What does HDTV compatible mean?

[optimus]

A friend of mine has a plasma screen tv. It says that it is HDTV compatible. He uses satellite for his cable and has HDTV channels. However, there's no difference in picture quality between the HDTV channels and regular channels. So he's not getting the HDTV benefits.

From what little I know, when he plugs in the DVI, there's no audio. Therefore, he's not using the DVI connector.

How does one go about troubleshooting this problem? And what does HDTV compatible really mean? Does that he mean he has to get something extra??

[gshelley61]

DVI input is digital video only. No audio (you have to hook up the audio output cables to your receiver). "HDTV Ready" means that the display will accept a HD signal (1280x720p or 1920x1080i). It definitely does not mean that the display is capable of producing an HD picture... in many cases, these sets actually have EDTV display resolution (720x480p). A true HD display must have at least 1280x720 pixels.

A plasma display with 1280x720 resolution is going to be at least $6,000. If your friend paid any less than that, he most likely has an EDTV plasma screen.

[optimus]

That doesn't really make a lot of sense. Why would it say HDTV compatible or HDTV ready if its not???

[BJ_M]

it is like saying a speaker is digital ready -- it is meaningless marketing crap ..

the sad truth is that most plasmas and lcd look like crap and (almost) none of them have the res of the better crts unless you get into very high priced units like a pioneer elite ...




btw - DVI can be either analog or digital ... or both .
.
HDMI is always digital ..

[wwjd]

gshelley61 is right, if your friend did not pay big bucks for the plasma TV then it is probably EDTV, Enhance Definition TV. EDTV is NOT HD and may be the reason for 'Compatible with HDTV'. It just means that you can view HDTV but not as HDTV.

What is the make and model of the TV?

[BSpielbauer]

That doesn't really make a lot of sense. Why would it say HDTV compatible or HDTV ready if its not???

I am going to have to ignore the response above and I regretfully must suggest you do the same -- I am not certain if that post just has a few typos, or inadvertant errors, or if it is merely misinformation. It certainly contains some information that is irrelevent to the question you had asked.


To clarify:

The term "HDTV compatible" is a term used by the major manufacturers to designate a TV which is capable of displaying a high definition signal. However, the set does not contain an HDTV tuner. The electronics are all in place so that it will be able to display high definition. However, in order to actually view any high definition programming, the customer must add a separate box, which is most often referred to as a ""high definition receiver" or a "high definition tuner' or a "high definition set top box."

I am disagreeing with the above responses, and I am doing so with some vehemence. The manufacturers have been very good about not using the term "HDTV-compatible" when they are talking about an "Enhanced Definition TV set" (also known as an EDTV). If the set truly says it is HDTV compatible, then it CAN display a true HDTV signal, like any HDTV. It is NOT an "EDTV." It is just as good as the other true HDTVs out there, only the manufacturer did not include the internal HDTV tuner. Often this was done because customers who want to view DirecTV high def, or Dish Network high def will have to buy an outboard box anyway, so that internal tuner becomes a waste of money, a waste of space, and a waste of components.

The TV we are discussing has no HDTV tuner built into it. It does have a REGULAR television tuner built into it (in some cases, they even have two of them). But, the tuner is just a standard definition tuner. It cannot properly decode a high definition signal, even though the rest of the TV is capable of displaying a high def signal.

My own television is similar. When I first bought it, I could only view standard definition signals on it. Then, after about 6 months, I invested in the separate high definition tuner. I have been viewing lots of high def ever since.

Note that these separate high definition set top boxes come in various types, depending on what your choice is for programming. Some can only accept over the air broadcast signals (from an antenna). Some can only accept high definition Cable TV stuff. Some can accept high definition Cable TV stuff and also high definition over the air broadcast TV stuff (from an antenna). Some can accept DirecTV high def stuff, and also over the air high definition stuff. Some can accept Dish Network high def stuff, and also over the air high definition stuff.

Now, once you understand that -- the whole "choice of input thing" is a separate thing. The following popular types of inputs can all be used to pass any high definition signal through to a TV:

-Component
-DVI
-HDMI
-Firewire IEEE 1394

There is a lot of debate as to which one is "better," and the answer depends on whether you are viewing on a 1080i set, or a 720p set... and whether you are Hollywood trying to protect your copyrights, or whether you are Joe Schmo trying to see the best picture quality...

In most cases, however, the difference between the various types of inputs listed above is so negligable that you will not see the difference with your naked eye, anyway.

