hdtv - questions answered
by Greg Gibson

June 3, 2004

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.

Jeff B. : Hi Greg, I have been doing a lot of research on HDTV yet I still have some questions that I can not find answers on. Hopefully you can help out! I own a 65 inch HDTV ready Mitsubishi(65-511) with an integrated DTV port(obviously) After several failed attempts to get HDTV via a terk "submarine" antenna and another rig up antenna in my attic I decided to do it the correct way. I got the high end radio shack outdoor antenna(this puppy is huge!) and did a roof installation. First I must note I live about 25-30 miles due north of Chicago. Everything is correctly installed and I do get some HD in but not as much as I like.I know channels do not broadcast everything in HD and there is a guide to show what is on but I have programs on NBC, ABC and WGN that show that they are being displayed in HD according to my TV but I have 2 black bars on the right and left..it is very annoying. Do you have any clue why it is doing this? Also, I know there are limitations on getting CBS off an antenna but fox I am supposed to get but it is showing in SD( do you think I ! need a preamp on my antenna?) If you have suggestions on how to fix this or any other HD info I would greatlyprecite it as " Iam trying to "dive" into the world of HD.

Greg Gibson: To your questions, the good news about HDTV broadcasts is that you either get them or you get zero signal. So if you are getting the broadcast (albiet with sidebars) you are getting the channel.

I will assume you have set up the Mitsubishi correctly and have not done any standard definition preferences.

I also will assume that when you say you are "watching" CBS (for example) that you are tuned to the HDTV channel and not the standard definition channel. I didn't mean to insult your intelligence there, but I get a lot of mail from people who assume that all they need to do is buy an HDTV set and suddenly their "Channel 6" will convert automatically to HD when the CBS HD feed is actually being simulcast on UHF Channel 35.

Your getting the large external antenna (which significantly improves UHF reception) was good, and apparently you are getting the HD picture. But I couldn't tell from your problem description whether your picture is switching from standard (side bars) to HDTV (1080i widescreen) on these channels. Current broadcasters do not have equipment to "refilm" their commercials and often their "local content" or older "rebroadcasts (reruns)" in HDTV - so you will be watching the ABC feed of the NHL Hockey Finals and suddenly the Miller Lite commercial has side bars. That is normal and will continue until broadcasters all obtain and film everything in HDTV format.

As for specific recommendation, I would strongly suggest that you call your local broadcaster, and talk to their Engineering Department, and ask them: (1) what channels are their HDTV broadcasts on; (2) where is the HDTV broadcast transmitter (it might be in a different location that would effect where you "aim" your antenna); (3) what programming are they currently doing (sometimes the broadcasters don't broadcast in HDTV simply because it is expensive to run 2 channels simultaneously) - get confirmation from them that an HDTV broadcast is on and then check your reception.

If all the above fails, then recheck your Mitsubishi initial setup (see if you somehow are overriding the automatic setting to display 1080i) I don't think this is your problem however, since you said you do get "some" HDTV.

Thanks for the inquiry - PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT HAPPENS - your case is interresting for being an apparent intermittent problem.

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Sharon T : I am shopping for a projection TV. I really like the Mitsubishi WS-65513; however, I have satellite, no air broadcast reception and very little interest in high definition TV so I do not need the high definition tuner. However, I want the firewire connection, net command with FAV and IAV, the memory card and stretch-plus. Is there a projection TV out-there without the high definition tuner that has all-of-these features or something similar? The reason I want firewire and net command with FAV and IAV is because I think this is the future connection for everything. I want stretch-plus because I will not be receiving high definition and people do not seem to look as fat. I could live without the memory card. Am I placing too much importance on these features? Should I buy the WS-65313 which comes without the high definition tuner because these features are not very important and someday soon it will be possible that I will be able to somehow upgrade this TV to permit some kind of firewire adapter connection? Finally, I understand that Mitsubishi has introduced a new line such as the WS-65515 and WS-65615 which will be on the market next month. I can't find information which gives the specifications. Do you know anything about this new line? Should I wait for the new line? Can you give me some advice about all-of-this?

Greg Gibson : Well, at least you have decided on a projection system... and you realize that you will be using satellite which comes with a tuner, so you don't want to duplicate that -- so far so good.

I am not so sure about FAV and IAV... and there are other competing interfaces as well. Firewire isn't the digital streaming media interface that is being considered... so only think of firewire for controlling other components (DVD player, surround sound processor, etc.).

However, why are you getting an HDTV if "you have very little interest in high definition". If you aren't wow'd with HD, then don't spend your money now - wait and in a year or two, the compatibility issues will sort themselves out, and HD content will significantly increase... then you can go out and get something when you are significantly "wow"ed.

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Matthew G. : Hi Greg - Recently decided to 'commit' some serious dollars in acquiring a best-in-class home entertainment system, which in my mind, includes an HDTV Plasma 42" (or more) display. Candidly, I'm at a loss to what to do after reading your article and have concerns over "half life" issues, xHD3 technology and the like. I was impressed with the 50" Panasonic HDTV system at my local dealer.but would appreciate your thoughts as to which magazine, or resource I should consult to best get a handle on what's out there, and what's on the immediate horizon that I should possible wait for. Appreciate your thoughts.

