Big Screen CRT Help

[obscbyclouds]

Hello everyone, this is my first post in the forum, so thank you in advance to anyone who can help me.

I'm looking for a large screen HDTV (42-51 in) however my budget is limited to about $1500. I was thinking for this price a CRT rear projection is probably my best bet. Specifically i was looking at the Toshiba 46H84. However, I have a few questions: Apparently it automatically upconverts everything to 1080i resolution. Is this a good thing? (it also has manually selectable 540p).

I also have question about HDMI, when i am using that for HDTV from digital cable, do I have to also send the audio through the HDMI cable or can I send just video to the TV and have an optical cable run to my reciever. I assume that I can since many recievers don't even have HDMI yet.

Also if you have any other suggestions for me to look at that'd be great, just keep in mind that I'm limited to $1500. Thanks

James

[BMXTRIX]

1080i is fine.

Look at the resolution standards for video - they are 480i, 480p, 720p, and 1080i. That refers to the number of lines of resolution 480, 720, and 1080. The 'i' and the 'p' at the end refer to interlaced or progressive scan signals. You can google that for some good explanations.

Basically the set takes any format and converts it to 1080i - which for rear projection CRT is pretty typical these days. There is also a good chance that the display does not accept 720p, which is really stupid, but really common in rear proj. CRT.

Take a look at the Mitsubishi models also, but the Hitachi should be fine.

Yes, you have the HDMI connection idea correct. Video & audio are on the HDMI cable, but you just will be using the video portion, so hook toslink or S/PDIF up to your receiver for digital audio.

[obscbyclouds]

If it can't resolve 720p feeds would that be a problem for HDTV (obviously it wouldn't for DVD's which are in 480p)?

[Mega2000]

I have a 57" CRT and i havent had any trouble at all playing any HDTV. I even have played some 720p games on XBOX

[Duffinator]

If it can't resolve 720p feeds would that be a problem for HDTV (obviously it wouldn't for DVD's which are in 480p)?It's not a problem. Set your cable box to output 1080i. Then for example Fox HDTV, which broadcasts in 720p, will be scaled by your cable box to 1080i. As for Mega2000, your set will not display a 720P unless it specifically states it will. And I have not seen any 57" CRT RPTV's that display a 720P image. Your tv is most likely scaling the 720P input to 1080i. :eek:

[Leprkon]

do I have to also send the audio through the HDMI cable or can I send just video to the TV and have an optical cable run to my reciever.
James
Welcome to Audioholics James. You can't actually seperate the audio signal out of the HDMI cable, but you can simply turn the volume all the way down. some TV's (like my two year old Mitsu RP) will let you set if the sound is played through the TV.

Running the audio to your receiver is definitely the best way to go. :)