Attention New HD owners and soon to be owners

[kevinw]

January and February are Newbie Months. Why you ask? A lot of new Tv's are purchased for Christmas and for the Superbowl.

57u and Lees have the patience of saints and will answer almost any question.
So here are a few guidelines-
1)Read the FAQS before you ask your question-Most of the
time the answer is there.
2) Use the search button -It is your friend.
3)Do not ask the same question in more than one location. WE
ALL use the new post option to see the new posts.

We can not tell you what is best, we can only make suggetsions from our experience...And lastly this is a HOBBY for us not a carreer. We do this for fun..

[Ratman]

... and

Please, read the manuals that come with your new equipment. Many times the answer(s) can be found with some reading.

[LeeS]

...and

Since you now have or will soon have a new HD TV you will want to watch HD on it (you will, believe me). Cable, Satellite and OTA (off the air with an antenna) are where you will get it.

Check www.antennaweb.org for the OTA info you will need. Post your zipcode so we can look too. Tell us about your situation, hills, buildings, trees. One or two story home. Can you have an antenna outside.

We have lots of members with OTA, Cable and Satellite experience to help.

Lee

[spaceman_spiff]

The first thing I would do after getting the set is turn down the contrast and brightness to less than 50%. Then read through FAQs etc.
My 2 pennies.

[JEFFDUBE]

The enemy of HDTV is making the set too BRIGHT! Sets are set up for "VIVID" so sets look good in large store like Best Buy. That destroys the set and the picture.

[SoundFX]

*I* thought the enemy of Hi-def was to run the coax from your DVD to your Hi$$$ tv and tune to channel 3 to watch your movie:whistle:

[mikehbkwm]

and please nobody say "well i just found out my tv only has 1000 or etc horizontal lines of resolution so i must not be getting true HD....."

[vurbano]

Im new to this site. Ive been on the avsforum and have found it (the moderators and engineers) to be somewhat arrogant and unfriendly. From a quick browse, I like the atmosphere here better for newbies like me.

[kevinw]

Welcome.
We do take pride in not slamming the new guys to hard:wave:
All we ask is you read the FAQ's then jump in and add your thoughts.

[DoubleDAZ]

Originally posted by vurbano
Im new to this site. Ive been on the avsforum and have found it (the moderators and engineers) to be somewhat arrogant and unfriendly. From a quick browse, I like the atmosphere here better for newbies like me. I think you'll find a home here, but don't neglect to view AVS posts that interest you, I simply scan the 4 HDTV forums and move on.

One thing I think you will find here is technically competent folks that don't have any axe to grind. They will tell you from time to time to read the FAQs to avoid having to answer the same newbie questions over and over, and that's what the FAQs are there for, but other than that they are more than willing to help no matter what it takes.

This was the first forum I found after purchasing my HDTV late in 2002 and it's been a great source of information. If you simply look at the raw numbers of posts though, you can get a good idea of why AVS gives you the feeling it does. There are simply loads of folks over there and they oftentimes butt heads. :)

There is a lot of information over there though regardless of the attitudes of some posters and that is usually the first place I find out about new HD programming. I believe there is more technically correct info here and it's a lot easier to wade through new posts here. If you were just lurking over there, some of your impressions could be from folks who know each other rather well that were just bantering back and forth. I've found everyone I've come in direct contact with to be fairly nice to me, especially Ken H who does an outstanding job IMO.

[deckard]

I agree totally Kevin as just reading the same questions over and over again are a bore nevermind having to answer them time after time.
With sub-forums for product praise/complaints, and other sub-forums for many types of questions, what exactly is it that you veterans like to see here in general HDTV discussion? Experiences/Comments? Opinions/Advice?
Please help us new guys make everyones time more enjoyable!

[kevinw]

I agree totally Kevin as just reading the same questions over and over again are a bore nevermind having to answer them time after time.
With sub-forums for product praise/complaints, and other sub-forums for many types of questions, what exactly is it that you veterans like to see here in general HDTV discussion? Experiences/Comments? Opinions/Advice?
Please help us new guys make everyones time more enjoyable!

Exactly what your doing is great. All we ask is that when you post info that it is either something that has happened to you or something you absolutely know what the answer is. Enthusiam is contagious. Always try to add to the conversation and know when not to. It only takes a few useless posts before people stop listening...Having lots of posts does not make one knowledgable but reading a lot helps :D

We always like to hear real life experiences about new products...Hey If you bought a new TV, tell us about it. Most of are interested in new products even if we have no intention of buying them. Plus we are just as excited about your new TV as you are :smokin:
Regional HD news is great. Any product updates you run across. ie DVD player software updates...pretend this is a great big HD Pub and discuss anything HD or HT... for example "that ABC show' PQ was great..without he 720p is better than 1080i debate ;) ..

Just enjoy yourself and try to remember that written word can misinterpreted , so choose your words carefully.. :mic:

[rickbb2]

:drool11: Is'nt LAbor Day Weekend a great time to get super sales on HDTV'S?

[kevinw]

:drool11: Is'nt LAbor Day Weekend a great time to get super sales on HDTV'S?
Any weekend is great. Labor day is clearance of old models before the new ones are released. Christmas/Superbowl are the biggest purchase times. If price is an issues always research and be ready to buy when the price is right for you.

[videobruce]

Im new to this site. Ive been on the avsforum and have found it (the moderators and engineers) to be somewhat arrogant and unfriendly. From a quick browse, I like the atmosphere here better for newbies like me.But, that is probably THE place to get answers of non newbie questions!

[Ratman]

... and get B slapped if you misstate a fact or ignored if it's not up to their 'caliber'.

They can jump on you like 'flies on a cupcake'.

[videobruce]

The trade off is detailed information.
Just fight back.............

:shootout: :shootout: :shootout:

[Ratman]

No need to fight! That's the point. This is supposed to be enjoyable.

Do you not get enough 'detail' here?
Not to drive off 'newbies', but if AVS is better or more technical, why are you here?

[videobruce]

To widen my horizon if possible. Don't know untill you try just as you look at different TV's.

Some of AVS is over my head (and budget), but there are many very knowledgeable people there.

[Ratman]

... and here.

[comptonhdguy]

yeah this foru kicks ass and i appreciate every1 taking time out offer their suggestions and expertise and the subject of hdtvs onec e again thanks from the newbs!!!

[mfabien]

I recently deleted my AVS subscription to the SA8000HD threads over there and got rid of my AVS link on my desktop. The one poster I did enjoy reading was vegggas.

This Forum has the best atmosphere and Mods are of great help.

[Ratman]

Thank you... we try our best to learn, help and have some fun.

[raidbuck]

I like this forum because it is focused on HDTV. I think that both HDTVVoice and AVSForum provide a great service and I visit both regularly. Besides exchanging information with other HDTV fans it also gives me a place to express anger when something gets really frustrating (like Sinclair not giving its HD signal to cable companies).

No doubt HDTVoice is a more relaxed atmosphere.

Rich N.