What's the big deal about HDMI? Should I have?
1014707
HDMI gives you the ability to display high definition video and digital surround audio in a single cable. Conventional coax cables are actually analog, therefore signal degredation is inherent and especially bad as cable length increases. Traditional analog audio cables, where you have only a left and right signal source, are not capable of carrying a surround signal, so unless you have a receiver that can reproduce your rear and center channels, such as Dolby 5.1, you will not get the true surround experience. I hope that helps.
589510
Yes. HDMI will give you premium sound and video-or as well as your equipment can perform.
1680559
Nope, not necessary. You will probably want a 1.3 spec Cat 2 cable. That will set you back about $5 plus shipping. The cable people are at monoprice.com. Most HDMI cables are 6 feet. If that works for you this is what you should buy... http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10240&cs_id=1024008&p_id=3992&seq=1&format=2.
1438619
That's what I do and I'm happy with the resolution. Obviously, the quality of the TV's image is the limiting factor. Don't expect the picture to be the same as one of those beautiful (and expensive) Apple monitors. HDMI vs. FIREWIRE? I don't know the specs.
1394753
Yes, it was the only reason why I bought it. Though the screen may be small. A quick hdmi to a larger screen is fine.
1270234
Listen, the basics of this product is: SDI came in, HDMI comes out. try it out and let us know. good luck!
284869
No idea.. But i feel like most (don't quote me on that) technologies today are (HDMI, USB, etc.) - but I'd do more research to be sure. A Google search should suffice.
384200
No, it works perfectly.Since HDMI is a digital signaling method, the quality is either perfect, or it doesn't work. Since there are no disconnects/drops or other indications of bit errors, I'd say it works perfectly.
508100
Thanks for your input...I think I'll just keep my HDMI connection for now though.Have a blessed day sir....
541654
I prefer to hook my critical video equipment, especially reference equipment, directly to my monitor. You can use the ARC HDMI to get TV sound out of the Receiver. there 'has' to be 'some' information lost in the translation, imo.
168408
Did you go with the TX-SR606? I got it a few months ago and love it. It's a bit large but it handles all audio formats, so I'm happy with it. With HDMI cables (as with speaker cables) name brand means nothing. You will save a bundle if you just go with the cheapest ones you can find. Best Buy tries to sell the Monster brand HDMI cables for a hundred bucks or more. That is robbery. I got my three Belkin HDMI cables at Target for $40 each and I paid too much. Just get anything you see that is version 1.3 or better. As far as Blu-Ray goes, the PS3 is the best thing out there. It's a bit expensive though. So if you're trying to save some money, I have seen some good reviews for the Sony BD-S350. The DMP-BD55K looks nice too, as does the Samsung P2500. When it comes to deciding which one to buy, it all boils down to cost vs. benefit.
599036
Have it. Def only internet is wireless. I don't think you'll see wireless HDMI anytime soon, Mary, sorry....hadn't heard about that, and haven't heard of wireless HDMI, period.. If someone tries to sell you a TV with wireless HDMI, maybe stay away. unless I missed a very important memo, anyone else feel free to correct me!... That said, The wireless I think if or she was talking about the internet capabilities. You can hook it up with a cable or it does have a very fast internal wireless router too. I use the wireless and its easy, very quick, depending on your internet speed, and super convenient, so I have more room for cables on my internet router. I have Att u-verse and so I asked them for I wireless router mainly because our computer and printer are upstairs, but both can use WiFi so I was going to plug everything in down stairs where the router is, but when I found out the TV had the fastest to date 802.11 WiFi, I just went to network options on my tv's guide, and just type in your password for your internet, just like you would for a computer, and good to go. It also will update firmware and programs on the TV automatically, which is good if they are fixing an existing issue or whatever. But no. There is no wireless HDMI in the near to further future... Sorry. TV is crazy awesome though!
730659
I'm waiting on my roku, so take this advice with a grain of salt. From what I've read on the reviews, it seems that you can hook it up via A/V RCA cables, so no HDMI is required if you have a SD TV. A lot of folks on here seem to have SD TV setups, so I think HDMI is an option not a requirement.
525451
monoprice.comlike the above poster said, make sure it's at least a HDMI v1.3b. You can apparently now get v1.4, but that may be unneccesary. If you pay more than $3 for a HDMI cable, you are throwing money away. Never will I forget a friend who was so proud a couple years ago when he paid $100+ for a Monster HDMI cable at Best Buy. Didn't have the heart to tell him he blew $100. But you don't have to make the same mistake!
2002256
This is EXACTLY the issue with me as well. Ironically, I also do not watch TV that much, and currently have a 27 inch (Panasonic) CRT that I am looking to replace. I have pretty much decided to go with the 550 model. I looked at the two side-by-side in a store and could not notice the difference (a common cable feed -- probably 720p or 1080i -- was going to both). I don't know if the 120 Hz was on for the 650, but reading many comments here and other sites, it seems like this isn't worth it unless you watch alot of sports (alot of people seem to keep it off). As for the better contrast ratio for the 650 (50000:1 compared to 30000:1), I don't believe I could tell the difference. Aside from video, the extras for the 650 don't really seem worth it. You get the so-called Infolink which gives you capability of RSS feeds (presumably a limited number, possibly more in the future). But I am a news junky and like to look at all the various newspapers on the internet -- I'll stick with my computer. If I want, I'll just hook my computer up to the TV to look on the big screen. Extra HDMI port -- big deal, can always buy a switch box for cheaper than the difference. Other extras, if they exist, usually can be gotten around by buying external devices, if you want or need them. Bottom line, if you're like me, go for the cheaper 550. addendum to my previous post: Got the 550 and it's beautiful. Will not fret over whether I should have gotten the 650 (gotta get on with life). I avoided paying an extra ~$300 by doing this.
1506093
I would only use a HDMI cable. I suppose you could, but I personally would stay with the HDMI cable.Good Luck, Bill
134318
No, not using HDMI. I'm hooked up with a conventional multipin connector from the comp's vidio output, and running at 1280 X 768 on the computer, which results in a very nice full screen PC image on the TV/monitor as well as an acceptable fullscreen TV image (I switch back and forth between the PC and cable frequently). By "acceptable", I mean the TV image is slightly laterally distorted at full screen, but is is not annoying to me.