Plasma HD TV Connections

[Ginofan]

So we've picked out our TV (which can be viewed here (http://www2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/vModelDetail?surfModel=TH-42PX60U&catalogId=13401&cachePartner=7000000000000005702&modelNo=TH-42PX60U&itemId=96291&catGroupId=24973&surfCategory=Plasma+TVs&cacheProgram=11002&storeId=15001&displayTab=O))

I was wondering what cables are necessary or recommended for us to have the best HD experience we can have?

[King]

You can always go HDMI, but cables are outrageously priced (like $80). I've also heard of problems arising over time with HDMI and HD signals.

I would probably just go with typical component cables for video - but a coax cable or a digital optical cable for audio. Do you have a surround sound, or receiver that you're trying to incorporate?

[Mixability]

if you bought an HD, there should be no question over whether to go with HDMI. Don't choke your signal in any other cable. Thats the only way you'll get the most out of your HDTV.

[MannyIsGod]

HDMI for sure. Time Warner will supply you with a capble form them. Your DVD player will probably not be HDMI unless youhave one that upconverts, so use component video there. I wouldn't use anything below component video if you don't have to.

I have HDMI from my cable box, regular COAX from my antenna, and component from the DVD player.

You got the same TV as me BTW. Good choice.

[MannyIsGod]

If you have the TW cable box you're going to notice some issues when you use HDMI. You should set it as AUTOHDMI which will send the proper signal to your TV. What this does is that it lets you set a different screen setting for each signal type (720p, 1080i, and 480i/p). That way when you're watching a 3:4 aspect channel, it automaticaly removes the sidebars and fits the picture to the screen. The TV does a pretty good job of making 3:4 material fit with very little distortion. Also when you switch to the 2 HD formats it will remember your settings for each although I never change anything on the way those channels are viewed.

The one thing that sucks, is that when I turn off the TV sometimes I come back to a static filled image. I have to change the channel on the cable box to make it change the signal type and then it comes back. I'm not sure why, but the HDMI sync is messed up when the TV goes off and the cable box stays on. Its not a problem with the TV though, its a problem with the cable box. Also there is a delay when changing hte channels with AUTO HDMI because the TV has to readjust for the new signal type.

[Viva Las Espuelas]

Go with Monster Cable. It's definitely worth the price. Also, I wish companies would give the consumer an option by selling tv's with out speakers. I don't think I've used any of my tv's speakers in 8 years. It would cut down on price and give less interference to the picture.

[MannyIsGod]

Eh, Monster Cable does nothing better. If you have to buy your own HDMI cable just get the cheapest one you can get. Its a digital cable, the cable makes no difference.

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

Monster cable is grossly overpriced. And for $80, you should be able to get at least 30-40' run of HDMI cable.

http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/dvi/index.htm

http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10240&style=

In my experience, the best way to choose which connection is the best is to try them all and return the ones you don't use. Some sets look better with component, some with HDMI. Some set top boxes look better with HDMI, some with component. And on and on.

You should always buy which looks/sounds better to you, in your set-up, using your eyes and ears. Other people's reviews and opinions can only take you so far.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Go with Monster Cable. It's definitely worth the price. Also, I wish companies would give the consumer an option by selling tv's with out speakers. I don't think I've used any of my tv's speakers in 8 years. It would cut down on price and give less interference to the picture.

Monster Cable is bullshit marketing hype. I hope no one on this forum (well, okay the Mavs fans :lol ) blows their money on that shit.

You can go buy the same shielded cable that Monster rapes you for at Altex for 1/5 the price.

Or, go to monoprice.com

Either one is much cheaper and does the same job.

And before any Monster fanboy comes on here and says something, I used to work at Best Buy. Monster equipment is marked up ridiculously.

At employee pricing, all of Monster's products were at the same price or cheaper than the same cables bought at monoprice or Altex.

[Viva Las Espuelas]

well like i said. monster is good. it maybe overpriced, but a b it and you'll see a difference for yourself. you bought a $1800 tv. there's no reason to skimp on cables.

[resistanze]

^^ Sounds like what the salesman said @ BestBuy when I was looking for a plasma, lol. I ended up getting Monster cables for free when I bought my home theater set last year, but there's no difference between those and the one my cable company gave me. There have been several tests done by sites (ie, cnet, digitalhome) that show no difference between cables.

[Viva Las Espuelas]

^^ Sounds like what the salesman said @ BestBuy when I was looking for a plasma, lol. I ended up getting Monster cables for free when I bought my home theater set last year, but there's no difference between those and the one my cable company gave me. There have been several tests done by sites (ie, cnet, digitalhome) that show no difference between cables.damn. this site has all the experts on every topic out there. it's amazing people still misspell on here. i'm just speechless.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

well like i said. monster is good. it maybe overpriced, but a b it and you'll see a difference for yourself. you bought a $1800 tv. there's no reason to skimp on cables.

:lol

There is no difference between them. But it appears you got suckered into the Monster Cable hype and bought some. Hell, if I got suckered like that, I'd defend my purchase too.

One of my roommates was in the home theater dept. at BB, and they had a damaged return where some guy crushed the end of the cable. So before they sent it back they cut the wire to look inside at the shielding and wires, and it was the same as one we bought and cut from Altex.

Take the extra $80 you save on buying from monoprice or altex versus Monster bullshit, and spend it on some DVDs or something.

[MannyIsGod]

damn. this site has all the experts on every topic out there. it's amazing people still misspell on here. i'm just speechless.:lol

You don't think that with the thousands of different people that post here you won't have experts in almost everything? You're an idiot if you don't think that.

Well, the truth is you're an idiot regardless.

[Viva Las Espuelas]

http://spurstalk.com/forums/images/smilies/smibang.gifhttp://spurstalk.com/forums/images/smilies/smibang.gifhttp://spurstalk.com/forums/images/smilies/smibang.gifhttp://spurstalk.com/forums/images/smilies/smibang.gifhttp://spurstalk.com/forums/images/smilies/smibang.gifhttp://spurstalk.com/forums/images/smilies/smibang.gifhttp://spurstalk.com/forums/images/smilies/smibang.gifhttp://spurstalk.com/forums/images/smilies/smibang.gifhttp://spurstalk.com/forums/images/smilies/smibang.gif
it's no wonder they made a "reply" button. all the geniuses felt the need to one up everybody and vga monitors were in short supply.

[Viva Las Espuelas]

:lol

You don't think that with the thousands of different people that post here you won't have experts in almost everything? You're an idiot if you don't think that.

Well, the truth is you're an idiot regardless. yeah i'm the idiot

http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/9550/imageqn3.jpg

http://www.2momluvme.com/kardz/eeyore.gif

[MannyIsGod]

Having big ears makes me an idiot? :lol Shit, I guess you must have to drag yours then.

[jaffies]

Having big ears makes me an idiot? :lol Shit, I guess you must have to drag yours then.


mine get bigger when i drink

[Viva Las Espuelas]

Having big ears makes me an idiot? :lol Shit, I guess you must have to drag yours then.no. it wasn't the ears i was trying to call you out on. just the character itself. it just references a past post of mine. i could have easily posted this
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/49/Tv_sesame_street_snuffy_too_big.jpg
as well. take your pick. i'm sure you have objections for one over the other.

[resistanze]

^^You lost. Take the L and move on. :lol

[Ginofan]

Thanks for the help everyone. The site I ordered our TV from had a packaged deal for connections and extended warranty so I just grabbed that. Thanks again!