[Tig] auto tv set up

[bob at bluescreen.com]

>BTW, speaking of quality and purist type stuff.  I've been meaning to ask,
>"what am I missing by using analogue component from my cable box to my new
>Sony SXRD set vs. hdmi/dvi?  With all the compression artifacts I can't
>believe it's worth the $70 for a cable even though, yes, I did spend over
>$2K for the TV.

Expensive HDMI/DVI cables are, essentially, a huge rip off. Here's a place
I've bought from which has good stuff, ships fast, and is *much* more
reasonable:

http://www.ehdmi.com/

As for the diff between analog and digital cabling in this instance: digital
cabling seems to undergo fewer conversions in getting from the cable on the
pole to your eyes, so images, graphics, and text should definitely be sharper
if your display is sufficiently good to show the difference. HDMI also carries
DD 5.1 audio with it (in general), so if you're watching HD broadcasts (or HD
dvds) with 5.1 encoding, a simple HDMI connection moves everything around vs.
3 video and 5 or 6 audio cables (assuming your setup even allows for DD 5.1
analog connections) for the full monty.

Additionally, note that if any broadcaster or studio decides to flip the
"downrez" bit in the envelope carrying the image, whether on cable or an HD
dvd, the component outputs are downrezzed to something much less than optimum
as part of DRM so copies (and viewing) aren't pristine. Be sure to send a
thank you note to the MPAA and that maggot midget Jack Valenti.

And finally, as aside for anyone in the SoCal/L.A. area, I bit the bullet this
week, held my nose, and signed up with Time Warner cable so I could actually
see some HD on the JVC 70" HD set I've had for about 6 months. I was prepared
to be disappointed, but the HD feeds from TW are VERY good, the response from
customer service with a few small issues which came up has been frighteningly
excellent, and I'm happily watching the NFL playoffs in true unscaled
1920x1080 (on CBS and NBC) or scaled but *very* good 1280x720 (FOX, ABC).
Since my JVC has a cablecard slot, I opted not to get a set top box but use
that. The only connections are the incoming cable signal to the set, and an
optical audio out from the set to my Denon amplifier.

--Bob

Bob Kertesz
BlueScreen LLC
Hollywood, California

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