I just got a TV on sale for half price and it is an HDTV. When I order my cable, should I get an HD cable box or a regular cable box? If I get an HD box, does this mean that all stations will be viewed in HD? Also, I heard that this can cause "burn-in" when HD is viewed on regular TV stations. I am really confused, can someone please clear this up for me?? Thanks a lot!
2007-07-09 10:09:55 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Consumer Electronics ➔ TVs
Yes, get the HDTV box.
Yes, make sure you get either the HDMI cable or the Component Cables to connect the box to your TV. Or the Cable box needs to output in HD format from its RF cable (F connector). Check with your cable company.
All HD stations are viewed as HD but all SD stations are SD and even if upconverted to an HD picture will not look as good. Analog stations will look worse.
Satellite company DirecTV says all HD but they really mean all digital since not all local stations are HD and they are not all HD all the time. Only the HD programs are really HD.
Burn In refers to the fact that some TV models in the 16 by 9 widescreen format (especially Plasma TVs) will burn in differently when displaying 4 by 3 pictures, which is what SDTV or Analog TV usually displays. This is a term as old as TV itself since old CRT models would have burn in if something bright white was displayed on the screen for too long.
But Burn In as it is now applied refers to the fact that if the 16 by 9 TV displays anything less than a full screen 16 by 9 picture those parts displaying the picture dim faster than the unused parts of the screen. So a 16 by 9 Plasma that showed 4 by 3 programs all day would look brighter on the left and right of the screen a couple of months later when a 16 by 9 picture might finally be displayed.
Burn in is considered not as much as a problem with newer sets (or so the manufacturers say). And is less a problem with LCD TVs.
2007-07-09 10:30:38 · answer #1 · answered by Broadcast Engineer 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OK, I ASSuME you are referring to a plasma tv since you mention burn-in.
First, adjust your contrast (picture) and brightness for a lower level then you think right for the first 200 hours. This help prevent burn-in.
Because the tv was 1/2 price may be it is old. New sets have burn-in prevention which yours may or may not have. Some old sets do to.
Watching regular stations verses HD has no bearing on burn-in. Just make sure the station doesn't have a permanent full opaque logo. Most have figured this out and have an intermittent semi-transparent logo, but I hear there are still a few that are dumb to it.
HD cable box will allow you to receive HD channels. Only HD channels will be in HD, other channels are lower res and won't be better with an HD box. An HD box may allow you to record HD content.
There are also HDTVs and HDTVs. "HDTV" does not define the resolution of the TV. It may not be 1080i which means you won't get all the benefit of the HD broadcast.
2007-07-09 17:30:32 · answer #2 · answered by Bill R 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
kate first of all dont worry about the burn in thing, second of all yes you need a hd reciever to recieve hd channels which will also cost you extra money per month but well worth it, then you need to purchase whats called an hdmi cable available at like a walmart for about $30.00, this will make the best possible picture. not all stations will be hd but regardless how few you get its better than nothing and more hd channels will slowly but surely follow. if you choose you may even use a basic cable box thats not gonna give you hd channles but the whole purpose of a hd tv is for that awesome looking hd picture.
2007-07-09 22:56:03 · answer #3 · answered by simonseztalktome 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, if you bought a rear projection display TV it will caused the screen to burn in. (if you turn on your TV for 24/7)
if you bought LCD and Plasma you dont need to worry. now days, all TV can last for at least 7-10 years and it depends how you used it.
5-7 yrs later TV are going to better technology. and cheaper too.
getting a cable TV not necessary to used the HD box, unless you really want it. Most of the station now display as HDTV.
2007-07-09 17:20:27 · answer #4 · answered by Fox 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Get an HD box.It allows for viewing channels in HD,not all channels are in HD certain ones are and are a separate channel from the non HD channels,in other words channel 2 will be broadcast on standard definition on channel 2 but also broadcast in HD on a separate channel,on my cable it is channel 233.I have a dlp which does not suffer from burn in but I have not heard of standard definition causing burn in an an HD television.
2007-07-09 17:21:34 · answer #5 · answered by Ron Burgundy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