10 important questions for everyone.

[labatt90]

1.) Optical connection out of tv and into receiver only works on digital stations. STB channels can only be heard through tv. Is this normal?
2.) And if so, I can hook up regular audio cables as well from the tv to the receiver. If I do this, how will the digital channels know to use the optical out for sound and not the regular cables?
3.) I need digital cable to get ABC in HD because Direct tv doesn't have it. Is this true? And if so, this means that an HD where available ABC football game seen on direct tv won't be in HD. Right? If so, is an end in site for ABC HD to allow direct tv a feed?
4.) How much better is one HDMI connection vs an optical audio connection with two digital video coaxial connections? Is it better enough to buy the cable when I have the other cables already?
5.) I just realized that discovery HD is in 5.1. WOW!!! How do I know what other shows are and aren't. Is there a way other then putting my ear to different speakers like I did to tell for the discovery channel?
6.) Do transparent station notification symbols like cbs, still have the capability of burn in? If so, what % less is it then a regular station symbol?
7.) Digital channels that show 4:3 broadcasts have black bars on the side while STB channels that are showing 4:3 broadcasts have grey bars on the side. Why? The grey bars seem more of a threat to burn in. Is this true?
8.) I have a regular cable feed to my tv. My sony tv clearly states that it can not take one feed and show two channels with its twin view. The two pictures have to come from two sources. Without a cable box or satellite at the moment, I have the cable line splitting one to the tv and the other to a vcr. The vcr then goes to a video input on the tv as another feed. Without using the vcr is their a way to convert a cable feed into a a/v cable with r audio l audio and video????? If so, how about from a Catv cable to an optical out and s-video?
9.) Is fox HD on wwnyw in new york, sending a true HD feed or is it some 480i conversion that I have heard Fox is using for football games? And how do you and the regular public know?
10.) I have read that if you are watching a football game in HD, the replays aren't? How is this possible?
I love this site. Thanks for all the help. I look forward to being an intelligent helper on this site once I learn as much as possible. Only had this plasma tv for a couple of weeks.

[Ratman]

1) Optical is only for digital audio. Depending on your provider/hardware conversion from analog to PCM may not take place. Best bet is to run everything directly to the A/V receiver.

2) Yes, you can run analog audio cables in parellel with digital. Run digital to the A/V receiver, analog to the TV.

3) No HD for ABC with DirecTV. In time perhaps...

4) Use whatever is convenient. But... HDMI directly to the TV may not be best for digital audio unless your TV will "passthrough" the digital audio to your A/V receiver for DD5.1/DTS.

5) Can't help you there... DD5.1 is dependant upon the source material and the provider. Most non-premium programming is DD2.0.

6) Any stationary objects have the potential for 'burn in'. Transparent logos/bugs are better, but not immune. % is based on your TV's contast/picture settings and the amount of time watching with fixed objects. (Check the FAQ's area)

7)Grey bars are better than black. Digital SD programs broadcast the black (and sometimes grey) bars due to the 16:9 format.

8)Use a splitter and run two coax feeds to the TV's antenna inputs.

9) Cable or OTA? Call your provider, check www.antennaweb.org or www.titantv.com

10) Usually... Not a big issue IMO.

[Splicer]

1.) Optical connection out of tv and into receiver only works on digital stations. STB channels can only be heard through tv. Is this normal?

The Tv optical out I have heard only works with the digital channels. Audio from the STB needs to be connected to a receiver. Apparently it is connected just to the TV.

2.) And if so, I can hook up regular audio cables as well from the tv to the receiver. If I do this, how will the digital channels know to use the optical out for sound and not the regular cables?

No need to go from the STB to the TV to the receiver. Go straight to the receiver.

3.) I need digital cable to get ABC in HD because Direct tv doesn't have it. Is this true? And if so, this means that an HD where available ABC football game seen on direct tv won't be in HD. Right? If so, is an end in site for ABC HD to allow direct tv a feed?

You need either cable or an OTA antenna/receiver. No clue about dish and ABC.

4.) How much better is one HDMI connection vs an optical audio connection with two digital video coaxial connections? Is it better enough to buy the cable when I have the other cables already?

HDMI is video/audio combined. Optical and component connections provide the same picture/sound, just using more connections.

5.) I just realized that discovery HD is in 5.1. WOW!!! How do I know what other shows are and aren't. Is there a way other then putting my ear to different speakers like I did to tell for the discovery channel?

Your reciver should indicate when a 5.1 signal is being sent to it. That and the program usually indicates what audio format is used if it is 5.1 or surround sound.

6.) Do transparent station notification symbols like cbs, still have the capability of burn in? If so, what % less is it then a regular station symbol?

Only if that is the only station watched would I worry about burn-in. It also depends on the type of TV you are talking about, CRT, LCD,DLP, Plasma.

7.) Digital channels that show 4:3 broadcasts have black bars on the side while STB channels that are showing 4:3 broadcasts have grey bars on the side. Why? The grey bars seem more of a threat to burn in. Is this true?

The gray bars are less susceptable to burn in.

8.) I have a regular cable feed to my tv. My sony tv clearly states that it can not take one feed and show two channels with its twin view. The two pictures have to come from two sources. Without a cable box or satellite at the moment, I have the cable line splitting one to the tv and the other to a vcr. The vcr then goes to a video input on the tv as another feed. Without using the vcr is their a way to convert a cable feed into a a/v cable with r audio l audio and video????? If so, how about from a Catv cable to an optical out and s-video?

Only with a STB.

9.) Is fox HD on wwnyw in new york, sending a true HD feed or is it some 480i conversion that I have heard Fox is using for football games? And how do you and the regular public know?

When you see it, you'll know. Also FOX has been touting if a program is in HD it is the worlds best HD 720p.

10.) I have read that if you are watching a football game in HD, the replays aren't? How is this possible?

Some are, some aren't. Depends on the camera being used.

I love this site. Thanks for all the help. I look forward to being an intelligent helper on this site once I learn as much as possible. Only had this plasma tv for a couple of weeks.


Hope this helps. Enjoy HD!