HD DVD or Blue Ray player & other TV stuff I should get?

Mattie_B · 12-02-2007, 07:41 AM

I ordered this Toshiba-42-Regza-LCD-HDTV-42HL167 1080P TV last night. So the ETA is 12/12 so I want to order some stuff for it but i'm kind of in the dark about some of it. So here are some of the questions I have if you could provide some insight it would be much appriciated! I had a bunch of question but rather then post them in a bunch of different sections I choose this section.

1. First off I'm going to need either a HD DVD player or Blu Ray player. Which should I get? I'd like some good links for a actual stand alone unit and also possibly one for the computer. Don't really need a burner just a HD player. Also i've seen upscaling normal DVD players would this be worth it for all my current DVD's or will they play on a HD or blu Ray player?

2. This leads me to the next question. I'm using Vista Ultimate and i've been thinking maybe I could just hook it up to the computer to use as a media center. In which case i'm going to need a TV tuner card for the computer right? Whats a good card that works well with Vista 64bit?

3. Now if I decide to hook it up through my computer with the TV tuner card will I still be able to use my dual displays and use that as a 3rd display hooked up via the tuner? I was thinking of taking the top portion of my desk off and wall mounting it behind the computer desk.

4. Is the TV I selected going to have any problems with possible burn in if I hook it up to the desktop?

5. Everyone is always talking about HDMI ports and thats how I need to hook it up for 1080P. What does the HDMI port convert to on my receiver?

6. Right now I have Dish Network. I don't have a HD DVR receiver its just the basic DVR 625 unit. So until I upgrade to a HD receiver and HD package it will just convert down to standard resolutions right? Also some input on the best type of package to get for those that already have dish networks HD service would be nice. I have HBO and Starz on my package and at the start of a movie it always says in HD were available. Does that mean its in HD if I have a HD tv or do I need to order a special HBO & starz movie package? Also if I convert to a HD reciever the 2nd receiver is in my living room but its a non HD tv. Will it work with the non HD living room TV or will I need to convert that to my 2nd dish network receiver box running tv's 3 and 4?

7. Whats going to be the best way to hook it through the satellite? Until I get a TV tuner card anyways. After I get the TV tuner card I assume I just hook the satellite receiver into the Tuner card then connect the tuner card output to HDMI on the TV right.

8. Once I do that is the sound going to come through the TV or my PC. I have a dolby receiver and would like to hook up my 5.1 somehow and have the sound come through that when its hooked to my PC.

Okay I think thats my questions right there. Sorry if there kind of jumbled up in there but i'm new to the world of HD and want to make sure I get everything setup the best I can.

Thanks for the input!

mschupp · 12-02-2007, 09:36 AM

Sounds like you're really after HTPC info. You might want to ask in the computers/htpc forum.

kzgai · 12-02-2007, 10:32 AM

hey mattie d:

#1 depends on you, check movie titles available on both formats and of course your budget as well. I will say though that if you want to use disk interactive features then hd dvd does them very well. Blue ray still needs more work in this area. Sd dvds will play on both formats.

#2 You do not need a tuner card for your pc the tv already has the tuner built in. That tv is compatible to 1024x768 video. Of course you can still put a tuner card in the computer if you wish, but I just use the vga input which is still very good video. ATI has some very good high def cards but others are avalible.

#3 I could only take a guess at. But I think you could.

#4 I can only say that I have used lcd monitors on my computers for several years and haven't had any problems with burn in.

#5 I assume you are talking about your hdtv, it would be 1080p.

#6 I would ask the dish net techs in the dish net forum.

#7 I think your dish receiver is probably like directv's receivers so you could connect to the tv through hdmi or component to receive hd signals. the dish receiver has the tuner built in.

#8 I can only say if your receiver has optical inputs you can hook a hd dvd player, and the dish receiver will probably connect to optical or digital coax as well. I'm sure blue ray also has optical, though I don't know about other options.

Mattie_B · 12-02-2007, 11:16 AM

Thanks a bunch kzgai that info helps out! I didn't know It had a tuner built right into the TV. I may have to give dish network a ring and find out some more info on how that all works. Thanks again.

ThePug · 12-02-2007, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mattie_B

I ordered this Toshiba-42-Regza-LCD-HDTV-42HL167 1080P TV last night. So the ETA is 12/12 so I want to order some stuff for it but i'm kind of in the dark about some of it. So here are some of the questions I have if you could provide some insight it would be much appriciated! I had a bunch of question but rather then post them in a bunch of different sections I choose this section.

