Question about HD-DVD and Blu-Ray and TV.

[SoulOnIce]

I have the Toshiba 50h82 widescreen RPTV.

When HD-DVD and Blu-Ray comes out will it be a simple matter of hooking it up and going or do I have to buy something extra, like the DVI input thingee?

Sorry, if this sounds newbie but I don't no too much about the technical side of this stuff.

Thanks!

[tomdkat]

Based on these specs, it looks like your set is DVI Upgradeable implying it might not have DVI inputs today.

If HD-DVD/Blu-Ray players have DVI and HDMI outputs, you could get the DVI Upgrade (which includes HDCP support) and connect the player that way. If the players only have HDMI, you might be screwed. You could try a HDMI --> DVI connector and connect that to the DVI upgrade connector on your TV and get a digital video connection that way but I don't know if that would work, etc.

Contact Toshiba to see how much the DVI upgrade is and what its availability is for your set, since your set is getting old.

Peace...

[incubus0]

Must likely, the players will have a Component Video output, so you should be all set. If not you can purchase a DVI and/or HDMI to Component video adapter for around $200 now, probably less when/if it becomes an issue.

[SoulOnIce]

Thanks guys.

I am hoping that my set doesn't become useless in a year or two.

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by incubus0

Must likely, the players will have a Component Video output, so you should be all set.

This is true but will the high resolution video be output via component video? Most of the current upconverting players ouptut 720p/1080i via DVI/HDMI only and 480i/p via component video. There are a few that output 720p/1080i via component video but one has to carefully seek one out.

I don't know what resolutions the high definition players will output.

Peace...

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by tomdkat

This is true but will the high resolution video be output via component video?

No, I think that would defeat the purpose of the protection in the new digital cable standards.

[I 8 Piglet]

Originally Posted by Ruined

No, I think that would defeat the purpose of the protection in the new digital cable standards.

I agree that the copy guards will be an issue. However, if the industry wants this to be more mainstream and less of a niche technology, they would offer the component option, so it would be backwards compatable with the plethora of HDTVs that predate HDMI or DVI.

Though, I havent really kept up with the news. Do we have any Idea when we might start seeing this (hardware & media) in stores?

[snipsnapsappy]

The movie studios do not care about whether or not HD-DVD/Blu Ray are successful. All they care about is whether or not their Hi Def movies are copy protected.

Trust me, your set, as will mine, will not be able to do the next generation formats in full HD mode.

They may, however, downconvert to 480p and then pass that through the analog outputs. But what is the use in that?

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by I 8 Piglet

I agree that the copy guards will be an issue. However, if the industry wants this to be more mainstream and less of a niche technology, they would offer the component option, so it would be backwards compatable with the plethora of HDTVs that predate HDMI or DVI.

Though, I havent really kept up with the news. Do we have any Idea when we might start seeing this (hardware & media) in stores?

As a few have stated, I believe analog component will be provided with 480p quality.

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by Ruined

As a few have stated, I believe analog component will be provided with 480p quality.

I think it will be as well and should be sufficient for the "J6P" crowd that must be catered to for this new technology to go mainstream.

Of course, "early adopters" of HDTVs will be screwed since they won't be able to enjoy high definition DVDs in their full glory.

Peace...

[chipmac]

I'm leaning towards full HD output through component. The CP on the discs is supposed to be much better compared to current DVDs and that should be enough to placate the studios. If they want these new formats to be accepted they'll need to pass HD through analog connects for legacy sets. They don't need HDCP through a digital connection to prevent copying since there are no consumer level HD recorders available that work with analog inputs. The fact that there are no recorders available should be enough to prevent consumer copying. The pirates that have high end pro level gear will break the CP anyway.

[Iguana Man]

Originally Posted by tomdkat

Of course, "early adopters" of HDTVs will be screwed since they won't be able to enjoy high definition DVDs in their full glory.

Peace...

What? What's "early adopters" mean? Is Ig-Man-6-Pack gonna need to upgrade AGAIN??? Both my PJ and TV have DVI/HDMI inputs...am I safe?