Re: NFC plasma panel question for you experts out there
From: Dave Craig (dave.craigsbcglobal.net)
Date: Mon, 29 Jan 2007 12:38:38 -0800 (PST)
Dave,

Sorry, I didn't explain the issue properly.  Basically my connection from my
satellite receiver to my TV is the 1080i component video connection on the
TV (HDMI wasn't invented when my TV was made).  So, from the TV's point of
view, everything coming into it on this connection is high def at 1080i;
weather it is a real high def station or just an upconverted standard def
channel. i.e. Battlestar Galactica is in letter box on the standard def
SciFi channel, then my receiver up converts to 1080i and then sent to the TV
as up converted standard def.  So, the TV can't / won't do any aspect ratio
scaling on it and it is up to the sat receiver to fix the problem so I can
view this full screen like it was intended to be watched.

I would assume that the Comcast receiver would do something similar for
standard def signals being sent over its high def HDMI output.  This would
allow you to freely switch between standard def channels and high def
channels on the cable box without switching inputs on your TV.

Does that make more sense?

Dave Craig



-----Original Message-----
From: Dave Handa [mailto:dave [at] davehanda.com] 
Sent: Monday, January 29, 2007 2:00 PM
To: 'Dave Craig'
Cc: 'The FerrariList'
Subject: RE: [Ferrari] NFC plasma panel question for you experts out there

Thanks Dave...but note that this issue with the Pro model Panasonic, only
presents itself under HD, not standard definition (it allows aspect ratio
adjustment under standard def).  I am just trying to figure out how often
this will be a problem, as they claim it only happens on some TNT stations.

Dave


-----Original Message-----
From: Dave Craig [mailto:dave.craig [at] sbcglobal.net] 
Sent: Monday, January 29, 2007 11:51 AM
To: 'Dave Handa'
Cc: 'The FerrariList'
Subject: RE: [Ferrari] NFC plasma panel question for you experts out there

Dave,

I can't answer your Comcast question, but I can answer your first question.
You will absolutely want to be able to control the aspect ratio.

Like this Panasonic, I have an older Mitsubishi rear projection HDTV that
locks the aspect ratio on it's 1080i (High Def) input.  Luckily, my Dish
Network VIP-622 receiver does allow me to switch aspect ratios (5 different
ones). As your review correctly pointed out, there are some High Definition
stations that have screwed up aspect ratios on certain programming and more
importantly all standard definition stations have screwed up aspect ratios
when viewed on a 16:9 TV.  

In my opinion, aspect ratio switching is extremely important for viewability
and absolutely required for TV types that can burn in; such as CRT based TVs
and yes plasma TVs.  Without this feature you will most likely be watching
all of the standard definition programming with huge black bars down the
sides of your TV.  And then when a program comes on the standard definition
channel that was filmed for high def, you will get the same black bars down
the sides and now have black bars at the top and bottom of the image.  Yep,
this nice 16:9 image will be windowed in your 16:9 TV with black bars all
the way around (unless you can change the aspect ratio).   Then after a year
or so you will notice, while watching a high definition program that fills
the screen, a contrast difference as the high def image crosses the area
these standard def black boarders usually occupy.  

Good luck,
Dave Craig



-----Original Message-----
From: Dave Handa [mailto:dave [at] davehanda.com] 
Sent: Monday, January 29, 2007 12:42 PM
To: Dave Craig
Cc: The FerrariList
Subject: [Ferrari] NFC plasma panel question for you experts out there

I am on a pretty tight budget, but wish to get a 50" plasma screen.  From
what I have read, the Panasonic 50" models is one of the better ones in the
lower price range (around $2k).  I don't care for the silver trim and found
a "professional series" that fills the bill, though I have to buy a HDMI
module separately.  All the reviews I have read are equally good as for the
standard consumer model 50".  I have one concern I read, and need some
clarification, can anyone elaborate?  Below is the message I sent to a
couple of my more savvy videophile friends:

 

I am thinking of getting a pro series Panasonic, because it looks cool (dark
grey frame) and 5 year in home warranty.  But am concerned with this
statement in a Cnet review:

 

"We were annoyed that the TH-50PH9UK still can't switch
<http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-7874_1-5140690-1.html?tag=txt> aspect ratios
with HD sources, which is an issue if you're watching high-def on a channel
that's sized improperly--like a lot of TNT channels--and your cable or
satellite box can't change aspects. There are four aspect-ratio choices
available for high-def sources."

 

Full review:
http://reviews.cnet.com/Panasonic_TH_50PH9UK/4505-6482_7-31986328.html

 

 

Will the Comcast HDTV cable box handle aspect ratio changes?  Or is this not
really a huge concern?  Or should I just stick with a consumer model, even
if it only has a 1 year warranty?

 

Appreciate your expertise,

Dave

 

_________________________________________________________________
To unsubscribe or modify your subscription options, please visit:
http://lists.ferrarilist.com/mailman/options/ferrari/dave.craig%40sbcglobal.
net

Sponsored by BidNip.com eBay Auction Sniper






Results generated by Tiger Technologies Web hosting using MHonArc.