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hdtv questions answered
by Greg Gibson
October 13, 2003
 NextGenElectronics'
resident HDTV expert Greg Gibson answers your questions about HDTV and
what you should do about this exciting emerging technology. If you have
a question or comment you'd like Mr. Gibson to comment on, please feel
free to email him personally by clicking
here. All inquiries are subject to publication, however, no personal
information will be given away or published.
Mark M. : I am looking to purchase an HDTV
large screen (65in.) In reading several articles it appears that the widescreen
format would be the way to go however I have read an article that describes
something known as the "burn in effect" which occurs in the
widescreen format. Basically, it states that instead of the top and bottom
portion being blacked out the sides would be blacked out and possibly
damage the television due to the fact that everything is not broadcast
in HD. Please fill me in on which direction I should go at this time when
purchasing an HDTV. Thanks.
Greg Gibson : Your inquiry is a valid and
important inquiry. You are correct that when viewing programming on a
wide-screen (16x9) format TV and you do not "expand the picture (fat
people)" to fill the entire screen, you will have side bars on the
left/right sides of the picture that will result in "burn in"
if viewed in 4x3 resolution for a proplonger period. Interrestingly,
if you do not buy a 16x9 widescreen format TV (i.e., buy a 4x3), in a
few years when everything is in widescreen HDTV format, then your picture
on the 4x3 tv will have top and bottom bars! This will cause your 4x3
tv to have burn in bars top and bottom!
One of the issues NextGenElectronics has with the US Government
FCC is the slow pace of transition to the new 16x9 format. Consumers who
do not understand the issues will buy a tv and have burn-in buy the time
the conversion to HDTV occurs.
Let me reassure you however, that if you get a 16x9 set
(please confirm this with the vendor) that you can run the 4x3 picture
in "expanded" format to fit the screen and avoid burn-in...
unfortunately, 4x3 programming will appear FAT (stretched to fit horizontally).
While awkward, it is better than burn in. And as TV converts to 16x9,
life will get better for you.
Hence, NextGenElectronics suggests you WAIT for a while
for more programming in 16x9, if you can. If you are like us however (4x3
set broke) then you have to change and 16x9 will last you longer than
4x3. But the choice is yours... good luck.
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 Bryan
H. : I'm looking to buy an HDTV capable projection TV, Mitsubishi
55" Gold Series model #WS55311 in particular. I wanted to know if
playing my X-box gaming system on this TV will damage it or not? If it
will damage it, are there any other larger screen HDTV's out there that
are immune to such damage? Your advice would be greatly appreciated!
Greg Gibson : Unfortunately, to the question
of "can gaming XBOX, et al, effect the HDTV" - the answer is
yes AND no. First let me answer about non-XBOX platforms - they send their
signals in 4x3 resolution, resulting in "side bars" on the screen.
Most HDTVs have the ability to "stretch" the 4x3 resolution
onto a widescreen HDTV so that there are no "sidebars"...which
naturally effects the horizontal picture (fat picture). If you run the
4x3 resolution with sidebars, the sidebars will eventually (time is dependent
on a lot of factors but it isn't that long) "burn in" so when
you went to view a real HDTV picture in 16x9, you would notice side bar
"artifacts". This is not a function of the set or the manufacturer
- rather it is just the result of repeating the same image over and over
and not sending an image to portions of the screen.
Second, XBOX actually has an HDTV output signal and HD capability
which, with proper HD cables and input to the HDTV as an HD signal, will
result in a full HDTV signal from the HBOX = high resolution in a 16x9
format! XBOX is the only platform which supports 1080i (HDTV) 16x9 output.
Check your Xbox instructions for proper HDTV 16x9 widescreen installation
and hookup. If you wanted to, you could run XBOX in the 4x3 mode in lower
resolution, and then the answer above would apply.
Third, ALL games (XBOX and the others) have the ability
to be put on "pause" and generate a "frozen picture"
over and over to the HDTV. Most HDTVs will "burn in" the image
into the set if you leave it stuck on the same image (why screen savers
were invented). This is not necessarily limited to HDTVs as some monitors
will burn in an image. So, you want to enaure that you run games that
changes the picture periodically, and that you don't accidently leave
the game paused or running with the same image.
