I'm thinking about getting a 32"/37" LCD TV. Primary applications are DVDs (and I guess, now, BluRay), NetFlix/Hulu streaming, and an existing PS2. I'm also eyeing the PS3 (or a Wii?) but haven't made a decision yet. We don't have cable/satellite, and don't typically watch over-the-air. What factors should I be considering? [more inside]
posted by Alterscape on Nov 19, 2009 - 5 answers

Help me be a better videophile: We're shopping for our first HDTV, and (like most folks, I guess) I'm cheap but want to hold a firm line on quality. But I went to Best Buy and looked at their Wall o' TVs -- all playing the same promo reel, each displaying a different shade of green when a perfect green color field appeared -- and realized I need to be able to rely on something other than my eyes. [more inside]
posted by blueshammer on Nov 13, 2009 - 22 answers

My wife and I are finally getting around to getting an HDTV soon. When we do that, we want to adjust the setup in our living room to reflect the way we consume entertainment these days. [more inside]
posted by COBRA! on Nov 9, 2009 - 11 answers

Is it crazy and/or overkill to consider getting a 27 inch imac to replace my tv? [more inside]
posted by malaprohibita on Nov 4, 2009 - 22 answers

I'm looking in to buying an HDTV for around $1000 and would like your input. more info inside. [more inside]
posted by WizKid on Oct 26, 2009 - 14 answers

Looking to build/buy a (maybe) Linux-based media center. Requirements: HDMI, YPbPr, and (bonus) standard RCA output (not all at once), region-free DVD/Blu-ray playing (physical drive[s?]), some sort of remote control, automatic boot into media center interface, small size (not a tower), and (of course) lots and lots of codecs: Blu-ray rips, H.264 .avi, VIDEO_TS folders, the works. Need to know: cost, upkeep, storage options. [more inside]
posted by reductiondesign on Oct 5, 2009 - 5 answers

What is the current state of CableCards? Is it worth adding to my HTPC? [more inside]
posted by medarby on Oct 1, 2009 - 11 answers

Laptop to HDTV with a VGA-to-SVideo adapter: Why doesn't it work? [more inside]
posted by qxntpqbbbqxl on Sep 29, 2009 - 12 answers

I have a bunch of HDTV shows recorded on a HD DVR. How can I make a video compilation without knowing anything about video editing? Complication: Linux household. [more inside]
posted by halogen on Sep 11, 2009 - 5 answers

Help me design a budget HD home theater. [more inside]
posted by bove on Sep 9, 2009 - 17 answers

We have an HD TV, but no cable subscription. antenna advice, please! [more inside]
posted by radiosilents on Sep 4, 2009 - 15 answers

Is it better to (a) run audio, video, keyboard, and mouse to the TV at the other end of the house or (b) just get a second PC? Help me sort out the cost/benefit. [more inside]
posted by mindsound on Aug 29, 2009 - 8 answers

Help me buy an HDTV. [more inside]
posted by grouse on Jul 6, 2009 - 19 answers

Is this a scam? I'm looking at buying a LCD HDTV and found this offer online: Samsung LA40B750 40 in. LCD TV for AUD$ 1,450.00 from www.marthaelectronics.com How can I determine this is a legitimate firm? Google searches offer no consumer reports or angry bloggers, but it seems too good to be true...
posted by man down under on Jun 27, 2009 - 7 answers

How long are you waiting to get an HDTV and Blu-ray player? [more inside]
posted by mtphoto on May 27, 2009 - 38 answers

we have a Samsung HD LCD TV (series 550, if it matters) - last night the picture dimmed. we switched it between the ps2, tv, and the computer - dim on all inputs. it was late, we went to bed. this morning, half the screen is dim and the other half seems bright enough. contrast/backlight settings don't fix it. energy settings are set to off. help?
posted by nadawi on Apr 2, 2009 - 2 answers

Does this feature exist in current HDTV models: automatically detect letterboxed shows broadcast in standard definition and expand them to fill the whole screen? [more inside]
posted by DevilsAdvocate on Mar 28, 2009 - 7 answers

