Comments on: As the TV Turns… http://www.sportsgamerblog.com/2006/07/26/as-the-tv-turns/ Two guys who love Sports Gaming on their PCs and consoles rant and rave about various stuff. Fri, 09 Jan 2009 09:29:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Lord Flatus http://www.sportsgamerblog.com/2006/07/26/as-the-tv-turns/#comment-3455 Lord Flatus Thu, 27 Jul 2006 15:46:00 +0000 http://www.sportsgamerblog.com/2006/07/26/as-the-tv-turns/#comment-3455 Don't settle for that same Sammy you were looking at when you get the big TV. At lease look at the "they were new but expensive back then" Sammies that are going on blowout now.<br/><br/>In fact, you should start the search anew. :) <br/><br/>I'd stay away from the Toshibas, though. I really didn't like the SD picture on last year's model at all. I thought the Mits and the Sammy were really close, though.<br/><br/>And don't rule out the "3-LCD" Sonys. I thought they were far better on SD than anything else. Don’t settle for that same Sammy you were looking at when you get the big TV. At lease look at the “they were new but expensive back then” Sammies that are going on blowout now.

In fact, you should start the search anew. :)

I’d stay away from the Toshibas, though. I really didn’t like the SD picture on last year’s model at all. I thought the Mits and the Sammy were really close, though.

And don’t rule out the “3-LCD” Sonys. I thought they were far better on SD than anything else.

]]> By: bill http://www.sportsgamerblog.com/2006/07/26/as-the-tv-turns/#comment-3454 bill Thu, 27 Jul 2006 13:50:00 +0000 http://www.sportsgamerblog.com/2006/07/26/as-the-tv-turns/#comment-3454 Thanks Mean, I'm pretty excited about it and for the fact that I got for for the low 600s. Thanks for that pic. She's a beaut. :) Thanks Mean, I’m pretty excited about it and for the fact that I got for for the low 600s. Thanks for that pic. She’s a beaut. :)

]]> By: MeanOnSunday http://www.sportsgamerblog.com/2006/07/26/as-the-tv-turns/#comment-3453 MeanOnSunday Thu, 27 Jul 2006 04:33:00 +0000 http://www.sportsgamerblog.com/2006/07/26/as-the-tv-turns/#comment-3453 Should look great on that monitor:<br/><br/><br/>http://hardforum.com/showpost.php?p=1028548310&postcount=34 Should look great on that monitor:

http://hardforum.com/showpost.php?p=1028548310&postcount=34

]]> By: bill http://www.sportsgamerblog.com/2006/07/26/as-the-tv-turns/#comment-3451 bill Thu, 27 Jul 2006 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.sportsgamerblog.com/2006/07/26/as-the-tv-turns/#comment-3451 Jon that is excellent information. I really appreciate it. It's just what I was looking for. I will relay this to Mary. =)<br/><br/>As for the monitor review, that isn't the same model. The one I am getting is the UltraSharp 2407WFP A02 revision model not the 2405FPW. There's a big difference (based on what I read) The review I linked in the post was done by Jason Cross, a guy I know personally and a fella I trust compltely when it comes to tech stuff. I am very comfy with the purchase. (well, as comfy as a guy can be before getting it). If there are problems with it believe me..the blog will hear about it! Jon that is excellent information. I really appreciate it. It’s just what I was looking for. I will relay this to Mary. =)

As for the monitor review, that isn’t the same model. The one I am getting is the UltraSharp 2407WFP A02 revision model not the 2405FPW. There’s a big difference (based on what I read) The review I linked in the post was done by Jason Cross, a guy I know personally and a fella I trust compltely when it comes to tech stuff. I am very comfy with the purchase. (well, as comfy as a guy can be before getting it). If there are problems with it believe me..the blog will hear about it!

