Time to pull the HD trigger...

steveinaz
steveinaz Posts: 19,545
edited January 2008 in Electronics
...all the way around.

Well, it's been about a year with the new DLP HDTV and our local Cox cable still has no HD channels. I told my wife last year that I would not watch the next Super Bowl in standard definition. I'm calling Direct TV today and getting the big package that includes 30 HD channels---I'm pumped.

I'm also about 30 days from a Samsung BluRay player, my spidey senses are telling me that the momentum is heading that way.

Finally, some real high definition content. Can't wait to see it on my set.
Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Source: Rotel CD14MkII CD Player - Speakers: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
Post edited by steveinaz on
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  • bykes
    bykes Posts: 132
    edited January 2008
    Good for you. You should love both your Direct tv and your blu-ray.
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  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 7,448
    edited January 2008
    Steve,
    Read the forums at AVS regarding the Samsung bluray players. Might want to consider the Panasonic BD30 instead. Seems to be more reliable, less glitches.

    Of course, this week is CES in Vegas. There should be new Bluray units coming out from the major players.

    You should love DirecTV. I'm a happy subscriber for more than 3 years now. No complaints.
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  • wingnut4772
    wingnut4772 Posts: 7,519
    edited January 2008
    Just get a Playstation for now and have fun.
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    Polk Atrium 7s on the patio just to keep my foot in the door.
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,545
    edited January 2008
    billbillw wrote: »
    Steve,
    Read the forums at AVS regarding the Samsung bluray players. Might want to consider the Panasonic BD30 instead. Seems to be more reliable, less glitches.

    Thanks! I will look into those issues.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Source: Rotel CD14MkII CD Player - Speakers: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,545
    edited January 2008
    wingnut4772 wrote: »
    Just get a Playstation for now and have fun.

    I'm about as "video game illiterate" as they come. Never liked gaming.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Source: Rotel CD14MkII CD Player - Speakers: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • millerman 3732
    millerman 3732 Posts: 1,488
    edited January 2008
    Can Direct TV carry your local channels in HD? I know they can't in my area.
    Casey
    H/T: Epson 6500ub
    Sony UBP-X800
    Toshiba HD-XA2 (HD-DVD, CD)
    Onkyo 805 (pre-amp)
    Outlaw 7125
    Polk RTi 10 (bi-amped)
    Polk CSi5 (bi-amped)
    Polk RTi6
    SVS PB 12 plus/2
    Velodyne SMS-1

    TV Rig: Samsung 50'' 4k display
    Polk Signa-1 Surround bar
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  • jakelm
    jakelm Posts: 4,081
    edited January 2008
    Time for COX to step it up in your area. I have about 15 HD channels with our COX.
    Monitor 7b's front
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    Frankinpolk Center (2 mw6503's with peerless tweeter)
    M10's back surround
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    Tempest-X 15" DIY sub w/ Rythmik 350A plate amp
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    Jennings Research (vintage and rare)
    Mit RPTV WS-55513
    Tosh HD-XA1
    B&K AV5000


    Dont BAN me Bro!!!!:eek:
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  • Sami
    Sami Posts: 4,634
    edited January 2008
    steveinaz wrote: »
    I'm about as "video game illiterate" as they come. Never liked gaming.

    Even then, it's an ok media client as well. I'd say excellent but they still need to work on their format support to get there.

    Until I could get good BD standalone for $200 I would just get the PS3 for the extra features (although it's ugly sitting in hi-fi rack).
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,545
    edited January 2008
    millerman 3732 wrote: »
    Can Direct TV carry your local channels in HD? I know they can't in my area.

    Not sure, it looks like from the package that it's standard def for local.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Source: Rotel CD14MkII CD Player - Speakers: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • cheddar
    cheddar Posts: 2,390
    edited January 2008
    billbillw wrote: »
    Of course, this week is CES in Vegas. There should be new Bluray units coming out from the major players.

    Posted this in the clubhouse thread but seems relevant here as well:

    The floodgates on nice blu-ray players may finally open in 2008 if CES announcements become reality.

    Cheap Funai Profile 1.1 player:
    http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=815

    PS3 to get Profile 2.0 firmware update:
    http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=814

    Additional Sony Profile 2.0 players:
    http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=813

    Sony sub-$200 PC drive:
    http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=812

    Panasonic Profile 2.0 player that internally decodes all the lossless audio formats:
    http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=810

    Panasonic HTiB with Profile 1.1 Blu-ray player:
    http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=809

    Marantz Realta (Seems to be at least Profile 1.1) that supports all the lossless audio formats:
    http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=801

    Covers everything from the cheap Chinese stuff, HTiB, to the highest upscaling chip, the Realta. Nice selection for those patient enough to wait for releases...
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,545
    edited January 2008
    jakelm wrote: »
    Time for COX to step it up in your area. I have about 15 HD channels with our COX.

    We're a small desert town, Cox has been saying for 18 months that HD is coming soon. Well, it didn't come soon enough for me. Their rude customer service and attitude just sweetens the deal for me anyway. Should have done this 6 months ago.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Source: Rotel CD14MkII CD Player - Speakers: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • millerman 3732
    millerman 3732 Posts: 1,488
    edited January 2008
    steveinaz wrote: »
    Not sure, it looks like from the package that it's standard def for local.

