Got FiosTV, getting an HD-TV...have some questions

MBHockey · 12-23-2006, 10:34 PM

Hey all!

While I know a good deal about computers and networking stuff, I truly am a TV newbie in every sense of the word. I haven't paid much attention to HD stuff since I could never afford it, and never had an HD signal to begin with. We just got Fios installed about a week ago, and one of our primary TVs JUST bit the big one. So my dad told us he'd be purchasing an HD TV set. I did some research, and found what I believe to be a good one that can fit in our 34 by 29 inch cabinet space, and it nicely matches the black gloss finish on the rest of the cabinets.

http://reviews.cnet.com/Samsung_LN_S...2.html?tag=lst

Anyway, we are almost 100% decided on this set...but my next question is...how do we hook it up to FiOS TV? We have a set-top box (non-DVR) where we will be putting this new HD TV. Do i just plug in the coax directly into the new TV and wham, we've got HD?

Or do I have to plug an HDMI cable from the Set top box into the TV? Because i don't have an HDMI port on the back of my non-DVR set top box.

I might have said some stuff that makes absolutely zero sense, so please correct me if i'm wrong. I appreciate the help in advance!

Thank you!

clearday · 12-24-2006, 09:14 AM

You need to have Verizon FIOS bring you an HD box, or if you prefer, an HD DVR box. They should provide you with a free HDMI cable, tho component looks fine also. The box will cost more per month than the SD box, but is necessary. Both have HDMI on the back and both provide all the FIOS HD channels, a plain SD box will not give you HD reception.

MBHockey · 12-24-2006, 09:19 AM

Thank you.

That's exactly what I needed to know. So once we get the new HD set-top box, we run both coaxial and HDMI from it into the new HD TV?

clearday · 12-24-2006, 09:38 AM

When you get the HD box, the tech should hook it up for you, but to be on the safe side the info you need is: If you use HDMI for the connection to your TV, it will provide both sound and picture. If you have an external sound system for your TV, you can turn off the TV sound, and route sound cables, (optical or coax) directly from the HD box to your sound system (check with the tech on specifics for this connection and set up). The tech will connect the coax from your wall directly into the cable box, not the TV. The HD box is your connection center for the TV. If you do decide to use component cables, you will need the components and the red and white audio cables into the tv as component provides only picture. Just remember to select the correct input source on the TV after everything is set, select 16:9 for picture size and 1080i for picture resolution in the set top box set up menu. The FIOS techs are very good and can help you on all of this.

MBHockey · 12-24-2006, 09:53 AM

Thanks for your time!

clearday · 12-24-2006, 11:10 AM

Glad to have been able to help. If you need any more info after install, just check back. Lots of good people here to help. And enjoy the new TV.

12-23-2006, 10:34 PM	#1
MBHockey What is HD? Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 4	Got FiosTV, getting an HD-TV...have some questions Hey all! While I know a good deal about computers and networking stuff, I truly am a TV newbie in every sense of the word. I haven't paid much attention to HD stuff since I could never afford it, and never had an HD signal to begin with. We just got Fios installed about a week ago, and one of our primary TVs JUST bit the big one. So my dad told us he'd be purchasing an HD TV set. I did some research, and found what I believe to be a good one that can fit in our 34 by 29 inch cabinet space, and it nicely matches the black gloss finish on the rest of the cabinets. http://reviews.cnet.com/Samsung_LN_S...2.html?tag=lst Anyway, we are almost 100% decided on this set...but my next question is...how do we hook it up to FiOS TV? We have a set-top box (non-DVR) where we will be putting this new HD TV. Do i just plug in the coax directly into the new TV and wham, we've got HD? Or do I have to plug an HDMI cable from the Set top box into the TV? Because i don't have an HDMI port on the back of my non-DVR set top box. I might have said some stuff that makes absolutely zero sense, so please correct me if i'm wrong. I appreciate the help in advance! Thank you!

12-24-2006, 09:14 AM	#2
clearday Samsung DLP & LCD Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: N. Texas Posts: 1,622	You need to have Verizon FIOS bring you an HD box, or if you prefer, an HD DVR box. They should provide you with a free HDMI cable, tho component looks fine also. The box will cost more per month than the SD box, but is necessary. Both have HDMI on the back and both provide all the FIOS HD channels, a plain SD box will not give you HD reception.

12-24-2006, 09:19 AM	#3
MBHockey What is HD? Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 4	Thank you. That's exactly what I needed to know. So once we get the new HD set-top box, we run both coaxial and HDMI from it into the new HD TV?

12-24-2006, 09:38 AM	#4
clearday Samsung DLP & LCD Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: N. Texas Posts: 1,622	When you get the HD box, the tech should hook it up for you, but to be on the safe side the info you need is: If you use HDMI for the connection to your TV, it will provide both sound and picture. If you have an external sound system for your TV, you can turn off the TV sound, and route sound cables, (optical or coax) directly from the HD box to your sound system (check with the tech on specifics for this connection and set up). The tech will connect the coax from your wall directly into the cable box, not the TV. The HD box is your connection center for the TV. If you do decide to use component cables, you will need the components and the red and white audio cables into the tv as component provides only picture. Just remember to select the correct input source on the TV after everything is set, select 16:9 for picture size and 1080i for picture resolution in the set top box set up menu. The FIOS techs are very good and can help you on all of this.

12-24-2006, 09:53 AM	#5
MBHockey What is HD? Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 4	Thanks for your time!

12-24-2006, 11:10 AM	#6
clearday Samsung DLP & LCD Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: N. Texas Posts: 1,622	Glad to have been able to help. If you need any more info after install, just check back. Lots of good people here to help. And enjoy the new TV.