Any of them will do, as long as your "added-on high definition tuner" has an output option which matches up to the input on the TV that is intended for high definition use.

Note that you do have to do more than just plug in the above types of cables (DVI, or component, or HDMI, or Firewire) to see high definition programming. If you have Cable TV, you must also call them, and subscribe to their high def package. If you have DirecTV, you must also call them, and subscribe to their high def package. If you have Dish Network, you must also call them, and subscribe to their high def package. If you only want over the air high definition, you need to plug an antenna into a high definition tuner, and then run one of the above types of cables from the high definition tuner to the TV. Any way you look at it, you must purchase (or rent) the additional box.

I hope that this clarifies things a bit.

-Bruce

[optimus]

It does clarify alot. Thank you for taking the time to clarify.

[BSpielbauer]

DVI input is digital video only. No audio (you have to hook up the audio output cables to your receiver). "HDTV Ready" means that the display will accept a HD signal (1280x720p or 1920x1080i). It definitely does not mean that the display is capable of producing an HD picture...

With all due respect, I know the argument you are making, but you need to understand that you are merely further confusing those who might be reading when you post this opinion (which is what this is, as this issue is still being debated to this day). The idea here is to try to help this guy and his friend, and the consumer bought a set which is "HDTV compatible." He CAN view HDTV on it. This has nothing to do with "EDTV," as you well know.

>>>> A true HD display must have at least 1280x720 pixels.<<<

An opinion, and one which many continue to disagree with.

A plasma display with 1280x720 resolution is going to be at least $6,000. If your friend paid any less than that, he most likely has an EDTV plasma screen.

Huh?

http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=3994849

Note the advertised price of $4499.98. Note the 1280 X 720 pixel resolution. Note the fact that J & R tends to be in the mainstream of pricing, and the street price on this unit (and also others) can be quite a bit less.

Why not help the lad with his problem, and then if you feel the need, add your own polictial argument at the end, to urge a strict adherence to standards. You (hopefully) know that the term "HDTV compatible" has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with the resolution debate, I suspect. in fact, it merely denotes that there is no ATSC tuner built into the unit.

I mean no disrespect, but your post did not help, in this case.

-Bruce

[wwjd]

Bruce, give it a rest!

I suspect that gshelley61 mis-understood the original post as I did. I assumed that the satellite company supplied a box that had the HD tuner in it, much like what my cable company supplied me. Speaking for myself, my commment regarding EDTV was valid 5-7 months ago. I personally know people who bought $3,000.00 plasma TVs only to find out that they were EDTV. Yes the TV was clearly marked and yes they should have found out more before buying..... At that point in time the main distinction between HDTV and EDTV in plasma TVs was the price.

Prices have come way down for plasma TVs in a rather short period of time.

Bruce, we stand corrected so give it a rest!

[gshelley61]

I stand by my point. Many "HD Ready" sets, especially most CRT's, cannot actually display a true HD picture. Sure, they can accept an HD signal, but it is downconverted to the native resolution of the display. Of course, there is a picture. Just not HD. In fact, every CRT based rear projection "HDTV" at Best Buy and Circuit City cannot, in fact, produce an HD image. It takes high resolution data projector CRT tubes that are 9" or 10" in diameter to actually display an HD image from that type of set.

As far as 1280x720 native res plasmas now available for less than $5K, that's great. I stand corrected. But the $2500 "HD Ready" plasma screens that are being sold are definitely EDTV (even though they will accept an HD signal, and are therefore "HD compatible").

I'm not trying to confuse the poster. I'm merely informing him to be aware that just because you can run an HD signal to an "HD Ready" display, it does not necessarily mean you are viewing an HD picture. The native resolution of the display determines that. It's an important point.

Here's a perfect example: The 32" Sanyo HDTV that is currently being sold at Wal Mart. It even has a built-in ATSC digital tuner. The picture tube in that set is simply not capable of producing a 1280x720p image, let alone a 1920x1080i image. Yet, the manufacturer still labels it an "HDTV"...

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=2601424&cat=136948&type=19&dept=...863#long_descr

[BSpielbauer]

I stand by my point.

Sigh.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, we all know that your camp believes that this is not true HDTV.

However, the poor guy here wanted help understanding HDTV compatible, which (as you know) has nothing to do with this issue. HDTV compatible and HDTV ready have always meant they lack the ATSC tuner. And, that is all that they have meant.

HELP the guy.

Then, if you feel the need to get on your soapbox, so be it. But, do not confuse the guy with your opinions, stated as fact.

