC receiver goes it is a surround receiver with optical inputs. I am unsure of the model just because I am currently at work. I took a look at the Clean Power by Monster Cable. A bit pricey for me, is there another choice? I also saw that there was a lesser model the HTS 1000 MKII PowerCenter with Clean Power. Would this be ok to use? I really appreciate all your help..

Klein
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Apr 12, 2005, 7:47 PM

Post #6 of 19 (4057 views)
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In Reply To

I would say that the HTS 1000 would be sufficient. The difference between the HTS 1000 and the HTS 3500 is the difference of the filtering of the power. The filtering of the HTS 1000 (Stage 2) and the filtering of the HTS 3500 (Stage 3) is the type of filtering that they offer. For example, the Stage 2 offers a video filter and an audio filter which are optimized for the different type of uses that you might get from both. Then Stage 3 filtering offers a Digital Audio, Digital Video, Analog Audio and Analog Video filtering to optimize the picture even more. The HTS 1000 filter will have dramatic effect on how long your Plasma and other HT essentials will last as well as the performance that they will have for you.

Next, as far as hooking up your system... I have just one last question for you. Do you want only to get sound out of your JVC receiver... OR... would you like to get sound out of both. Keep in mind that the sound that your surround sound receiver offers will be much more accurate than would the sound that would come from your TV.

-Klein

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"When you go in for a job interview, I think a good thing to ask is if they ever press charges."
-Jack Handey

(This post was edited by Klein on Apr 12, 2005, 8:10 PM)

sparky
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Apr 12, 2005, 7:58 PM

Post #7 of 19 (4052 views)
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Re: [Klein] New guy dumb question... [In reply to]	Can't Post

You didn't write anything??

Klein
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Apr 12, 2005, 8:11 PM

Post #8 of 19 (4048 views)
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In Reply To

You didn't write anything??

I did... but it never showed... I don't know why, but it should be now posted in my previous post.

-Klein

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"When you go in for a job interview, I think a good thing to ask is if they ever press charges."
-Jack Handey

sparky
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Apr 12, 2005, 8:16 PM

Post #9 of 19 (4045 views)
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Re: [Klein] New guy dumb question... [In reply to]	Can't Post

Weird, but I did see it the second time. That is how I have it set up now. The audio is only running through the receiver right now. Which is fine because the sound is much better.

Klein
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Apr 12, 2005, 8:28 PM

Post #10 of 19 (4047 views)
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Re: [sparky] New guy dumb question... [In reply to]	Can't Post

Ok... then you are best off taking the satellite feed out of the wall to the HTS 1000. Out of the HTS 1000 to the Samsung DirecTV box. Out of there with S-Video and (either optical if it is supported... or analog audio if it is not-- you never specified which) and then run that to the TV. After that Component video is the best option for your DVD player. The resolution available for a progressive scan DVD player is the exact same as your TV so that would be the best direction and again out of there with Optical to your surround sound (do you have a progressive scan?). If after these adjustments you are still not satisfied with your picture quality there is one more way to improve it. A EDTV plasma is a "fixed pixel" device. It will display every pixel on the screen even if the resolution of the TV feed is not as good as the resolution on the TV. Meaning if you run a 480i resolution out of you DirecTV feed to the TV and the TV displays a 480p or progressive resolution you are best off getting a feed with that resolution from DirecTV. If you don't you will be displaying exacltly 1/2 of the picture possible. Now DirecTV doesn't offer a EDTV service, they strictly offer SDTV (standard TV) and HDTV. If you want to get the best resolution you can run a HDTV source into your TV from DirecTV and it will be displaying its full capability.

-Klein

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"When you go in for a job interview, I think a good thing to ask is if they ever press charges."
-Jack Handey

sparky
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Apr 12, 2005, 8:38 PM

Post #11 of 19 (4044 views)
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Re: [Klein] New guy dumb question... [In reply to]	Can't Post

What do you mean when you say run optical for sound to the tv? My receiver and tv both have optical.

Klein
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Apr 12, 2005, 8:53 PM

Post #12 of 19 (4040 views)
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Re: [sparky] New guy dumb question... [In reply to]	Can't Post

I mean that your TV will not have any sound heading to it. So you will want to run optical out of your DirecTV box and out to the JVC receiver, then after that you will want to run optical out of your DVD player to the JVC receiver as well. You won't need any audio to the TV and if I typed that up previously I apologize. Good Luck!

As a reminder Best Buy will carry all of these accesories including the HTS1000, the opticals, the analog audios and the S-video and Component videos at the same price as what you would find at Monster's website.

