Plasma Newbie questions

[bluemr2]

I have finally decided to pull the trigger and get my plasma TV. I'm planning to the Panasonic TH-42PX25U/P because of its looks and the cable card feature. I live in the Bay Area and Comcast will be my HDTV provider.

I understand that a HDTV tuner box from Comcast will not be necessary (I have spoken to a Comcast tech and confirmed this). Does anyone know what type of connection I will have to the back of the plasma if I do not have a tuner box...simply a coax cable?

Any other advice before I do it this weekend?

Thanks in advance.

 

[mfabien]

You could connect your coax cable directly to your TV and get analog signals. Your Plasma then gives you EDTV PQ which is very good. Or,

...with an HD STB, you would best connect this to your TV with an HDMI cable which provides Video in digital format, best for your digital image since this signal gets in uncompressed. You can also use a Component cable and you will need to change picture format from 720p to 480p for SD viewing.

If you have an a/v receiver and you connect the STB to the TV via HDMI, you then should have a digital audio output cable from the TV's back panel to the receiver.

 

[BMXTRIX]

Ignore the post above (sorry mfabien - read up on cable card).

If you have Cable Card, then you will run the coaxial cable into the back of your plasma, and the cable company will activate the card. You will receive all the HD programming, premium channels, and standard channels directly into your TV through the card in stunning detail at the highest possible quality.

The downsides:
1. You will not have the interactive TV guide that is available by using an outboard set top box (STB).
2. You will not be able to get pay-per-view movies like you would with a STB.
3. Cable Card is a VERY new technology and cable companies are being dragged into it kicking and screaming. You may have some problems actually getting it to work. But, I would go for it in a second over my damn STB personally.

I haven't looked at that plasma display.... How are you dealing with audio? Does it have a digital audio/analog audio output? If so, then you really are pretty much set.

 

[BruZZi]

If you have Cable Card, then you will run the coaxial cable into the back of your plasma, and the cable company will activate the card. You will receive all the HD programming, premium channels, and standard channels directly into your TV through the card in stunning detail at the highest possible quality..

Yup. Connect the coaxial cable into the Ant A input (See the attachment below)

I haven't looked at that plasma display.... How are you dealing with audio? Does it have a digital audio/analog audio output? If so, then you really are pretty much set.

There's an Optical Digital Output.


.

 

[bluemr2]

Thanks BMXTRIX & BriZZi.

I was told by some tech from some online plasma tv site that I "may be compromising" the HD quality/signal if went with a coaxial cable directly to the plasma from the wall...I guess that is false.

Comcast Cable did tell me about the downsides that were mentioned (no concerns here).

As for the audio, I'll use the buit-in speakers until I save more $$$ for nice speakers and receiver.

Thanks.

 

[BMXTRIX]

Glad I could help - and BruZZi really knows his schtuff about these plasmas... especially Panasonic (?) I have learned something everytime I have read something he has said.

 

[BruZZi]

Glad I could help - and BruZZi really knows his schtuff about these plasmas... especially Panasonic (?)

That's right.

I'm going to buy my fourth Panasonic Plasma > TH-50PHD7UY (Maybe this weekend ).
That's why I know a little about them.

 

[Duffinator]

I was told by some tech from some online plasma tv site that I "may be compromising" the HD quality/signal if went with a coaxial cable directly to the plasma from the wall...I guess that is false.

That same coax is what also connects directly into the cable box. It's the same signal either way.

I'm with BMXTRIX, I'd love to get rid of the STB. I'm not too familiar with the new cable card technology so that was some good information. Now if they can only incorporate a card for satellite...