(wwjd: I was more than willing to "give it a rest," until I saw this most recent bit o' nonsense... from GShelly61. Obviously, it is clear that you misunderstood his post. I have no issues with you, and I appreciate your attempts to clarify. However, GShelly61 -- the author of the misguided and inaccurate and misinformed posts I refer to -- has made it quite clear that he had no wish to try to help, but that he merely wished to push his own agenda on the poor guy, confusion be damned. He is more concerned with telling us all that (in his mistaken opinion) even most HDTV sets are not HDTV sets --- regardless of "compatible" nomenclature or "uphgradeable" nomenclature. He only wanted to inform the world that (in his irrelevent opinion) true HDTV should be held to a higher standard. Regardless of the poor plasma owner's friend's troubles, which were unrelated to that issue. Sorry. I shall now take my leave.)

-Bruce

[BJ_M]

If the set truly says it is HDTV compatible, then it CAN display a true HDTV signal, like any HDTV. It is NOT an "EDTV." It is just as good as the other true HDTVs out there, only the manufacturer did not include the internal HDTV tuner

this is simply not true ... many so called HDTV compatible sets can not display true hdtv images (720 and 1080 in this case) ..

since we in the film industry are producing the HD content , we get bombarded with questions about the crappy images a whole lot of displays only offer .. and i'm really sick of it .. LCD are most often the worse of the lot and almost all plasmas are not far behind ...

yes the manuf. are pretty good about clarifying if a tuner is built in or not (btw - said tuner runs about 24$ cost). But who cares - that was not the original question it appeared ...

[gshelley61]

Bruce -

The original poster mentioned that his friend could not really see any difference whether watching SD or HD content on his plasma, which they could not understand. The most likely cause of this is that his display cannot produce a high def image because it is probably actually an EDTV display (that can accept HD signals). It's as simple as that, and I did answer his question.

Please educate yourself on what the ATSC high definition standards are, what types of displays are actually capable of producing a high definition picture, and why the electronics industry has misled and confused tens of thousands of consumers (including you) as to what high definition television is. You are the one who is misguided and uninformed... No offense.

It has nothing to do with my opinion or any soapbox... that's how it is. I've been in the televison broadcasting business for 14 years, and the station I work at digitally transmits in high definition. Like BJ_M, we run into this issue all the time from viewers who who are disappointed when they buy what they think is an HDTV, then don't see that much difference between standard definition sources and our high definition programs. In every case, it turns out the viewer has a TV that can accept HD signals, but has display technology that can't produce a high definition picture (like the Sanyo model I posted a link to). It's very frustrating because our station has spent millions of dollars on equipment and transmitters to deliver HD content to our viewers, and many of these so-called HDTV's can't display the image properly. It sucks.

[BSpielbauer]

Bruce -
The most likely cause of this is that his display cannot produce a high def image because it is probably actually an EDTV display (that can accept HD signals).

Uh, to be fair, this is certainly not the "most likely cause," and his TV is not an EDTV display. It is an HDTV compatible display.

It's as simple as that, and I did answer his question.

No, I am afraid you did nothing of the sort.

We both know the truth on this.

Please educate yourself on what the ATSC high definition standards are,

Been there, done that, irrelevent to his question, and an interesting ad hominem.

what types of displays are actually capable of producing a high definition picture,

Been there, done that, irrelevent to his question, and an interesting ad hominem.

and why the electronics industry has misled and confused tens of thousands of consumers (including you) as to what high definition television is.

Gosh, I did not realize I was so uninformed. I have been trusting those ATSC standards all of these years. Do you 14-yearers have a different source that you defer to?

You are the one who is misguided and uninformed... No offense.

Giggle.

It has nothing to do with my opinion or any soapbox... that's how it is.

Uh, I am afraid my standards of evidence have never been based on someone who tries to argue using the phrase "that's how it is." I guess I am just handicapped in that way. Sorry.

I've been in the televison broadcasting business for 14 years, and the statio I work at transmits in high definition. We run into this issue all the time from viewers who who are disappointed when they buy what they think is an HDTV, then don't see that much difference between standard NTSC and our high definition programs. In every case, it turns out the viewer has a TV that can accept HD signals, with a display that can't produce a high definition picture (like the Sanyo model I posted a link to). It's frustrating because our station has spent millions of dollars on equipment and transmitters to deiver HD content to our viewers, and many of these so-called HDTV's can't display the image properly.

In "every case," except, of course, this one?

Sigh...

Sorry, I did not realize you were not familiar with the standards as far as resolution. Next time, just post a new thread, okay?