So, with a little common sense to avoid burn-in, and the
HDTV cables and hookup into your 1080i inputs, your HDTV should function
well as your game platform. I periodically run my XBOX on a Mitsubishi
65711 16x9 HDTV in full high definition widescreen. Picture will knock
you out.
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Bob W. : Of all the different HDTV ready
rear projection televisions on the market, is there any one particular
brand that you recommend or prefer? Is there a publication that rates
rear projection HDTV ready televisions? Presently I have a Hitachi HDTV
ready model in the standard 4 x 3 screen and I am considering going to
a 16 X 9 unit. Any information that you can provide is greatly welcomed.
 Greg
Gibson : There are two top groups: (1) Mitsubishi and Pioneer;
(2) SONY... the rest a ok, but talking to the service personnel who repair
them indicates that Mitsubishi is the top in this area. That is one reason
why we recommend that you buy an extended warantee... with whatever set
you buy - especially if you go DLP or plasma (new technology without a
lot of prolonged experience!).
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Dan N. : Hello, ok here's the deal, I just
bought a new house and I'm not ready to upgrade my silly 27" TV for
something bigger, maybe around 36". Also, I need to either get Cable
or DSS. So at first I was thinking go for the a nice HDTV, but then my
friend got one and damn the picture really isn't that great, sure with
a DVD it looked pretty good, but with regular DSS it's really not very
good and that's with Directtv hooked up through S-video. So what should
I do to get the best picture right now, today? HDTV or Analog.... If I
get a HDTV ready tv do I need a progressive scan DVD or will the TV's
onboard line doubler be sufficient. Should I go with cable or DSS? Should
I get a HDTV tuner or should I get Directtv HDTV service (looks pretty
expensive)????? My budget is around $2500, and I wouldn't want to spend
more than $85 a month on any services. Any help would be much appreciated..
Greg Gibson : Your friend's HDTV is not
HD. You can not input HDTV signals into an HD-ready set via S-Video out
of an HDTV satellite reciever. You must have component inputs! Therefore,
your friends picture isn't in HD so no wonder it looks average. I just
wonder what in the wide wide world of sports he was thinking and who hooked
up his system! You ask a ton of questions, many are answered in our previous
posts. Let me quickly summarize:
1. If you can wait - WAIT... not everything is in HDTV now
and you will wind up with a FAT standard definition picture... somewhat
aggravating - look at this in the retail stores so you understand what
you are getting into if you choose to buy a set now.
2. If you can't wait, then contact your local broadcasters
and talk to their Engineering Department. Ask them where their HDTV broadcast
transmitter is located, is it at the same power level as their standard
definition broadcast, do they estimate that you should receive the signal
(terrain effects, distance, shielding from buildings/structures), and
how much are they actually broadcasting in HDTV.
3. Call your local cable company and see what they are offering
in HDTV. Some cable companies are transmitting 4 (PBS, CBS, NBC, and ABC)
in HDTV on channels typically around 700. You will likely need their HD
converter, but they can discuss that with you.
4. DirecTV and DISHNetwork offer satellite HDTV service.
Call them for boradcasts. I dropped DirecTV when they failed to offer
CBS, NBC, and ABC in HDTV... recognize I took a personal loss of over
$800 for the Mtisubishi receiver in making this switch to cable.
5. There are several sets available for you. BUT NO MATTER
WHAT YOU BUY - STRONGLY CONSIDER THE EXTENDED PURCHASE WARANTEE! Recall
that if a plasma malfunctions, one result can be a permanently "on"
pixel (i.e., a red dot always on in one part of the screen) or it might
not last (we are talking cutting edge technology today that has not "been
around" for 20 years). Be smart and consider how bad you can feel
if the set craps out after 3 years.
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Les L. : wish I'd seen your Q&A's before
I bought my Plasma TV. I also bought a Zenith 420 Hi Definition Receiver.
Unfortunately, I live on a mountain approximately 50-55 miles away from
the local TV station antennas. I get a clean, BEAUTIFUL picture on VHF
channels with my big Channel Master Antenna w/mast mounted preamp. No
ghosts or anything. UHF channels have always been snowy, though. So, I
set up my Zenith receiver and it says my UHF signal strength is too low.