    I hope you find another way to get the Super Bowl in HD then, does your TV not have an over the air HD tuner?
    Casey
    H/T: Epson 6500ub
    Sony UBP-X800
    Toshiba HD-XA2 (HD-DVD, CD)
    Onkyo 805 (pre-amp)
    Outlaw 7125
    Polk RTi 10 (bi-amped)
    Polk CSi5 (bi-amped)
    Polk RTi6
    SVS PB 12 plus/2
    Velodyne SMS-1

    TV Rig: Samsung 50'' 4k display
    Polk Signa-1 Surround bar
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,545
    edited January 2008
    I'm looking at the Panasonic DMP-BD30K....1.1 compliant, not a bad price
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Source: Rotel CD14MkII CD Player - Speakers: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,545
    edited January 2008
    millerman 3732 wrote: »
    I hope you find another way to get the Super Bowl in HD then, does your TV not have an over the air HD tuner?


    Here's the package:
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Source: Rotel CD14MkII CD Player - Speakers: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • cheddar
    cheddar Posts: 2,390
    edited January 2008
    Guess I should clarify the profiles briefly for those who might be unfamiliar with them. For outstanding PQ and AQ, you don't need any of the further blu-ray profiles. Profile 1.1 (Bonus View) adds secondary audio and video hardware for PIP. Profile 2.0 (BD-Live) adds web connection hardware for internet features.
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,545
    edited January 2008
    millerman 3732 wrote: »
    I hope you find another way to get the Super Bowl in HD then, does your TV not have an over the air HD tuner?

    ah crap, you're right. Oh well....
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Source: Rotel CD14MkII CD Player - Speakers: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • Sami
    Sami Posts: 4,634
    edited January 2008
    cheddar wrote: »
    Cheap Funai Profile 1.1 player:
    http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=815

    Sub-$300, I wouldn't call that cheap as that's where the current entry level is right now. Funai is the Denon sub-contractor so shouldn't be too bad of a player.
    cheddar wrote: »
    Sony sub-$200 PC drive:
    http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=812

    That's what I'll probably get later on for my XA1, just pull out the optical drive and add a HD and make it a HTPC with BD in it. Voila, an HD-DVD player that plays BD... ;)
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,545
    edited January 2008
    I figure I paid almost $600 for my standard denon DVD, $400 for BR isn't a big deal.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Source: Rotel CD14MkII CD Player - Speakers: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited January 2008
    Hey, wasn't Direct TV boasting all year, that by the end of 2007 they would have over 100 channels in HD? WTF happen? I knew it wasn't possible. They prob wont' have that many HD channels for several years at least. Lying scum suckers
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • cheddar
    cheddar Posts: 2,390
    edited January 2008
    Sami wrote: »
    Sub-$300, I wouldn't call that cheap as that's where the current entry level is right now. Funai is the Denon sub-contractor so shouldn't be too bad of a player.

    I'd expect it to eventually street for a lot less and keep the low end honest going into the next Christmas shopping season. They are a major supplier to wal-mart afterall... ;)
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited January 2008
    Steve, yeah just watch the SuperBowl over the air HDTV if you can get it from one of your local stations. and it might even be in DD 5.1 surround. :)

    if you do go with DirectTV, have a friend refer you to them.. that way he gets $50 off his bill, and so do you. but as a new subscriber you also get some other cool stuff.
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • Sami
    Sami Posts: 4,634
    edited January 2008
    cheddar wrote: »
    I'd expect it to eventually street for a lot less and keep the low end honest going into the next Christmas shopping season. They are a major supplier to wal-mart afterall... ;)

    $150 and I'm all over it, especially if it's going to be region free. Despite having 3 HD players in the house, I had to pick up a cheap Philips upconverting player to play my domestic movies (foreign to most of you:)). I don't mind the $40 spent but I'd rather have just one player for one system instead of having several. Sony and Toshiba won't play them, even when the discs are region free themselves, they just complain about not being able to play PAL which is BS IMO.
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  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 7,448
    edited January 2008
    danger boy wrote: »
    Hey, wasn't Direct TV boasting all year, that by the end of 2007 they would have over 100 channels in HD? WTF happen? I knew it wasn't possible. They prob wont' have that many HD channels for several years at least. Lying scum suckers

    Like all cable/satellite companies, their advertising can be somewhat misleading. They do have over 100 HD channels, but that includes all the regional sports networks that are in HD, all the Premium channels that are in HD, all the HD Pay-per-view channels (more than 10), and the channels that are dedicated to the sports packages in HD (NFL Season Ticket, NBA League Pass, NFL Center Ice, etc).

    Even if you take away the sports networks, Directv still has significantly more available in HD compared to Comcast, Time Warner, and Dish Network.