ATSC Format Chart

The following chart summarizes all 18 ATSC digital television formats:

Format Level
Vertical Pixels
Horizontal Pixels
Pixel Shape
Aspect Ratio
Scan Mode
Frame Rate

HD
1080
1920
Square
16:9
Progressive
24

HD
1080
1920
Square
16:9
Progressive
30

HD
1080
1920
Square
16:9
Interlaced
30

HD
720
1280
Square
16:9
Progressive
24

HD
720
1280
Square
16:9
Progressive
30

HD
720
1280
Square
16:9
Progressive
60

ED
480
704
Rectangular
16:9
Progressive
24

ED
480
704
Rectangular
16:9
Progressive
30

ED
480
704
Rectangular
16:9
Progressive
60

ED
480
704
Rectangular
4:3
Progressive
24

ED
480
704
Rectangular
4:3
Progressive
30

ED
480
704
Rectangular
4:3
Progressive
60

ED
480
704
Square
4:3
Progressive
24

ED
480
640
Square
4:3
Progressive
30

ED
480
640
Square
4:3
Progressive
60

SD
480
704
Rectangular
16:9
Interlaced
30

SD
480
704
Rectangular
4:3
Interlaced
30

SD
480
640
Square
4:3
Interlaced
30


Now, Begging your pardon, but what does any of the above have to do with the original thread, and your ill-fated attempt to hijack it?

Back on topic, the terms "HDTV-compatible" and also "HDTV-Ready" have been consistently used throughout the industry to designate a television that is capable of displaying a true high definition signal, but does not contain a tuner which is capable of decoding a high definition signal. This set will require a separate tuner to display high definition content.

HDTV-compatible has nothing whatsoever to do with EDTV. It also does not imply that a set might be EDTV. In fact, it refers to an HDTV TV with no tuner.

Hope this helps your understanding, and more importantly, with the understanding of the original author of this thread. After all, that is why you are here, is it not?

-Bruce

[gshelley61]

I give up. You're not getting it, and it's not worth the effort. Have a good one...

[adam]

His TV is not an EDTV display. It is an HDTV compatible display.

Those terms are not mutually exclusive. It can be an EDTV display and still be HDTV compatible.

You are correct in that the HDTV-Ready and HDTV-compatible labels only address whether it includes a tuner or not but this still only refers to what the device can receive and playback at its native resolution, it does not determine whether it is a HDTV monitor or an EDTV monitor.

Here the official definitions and specifications for HDTV and EDTV as set by the Consumer Electronics Association.

http://www.ce.org/shared_files/resources/95DTV%20Definitions.pdf

An HDTV monitor must be capable of displaying 720p or 1080i. If it falls short of this it is an EDTV unless it cannot even display 480p in which case it is an SDTV.

There are many LCD and plasma displays on the market which are HD-Compatible but yet cannot display 720p or 1080i which makes them EDTV monitors NOT HDTV monitors. I don't see where there is room for debate, those are CEA standards.

I think the marketing is blatantly misleading. When its an actual HDTV monitor they put that in the product description: HDTV-Capable Sony blah blah HDTV monitor. But when its an EDTV they don't always advertise that, they just drop the HDTV monitor part and since its still listed as being HDTV-Capable, the average consumer just assumes its an HDTV monitor. I think all tv should be required to be listed as SD, ED, or HD.

[Bob W]

Gee I read this whole thread and now I'm more confused that I was. Anyway My 43 inch Samsung DLP will display both 1080i and 720p however the 1080i in down converted to the native resolution of 720p.

To view regular TV and DVD's I have a scalar that up-converts to 720p so in a way I have HDTV already.

[edDV]

...

It's as simple as that, and I did answer his question.

No, I am afraid you did nothing of the sort.

We both know the truth on this.

BSpielbauer, if you are in possession of the truth ... please share it.
Give me a reference for your definition of "HDTV compatible".

Let's parse optimus' question and see if we can collectively answer him.

A friend of mine has a plasma screen tv. It says that it is HDTV compatible. He uses satellite for his cable and has HDTV channels.
however, there's no difference in picture quality between the HDTV channels and regular channels. So he's not getting the HDTV benefits.

So we are to assume the friend has a HDTV satellite receiver/antenna and has subscribed to the channels.

Optimus needs to give us the Plasma TV model number because I have never seen a TV manufacturer use the term "HDTV compatible", only some retailers.

From what little I know, when he plugs in the DVI, there's no audio. Therefore, he's not using the DVI connector.