1. First off I'm going to need either a HD DVD player or Blu Ray player. Which should I get? I'd like some good links for a actual stand alone unit and also possibly one for the computer. Don't really need a burner just a HD player. Also i've seen upscaling normal DVD players would this be worth it for all my current DVD's or will they play on a HD or blu Ray player?
Depending on what kind of movies you like and how big your budget is really. If you're into more of the action movies and are on a cheaper budget, go with HD DVD. If you like more of the Disney type movies and have a larger budget, then go with Blu Ray.
2. This leads me to the next question. I'm using Vista Ultimate and i've been thinking maybe I could just hook it up to the computer to use as a media center. In which case i'm going to need a TV tuner card for the computer right? Whats a good card that works well with Vista 64bit?
No need to do this as the TV you purchased has the tuner built in, as explained by kzgai
3. Now if I decide to hook it up through my computer with the TV tuner card will I still be able to use my dual displays and use that as a 3rd display hooked up via the tuner? I was thinking of taking the top portion of my desk off and wall mounting it behind the computer desk.
What is the 3rd display? The TV? If so, then yes you can do this but you will have to make sure your graphics card and dual displays can handle this.
4. Is the TV I selected going to have any problems with possible burn in if I hook it up to the desktop?
Most likely not, the worst thing that could happen is a temporary burn in that will go away if not used for a few days. Very unlikely.
5. Everyone is always talking about HDMI ports and thats how I need to hook it up for 1080P. What does the HDMI port convert to on my receiver?
Your TV is going to be viewing it at 1080p.
6. Right now I have Dish Network. I don't have a HD DVR receiver its just the basic DVR 625 unit. So until I upgrade to a HD receiver and HD package it will just convert down to standard resolutions right? Also some input on the best type of package to get for those that already have dish networks HD service would be nice. I have HBO and Starz on my package and at the start of a movie it always says in HD were available. Does that mean its in HD if I have a HD tv or do I need to order a special HBO & starz movie package? Also if I convert to a HD reciever the 2nd receiver is in my living room but its a non HD tv. Will it work with the non HD living room TV or will I need to convert that to my 2nd dish network receiver box running tv's 3 and 4?
I believe if you order the HD package, you will get HBO and Starz if they have these channels in HD, ,check their website to see what channels they have in HD, or ask in the Dish forums on this website.
I'm not exactly sure, but I would think that you would need to have that go to your 2nd receiver box, but I may be wrong. Again, ask in their forum.
7. Whats going to be the best way to hook it through the satellite? Until I get a TV tuner card anyways. After I get the TV tuner card I assume I just hook the satellite receiver into the Tuner card then connect the tuner card output to HDMI on the TV right.
You won't need to have that medium of a TV tuner card because the receiver has one built in, you will be able to use HDMI with the reciever.
8. Once I do that is the sound going to come through the TV or my PC. I have a dolby receiver and would like to hook up my 5.1 somehow and have the sound come through that when its hooked to my PC.
Since you will not need to buy a TV tuner card because it is built in the TV, you will hear it from the TV. You can always do it the way you are saying, but it's really not needed and is an extra thing. I can understand if you don't want to have to switch cables every time you want to just watch TV but I believe there are receivers so you don't have to, or want to watch TV while on the computer at the same time and be able to minimize it. But it's just kinda harder than it needs to be if you want to do it that way.
Okay I think thats my questions right there. Sorry if there kind of jumbled up in there but i'm new to the world of HD and want to make sure I get everything setup the best I can.

Thanks for the input!

I've only got answers for some of your questions but I'll try my best.

sam9007 · 12-02-2007, 04:57 PM

HD DVD player if you want 1080p go for the x2 or go to wal mart on the 7th i think and you get 11 movies for the a2 or a3 that are 1080i.

Super XP · 12-02-2007, 08:03 PM

Go for the HD DVD player. Since your TV supports 1080p, it may do a great job converting the video to it's native res of 1080p, so you can always get a $99 to $199 1080i HD DVD player or just go for a $299 to $499 10880p HD DVD player.

Right now due to profile issues with Blu-Ray and their expenisve player prices, I do not recommend them.

