HDTV Newbie Needs Advice

joegaeta

I am researching a looking to purchase my first HDTV. I've decided on LCD.

I've been scouring professional and consumer reviews online and scanning discussion boards. It seems each product on my radar screen has one specific flaw that could be deal-breaker for me. And each one is different:

Samsung: Too pricey + glossy finish (I have a roomw w/ a lot of natural light)
Sharp: LC46D85U (Issues with horizontal color banding.)
Sony: KDL-40V5100 (Issues with dark scenes and backlight going out.)

So, I'm looking at the Toshiba 46XV645U Regza. I guess it's a newer product, because I cannot find many reviews on it at all. Can anyone give feedback? Is this a good choice?

Also, for hookup - My A/V receiver does not have HDMI, but I do not want to get rid of it b/c It's only a few years old and I like it a lot.

So, what is the best way?

"A"
HDMI from DirecTV box into TV; HDMI from BluRay player into TV; Digital Audio out from TV into my A/V receiver.

*or*

"B"
HDMI from DirecTV box into TV; Digital Audio out from DirecTV box into my A/V receiver
and
HDMI from BluRay player into TV; Digital Audio out from BluRay player into my A/V receiver.

Is "B" even possible? Can you split video to HDMI and audio to Coax or Optical?

If "B" is possible, which is better? "A" or "B"? Having the best picture quality is more important than the best sound, although I do want to preserve the 5.1 decoding w/ 5.1 discrete audio channels.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

deadhead68

I can't help on the first part of your post, but option "B" would be preferred in the second part. Some TVs cannot send audio out that is received via HDMI. I know mine can't.

DeadHead68

__________________
Toshiba 52HM95
Moto 3416 HD DVR
Sony STR-DG810 Receiver
Sony DVP-NS77H DVD
Denon SYS-76HT Speaker System
Harmony 670

joegaeta

DeadHead68 -

Thanks. So, it IS possible to feed the video to the TV via HDMI and the audio directly to to the receiver via optical or coax?

joegaeta

DeadHead68 -

Thanks. So, it IS possible to feed the video to the TV via HDMI and the audio directly to to the receiver via optical or coax?

Also, how do you like your Toshiba? Quality brand?

PFC5

It should be fine under option "B" to get standard audio with that method. Every HDTV I have seen or heard about can only send just 2 channel stereo out of the optical output of the HDTV UNLESS the source material watched/listened too is from a OTA tuner source.

Toshiba is very good and is as good or better judging by what I saw with the latest models in the stores last weekend. I use to say Samsung was the best, but it looks like things are changing as Toshiba has stepped things up some. The Toshibas I looked at compared to comparable models by Samsung, Sony, Vizio, etc was better with overall PQ, better black levels, and better viewing angles.

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Denon AVR-887
Klipsch RP-5 Pwred Towers (mains) (525 watts peak each 12"Subs)
All Klipsch RC-25(ctr),(2)SS1(surr),(2)SS1(rearSurr)
Toshiba (2)HD-A20,PS3,BD35
For SACD/DVD-A Samsung HD-841
Panny 50pz80u plasma SETTINGS
RCA HD50LPW162 50"DLP w/HD2+
SA 3250HD
47" LCD+Yamaha5790+HD-A1(bedroom)
Harmony 680 + (2) 670s (amazing remote/support)
Game room with Onkyo receiver & B&W Speakers
The_Cable_Game
Take the high ground and be happier

Loves2Watch

Yeppers, no doubt about it...

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Theater 1 - Panasonic TH-85PF12U Plasma TV, 6 Conrad Johnson LP275M Amps, Anthem Statement D-2 Pre/Pro, 6 Thiel SCS4 Speakers, 2 REL T-1 Subs, Infinity Interlude 120S Sub, Simaudio MOON Orbiter Universal Disc Player, ELP Laser Turntable, 2 Dish Network ViP 622 DVR's, Oppo BDP-83 Blu-ray Player, Onkyo DV-HD805 HD DVD Player.

oblioman

PFC,,under option "B", the op would send video signal from DT box to TV via HDMI and audio via da to receiver, and video signal from BD player to tv followed with da to receiver. This works fine. Me thinks you think the OP meant sending audio to the tv first, and then out to receiver. had a few drinks here so correct me if eyesight is blurby.

PFC5

Thanks!

I did misunderstand what he was asking for an answer to and corrected my answer accordingly.

Thanks for catching that!

__________________
Denon AVR-887
Klipsch RP-5 Pwred Towers (mains) (525 watts peak each 12"Subs)
All Klipsch RC-25(ctr),(2)SS1(surr),(2)SS1(rearSurr)
Toshiba (2)HD-A20,PS3,BD35
For SACD/DVD-A Samsung HD-841
Panny 50pz80u plasma SETTINGS
RCA HD50LPW162 50"DLP w/HD2+
SA 3250HD
47" LCD+Yamaha5790+HD-A1(bedroom)
Harmony 680 + (2) 670s (amazing remote/support)
Game room with Onkyo receiver & B&W Speakers
The_Cable_Game
Take the high ground and be happier