Greg Gibson : I just spoke to a major manufacturer who installed 2000 Plasmas in 3 large hotels last year - they are being removed because of burn-in and fade half-life issues... you can imagine these units were pretty much left on all the time... but in 18 months the hotels pulled them...

Actually, we are the only place doing active research (note how we do NOT have advertising from any of the manufacturers - so as they say in Texas - I ain't got no dog in this hunt)... we just came back from E3 (see our articles in www.GamingIllustrated.com) and have some interesting stuff for NextGenElectronics in the very near future (I have another trip to see the Feds in DC next week)....

Keep checking us out and we will be trying to build a "road map" to make our information easier to understand... Thanks for the feedback!

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Steve M. : I am considering the purchase of a Sony 51" projection HDTV monitor. I currently have basic cable with no cable box, although if I do purchase the Sony, I also plan to go with the DirecTV HD package. In the interim, since the Sony has no tuner, will basic cable signals be displayed (obviously not in high-def) or does the cable box become necessary to display the cable signal?

Greg Gibson : I am confused on why you would go with DirecTV if you have cable service (unless it doesn't offer HD service). I mention this because of a problem with satellite that I have complained of in our columns - the problems with getting the network feeds in HD via satellite. PLEASE check with DirecTV and your local cable company BEFORE you buy your set!

If you have HD Cable service, with network HD feeds, you will use the HD-cable-box to feed your monitor (the cable box HD outputs to your HD inputs, and the HD cable box standard feed output to your normal monitor tv-input)... you will select the monitor input based on HD or standard, and tune via the cable box.

If you go with DirecTV instead of cable you can hook-up as you suggested. HOWEVER, I am assuming you can get the network feeds via DirecTV - this is a special request to DirecTV by the way - I mention this because I have been to Jeff City, TN and although it is beautiful, I don't recall whether you have HD local broadcasters and don't think you have all the network feeds in HD... if you have NO local network service, then DirecTV will contact the networks and ask if they can provide you with the network HD feed... if you do have access (even though you might not have an antenna), they will DENY you access to the network HD feed (local broadcasters want you to watch their commercials). You could wind up with a great HD TV and no HD service.

So, go forth and do your homework and keep in touch - good luck...

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Jeff S. : I have an HDTV capable Sony Wega. Will buying the converter have any effect on the quality of the picture of a DVD? If the converter will only affect the TV/Cable broadcasts, I'll just upgrade my digital cable service to HD and not buy a converter.

Greg Gibson: Your TV should have multiple inputs - one for DVD (480p) and one for HDTV (1080i). The HDTV digital cable HDTV converter will go into the 1080i TV input, while the DVD will input to a separate input - so the answer to your question should be that the DVD will not be effected when you call the cable TV company and changeout your standard converter/turner with an HDTV tuner/converter.

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Daniel C. : I am in the market for a hd tv.Do you recommend a indoor antenna for best reception? also if I get an hd tv and do not get a hd source right away will I be disapointed with the picture.Example is and Hd tv using s video into a direct tv reciever.Oh by the way it is a 32" tube.

Greg Gibson : Yes, you need to carefully check out the transmission sources before you buy. Indoor antennas are the least sensitive - you should call the broadcaster's engineering department and talk with them BEFORE you buy - ask them if you can get their signal at your location (they will only know about their particular transmission and not be able to give you a general answer about all channels). If you get your HD TV and you only watch old pictures, then yes - I would assume you would be disappointed in the picture... especially since you will have to stretch the old 4x3 picture to fit your 16x9 widescreen.

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Grady C. : My wife and I are adding on to our house. We've been considering either a plasma t.v. or an hdtv. My only concern is with the viewing area. If one sits to the side of these sets, does the clarity of the picture diminish or does the clarity remain the same?

Greg Gibson : Plasma is a term used to describe the physics of the set (see our description of the various technologies). HDTV is used to describe picture qualities of 720p and 1080i.

Plasma is currently a fixed resolution at 720p. However, you can get "Enhanced Definition TV - EDTV" at a much lower quality resolution of 480p. If you buy the EDTV (typically about $1000 less than an HDTV), please understand it is NOT HDTV and you get a rather below-average picture.

You can get an HDTV Plasma, and the prices are significantly spread from $3000 to 10000. Top of the line is Pioneer, and yet there are many excellent sets by Samsung et al for much less.

Please read our article on Plasma, and the problem with "half-life" - the picture will degrade significantly over time (3 to 4 years half the brightness is lost - looks "washed out or faded"). While newer sets are getting better, this is a problem with this particular technology. If you appreciate this and still want one, fine - but buyer beware.

The clarity of the flat panel sets like LCD and Plasma have a rather large viewing angle, and this is one of their good selling points. The best thing to do is to go to a store and get out your tape measure and stand and look at the demo unit from various positions - that way you can see with your own eyes and make your own personal value judgement on whether the picture quality will meet your needs. We (at NextGenElectronics) encourage individuals to (1) be smart about the technologies because there is no one "perfect" technology - they all have drawbacks (read our articles for more data); (2) don't trust stats - go see the units with your own eyes - you are spending a lot of money for these sets and you better check it out; and (3) do your homework (see our articles) before you buy your set on how you are going to get your signals and be sure to consider an extended warantee!

Commentary By: Greg Gibson - email