    See here for more of what's available:
    http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPageNR.jsp?assetId=P4380112

    Edit: RE the Superbowl, usually Directv airs the Superbowl nationwide in HD. Look for it in the 90s range of channels. Also, maybe the NFL Network might have a feed in HD.
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  • bobman1235
    bobman1235 Posts: 10,822
    edited January 2008
    Comcast has been pretty good with steadily adding more and more HD channels. NOt as many as listed in that DirecTV link, but a bunch of those are awfully silly. Fox Business HD? 3 MTV/VH1 HD stations? The WEATHER channel HD? :)
    If you will it, dude, it is no dream.
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  • millerman 3732
    millerman 3732 Posts: 1,488
    edited January 2008
    steveinaz wrote: »
    ah crap, you're right. Oh well....

    That was the one thing I liked better about Dish Network, their HD receivers had a built in over the air tuner, Dish's customer service was alot better too.

    And BTW, the BD30 is a great player, I've had one for about a week, but if you don't have a HDMI 1.3 receiver or plan to upgrade to one in the near future, the boat I'm in right now, you may want to look at the BD10A or hold off until the BD50 comes out in a few months, its supposed to do every thing the BD30 and the BD10A all in one package
    Casey
    H/T: Epson 6500ub
    Sony UBP-X800
    Toshiba HD-XA2 (HD-DVD, CD)
    Onkyo 805 (pre-amp)
    Outlaw 7125
    Polk RTi 10 (bi-amped)
    Polk CSi5 (bi-amped)
    Polk RTi6
    SVS PB 12 plus/2
    Velodyne SMS-1

    TV Rig: Samsung 50'' 4k display
    Polk Signa-1 Surround bar
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,545
    edited January 2008
    What about the claim of: "Includes 200 channels + HD access" followed by the ever elusive tiny astrisk which reads at the bottom: "a $9.99 charge is needed to view your HD access.." sheesh. Just include the damn $9.99 in the package price page cost, instead of being deceiving about it.

    Why can't companies just be frickin honest? F'n snakes in the grass.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Source: Rotel CD14MkII CD Player - Speakers: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 7,448
    edited January 2008
    steveinaz wrote: »
    What about the claim of: "Includes 200 channels + HD access" followed by the ever elusive tiny astrisk which reads at the bottom: "a $9.99 charge is needed to view your HD access.." sheesh. Just include the damn $9.99 in the package price page cost, instead of being deceiving about it.

    Why can't companies just be frickin honest? F'n snakes in the grass.

    They do if you order the Plus HD DVR package. All fees rolled into one. $69.99 (now only $59.99). There is nothing extra added to that package except for premium channels and additional receivers.
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  • millerman 3732
    millerman 3732 Posts: 1,488
    edited January 2008
    steveinaz wrote: »
    What about the claim of: "Includes 200 channels + HD access" followed by the ever elusive tiny astrisk which reads at the bottom: "a $9.99 charge is needed to view your HD access.." sheesh. Just include the damn $9.99 in the package price page cost, instead of being deceiving about it.

    Why can't companies just be frickin honest? F'n snakes in the grass.

    Tell me about it. I was caught off gaurd by the $10 a month access fee for HD also. I've only had DTV for 3 months now and I've ready had to call about corrections on my bill 3 times, also they have taken away 5 of the HD channels that where in my package to begin with MGM HD, SMT HD, HD Net Movies, Universal HD, and Music HD, they said that they where moved to some kind of extra HD pack. To their credit they added a few channels but I kinda like MGM HD and I've been watching HD net movies for years.
    Casey
    H/T: Epson 6500ub
    Sony UBP-X800
    Toshiba HD-XA2 (HD-DVD, CD)
    Onkyo 805 (pre-amp)
    Outlaw 7125
    Polk RTi 10 (bi-amped)
    Polk CSi5 (bi-amped)
    Polk RTi6
    SVS PB 12 plus/2
    Velodyne SMS-1

    TV Rig: Samsung 50'' 4k display
    Polk Signa-1 Surround bar
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,545
    edited January 2008
    Yeah, those have been bundled into a new "premium package."

    When will these boneheads realize that most people don't mind paying a little extra, if they know what they are getting up front. This would minimize customer complaints and poor customer reviews, and make life easier (for said boneheads) for their phone-based customer service reps. Amateurs.

    For instance; the package I selected should have just said: $64.94; instead of trying to "hide" the fact that they are charging you $9.99 to gain access to your so-called "included" HD channels--it just makes them look bad right out of the gate...
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Source: Rotel CD14MkII CD Player - Speakers: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 7,448
    edited January 2008
    millerman 3732 wrote: »
    That was the one thing I liked better about Dish Network, their HD receivers had a built in over the air tuner, Dish's customer service was alot better too.

    Up until recently, all the Directv HD boxes had OTA tuners as well. The newest ones have dropped that feature though. Some people have luck requesting the version with the OTA tuners, but many do not.

    For Steve, it really depends what DMA he is located in. He might be able to get HD locals from whatever big market is nearby over satellite. From what I can tell, most of AZ is located in one of three DMAs. Phoenix, Tuscon/Sierra Vista, and Yuma.

    Both Phoenix and Tuscon have HD locals available over satellite, so unless you are near Yuma, you should be getting the major networks in HD.
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