What does that mean? DVI doesn't carry audio. The audio is carried over RCA plugs as baseband or over SPDIF. Presence of or lack of audio gives no clue about the DVI connection. If he plugs in DVI and sees video, then he has a video connection. If "he's not using the DVI connector" then is he connected analog component? If so, is analog component set to an HD output that matches an input spec for his TV? If not, then he gets no HD picture.

Maybe we have solved the mystery.

Another way to read optimus:
"when he plugs in the DVI, there's no audio. Therefore, he's not using the DVI connector."
Does that mean because he gets no audio, he won't use DVI and therefore he has no HDTV resolution picture?

Keep in mind that a HDTV channel is output in low resolution NTSC over composite and S-Video and Y, Pr, Pb can be set to 480i, 480p, 720p or 1080i. Likewise DVI can be set to 480i, 480p, 720p or 1080i.

How does one go about troubleshooting this problem?

First read the above for clues, then tell us
Plasma TV model number
Satellite service and receiver model number.
Current connections from receiver to plasma TV.

And what does HDTV compatible really mean? Does that he mean he has to get something extra??

BSpielbauer is going to provide a reference for his definition.

My impression looking at the use of the term "HDTV compatible" as used in some TV retailer advertising means
- A DTV tuner that can recieve HD signals over air or cable or dbs but outputs or displays them at unknown specs. This could mean only for cellphone LCD or NTSC or 480i. or EDTV or HDTV or any combination. As far as I can tell they only mean the output must resemble a picture of some kind.

The definition of "HD-Ready" is also disputed. Most will agree that it means the TV has some provision to connect at least one kind of external DTV-HD tuner or other HD source. This could mean any combination of the following connections: RGBHV, VGA, Y-Pr-Pb, DVI-D or HDMI.

Unspecified are:

-display aspect ratios
Must the "HD-Ready" TV display true 16:9? Is letterbox on a 4:3 display allowed? Must the 16:9 display be uncropped?

-display resolutions
The vast majority of "HD-Ready" TV sets are incapable of natively displaying 720p or 1080i in full resolution.

Most CRT sets will display 1080 lines but with less than 1000 horizontal lines of resolution and usually much less than that. Until recently, most projectors, LCD and plasma sets have had native resolutions under 1280x720 but higher than 720x480. Are such sets "HD-Ready"? Where is the lower limit for "HD-Ready" display resolution?

-progressive display
The majority of "HD-Ready" TV sets are incapable of displaying a progressive HDTV broadcast signal (e.g. 720p, 1080p24) although most will display 480p. Their only supported HD display resolution is 1080i. Are such sets "HD-Ready"?

-ability to display encrypted HD sources (with proper upstream devices)
The majority of "HD-Ready" TV sets are specifically prevented from displaying encrypted HD signals from such sources as HD DVD players or broadcast flagged TV programs (if this passes) unless the set came with DVI+HDCP or HDMI connections. Were such sets "HD-Ready"?

don't get me started ...

[edDV]

Here the official definitions and specifications for HDTV and EDTV as set by the Consumer Electronics Association.

http://www.ce.org/shared_files/resources/95DTV%20Definitions.pdf

An HDTV monitor must be capable of displaying 720p or 1080i. If it falls short of this it is an EDTV unless it cannot even display 480p in which case it is an SDTV.

These definitions are much more specific and rigorous as to what constitutes a HDTV. More can be done. I'll comment specifically later.

Are these definitions in effect? What is the date of the proposal? Is there any enforcement implied?

These definitions have not been followed in the past and one rarely finds retailers paying any attention. Their advertising is often misleading.

PS: I did a PDF search on that document and couldn't find the word "compatible" in any context.

[Sheepdisease]

Strange, when using ideolo.co.uk you can only search for HD Ready of HDTV Compatible, so they do not do comparison of Full HD then?

[edDV]

Strange, when using ideolo.co.uk you can only search for HD Ready of HDTV Compatible, so they do not do comparison of Full HD then?

To confuse further "FullHD" is a Dolby audio term.

Do you mean 1920x1080p/24 for Blu-Ray players over HDMI?

[Sheepdisease]

Hello, I am referring to 1080p resolution, yes.

[Sheepdisease]

So, any help/advice?

[edDV]

So, any help/advice?

Are you asking for a tecnical specification or some marketing label. The marketing terms aren't consistant around the world. "EDTV" 720x480i/p in the USA is called "HDTV" (e.g. 720x576p) in some countries. Both would use 800x600 wide panels or larger.

