how can i get the most out of my plasma and home theater?

Question

i recently purchased a panasonic TH-PD60U plasma and panasonic SC-H740 5.1 home theater system and want to know how i can get the best out of both of these products with settings, cables etc... any input would be most welcomed.

I already have an HDMI cable for the dvd and tv. thanks again!!!!!!!!

Answer 1

You're good to go with the HDMI cables for your TV and DVD. A few other things to keep in mind......your Plasma HDTV is not HD unless you have the proper signal.....if you don't already have an HDTV cable box from your cable provider, upgrade to one. (I'm assuming that since you're using an HDMI cable, you have the proper HD cable box already)

Also, make sure your DVD system is set to play DVDs on "Progressive Scan" mode. The normal default for DVD players has progressive scan turned off, because a standard TV can't handle the picture, but your new Plasma can, so read your manaual and make sure you turn on Progressive Scan. The DVD picture on your TV will improve.

Also, Plasma TV's can suffer "Burn In" to the screen pretty easily......this is where a picture is up on the screen for a while, and "burns" a ghost-like image into the screen.....so make sure that you do not leave the same picture up on your TV for a long time. For example, the main menu of a DVD. I also would not recommend gaming systems on a plasma TV for the same reason.

Answer 2

None of these answers is correct, although "weary" comes closest. First off, you already have a DVD/CD/Blu-ray player so I'm not sure why you bought a home theater in a box (HTIB) system that is based on yet another DVD player. HTIBs based on receivers offer you more expansion and connection options. There are three ways of "sending" audio out of a PS3, but to do so you must first connect it to the home theater system. 1.) HDMI cable - However, using HDMI requires a receiver that processes audio over HDMI. Most of the cheaper HTIB systems don't, so I'll assume that's the case here. 2.) RCA cables - These are the red and white tipped cables that come with the PS3. You don't want to use these because they will only send two channel (stereo) sound. You want surround sound, so you'll want to use... 3.) Optical cable - This will "send" surround sound (i.e. 5.1) to your receiver. Connect them with an optical cable and then adjust your audio output settings in the PS3 menu to "optical" and "bitstream". Finally, change the input on the HTIB appropriately and you'll be in business. If that HTIB doesn't have an HDMI or optical cable option, which it looks like it doesn't, then return it for a system that does.

Answer 3

Oh, wow, excellent choice... and I have just the information you need! Here is how you get the most 'bang for the buck' out of your setup:

First, collect all of the cables and manuals up in a bundle. Repack your TV in the box, complete with styrofoam packing. Then go give it to a poor family. Not a homeless family, mind you, as they have no place to plug it in. But a poor family. Not so poor that they will just turn around and sell it for food. But poor.

Not so poor that they can't afford basic cable. People that poor are just pathetic and there is no sense sharing with them. Also make sure they have teeth, because they are probably going to smile a lot when you give them a TV. And once again, they might just turn around and sell the TV to buy some teeth. And make sure they have a 'front room' or something. No sense in giving them something they'll just trip over every time they need to go to the bathroom.

I hope I've helped you enjoy your purchase!

Answer 4

1080p represents 1,080 lines of resolution scanned sequentially. In other words, all lines are scanned in progressively, providing the most detailed high definition video image that is currently available to consumers.
However, since 1080p is not officially part of the FCC's approved HDTV broadcast standards, it is displayed either as a result of video upscaling through a specially modified DVD player, video scaler, or a Blu-ray Disc Player, in combination with a 1080p input capable video display device (such as a Television or Video Projector) OR by on-board video processing within the Display device itself than can upscale all input sources to 1080p.

Answer 5

For your Home Theater System you can use a Fiber Optic Digital Cable. HDMI Cable would be the other cable but you all-ready have one so you are all set to go.

Answer 6

I recommend getting that wireless network up and extending Windows Media Center onto it. You can do this with an XBOX 360 and a PC. We watch movies from movielink.com on it now, without ever going out or even having to mail anything back!

Answer 7

Connect the DVD to the TV via HDMI for video.
Connect DVD to receiver via optical digital cable for audio.
This way when you watch a DVD movie you can use the receiver for surround sound.

Answer 8

In addition to a fiber optic cable, you might want to consider adding on a DVR or DVD recorder, which would allow to to record onto either a DVR or directly to DVDs. TiVo would further enhance your viewing pleasure, as it allows you to pause, rewind and fast forward live television. Happy Viewing!!!

Answer 9

Sell it now!! Before the price drops further. They are so problematic that you will only get a couple of good years of use and then you will need to purchase a new tv. The picture clarity is great but that won't matter when its in the trash.

Answer 10

The cables you use to connect your system together make a difference.. Use high quality cables.. not the cheap ones..