-Klein

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"When you go in for a job interview, I think a good thing to ask is if they ever press charges."
-Jack Handey

sparky
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Apr 13, 2005, 2:57 AM

Post #13 of 19 (4036 views)
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Re: [Klein] New guy dumb question... [In reply to]	Can't Post

Ok, I purchased the Monster HTS1000 and s-video cable. I hooked it up as you said and really didn't see a difference. Plus you said to run the optical from the Direct TV box to the JVC receiver, but the Direct TV box doesn't have optical. Got any other ideas?

Klein
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Apr 13, 2005, 2:14 PM

Post #14 of 19 (4035 views)
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In Reply To

Using the S-Video cable would have been an added bonus. You didn't specify whether you had a DOLBY DIGITAL box so I assumed you didn't but mentioned that if you had that optical option to do so. I guess instead you'll use the analog (red and white) audio cables instead.

As far as picture quality goes. What are you watching to check the picture quality? Are you watching satellite? Remember if you are that you aren't displaying the TVs full resolution until you have the HDTV box hooked up. The TV would take in that HDTV signal from your DirecTV and display full EDTV resolution for your television. However, if you don't want to go out and buy yourself a new HDTV DirecTV box, I would reccommend plugging in a progressive scan DVD player with component cables and throwing in a movie like Ice Age or something (New or its resolution won't be very good), and then check its picture quality. Remember that if you hook up your progressive scan DVD player it must be set to 480p not 480i.

If you hook up your DVD player and its set for 480p heading in to your TV with component cables and it still doesn't look good, there is either something wrong with your TV specifically (a defect) or EDTV is not a direction you should be heading for a TV.

-Klein

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"When you go in for a job interview, I think a good thing to ask is if they ever press charges."
-Jack Handey

(This post was edited by Klein on Apr 13, 2005, 2:25 PM)

sparky
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Apr 13, 2005, 3:05 PM

Post #15 of 19 (4030 views)
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The DVD player I have is progressive scan. Is there a way to change the settings between 480i and 480p? I think I might go ahead with the HD from DirectTV, do you think that is the best way to go?

Klein
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Apr 13, 2005, 3:13 PM

Post #16 of 19 (4030 views)
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In Reply To

The DVD player I have is progressive scan. Is there a way to change the settings between 480i and 480p? I think I might go ahead with the HD from DirectTV, do you think that is the best way to go?

Yes. There often times is a way to switch between 480i and 480p. It could be a switch or slide bar on the back. Or in the case of Sony it could be a pushbutton on the front of the DVD player. Either way you can find that in your manual.

Yes. HDTV DirecTV is the best way to get the picture quality that you are expecting. But remember not all broadcasts are HDTV now. That won't be true for atleast 1 more year. Although more and more are HDTV every day. When you get an HDTV box make sure you run the proper component cable from that box to the TV and the new HDTV box will have a optical output and you should use that as well to pair up the sound with the source. Let me know how everything turns out.

-Klein

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"When you go in for a job interview, I think a good thing to ask is if they ever press charges."
-Jack Handey

sparky
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Apr 13, 2005, 3:20 PM

Post #17 of 19 (4029 views)
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Re: [Klein] New guy dumb question... [In reply to]	Can't Post

I really appreciate you taking time out to help. I will let you know when all things are in place . Thanks again..

rick1036
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May 4, 2005, 3:24 AM

Post #18 of 19 (3874 views)
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Sparky / Klein,

Sorry to jump in between your posts but I was wondering if either of you two could help me out. I also just recently picked-up a 42" EDTV Samsung, I wasn't really in the market for one but let's just say I got a real good deal....real good!! Anyways, is it possible to receive a HD signal on a EDTV plasma? I read your previous post about getting a HDTV receiver and this would allow you to receive the max. resolution picture on a EDTV......is this true? If so, would my plasma require a separate decoder from the HDTV Receiver to the TV or can the HDTV Satellite Receiver be connected directly to the TV? Sorry if this sounds like a dumb question.....but I'm still very new to all this stuff. Also, the sales reps at Best Buy aren't much of a help either......they always seem to be talking in circles. Any info would be much appreciated.....thanks guys!

Robroy
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May 21, 2005, 3:57 PM

Post #19 of 19 (3745 views)
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Re: [rick1036] New guy dumb question... [In reply to]	Can't Post

Yes you can hook your HDTV receiver directly to your EDTV Plasma. The Plasma would just down convert the signal, but it will still be a fine picture. For hook ups DVI or HDMI are the best with "component" being the next best option if ypu don't have DVI or HDMI.

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