advice from the erudite please

[granpa michael]

Firstly let me compliment Audioholics on a splendidly helpful web site, I cannot believe my luck in finding such a brilliantly useful and brutally honest collection of advice....may it long continue!
As I understand only a small proportion of the technical mumbo-jumbo I think I might be classed very much as a 'rookie' and so forgive me if some of you guys think that my questions are naiive or 'not worthy', I just hope that someone will spare a little time to advise me from their wealth of knowledge.

I have committed to purchase a Sony KDFE50A12U- known as a 3LCD Projection Television which has only recently lauched in the UK. Does anyone have an opinion on the quality, robust nature of the technical bits, have I committed to an untried technology, will I regret it? I have trusted the Sony brand for years, with 4 different CRT models which will not die after 17 years of viewing!
I have combined the purchase with a SamsungDVDR 125/XEU bought for style, HD functionality and because it was the only compatible recorder in the store at the time which was connected to a HD/DLP tv. Have I blundered here too?
Finally, I have spent 2 hours digesting the excellent article on Component Video Leads and am awash with jargon but should I spend hundreds of pounds on the scarey M leads, or is that the way the retailer makes his margin these days? I've not read much about HDMI connection is that better, worse or different to Component Video?
The reps in store are there to sell and often are not fully conversant with the absolute truth and it's so easy to be swayed by their sweet talking patter.

I shall be ever so grateful if someone other than a Sony or Samsung rep might spare the time to give me the benefit of their wisdom.

Warmest regards to you all

 

[Hanse18]

Welcome to Audioholics!

As far as the cables go, I don't blame ya! I don't understand all of it either, but I found out what NOT to look for (aka snake oil) and that helps immensely. I'm going out on a limb here and assuming you like in the U.K. and that makes it hard to recommend vendors, since I only know of ones in the U.S. BlueJeansCables won product of the year at Audioholics last year for their component cables. It seems a large majority of audioholics readers get their interconnects there, so it is highly recommended. Don't know what their prices will look like once they have to be shipped cross-continents though, so you might want to look for something closer to home. This is mostly an opinion, but it seems like buying a retailers own-brand cables (like radioshack gold) will usually be a good purchase if there are no online vendors that can ship out to you.

As far as the TV goes, only you can decide if it is worth the price you paid or not. LCD, DLP, Plasma, etc, they all have their strengths and weaknesses, so it usually comes down to personal preference and price.

The strengths HDMI are basically as follows: Ability to transfer audio and video over 1 cable. Keeps signals in digital form until it is processed by the TV (1 less analog/digital switch). Higher Bandwidth over component means it is better suited for 1080p when it arrives (although firewire may be coming on strong)......
On second thought, here's a website that explains it better than I can (or at least I hope so).
HDMI

Good Luck!