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12-02-2007, 07:41 AM	#1
Mattie_B High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 688	HD DVD or Blue Ray player & other TV stuff I should get? I ordered this Toshiba-42-Regza-LCD-HDTV-42HL167 1080P TV last night. So the ETA is 12/12 so I want to order some stuff for it but i'm kind of in the dark about some of it. So here are some of the questions I have if you could provide some insight it would be much appriciated! I had a bunch of question but rather then post them in a bunch of different sections I choose this section. 1. First off I'm going to need either a HD DVD player or Blu Ray player. Which should I get? I'd like some good links for a actual stand alone unit and also possibly one for the computer. Don't really need a burner just a HD player. Also i've seen upscaling normal DVD players would this be worth it for all my current DVD's or will they play on a HD or blu Ray player? 2. This leads me to the next question. I'm using Vista Ultimate and i've been thinking maybe I could just hook it up to the computer to use as a media center. In which case i'm going to need a TV tuner card for the computer right? Whats a good card that works well with Vista 64bit? 3. Now if I decide to hook it up through my computer with the TV tuner card will I still be able to use my dual displays and use that as a 3rd display hooked up via the tuner? I was thinking of taking the top portion of my desk off and wall mounting it behind the computer desk. 4. Is the TV I selected going to have any problems with possible burn in if I hook it up to the desktop? 5. Everyone is always talking about HDMI ports and thats how I need to hook it up for 1080P. What does the HDMI port convert to on my receiver? 6. Right now I have Dish Network. I don't have a HD DVR receiver its just the basic DVR 625 unit. So until I upgrade to a HD receiver and HD package it will just convert down to standard resolutions right? Also some input on the best type of package to get for those that already have dish networks HD service would be nice. I have HBO and Starz on my package and at the start of a movie it always says in HD were available. Does that mean its in HD if I have a HD tv or do I need to order a special HBO & starz movie package? Also if I convert to a HD reciever the 2nd receiver is in my living room but its a non HD tv. Will it work with the non HD living room TV or will I need to convert that to my 2nd dish network receiver box running tv's 3 and 4? 7. Whats going to be the best way to hook it through the satellite? Until I get a TV tuner card anyways. After I get the TV tuner card I assume I just hook the satellite receiver into the Tuner card then connect the tuner card output to HDMI on the TV right. 8. Once I do that is the sound going to come through the TV or my PC. I have a dolby receiver and would like to hook up my 5.1 somehow and have the sound come through that when its hooked to my PC. Okay I think thats my questions right there. Sorry if there kind of jumbled up in there but i'm new to the world of HD and want to make sure I get everything setup the best I can. Thanks for the input!

12-02-2007, 09:36 AM	#2
mschupp . Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 289	Sounds like you're really after HTPC info. You might want to ask in the computers/htpc forum.

12-02-2007, 10:32 AM	#3
kzgai How can anyone watch standard def? Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 25	hey mattie d: #1 depends on you, check movie titles available on both formats and of course your budget as well. I will say though that if you want to use disk interactive features then hd dvd does them very well. Blue ray still needs more work in this area. Sd dvds will play on both formats. #2 You do not need a tuner card for your pc the tv already has the tuner built in. That tv is compatible to 1024x768 video. Of course you can still put a tuner card in the computer if you wish, but I just use the vga input which is still very good video. ATI has some very good high def cards but others are avalible. #3 I could only take a guess at. But I think you could. #4 I can only say that I have used lcd monitors on my computers for several years and haven't had any problems with burn in. #5 I assume you are talking about your hdtv, it would be 1080p. #6 I would ask the dish net techs in the dish net forum. #7 I think your dish receiver is probably like directv's receivers so you could connect to the tv through hdmi or component to receive hd signals. the dish receiver has the tuner built in. #8 I can only say if your receiver has optical inputs you can hook a hd dvd player, and the dish receiver will probably connect to optical or digital coax as well. I'm sure blue ray also has optical, though I don't know about other options.

12-02-2007, 11:16 AM	#4
Mattie_B High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 688	Thanks a bunch kzgai that info helps out! I didn't know It had a tuner built right into the TV. I may have to give dish network a ring and find out some more info on how that all works. Thanks again.

12-02-2007, 04:57 PM	#6
sam9007 HD DVD is very nice. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 218	HD DVD player if you want 1080p go for the x2 or go to wal mart on the 7th i think and you get 11 movies for the a2 or a3 that are 1080i.

12-02-2007, 08:03 PM	#7
Super XP Star Trek: The Movie! Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Toronto, ON. Canada Posts: 5,776	Go for the HD DVD player. Since your TV supports 1080p, it may do a great job converting the video to it's native res of 1080p, so you can always get a $99 to $199 1080i HD DVD player or just go for a $299 to $499 10880p HD DVD player. Right now due to profile issues with Blu-Ray and their expenisve player prices, I do not recommend them. __________________ Toshiba Regza 46" HDTV (46RF350U) LCD 1080p/24p Toshiba HD-A35 / HD-A3 / XD-E500 LG GGC-H20L Super Multi / PC Drive Onkyo TX-SR605 7.1 TrueHD/DTS HD MA Precision Acoustics™ 8Ch. Hi Def Loudspeaker Series DVD's = 200 = 130 = 10