FAQ

CABLE & SATELLITE

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I have an HDTV but the picture for broadcast TV doesn't look any better. What is wrong?
You must have all the necessary equipment, which includes a TV with a built-in ATSC HDTV tuner, an external tuner or a cable or satellite set-top box. Second you must either have an antenna hooked up to your HDTV tuner or you must have cable or satellite service that is providing you HD signals. With most companies, you must first sign up for HD service. Finally, you must connect any tuner or STB with component, DVI or HDMI cables; any others will not carry an HD signal.

 

What is a CableCard ?
As part of the digital conversion directed by the ATSC, cable companies are required to offer CableCards to their subscribers. These cards enable TVs to receive cable transmissions without a set-top box. However, they currently don't support two-way communication so pay-per-view, video-on-demand and some other services are not available. Furthermore, few consumer TVs are offered with a CableCard slot at this time.

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Should I use RG59 or RG6 coaxial cable?
RG6 is more expensive than RG59 but it has less signal loss and is more resistant to interference. We recommend using RG6 whenever possible

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Should I connect my cable box directly to my TV or go through my AV receiver first?
A/V receivers usually do not process the video signal at all. Therefore, there is no harm in routing it through the receiver. The advantage is that if your TV has a limited number of inputs, then your receiver can allow the connection of numerous different video sources. Secondly, it makes the connections to the TV neater, because you only have to run one set of wires. Finally, by using your AV receiver as a command center, you gain easier control of your home theater and reduce the number of required remote controls.

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DVD PLAYERS

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Some DVDs are labeled "Fullscreen", some say "Letterboxed" and others say "Anamorphic", "Widescreen" or "Enhanced". What is the difference?
Short answer, always choose "Anamorphic" or "Enhanced (for widescreen or 16:9)" or "Widescreen". In most cases, all three are the same thing and they offer the best resolution and will best fit your screen, even an old 4:3 analog TV. These take the original film image and place it onto the DVD. Your DVD player and TV work to make it fit the screen in the best possible way. It maintains the highest possible resolution. "Fullscreen" DVDs are designed to fill the 4:3 screen of your old style TV. But in so doing, you loose some of the picture, usually from "pan and scan" or image compression. "Letterboxed" keeps the original aspect of the film image but it places black bars above and below the image, even on a 16:9 TV. To do this, it also drops some of the vertical image resolution, resulting in a picture that can be 33% less detailed than on an "Anamorphic" DVD.

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I have a widescreen HDTV but my DVDs still are displayed in a letterbox. Why do I still get those black bars?
If the DVD is labeled as "Letterboxed" then the format is on the disk and your player and TV have no control, (other than some various zoom enhancements). If your DVD is labeled as anamorphic or widescreen enhanced, then the letterbox is normal. The reason for the letterbox is that most films are not shot in the 16:9 format. 16:9 is an HDTV format which is "close" to film formats. Movies are shot in wider formats and when displayed on a widescreen TV will still have some black bars above and below the picture.

Should I set my DVD player to 4:3 mode or 16:9 mode?
If you have a standard 4:3 TV, set your DVD player to 4:3 mode. If your TV has special mode for playing anamorphic widescreen DVDs, sometimes called "squeeze mode or "widescreen enhanced", then set your player to 16:9. If you have a widescreen TV, set your DVD player to the 16:9 mode.

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Can I play music CDs on my DVD player?
Yes. Nearly all DVD players can play music CDs. However, some players may have issues with CDs you make on your PC's CD-burner. DVD players will also play DVD-Audio and SACD discs. However, unless your DVD player specifically supports those formats and is properly connected to your receiver, they will play only as standard music CDs.

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Is it possible to connect a DVD player to a TV without RCA input jacks?
Yes. You will need to purchase an RF modulator; commonly available at Radio Shack. The RF modulator connects to your TV's coaxial RF connector and the DVD player's RCA cables will connect to the RF modulator.

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What are Region Codes and can I play other region numbers on my DVD player?
Region codes were created to do two things. First they were created to be compatible with the various television standards, such as NTSC, PAL and SECAM. Second, they enable distributors to exercise greater control on the distribution of their products. In the U.S. region 1 is used. You can play any disc labeled "1" or "ALL".

