Do you use Picture-In-Picture fucntion

[AOC]

Hi,

I'm new here.

Most of the new TV have PIP function now days, but how many of you really use Picture-in-Picture or Picture-over-Picture functions?

Do you buy a certain TV because of the PIP functions?

Will you buy a HDTV without PIP functions?

[Splicer]

My TV has the option and it is a novelty but I don't use it. To me, it is kinda pointless as you only can get the audio from one of the pictures. But try to find a set without this option is pretty much futile.

I would NOT base a purchase decision based on PIP or POP either way.

[SHoTTa35]

my TV i usually use POP.. between my Xbox and TV sometimes but usually that's it. Since i can't POP HDTV i rearly use it. Good thing my cable box, the SA 8300HD has PIP in it tho so that sorta helps.

[57U]

PiP will only work properly for HD if you get a TV with an ATSC tuner for OTA signals. An NTSC tuner will do PiP, but only for the analogue signals it can tune in.

As mentioned some of the newer Cable boxes have PiP.

You can also PiP two different signals on most TVs, but that's usually pretty useless.

[strangersonmyflight]

I've used PIP extensively ever since the first time I've had the TV. At any time, I can have swappable sources between the cable connection (which can be either DirecTV or straight vhf/uhf) and whatever is playing on the aux input. The aux input is switchable between the HD tuner, VCR, LD ([gasp] yes, I actually still have one of these, but honestly haven't used it in a very, very long time, of course), DVD, and PS2. Naturally, PIP comes to its full potential when monitoring 2 realtime sources, but I have also found much use when I want to commercial hop on the realtime source. For instance, I may have backlogged programs on deck with the vcr. As soon as a commercial pops up on DirecTV, I hit swap, and now the main picture is the vcr and DirecTV is the PIP. Hit play, and I am knocking out 5 min or so on the vcr program while monitoring the end of commercial on the PIP. When the main show continues, I hit stop on the VCR, swap, and BAM, I'm back watching the main show on the main screen. Alternately, I may have a videogame or a "behind-the-scenes" feature for a DVD movie on-deck. I can see how PIP makes for a lot of use or very little use. It all depends on how you want to interweave its functionality into your watching habits.

[J in OP]

I use PIP a lot, and would not buy a set without it. It was a factor in my last purchase. My sense is that few people use it as much as my house does, and most do not use it at all.

We use it to monitor two events at once - two baseball games, two football games - and to be able to channel surf during commercials.

In all fairness, this has little to do with HDTV. That said my TV has an ATSC tuner, and can get PIP in HDTV.

[ppease]

I do use it when there are 2 sporting events and I want to see both. I used to record one while watching another; but with PiP I have chosen to watch both at the same time.

Sporting events are the only programs where I use it. In sporting events there are often times between action (especially with football there are lots of times between plays when it is easy to watch another without missing any action).

[TheAntMan]

Both my HDTV's have pip available, but I hardly use the feature. If a tv did/did not have the feature would not be a factor in a purchase decision.

[dons459]

I feel the same as antman, hardley ever use it. at my age (68) i can't keep watching it very long. And i would only use the side by side pip.

[Eldorado]

I use the split screen or side by side only during football season to avoid watching the commercials. Otherwise is useless to me. The TV quality is the deciding factor for me, not the PIP.

[TeeJay1952]

I use it to swap between the program I am watching and then when commercials come on I PIP Fox News or Food Network. Never watch the ads and stay informed or hungry.

[poley]

i use it to play video games or watch sports while my wife watches what she wants. with a few wiring tricks i can have the sound for my games/sports go thru headphones on the receiver and my wife gets the sound thru the TV. Usually use the TVs Side by side when playing video games but use the STB(SA8000HD) PIP for sports cause dont really care for sound