I recently purchased a new HDTV and all of a sudden I'm having a lot of problems with my satellite remote no longer working. [more inside]
posted by SweetJesus on Mar 25, 2009 - 9 answers

Recommended HDTV tuner cards for Linux? Preferably inexpensive? And where to find them? [more inside]
posted by middleclasstool on Mar 19, 2009 - 12 answers

Just bought a Sharp Aquos LC37D43U and am planning to use my G4 Mac Mini for at least a DVD player--but can I have it do more? And how would the setup work? [more inside]
posted by gramcracker on Feb 26, 2009 - 6 answers

Can I watch television from my HD antenna and basic cable service together without much hassle? If not, how cheap is digital cable in Austin? [more inside]
posted by spamguy on Feb 25, 2009 - 7 answers

Having trouble getting promotional traction for new webservice, despite being an avid blog reader, possibly because of split audiences. Any suggestions? [more inside]
posted by UMDirector on Feb 22, 2009 - 19 answers

AVfilter: Have XBox 360, Mac, and HTPC/cable box - need one display, 25 inches or larger, to use with all 3. Should I be shopping for an HDTV (no tuner req'd) or a Computer monitor? [more inside]
posted by bartleby on Feb 17, 2009 - 8 answers

I'm looking to buy my first HDTV. I know little to nothing about technology, and it seems that all of the discussions and guides online are geared towards very savvy technophiles looking to spend big bucks on a very precise level of viewing and audio perfection that I neither need nor want. Please help me understand what all of these weird terms mean and what I actually need in order to watch tv and vhs/dvd videos. [more inside]
posted by Mael Oui on Feb 15, 2009 - 23 answers

How do I force PS3 games to play at their optimum resolution? [more inside]
posted by Who_Am_I on Feb 6, 2009 - 11 answers

I'm interested in picking up The Godfather: The Coppola Restoration, but which version? [more inside]
posted by GamblingBlues on Feb 4, 2009 - 7 answers

My livingroom media computer onboard video can only reach 1024x768, and the mobo has ONLY has PCI slots. So I need a PCI video card. It will be used mainly for playing / streaming video to a 1920x1200 HDTV, and perhaps occasionally for stuff like Nintendo64 emulation. What specs will be the most important to ensure no choppiness or other problems when playing videos full screen? Is DirectX 10 or above important? Keeping in mind this must be PCI, am I doomed to choppy videos no matter how fast the card processor or how much memory it has?
posted by brenton on Jan 22, 2009 - 33 answers

Are there test DVDs that can display multiple resolutions simultaneously? [more inside]
posted by JFitzpatrick on Jan 18, 2009 - 9 answers

What are some good recommendations for HDTV Tuners? (Not digital-analog converter boxes) [more inside]
posted by ijoyner on Jan 14, 2009 - 1 answer

After a few disagreements, the mister and I have decided to buy a HDTV. Question about contrast ratios inside. [more inside]
posted by muddgirl on Jan 1, 2009 - 14 answers

I'm thinking about getting an HDTV to use as a monitor for my computer, because the versatility and cost/size ratio seem much better. What are the disadvantages? [more inside]
posted by ambulatorybird on Dec 28, 2008 - 18 answers

Why does HDTV look so good in the ads? [more inside]
posted by Acacia on Dec 27, 2008 - 6 answers

I just bought an HDTV. I have a computer with a TV Tuner card and beyond TV software. I do not have a standalone DVD player. I have a digital cable box (which may or may not stay, depending on your advice) and I have an HD box on the way. How should I set this all up? [more inside]
posted by If only I had a penguin... on Dec 27, 2008 - 13 answers

Audiovisual question. What will happen if I plug the HDMI output of a Sony Playstation 3 to the DVI port of this max. 1280x1024 pixel LCD projector? I would of course have a HDMI-DVI cable. Will I be able to display 720p or 1080i stuff? And if it doesn't work, are there devices out there that downsample HD so I can use the projector for pseudo-HD movies and games? I really do not want to buy an HDTV. If it matters, a PDF manual for the projector (2.2 MB) is here.
posted by crapmatic on Dec 27, 2008 - 13 answers