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Why is there no picture coming from the DVD Player even though the connections are correct and the movie has started?
Your TV may have a "TV/Video" mode, select "video". Some TVs require you to select an unused channel, usually channel 3 or 4; try selecting one of these channels. Your TV may have several input selection options. Determine the input to which your DVD player is connected and select that input on your TV. If you are connecting through your A/V receiver, make sure it is turned on and the correct input is selected.

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HIGH DEFINITION

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What does HD ready mean? What does HD compatible mean?
"HD ready" and "HD compatible" means the same thing. It means the TV is compatible with the new digital (DTV) broadcast standards. It also means that the TV does not have a built-in ATSC tuner; which is required for DTV broadcasts. Generally, it means that the TV has the resolution to display High-Definition (HD) broadcasts. However, we have seen retailers selling lower resolution EDTVs as HD-compatible. While misleading, it is not entirely inaccurate, because EDTVs are compatible with HD broadcasts, they just won't display the full HD resolution.

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What is EDTV?
Enhanced Definition TVs support the new digital (DTV) broadcast standards. They have 480 lines of resolution displayed progressively (480p). Enhanced Definition is found mostly on plasma flat panel displays, typically with a resolution of 852 x 480. While they have less lines of resolution than HDTVs, they still deliver an excellent, high quality image.

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Why does regular TV actually look worse on my new HDTV?
First of all, the flaws in the lower resolution broadcast are enlarged and become obvious. Broadcasters know what does and doesn't show up in a analog picture, so they can take some shortcuts. However, those shortcuts become glaringly obvious on the large, high resolution screen. Secondly, the lower resolution is processed, or upconverted, for the high resolution screen. When you start with a low quality picture, electronic enhancement circuitry has little to work with and thus the picture doesn't improve and can even look worse.

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Can I get HDTV broadcasts off the air?
Yes. You can get just as good of quality signal from over the air (OTA) as you can get from cable. The key is that you have a direct line of site to the transmitter, or a good reflection, such as off a mountain.

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Do I need a special antenna to get over-the-air broadcasts?
No. You don't need a special antenna for HD signals. Use the same antenna you would use for regular television broadcasts. If all the channels are in the UHF range (channels 14 through 83), you need only a smaller UHF antenna. For channels 2 through 13 you need a VHF antenna. We recommend a combination UHF / VHF antenna.

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When will HDTV completely replace analog broadcasting?
The date has already been pushed back. Presently the deadline is the end of 2006. However, we wouldn't be surprised to see the deadline pushed back again. One key point is that old analog TVs will be rendered useless, unless an ATSC tuner is purchased for each analog TV. The ATSC wants to avoid a public outcry and will implement the plan as quickly as they feel they can.

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LCD & PLASMA

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Should I buy a LCD panel or wait until prices drop?
Prices are expected to drop in the second half of 2005 or early 2006. More choices, in larger sizes, at lower prices are anticipated. If you have settled on an LCD and can wait, it might be worth your while.

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Can I use my LCD flat panel for my PC too?
If your LCD has a VGA or DVI connection, then you should be able to use it with your PC too.

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What is "burn-in" and do LCDs have a problem with it?
Burn-in occurs when a static image remains on the screen for an extended period of time. It results in a faint ghosting that is visible over any image in that part of the screen. They can result from computer games, station ID logos and stock tickers amongst other static images.

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No, LCDs do not suffer from burn in. In the very rare instance that it occurs, it is usually self-correcting with the display of a different image.

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Are all LCD displays HD compatible?
Most are. To display an HD image a screen must be able to display at least 720 lines (or pixels counting from top to bottom). For the widescreen HD image, the display must be at least 1280 pixels across. Other things to evaluate, it must have a component, DVI or HDMI connection do receive an HD image. Finally, an ATSC tuner is needed to tune HD broadcasts. Otherwise, you will need an accessory tuner or set-top box.

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There is a pixel that is always white on my screen, what is it and can it be fixed?
You have a "stuck" pixel. The LCD pixel internally is stuck in the on position and allows light to pass through 100% of the time. Unfortunately there is no way to repair a single or group of pixels.

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Should I buy a Plasma panel or wait until prices drop?
Prices have already come down a lot on these TVs, but there should be further decreases in price. Prices are always going to go lower, you have to buy sometime and just live with the fact that 60 days later you will see it advertised for less.

