Tips Needed on HDTV

Hi,


I just bought a Sony Bravia X 300 LCD TV that is full HD. My objective is to enjoy the high definition as much as possible especially since this TV seems to be magnifying the errors with standard TV and I cant seem to enjoy it anymore.


Have the following basic questions :-


1) I have an offer to buy a Sony HD set top box for HKD 480, should I take it ? Will this let me enable Now TV's HD channels ?


2) Does Pearl ( telecasting olympics) have any HD option in HK ?


3) How about routine DVD movies ? Is there any difference between a regular DVD or HD DVD ? Should I upgrade ?


4) I got an HDMI cable free and am not sure how best to use it.


Appreciate any other tips on how to maximise performance.

"1) I have an offer to buy a Sony HD set top box for HKD 480, should I take it ? Will this let me enable Now TV's HD channels ?"


I wouldn't buy it. HDTV is only available in certain areas/buildings. When you get the service from Now, you get a box.


"2) Does Pearl ( telecasting olympics) have any HD option in HK ?"


Don't know.



"3) How about routine DVD movies ? Is there any difference between a regular DVD or HD DVD ? Should I upgrade ?"


HD DVD is dying. It lost to Blu-Ray. There is a huge difference between regular DVDs and Blu-Ray. DVD will typically be 720×480 (NTSC) or 720×576 (PAL). Blu-Ray supports resolutions up to 1920x1080 progressive (aka 1080p).


Since the format war is over, I think you can safely upgrade to Blu-ray. In any case Blu-ray players also polay regular DVDs.


"4) I got an HDMI cable free and am not sure how best to use it."


The HDMI cable carries video and audio from an output (e.g. DVD player) to an input (e.g. TV). Your TV should have two or more HDMI inputs. The other end goes in the HD box or the DVD player. One input and cable for each.

Thanks axptguy38. I live in Taikoo Shing and most buildings have been upgraded to Now HDTV. I am really hoping they upgrade most other channels to HD , viewing these standard definition broadcasts on HDTV is a letdown.


Two more questions on the HDMI Cable : So will this cable actually enhance the video quality if I use my existing DVD player ( non HD) for the output ? I guess the fundamental question is that does this cable enhance the amount of data being pumped into the HDTV's processor for a better viewing experience.


Assuming a positive response to the above question, can I use this cable with any other sources of output- such as laptop ( Sony Viao) to view youtube on HDTV or Digital Camera ?

No HD option for Pearl yet.

"Two more questions on the HDMI Cable : So will this cable actually enhance the video quality if I use my existing DVD player ( non HD) for the output ? I guess the fundamental question is that does this cable enhance the amount of data being pumped into the HDTV's processor for a better viewing experience."


HDMI does not, in itself, give you better DVD resolution. However the HDMI cable was designed as an HD transport medium from the ground up. S-Video and composite were designed decades ago and while in theory they are as good, I would go HDMI. HDMI is probably also less prone to issues with degraded cables etc... For High Def such as HDTV or Blu-Ray, you have to use HDMI.


Of course your existing DVD player would need an HDMI output.



"can I use this cable with any other sources of output- such as laptop ( Sony Viao) to view youtube on HDTV or Digital Camera ?"


If the devices have the requisite outputs, sure. Laptops and desktops with HDMI output are becoming more common. Does your Vaio have a Blu-Ray player?


BTW YouTube videos are not very high quality. You don't need HDMI for that. S-Video or even RGB (if your TV has such an input) will do fine.


Your digital camera is not really a video device (it just fakes it pretty well). I have never heard of a digital camera with HDMI output.

"I live in Taikoo Shing and most buildings have been upgraded to Now HDTV. I am really hoping they upgrade most other channels to HD , viewing these standard definition broadcasts on HDTV is a letdown."


As soon as you've upgraded to a larger HDTV, you will definitely see much worse video from the standard tv broadcasts, that's just the way bad/good things get magnified. HK only has two free-to-air HD channels, TVB and ATV, the rest are available thru the HD decoder box, but are not high def. I'm not sure about the HD channels that NOW has.


"Two more questions on the HDMI Cable : So will this cable actually enhance the video quality if I use my existing DVD player ( non HD) for the output ? I guess the fundamental question is that does this cable enhance the amount of data being pumped into the HDTV's processor for a better viewing experience."


HDMI cables simplify your av connections by only using one digital cable to/from your av component & HDTV. Your DVD player (non HD) probably doesn't have this connection. Unless your dvd player has an upconvert feature (very unlikely, unless it's a DVR) then it will likely include an HDMI output. Check your player's rear or manual. Upconverting will look much better than standard video, but still nowhere near HD or BluRay.


Video cables are listed in grade from lowest to highest:

1) Composite (Red, White, Yellow)

2) S-Video

3) Component (Red, Green, Blue)

4) HDMI


The better your cables, the better your picture quality.