I am trying to compare the Toshiba 40RV525U and the 42RV535U. I don't see much difference except for two inches and almost $150. How much of Toshiba's spec sheet is marketing mumbo-jumbo and how much of it is real? (alternatively, recommend me a different HDTV in the $750-900 price range) [more inside]
posted by joshrholloway on Dec 21, 2008 - 5 answers

HDTV filter: I recently bought a new HDTV with a built-in tuner. When I auto-tune over the air, I receive about 6-8 channels clearly, but none in HD. (Most CBS/FOX/ABC sports and local news are broadcast in HD, but I only seem to get them in non-HD.) Am I doing something wrong or do I have to buy an HDTV antenna from my local Radio Shack (if so which one should I buy?) [more inside]
posted by ruwan on Nov 29, 2008 - 7 answers

I grabbed a 42" LCD television made by LG, on sale at Circuit Bankruptcy for $750. I saved a couple hundred bucks by choosing one with 720p/1080i resolution rather than 1080p. Am I a dumbass or a genius? [more inside]
posted by Saucy Intruder on Nov 28, 2008 - 17 answers

A question about digital TV antennas in SE Portland. [more inside]
posted by concrete on Nov 17, 2008 - 8 answers

I still don't have HDTV and have been postponing this major expense as much as I can. Last week was in Costco and saw Westinghouse 32" LCD for just $399 and almost snapped. Does it make any sense to wait longer? Will prices sink after Christmas or will they stay flat?
posted by bargainhunter on Oct 29, 2008 - 17 answers

New Macbooks: how good are the integrated NVIDIA graphics? [more inside]
posted by middleclasstool on Oct 29, 2008 - 7 answers

I need cable/internet. Should I go with Comcast, DirectTV, or DISH Network? [more inside]
posted by decrescendo on Oct 15, 2008 - 25 answers

I canceled my cable and switched to OTA digital using a Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-1950 tuner and a cheap amplified antenna. I'm getting great reception on all channels except KPTV, where there are enough dropped frames and signal interruptions to make the station unwatchable. Can you help me watch the Seahawks this afternoon? [more inside]
posted by chrchr on Sep 21, 2008 - 2 answers

Looking for a region-free (or region-free-able) DVD player with upconvert for $100 US. I'd also just like to go to Best Buy or wherever (in the US) and pick it up this weekend. Ideas? [more inside]
posted by middleclasstool on Sep 20, 2008 - 11 answers

Can you recommend a good, reasonably priced, external HDTV tuner that will work with a friend's iMac? [more inside]
posted by wfrgms on Sep 13, 2008 - 5 answers

With digital OTA coming in February and the possibility of dipping into HD in the near future, help me give my 2 year old HTPC a facelift. [more inside]
posted by genial on Sep 10, 2008 - 4 answers

I've got an upconverting DVD player hooked up to an HDTV via an HDMI cable. I can't get the closed captions to display at all, and I know I'm not the only person to have this problem. Any suggestions? [more inside]
posted by Faint of Butt on Sep 6, 2008 - 7 answers

In our living room (new construction), we have a space for my new HDTV, but we want it "hidden", "tucked away" or "invisible" when not in use. What are some great ways to do this? [more inside]
posted by 925 on Aug 24, 2008 - 10 answers

Keep me entertained on my new 20" widescreen. How small can I encode my DVDs and what's the most cost-effective way to get broadcast TV on it? [more inside]
posted by piedmont on Aug 22, 2008 - 5 answers

HDTV filter: I accidentally tore out my coaxial input. Can I still get the HD signal from my cable into my TV via a converter? [more inside]
posted by cgs on Aug 22, 2008 - 10 answers

Best HDMI switcher out there? (plasma TV only has one port) I'd like at least three, maybe four ports. Remote control not really necessary, I'd like to have maximum image quality though and I can spend, within reason, to obtain it. I see they're all between 50 and 100 dollars, maybe there are some known lemons out there? Maybe there's a kickass brand? Thanks.
posted by matteo on Aug 8, 2008 - 8 answers