The only current 1080p signal source is a Blu-Ray player. A Blu-Ray player will work with any TV with 1080i or 720p HDMI or component analog inputs.

If you want an HDTV with direct 1920x1080, 24p Blu-Ray capability it would have the following minimal specs.

1920x1080 panel
HDMIv1.3 with 1920x1080 24p direct mode in addition to 25i and 720p/50
"FullHD" Dolby sound from the Blu-Ray player would be connected to a compatible audio receiver which would then pass HDMI to the HDTV.

The above feaatures kick in around Level 5 in the Samsung LCD line. They have levels 4 through 9 for other features.
http://www.samsung.com/uk/tvseries/index.html#product/6/LCD

[Sheepdisease]

Thank you very much for this information,

do you know of anywhere selling a Level 6 Samsung LCD cheaply new or second-hand?

[edDV]

Thank you very much for this information,

do you know of anywhere selling a Level 6 Samsung LCD cheaply new or second-hand?

I edited above to say the current Level 5 also supports direct 24p. Past models only supported 24p in the highest range.

In the current line Series 5 is the base for 1080p, Series 6 adds 100Hz interpolation, Series 7 and 8 add features, Series 9 has the LED backlight for much improved contrast. Best picture for value would be the Series 6. It is a big step up from 5.

I would avoid second hand* for LCD HDTV. They sold at higher prices and had lower performance and features. These models improve dramatically year to year.


* including discounts for last year's models.

[Sheepdisease]

Then could you please recommed the cheapest source online for these new?

[lacywest]

A friend of mine has a plasma screen tv. It says that it is HDTV compatible. He uses satellite for his cable and has HDTV channels. However, there's no difference in picture quality between the HDTV channels and regular channels. So he's not getting the HDTV benefits.

From what little I know, when he plugs in the DVI, there's no audio. Therefore, he's not using the DVI connector.

How does one go about troubleshooting this problem? And what does HDTV compatible really mean? Does that he mean he has to get something extra??

WOW ... just noted this post is old ... I think before all of you started going on and on and on ... first thing would have been to get the one who posted this to say what Brand of TV and model.

Summer of 2005 - My wife and I bought a Sony 51" HD Ready TV ... we first went to Sears in our town but the sales persons there really didn't seem to know what they were saying ... at least not in a manner that made sense.

We then went to Circuit City ... next town over ... the sales lady seemed to have more knowledge then the guy at Sears but my wife and I were still confused but not quite as bad ... picture looked great on the model we were looking at ... so we dived in and bought it ... paid cash [wrote a check] and she even knocked another $100 bucks off.

Okay ... at the time we bought it ... we knew it was said to be ... HD Ready ... didn't know until later ... that meant it did not have a Digital Tuner in it. We still have it in the living room ... I've since then migrated to the bedroom.

In the bedroom we have a Panasonic 42" HDTV Plasma ... CompUSA had a sale on them ... Spring of 2007 for $1300 ... took the sales ad to Best Buy and bought it there. Bad ASS sound system setup in my bedroom ... Pioneer Receiver ... Acoustic Research speakers ... all around the room in all corners.

Summer of 2008 ... I wanted a large monitor for my PC in the Garage ... I shopped around and took my time ... came home with a Sony HDTV LCD 31" ... or is it a 32" ... very nice. Lots of inputs ... PC ... HDMI ... component video in. I'm sitting in front of it ... about 2 feet away from my eyes ... I dont get tired of looking at it ... at all. My wife loves using it to play games on ... sure beats trying to look at a 19".

Here is the link to see it ... we bought a second one ... at our local Walmart

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=9252002&findingMethod=rr

I have my Panasonic EH50 DVD recorder hooked up to it ... I have a ATI HDTV Wonder card in my PC ... all the component video inputs are routed through a Pioneer VSX 815 Receiver.

I have a normal UHF antenna mounted on a 15 foot pole attached to my chimney .... all the HDTV broadcasts come in just fine.

To watch HI DEF in the living room through the Sony 51" HD Ready TV ... we have Directv ... HR10 250 connected. And we have a Panasonic EZ27 DVD Recorder connected to bring in the antenna digital broadcasts. At the moment Directv is turned off. But I have the antenna connected to the HR10 250 and we are still able to use Directv's HR10 250 Receiver to watch and display HD channels ... but I cannot record them to the harddrive. Does have two tuners and it does record to the harddrive but just cannot keep the recordings. So I can watch two shows at same time ... one at a time by using the rewind and fast forward button. Gets a little confusing but I can do it ...