 

Do Plasma screens have shorter lifespans or not?
There used to be a lot of evidence that this was true. But newer models may be getting a bad rap. The lifespan for plasma displays may be just as long as LCDs. The problem is they just aren't old enough yet to know for sure.

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One issue plasma screens do have is that they fade in brightness over time, whether you use it or not. So five years from now, your plasma screen won't be as bright as it is now. Of course they start out pretty bright, so that leaves some room for dimming and still having adequate brightness.

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What is "burn-in" and do plasma screens have a problem with it?
Burn-in occurs when a static image remains on the screen for an extended period of time. It results in a faint ghosting that is visible over any image in that part of the screen. They can result from computer games, station ID logos and stock tickers amongst other static images. Pixel orbitors found in newer models help to reduce the problem with burn-in.

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Yes, plasmas do suffer from burn in. We can't find any published numbers on how long it takes for burn-in to occur. However, if you watch news or stock channels for hours or play video games, we recommend you don't use a plasma screen.

 

What are EDTV plasma displays and should I get one?
EDTV plasma screens display 480 lines progressively (480p). This is the same resolution used by progressive scan DVDs. EDTVs can save you a significant money over a full HDTV.

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They display an excellent image, some believe it is extraordinarily close to an HD image. If you choose one, it will display images nearly as good as HDTV, but how close it comes depends on the manufacturer, the material you are viewing and your own personal taste.

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Opinions are very split on whether EDTV makes sense. Because DVDs in HD format are on their way, we'd hate for you to miss out on that quality. However, if you have your heart set on a plasma and budget says no to HDTV, we think EDTV plasmas are a reasonable choice.

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EQUIPMENT CONNECTIONS

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Is it worth it to buy those really expensive cables?
What ever is the weakest link in your home theater, that is what is going to limit the quality of your system. So cheap cables on high-end equipment means you wasted money on your high-end equipment. High-end cables on low-end equipment, just means that when you upgrade your equipment, your cables are already up to par. Match the quality of the cables to your equipment. For more information see our article on cabling.

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I have a SACD player but I'm not getting the full effect in playback.
Currently, you must connect the player with the appropriate cables to your receivers 5.1 surround sound connections. The decoder is in your player, so once decoded, each channel needs to be carried separately to your receiver.

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I have an HDTV but I'm not getting as good of a picture as I expected.
Well, regular broadcast may actually look worse because the larger picture shows all the flaws. However, if you aren't getting the results you expected for HD broadcasts, then the problem may be that you aren't using component, DVI or HDMI cables for the connection to the TV. These are the only cables that will carry and HD signal.

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How long are the longest cables I can use?
The longer the cable the greater the signal loss and the greater the amount of interference picked up. So the rule of thumb is keep the cables as short as possible, although allow some slack for access to the rear panel. Higher quality cables can mitigate some of the problems with longer cables. Three feet is ideal, while six feet is fine too. If you need to run 15 feet or more, think about rearranging your equipment or invest in high quality cables. Toslink optical cables are virtually impervious to interference, so length is not a limiting factor.

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SURROUND SOUND

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What is surround sound?
Surround sound is a method of separating sounds in a movie and delivering them to speakers arrayed around the room to make you feel in the center of the action on screen.

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I have a 5.1 surround receiver. Is it worth upgrading to 7.1?
There are many new features on new A/V receivers that might make an upgrade worthwhile. For instance component upconversion on the video signal, or the ability to play music from your PC or the internet. But the upgrade to 7.1 surround shouldn't drive your decision. It is an enhancement, not a must have feature. Furthermore, there is little material available that makes full use of 7.1 playback.

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Where should I place my surround speakers?
The optimum placement for the front left and front right speakers is far enough apart for a good stereo effect, and at roughly the height of the listener's head.

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The center speaker is best placed immediately above or below the screen, whichever is closer to the height of the listener.

The left and right surround speakers should be placed above the head of the listener and roughly next to them, not behind the listener. Keep the distance from the surround speaker to the listener roughly the same as the distance from the front speakers to the listener.

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If you have a 6.1 or 7.1 surround system, then place the rear surround speaker(s) behind the listener. Place them at the same height and distance as the surround speakers.

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Placement of the subwoofer is less critical. It can be placed out of sight. Placement close to a wall or in a corner tends to increase the bass effect.