60” plus Recommendations

**aud19** · 20 April 2006, 11:29 Thursday

HDTV Monitor and HDTV compatible are basically the same thing. All it means is the set is capable of displaying HD resolutions but requires an outboard tuner (ie: a set top box from your cable or satellite provider or an OTA antenna/tuner) to watch broadcast HDTV.

An HDTV is simply a HD monitor with a built in HDTV tuner card (also known as an ATSC tuner) This enables you to watch OTA HD signals via an antenna for free (if available in you area) without an external STB. You will still require a "cable card" from your cable provider if you wish to watch their HDTV and/or digital channels with your set's built in tuner card. FYI, the current generation of cable cards does not allow for 2-way communication so you will not be able to order PPV, VOD etc through your TV like you can with a STB.

You can either connect your video sources through your receiver then to your display or directly to your display. Either will work. Your Marantz doesn't appear to have HDMI connections so if you want/need to use HDMI that will have to connect directly to your display.

As for the display, if you want to spend the money and insist on a plasma, buy a Pioneer, they're the best out there IMO though they do cost a bit more. Panasonic is your next best bet, they're close to the Pioneer in PQ and are less expensive. However you'll want to look at their "pro" models rather than their consumer models.

If it was my money though and knowing you want a big screen I'd put that money towards a smaller and more affordable (around 42") plasma/LCD/RPTV for daytime/non-critical viewing and spend the rest on a projector and screen for a truly BIG 80" and up picture and cinematic experience

**TommyW** · 20 April 2006, 11:45 Thursday

Thanks for the quick reply. So if I'm understanding it right, the Marantz dosent act as the tunner and I would either need more components or a full HDTV (not monitor, compatible or ready).

I thought I picked a good receiver according to the expense and the reviews. Should I cancel the order and get something else?

And my preference and wallet would appriecate the projector & screen of the flat screen. But so far the wife would rather me spend a fortune on the large flat screen.

I'll go search Pioneer now. Full HDTV and nothing with HDTV XXXX on it, right?

**aud19** · 20 April 2006, 12:42 Thursday

Not neccesarily. For me a full HDTV is pretty much worthless as there's very little OTA HDTV available in Vancouver, Canada. As such I require a STB to get HDTV from cable/satellite anyways. Also as I mentioned if your SP even has cable cards (not all do) the current generation doesn't allow 2-way communication, again requiring a STB. So spending extra to get a built in ATSC tuner isn't worth it for me when you have to use a STB anyways.

That said if you find a set that otherwise has everything you want and includes an ATSC tuner (even if you don't want/need it) it's not a reason to not buy the set... and then you'll have the tuner when/if you ever need it.

As for the Marantz, they tend to make better and more musical receivers than most of the "mass market" companies, however I personally prefer the likes of Rotel, Sherwood Newcastle etc. If you do require something with HDMI you'll need to look at another make/model. However you should know that the current HDMI standard is in flux and a newer "1.3" version is due in around 1 year to work with new new sound formats on HD-DVD and BluRay.

**aud19** · 20 April 2006, 12:48 Thursday

Oh, also you can mention to the wife that a projection screen is flatter than a plasma... and you can also get a retractable one that dissapears in to a soffit :P :T

**TommyW** · 20 April 2006, 12:53 Thursday

Thanks again but I am still "stuck on stupid" trying to follow some of what your saying. (I'm a computer programmer, now I know how people feel when I start talking tech.)

If I want to watch HD DVD movies & HD from my cable box on the plasma screen what do I need to do (I thought that was the point of the receiver that I didnt have to hook everything up to the tv directly )- add components, scrap the current receiver for another one, or buy a full hdtv with a built-in tuner?

Did I waste my money with this receiver if it isnt going to work?

**TommyW** · 20 April 2006, 12:56 Thursday

Originally posted by aud19

Oh, also you can mention to the wife that a projection screen is flatter than a plasma... and you can also get a retractable one that dissapears in to a soffit :P :T

I've been trying... :x

She just see's the flat screen as more of an asset then a projector & screen. (guess she thinks she's getting it if we divorce) ::shrugs::

**aud19** · 20 April 2006, 13:53 Thursday

Originally posted by TommyW

Thanks again but I am still "stuck on stupid" trying to follow some of what your saying. (I'm a computer programmer, now I know how people feel when I start talking tech.)