No HD signals for me!
I'm considering mounting a separate Winegard HD-9095P Deep Fringe UHF
Yagi Antenna with a 20dB Mast Amp. No one around here (on the mountain)
has any experience with OTA HD reception. I talked to several engineers
at the TV Stations and they think I'll get a strong enough signal, but
of course THEY aren't spending all that money, are they? What do you think
of my chances of success with this setup?
Greg Gibson : Your situation is very interresting!
As we have tried to explain, current broadcasts in standard definition
are different from the HDTV broadcasts which are on a different UHF channel
(i.e., CBS standard Channel 6 has the CBS HDTV simulcast on Channel 35),
which might have the transmitter at a different location, and at a different
power level, and UHF transmissions are harder to receive than VHF.
If you actually live on top a mountain with direct line
of sight to the HDTV transmitter, then you should be able to pickup the
signal with a good YAGI antenna (YAGI antennas are best for UHF signals).
However, if you have mountains between you and the transmitter - you have
problems -- as a side note, that is my problem (my house gets VHF Channel
6 fine but I can't get the HDTV UHF braodcast on channel 35 because of
terrain).
So, your question is really one of what is the smartest
way to "test out" your theory. I would suggest (based on my
Radio Shack Manager being a very nice guy) getting the YAGI and seeing
if it works - but explain your situation up-front and ensure they will
"take it back" if it doesn't work... you may be out some time
but not some money if the retailer will do it. That is important because
even with direct line of sight, 50-55 miles is a VERY long distance for
UHF.
Please let me know what happens, as we do get people in
the same predicament (live far away from the transmitter) and it would
be nice to say that the gentleman from Tennessee tried (even with direct
line of sight) and couldn't get 50 miles to work.
Best wishes for a successful setup. but you are apparently
tackling the problem the right, methodical way.
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Greg M. : We are due to get HD signals
from our broadcast stations. I live in an apartment and use an 18"
satellite for my regular viewing and currently use a set-top antenna for
my OTA signal. First question, will I be able to pick-up the HD signal
with my current antenna, and if not do you have any suggestions on what
I may be able to get in order to get them?? Second question is will I
be able to use my current TV set to view the new HD signal once it becomes
mandatory?
Greg Gibson : Your questions break down
as follows:
1. Your OTA antenna may be able to receive the HDTV signals
from your local broadcasters depending on: distance from their transmitter
(which may be in a different location from their normal broadcast); the
HDTV signal strength (which may be different from their normal broadcast);
and terrain effects (UHF transmissions are often tricker than the VHF).
To reiterate our #1 advice = Call your local broadcaster and ask to speak
to their Engineering Department - their engineers can give you the best
advice specific to your area.
2. You don't say whether your current tv is an HDTV or not.
If it is not an HDTV, what will happen is that you will have to buy a
converter (assuming your set doesn't have one) and the final picture will
have top and bottom "bars".
3. There are basically 3 ways to get HDTV: OTA (covered
by answer 1); Satellite (DirecTV or DISHnetwork) which requires their
special HDTV satellite receiver/converter; and Cable which also requires
their special HDTV receiver/tuner.
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Chris M. : have a question regarding my
monitors HD input. There is only one HD input for my monitor(Philips)
which I am currently using for the digital cable/HD input. In order to
apply the progressive scan feature on my DVD(Sony) the Philips manual
states that I need to plug the DVD into the HD input. Okay so here is
the problem. Neither the Dtv cable box nor the sony DVD player has an
HD input. I am currently using a stereo receiver/amp that does not have
HD inputs. Finally, is there a HDTV signal splitter or a T for the RCA
jacks at the input that would allow me to use both devices without having
to go out and purchase a new receiver/amp?
Greg Gibson : We are
at the mercy of the manufacturers here. Your easiest and most effective
option is to get a good AMP that will have 2 or 3 HD inputs and then an
output to your monitor. The new Denon is a model AVR-2803 we are going
to review next month... and it is reasonably priced for a 100 watt, full
surround system for a somewhat reasonable price... so you might want to
consider it among your other choices.
We have not found a switcher we would recommend - which
would be the only other option. Switchers are usually manual anyway, which
will cause you problems with your remote.
Commentary By: Greg Gibson - email
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