View Full Version : New 60" SXRD (KDS-R60XBR1) Owner - Looking for guidance?
Bunyip
11-28-2005, 10:18 AM
I'm new to HDTV, I went from a 10-year-old+ 27" tube to this monster, so I'm looking for guidance. Is there any essential reading or other resources? I have loads of questions, but I'd rather learn as much as possible before asking stupid questions or questions that are answered elsewhere... At this point I'm just pushing buttons on the remote and ooohing and ahhhing, and learning the basic operation of the set.
My plan is to build an AMD Athlon 64 3000+ HTPC system to compliment the TV, so I'd be looking for Home Theater PC resources as well?
Thanks
Start with the HDTV FAQs on this forum, like:
What you need to do to your new HDTV, etc.
Also, there is an HTPC section in this forum.
Skaar
11-29-2005, 04:24 PM
I'm curious to know what your experience has been hooking it up to your PC. Will it run at 1920x1080 with a VGA input? How about DVI? (You can get DVI > HDMI cables to try it)
skiflyer
11-30-2005, 10:25 PM
I'm curious to know what your experience has been hooking it up to your PC. Will it run at 1920x1080 with a VGA input? How about DVI? (You can get DVI > HDMI cables to try it)
Well, not to answer for someone else, but I also just upgraded from a 27" CRT to this monster....
VGA only goes up to 1280x1024... it was a dissapointint experience for me, but that's in part do to my 5 foot vga cable, seating me about 2 1/2 to 3 feet from the screen.... SVideo was even worse... haven't tried DVI->HDMI yet.
Anyway, to echo the original poster, I'm also interested in hearing any advice... took me about 45 minutes just to figure out which zoom modes I like for my standard delivery, and my DVD watching... most of which will probably change next week when DirecTV comes out to install my HD receiver.... the FAQs here helped out a bit as did the manual for this thing... especially the Black Bar & Stretching FAQs, though I'm still not sure I'm watching my DVDs properly...
Has anyone ever released DVD's with test patterns, so we can see how much gets chopped off in the different modes, or how much stretching is going on in the different regions?
It's pretty straight forward, if you're watching an anamorphic (enhanced for widescreen) DVD, use the "Full/Stretch" mode.
If you're watching a non-anamorphic widescreen DVD, use zoom, or perhaps widezoom if the quality suffers too much with zoom.
If you're watching a 4:3 (fullscreen) DVD view it Widezoom or Standard.
After you've viewed a few DVDs this'll all become old hat.
Skaar
12-02-2005, 03:52 AM
Well, I bought one myself and have tried it out. VGA input is a joke - they seem to have limited it so you can't full screen the image. It's neat as a monitor but only treats it like a 50" - no good for media center.
The good news is the DVI > Component cable available on most ATI cards works BEAUTIFULLY :rockon:
We ran Quake 4 at 1280x768 for awhile, played around with the res modes and found that 1776x1100 (or something like that) was perfect on this screen. Fully readable text and a proper 16:9 ratio.
I will know more once I get the media center PC downstairs full time. Tomorrow I pick up the stand for the unit ($600 CDN, ouch) and start wiring it all up for good.
Damn, HD TV hockey is sexy ;)
skiflyer
12-02-2005, 12:13 PM
I will know more once I get the media center PC downstairs full time. Tomorrow I pick up the stand for the unit ($600 CDN, ouch) and start wiring it all up for good.
Damn, HD TV hockey is sexy ;)
Hockey channel gets hooked up next wednesday, can't wait! I turned stand building into a weekend project, after the check for the TV & the HD services I couldn't swallow another $500!
Thanks for the information on the PC hookups, I'm using a laptop so DVI isn't easily a hookup, unless I use a docking station, but it's good to know if I ever decide to build a media box that I have other options.
Bunyip
12-02-2005, 05:30 PM
I couldn't resist:
My New TV (http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-3/15236/PB260074.JPG)
Isn't she beautiful?
I plan to hook a PC up to her via DVI to HDMI cable this weekend. I'll have results forthwith!
skiflyer
12-02-2005, 05:35 PM
:) Congrats! And yes, I'd love to read your results...
Is that the Sony stand? I went ahead and built my own from some extra lumber I had laying around, but I'm just curious
Bunyip
12-02-2005, 05:48 PM
Yeah, it's the Sony stand. I wanted something to use 'for now', but it really doesn't match what we want. It is definately going to be replaced when we find a better stand, or better yet a wall unit with media storage. Possibly even a home-made wall unit to match the book shelves I am building.
micnic
12-03-2005, 07:19 PM
Congrats! Its an excellent tv. Here's my wall center.
Congrats! Its an excellent tv. Here's my wall center.
nice :bow:
skiflyer
12-04-2005, 02:03 AM
What do you guys think about the sound settings on this?
I have a pretty nice stereo sound system, but no surround... and the salesman said not to bother hooking it up because of the TruSurround on the TV... but so far all TruSurround really seems to do is make things quieter, but I haven't really put it through any paces lately... thoughts?
Ratman
12-04-2005, 08:43 AM
Hook up your TV to the stereo receiver. It will sound better than the TV no matter what. As usual, another salesperson that's full of it!
Also... if you use the 'audio outs' from the TV to the receiver, TruSurround will also work through the stereo receiver.
BTW... to get the full benefit of the 'effect', you have to sit directly between the speakers (TV/stereo). Sit a little off axis... and it becomes less desirable.
Bunyip
12-05-2005, 10:19 AM
Well I never did get my computer hooked up, so if anyone is waiting anxiously for the results, I apologize.
The cable guy came out to hook up HD Cable (all 10 channels or so), and when he hooked up the HD box, he used the coax (sigh). I was amazed at how bad the 'high definition' cable looked, so I finally used my DVI to HDMI cable to hook up the cable box...
WHOO-HOO!
Of course, now I can't hook up my 'puter until I get another cable.
micnic: Wow, nice wall unit! I want one just like it. All my wood furniture is mahogany or cherry. That looks awesome!
Skaar
12-06-2005, 12:15 AM
I've ordered a few cables off ebay - a DVI > HDMI cable, and a converter for an ATI video card to convert the DVI to component out. I figure this should give me enough flexibility to do all kinds of wacky stuff.
I shall report more when the cables come in, I'm hoping to see them by the weekend which should give me the weekend to play with the media center PC.
AtTheCross
12-06-2005, 12:43 AM
if you're building the pc yourself, I would recommend going liquid cooled, this will eliminate pc noise which can be CONSIDERABLE given you will more than likely have at least three fans blowing check out this site
http://www.integrity-pc.com