]]> By: Jon Diehl http://www.sportsgamerblog.com/2006/07/26/as-the-tv-turns/#comment-3450 Jon Diehl Wed, 26 Jul 2006 23:18:00 +0000 http://www.sportsgamerblog.com/2006/07/26/as-the-tv-turns/#comment-3450 Bill -<br/><br/>Take information for 1st level DirecTV customer service reps with a grain of salt. Most of them haven't a clue what mpeg4 is.<br/><br/>The HD Tivo boxes will continue to work fine, just as they do now (I own two). What they will not work with is any new mpeg4 HD channels. Right now, this means the four major broadcast networks in your local area (if they're even active yet). In St. Louis, they went active in May. I have the H20 mpeg4 receiver in addition to the 2 HD Tivo's, but I don't even use the HD locals supplied via mpeg4. Why? Because they come in just fine OTA with my antenna. Also, DirecTV's mpeg4 channels are only going to be the big 4 networks, which means that you still need your OTA antenna for UPN, WB, PBS, etc....<br/><br/>However, down the road DirecTV will begin adding additional HD national channels (ie. National Geographic HD, MTV HD, etc...) and those will likely be mpeg4. The mpeg2 versions will not be turned off in the near or distant future. If you're happy with what you can get now with your HD Tivo, that's not going to change.<br/><br/>I've seen their DTV software, and it blows chunks compared to Tivo. They could swap out all 3 of my Tivo's today (2 HD, 1 SD) for free and throw in a $500 credit to my account and I would tell them no thank you. Tivo, as you know, is that superior. Should the time come (in 5+ yrs) where mpeg4 channels are coming out and I can't resist them (or feel the need to record them), I would then consider swapping out my Tivo boxes, but right now there is no reason to do so (only four local mpeg4 channels from D* and no other's in the pipeline).<br/><br/>Long story short, don't worry about mpeg4 or their new HD DVR. You don't need it (unless you can't get OTA HD reception right now, in which case mpeg4 would be a big deal if/when it's in your local area).<br/><br/>PS. If you're looking to land another HD Tivo for free, check out this thread:<br/><br/>http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=303111<br/><br/>I got my 2nd HD Tivo last month, absolutely free, no rebates or service credits to mess with. Just $0, $0 shipping, $0 installation. <br/><br/>Any additional questions, shoot me a PM over at DSP.<br/><br/>PSS. Have you read reviews of that Dell monitor?<br/><br/>http://www.pcworld.com/resource/article/0,aid,120996,00.asp<br/><br/>In my experience with LCD PC monitors, they do PC stuff great, but the analog inputs (component, VGA, etc) pretty much make everything look muddy. Since your 360 would be connected via VGA or component, this is a valid concern. Your eyes are right on top of the monitor, and anytime it's getting a non-native resolution (such as anything non-PC related) it's going to have some artifacting. I'd make sure that you have a return policy so that if you hook it up and it looks just so-so with the 360 and HDTV, you can take it back and get a dedicated HDTV instead. Bill -

Take information for 1st level DirecTV customer service reps with a grain of salt. Most of them haven’t a clue what mpeg4 is.

The HD Tivo boxes will continue to work fine, just as they do now (I own two). What they will not work with is any new mpeg4 HD channels. Right now, this means the four major broadcast networks in your local area (if they’re even active yet). In St. Louis, they went active in May. I have the H20 mpeg4 receiver in addition to the 2 HD Tivo’s, but I don’t even use the HD locals supplied via mpeg4. Why? Because they come in just fine OTA with my antenna. Also, DirecTV’s mpeg4 channels are only going to be the big 4 networks, which means that you still need your OTA antenna for UPN, WB, PBS, etc….

However, down the road DirecTV will begin adding additional HD national channels (ie. National Geographic HD, MTV HD, etc…) and those will likely be mpeg4. The mpeg2 versions will not be turned off in the near or distant future. If you’re happy with what you can get now with your HD Tivo, that’s not going to change.

I’ve seen their DTV software, and it blows chunks compared to Tivo. They could swap out all 3 of my Tivo’s today (2 HD, 1 SD) for free and throw in a $500 credit to my account and I would tell them no thank you. Tivo, as you know, is that superior. Should the time come (in 5+ yrs) where mpeg4 channels are coming out and I can’t resist them (or feel the need to record them), I would then consider swapping out my Tivo boxes, but right now there is no reason to do so (only four local mpeg4 channels from D* and no other’s in the pipeline).

Long story short, don’t worry about mpeg4 or their new HD DVR. You don’t need it (unless you can’t get OTA HD reception right now, in which case mpeg4 would be a big deal if/when it’s in your local area).

PS. If you’re looking to land another HD Tivo for free, check out this thread:

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=303111

I got my 2nd HD Tivo last month, absolutely free, no rebates or service credits to mess with. Just $0, $0 shipping, $0 installation.

Any additional questions, shoot me a PM over at DSP.

PSS. Have you read reviews of that Dell monitor?

http://www.pcworld.com/resource/article/0,aid,120996,00.asp

In my experience with LCD PC monitors, they do PC stuff great, but the analog inputs (component, VGA, etc) pretty much make everything look muddy. Since your 360 would be connected via VGA or component, this is a valid concern. Your eyes are right on top of the monitor, and anytime it’s getting a non-native resolution (such as anything non-PC related) it’s going to have some artifacting. I’d make sure that you have a return policy so that if you hook it up and it looks just so-so with the 360 and HDTV, you can take it back and get a dedicated HDTV instead.

]]>