If I want to watch HD DVD movies & HD from my cable box on the plasma screen what do I need to do (I thought that was the point of the receiver that I didnt have to hook everything up to the tv directly )- add components, scrap the current receiver for another one, or buy a full hdtv with a built-in tuner?

Did I waste my money with this receiver if it isnt going to work?

Currently you could run component video from your sources through the receiver and a single line to the TV if you choose and it will work fine. Both BluRay and HD-DVD however have the funcionality to down-res the video signal from 720p/1080i/1080p to a maximum of 960x540p over component (HDMI will offer full resoltion regardless). However that will only happen if the studios activate the "flag" on their movies, which so far they've said they won't. In which case component will work fine. However IMO in your best interest you'd be best off getting something with HDMI "just in case".

Just be aware that HDMI itself is also changing. Current HDMI versions are 1.1 and 1.2, however 1.3 is being finalized now to support the new HD-sound formats that are coming with HD-DVD and BluRay. Those sound formats by the way won't be supported by current receivers (though they are backwards compatible with current equipment). So that means you'll have to update your receiver in the next 1-2 years to take advantage of the new surround formats increased resolution unless you use the player to decode the formats (rather than the receiver) and connect it to your receiver via HDMI or 5.1 analog cables.

**aud19** · 20 April 2006, 14:01 Thursday

Oh and "the point of a receiver" is many things. Primarily it's there to decode, surround formats and atenuate/amplify volume on audio signals. Modern receivers also have video switching capabilities but if you don't plan to listen to music/movies through a 5.1 speaker setup you'd be better off just connecting your video sources directly to your display.

**TommyW** · 20 April 2006, 14:20 Thursday

Originally posted by aud19

Oh and "the point of a receiver" is many things. Primarily it's there to decode, surround formats and atenuate/amplify volume on audio signals. Modern receivers also have video switching capabilities but if you don't plan to listen to music/movies through a 5.1 speaker setup you'd be better off just connecting your video sources directly to your display.

Yea I do want the 7.1 sound but I though there was audio processing and video processing and getting this receiver combined both. But as said i just dont want to waste money, if I still need it, great. If I need other components or something built in to the plasma, let me know what to look for.

**aud19** · 20 April 2006, 14:29 Thursday

Originally posted by TommyW

I've been trying... :x

She just see's the flat screen as more of an asset then a projector & screen. (guess she thinks she's getting it if we divorce) ::shrugs::

Well that's why I suggested getting both :B A 37"-42" unit and a projector....the best of both worlds :yesnod:

**aud19** · 20 April 2006, 14:35 Thursday

I think you may be a little confused on the HD tuner. All it allows you to do is watch broadcasted HD TV signals. It has nothing to do with BluRay/HD-DVD.

Basically the tuner in "normal" old fashioned TV's allows you to watch analog TV channels without a STB. The digital tuner in HDTV's allows you to watch digital channels without a STB.

As for the receiver, to be on the safe side I'd recommend getting one with HDMI (as well as your display). Just know that HDMI and future surround formats are coming soon which may require upgrades in the near future. Having current HDMI connections will at least carry you a little longer

**Audiophiliac** · 20 April 2006, 19:31 Thursday

61" Runco with DHD...mmmm.....Pioneer Elite, and Marantz also make superb 61". But my loyalty is with Sam.

**Shane Martin** · 20 April 2006, 20:09 Thursday

Panasonic has a new 58" HD Plasma for $5499 MSRP or $5999 MSRP. People are already reportedlly seeing the street price of this set in the mid $4k range.

TH-58PX600U - $5,999.95 MSRP
1366x768 resolution; Built-in NTSC/ATSC/QAM tuners; CableCARD slot;
SD Memory Card Slot; 2 HDMI inputs with HDAVI (EZ-SYNC) Control; PC Input; TV-Guide EPG
57.3" wide × 36.2" high × 3.9" deep
Approximately 137 lbs

TH-58PX60U - $5,499.95 MSRP
1366x768 resolution; integrated NTSC/ATSC/QAM tuners; 2 HDMI inputs
with HDAVI (EZ-SYNC) Control; SD Memory Card slot
55.1" wide x 36.8" high x 3.9" deep
Approximately 137 lbs

A commercial one hasn't been announced yet but that will be much cheaper than the ones listed above which are typically sold at Best buy and the like. They won't have speakers or the built in tuner but to me it's worth it and you get a black frame. The silver frames get a bit annoying.

60” plus Recommendations

60” plus Recommendations

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