Confused about HDTV with HDMI cable?

Question

Just got a HDTV.
Have not upgraded to HDTV cable yet through my cable company, but I'm wondering if I'll get HD just by using the HDMI cable. Will just the HDMI cable make the picture better? I believe it's a 720p. 42" SANYO.

If HDMI will make it better, where else do I plug in the cord besides the TV? I see a place on the TV, but not on the cable box.

OR do I have to have the new cable box from the cable company?

Do I need the new cable box AND the HDMI cord to get a better picture?

As you can tell, I'm a bit confused! I'm not very high tech, so if you can help me out, be as simple as possible with your answer.

THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!!!


**from a girl who wants a beautiful picture**

Answer 1

WHAT YOU NEED FOR HD:
HDTV DIGITAL CABLE BOX that has an *HDMI port (ASK!)
HDMI CABLE
HDTV THAT HAS AN HDMI PORT :)
DIGITAL CABLE SERVICE W/Hi Def Channels
and FINALLY THE CORRECT SETTINGS!

Actually, if you have an HD digital converter (cable box) DO USE the HDMI cable with your HDTV.

Make sure you use have the box connected to the TV directly. You will not be needing the coaxial cable anymore since the signal will be coming from your HDMI.

Once the HDMI is connected make sure you change the INPUT setting on your TV to HDMI. There will be several choices when you go into the INPUT menu. If you have dual HDMI connections on your TV you can choose either one and if you get NO SIGNAL try the other and bingo signal! (You're not done yet**)

Once your signal is running through the HDMI cable the picture may look WORSE then what you had before the hookup! WHY you ask, it's because the TV resolution needs to be set to match the 1080 RES you now getting from the HDMI connection. The picture will look too big to fit your screen if you don't do the change to your TV RES, hence it will be a bit blurry and pixelated (aka too big).

Once you get the TV settings in line with your HDMI settings you will be quite happy with the quality.

Once this is all done, go to an HD channel and check out the difference.

Why buy an HDTV if you don't have digital cable service? HD channels come with the basic digital service and it's usually only a few bucks more. The quality is much better than analog. You could look at it this way, sometime in 2009 all the companies are required to go all digital... tick tick tick

Good Luck!!

Answer 2

Technically speaking HDMI cables should result in the best picture. The set will process a high definition signal through component (RCA type cables) connections just as well. If you were asked which picture is better on the same set; HDMI cable equipped or the same set with component cable connections, at a normal viewing distance you probably could not tell the difference.

Answer 3

You have to have a HD cable box. It will have a HDMI jack.

Also - a BluRay and HD-DVD player will also all have HDMI jacks.

The cable does not up-convert standard video to HD. (You have been listening to too many Monster ads that imply this.)

Order a HDMI cable from either BlueJeans or MonoPrice. My cable ran $38 and it works perfectly.

ALSO:

Turn down the brightness and contrast on that TV. Out of the box these TV's are often turned to super-bright mode so it catches the eye if the unit is used for a store demo.

You can buy a DVD called Avia or Digital Video Essentials that have a tutorial and test patterns to set brightness/contrast correctly.

Answer 4

Your best bet is NOT to use the HDMI cable. Use the component cables instead. The picture quality will be much better. HDMI cables are for 1080p (blu-ray, hddvd) components only. Your cable box is only going to be 1080i.

p = progressive scan

i = interlaced

Answer 5

If you don't have an HD capable cable box, you won't be able to connect an HDMI cable to it. Even if you do, the picture will be the same.

Answer 6

u might wanna get a new cable box with hdmi connection..

pic should be better and sound should be better also.

also u wont get hd with just hdmi cable

Answer 7

usually a TV that has HDMI socket is plugged to HDMI capable compontents(usually a home theater) is like a USB cord (it consists of video and audio) . no need more than 2 or three plugs.. it's so convenient. and it has superb picture and audio quality.