Made the leap also...

[richierich]

It seems the price of AV gear has become very affordable, combined with the holiday sales that are going on , I just bought my first HDTV. I got the Toshiba 42HL167 (42 inch LCD) from circuit city for $1199.99. I also added a Toshiba HD-A3 HD DVD player to go with it. Like all newbies I have some questions. I thought I could post them here and get your opinions.

1. What is the best way to calibrate the TV ? I just ordered the HD DVD essentials calibration DVD from amazon, but the reviews are not very good it seems. How did you calibrate your TV when you got it ?

2. When I play a standard DVD in the HD-A3 player , my tv screen reads it as playing at 1080. Shouldnt it read 720 since it obviously a standard Disc ?

3. My reciever (Denon AVR 3805) does not have a HDMI input. Therefore, I connected the DVD player to TV with an HDMI cable (for video, of course) but I have the DVD audio connected to the reciever via opt out (Tslink cable/ ?). This seems to work fine except when I start a movie I have audio coming from the TV. I know why this is the case, but is there a way to have the TV sound go mute when I start a DVD. Its going to drive me crazy if I have to adjust the TV sound 10 minutes into every movie because I forgot to mute the TV.


4. When I get a hi def cable box from the cable company, will the connection to my TV be an HDMI cable ?

I have some more questions but I will ask them later. All and any help is appreciated .

[plissken99]

Originally Posted by richierich

It seems the price of AV gear has become very affordable, combined with the holiday sales that are going on , I just bought my first HDTV. I got the Toshiba 42HL167 (42 inch LCD) from circuit city for $1199.99. I also added a Toshiba HD-A3 HD DVD player to go with it. Like all newbies I have some questions. I thought I could post them here and get your opinions.

1. What is the best way to calibrate the TV ? I just ordered the HD DVD essentials calibration DVD from amazon, but the reviews are not very good it seems. How did you calibrate your TV when you got it ?

2. When I play a standard DVD in the HD-A3 player , my tv screen reads it as playing at 1080. Shouldnt it read 720 since it obviously a standard Disc ?

3. My reciever (Denon AVR 3805) does not have a HDMI input. Therefore, I connected the DVD player to TV with an HDMI cable (for video, of course) but I have the DVD audio connected to the reciever via opt out (Tslink cable/ ?). This seems to work fine except when I start a movie I have audio coming from the TV. I know why this is the case, but is there a way to have the TV sound go mute when I start a DVD. Its going to drive me crazy if I have to adjust the TV sound 10 minutes into every movie because I forgot to mute the TV.


4. When I get a hi def cable box from the cable company, will the connection to my TV be an HDMI cable ?

I have some more questions but I will ask them later. All and any help is appreciated .

1. HD DVD essentials is perfect, just follow the directions and it should look great.

2. The player is outputting the DVD upscaled to 1080, which is why it says that.

3. Do you not use all audio through your stereo? If not you should, then just keep the TV volume down at all times. Upgraded from the 3805 to the 3806 myself for HDMI, got the 3806 for about $800 on Ebay, and sold my 3805 for $500.

4. Ideally yes, but component will work also.

Welcome to the fold!

[Ruined]

Yeah, you could get around the audio problem by running your TV's audio to your stereo (from your cable box, for instance), and leaving your TV's audio off all the time with your stereo on all the time.

[richierich]

I do have the audio out on my TV connected to my reciever, and I like listening to it that way for some TV shows or sports. But as far as 100% of the time it would be overkill watching the weather channel or whatnot in surround sound. Still, not a big deal , though. I do have another question. I paid full price for my HD DVD player. Does circuit city still have the 30 day price match after purchase policy ? With all of the sales for this player between now and christmas, I wouldnt mind if I could get that price dropped some.

[richierich]

2. The player is outputting the DVD upscaled to 1080, which is why it says that.

Am I loosing any picture quality , watching standard DVD's at 1080 ?

[chlngr1970]

Originally Posted by richierich

Am I loosing any picture quality , watching standard DVD's at 1080 ?

The short answer is no. In fact, it probably looks better.

[Wilson]

Originally Posted by richierich

I do have the audio out on my TV connected to my reciever, and I like listening to it that way for some TV shows or sports. But as far as 100% of the time it would be overkill watching the weather channel or whatnot in surround sound.

The weather channel in HD with 5.1 sound is the only way to go baby!

[richierich]

Originally Posted by richierich

Does circuit city still have the 30 day price match after purchase policy ? With all of the sales for this player between now and christmas, I wouldnt mind if I could get that price dropped some.

Im kind of answering my own question here, but I thought it might be helpful to anyone that doesn't know. Circuit City does indeed price match competitors prices for 30 days after purchase. They price match and add 10%. I was able to spot a sale on Toshiba HD-A3's at HH gregg for $199.99. Circuit city price matched it, no hassle , no questions asked. I couldnt be happier.

[umainebearman]

You got the Toshiba 42hl167 or the 42hl67? The 167 is 1080 and the 67 is 720 and the price you paid the 167 is about $100 or $200 more at CC. I only know cause the 42hl67 was one of my front runners.

[richierich]

Originally Posted by umainebearman

You got the Toshiba 42hl167 or the 42hl67? The 167 is 1080 and the 67 is 720 and the price you paid the 167 is about $100 or $200 more at CC. I only know cause the 42hl67 was one of my front runners.

I got the 42HL167 (1080p). Circuit city's online price was $400 less than their in store price but they matched the price for me. However, I havent seen the price that low anywhere since then.

[umainebearman]

Originally Posted by richierich

I got the 42HL167 (1080p). Circuit city's online price was $400 less than their in store price but they matched the price for me. However, I havent seen the price that low anywhere since then.

Nope you probably won't either. Nice find!