Just got a new HDTV.. optimizing help?

AZPunisher

AZPunisher

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Here's my new set:
Samsung HL-S6187W 61" 1080p DLP HDTV

I've got a PS3/360/Wii and I'm a nice cheap surround sound set-up.. (any advice?)

What I want to know, is what do I need to buy now for cabling? Do the cables that come with the (premium) 360, PS3 (60) and Wii already provide the optimum performance?

If not, what are the best 3rd party products to get, as I don't want to pay the inflated prices of 1st party.

What say ye, CAGs?
 
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[quote name='AZPunisher']Here's my new set:
Samsung HL-S6187W 61" 1080p DLP HDTVI've got a PS3/360/Wii and I'm a nice cheap surround sound set-up.. (any advice?)

What I want to know, is what do I need to buy now for cabling? Do the cables that come with the (premium) 360, PS3 (60) and Wii already provide the optimum performance?

If not, what are the best 3rd party products to get, as I don't want to pay the inflated prices of 1st party.

What say ye, CAGs?[/quote]

Well the 360 cable is already good enough so don't bother with that. As for the PS3 cables, you will need to get some nicer cables since you only have the composite cables. If you have a HD Cable for the PS2 you can use that, otherwise your best route is to use a HDMI cable for the PS3. HDMI cables can be expensive, but if you shop around right, you could walk away with a $19.99-$29.99 cable instead of the normal $59.99-$129.99 cables. Honestly I have a $24.99 cable and a Sony $59.99 cable and there isnt much difference in quality. So a cheap HDMI cable should do the job. [btw I got the HDMI cable from Frys Electronics also check www.frys.com].

If you don't already know by now the Wii only does up to 480p so you won't get to show off too much as you could with the 360 and PS3, but if want the Wii looking the best it can then go out and get a Wii Component cable. The nintendo brand seems like the best choice at $29.99. You can order them from the nintendo store online at nintendo.com or wait until early 2007 when they are available in stores.
 
360 - the vga cable is supposdely a slightly better interface in comparison to the components. i dont notice any difference though.

wii - the component cabvles show a large improvement.

ps3 - get an hdmi cable and buy it from monoprice.com I paid $9 something shipped their cables are great. it should be common knowledge on cag.
 
Thanks for the input!

Can either of you or anyone else reccommend a specific monoprice.com cable for the PS3? Cheapest avail, if possible?
 
[quote name='AZPunisher']Thanks for the input!

Can either of you or anyone else reccommend a specific monoprice.com cable for the PS3? Cheapest avail, if possible?[/quote]
Unless you're going to long-run cables, you'll most likely get either the 28AWG cables or the 24AWG cales. Lower the number of AWG, supposedly the better the cable. Since HDMI is digital, it'll make less of a difference with cables. Since the 24AWG cables are about 2-3x the price of the 28AWG, I'd pick the 28AWG cable that has the length you need.
 
360 - Stick with the supplied component. That is what I am using and it gives a better picture than the VGA which tends to wash out the colors. If you want to upconvert SD DVDs though, you will need to use the VGA

PS3 - I will second www.monoprice.com. I currently use the 24AWG from them.

Wii - Nintendo components are good. I can sell you mine if you're local to Boston. I bought them but didn't open as no Wii yet. will wait for after March for a Black or Silver one.

Also, check your receiver for your surround system. If it has optical inputs, you'll want to get optical audio cables from monoprice as well.


teknopath
 
If you have multiple HDMI inputs I can also heartily recommend the Monoprice manual HDMI switcher, its good stuff.

I use a 25' run of their thick HDMI cable to my projector, and their shorter 3 footers to the switchbox.
 
Thanks for all the info.

Anybody have any links, or specific product #s? I don't want to buy the wrong gear.

Cheaper the better, if the difference is negligable (sp?).

What about upconverting, now? I've got the 360 HD Player.. doesn't that upconvert all on it's own?

If I can get a link to that switcher, that'd be cool too. I'll probably need it.. this seems like a lot of shit to be plugging in already.

I guess I'm going to pick up that Pioneer HTS-GS1:
http://www.beachcamera.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=PRHTSGS1

Although I would PREFER a Samsung surround system, to match my new TV. $200 seems like a good price for that Pioneer.. are there any other good deals on kick ass SurSnd systems?
 
Best deals on surround quality for price are the Onkyo systems. The Samsung surround system is really garbage.....you may want it to match up all pretty, but its not exactly top tier quality for the money.

The 360HD player wont upconvert, I don't believe.

Your TV, being a native 1080p display, will upconvert on its own....however you may find that an upconverting DVD player does a better job. If I were you I'd just try dvd's from the 360 and see if they look "good enough" to you or not.
Dont spend money if you dont have to.

Monoprice is the high quality at the lowest price. Thats why alot of their stuff is sold out half the time. No link to switcher, do your own legwork :) Its right there on the monoprice.com website..look under Switches...HDMI 2 port, its like $30 bucks I think. I just got one, works great...made from real metal...good for switching HDMI, or clubbing baby seals.
 
Got the Sharp Aquos 42" (1080P) LCD 2 weeks ago for $1899. Great pictures and sound. The 360 looks awesome on it.
 
[quote name='AZPunisher']Here's my new set:
Samsung HL-S6187W 61" 1080p DLP HDTV

I've got a PS3/360/Wii and I'm a nice cheap surround sound set-up.. (any advice?)

What I want to know, is what do I need to buy now for cabling? Do the cables that come with the (premium) 360, PS3 (60) and Wii already provide the optimum performance?

If not, what are the best 3rd party products to get, as I don't want to pay the inflated prices of 1st party.

What say ye, CAGs?[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the input!

Can either of you or anyone else reccommend a specific monoprice.com cable for the PS3? Cheapest avail, if possible?
Click to expand...

Wait...you spend close to $2000 on a TV, $1000 on game systems, and then want to save $10 on cables? I'm sensing a disconnect from reality here. That's like buying a Porsche and running 87 octane so you can save some money. #-o

If you're going to splurge on the equipment, make sure you're using quality cables to hook it up. Not 1st party of course, unless you have no other choice, but definitely do your research on what cables are worth using. Same goes for the surround sound. Sure you can spend $200 for an "El Crapo" HTIB. Do some research to find out what's worth getting. I saw the Onkyo HTIB get mentioned and those are pretty decent for what you pay for. Check Fry's if you have one near, as they sometimes have open box deals on HTIBs and receivers (if you want to be more choosey and get different speakers/sub). I managed to pick up a brand new $650 receiver for $300 because they were clearing inventory a few years back.

Also, if you're looking to get the best looking and best sounding system, invest in Avia Guide to Home Theater or Digital Video Essentials and calibrate your setup:

http://www.ramelectronics.net/html/Video-calibration.html

Good luck!
 
[quote name='jimfoley16']Hey OP, how's the set? I'm looking for a new TV in the 2000 dollar range and that seems to fit the bill.[/quote]
Set is fucking fucktastic! :applause:

Go to any BB and they should have one on display.


[quote name='mzbagel']Wait...you spend close to $2000 on a TV, $1000 on game systems, and then want to save $10 on cables? I'm sensing a disconnect from reality here. That's like buying a Porsche and running 87 octane so you can save some money. #-o[/quote]
:shame: Hey, bucko.. I researched that TV long and hard and got THE BEST price available. That, and prices on Next Gen systems aren't dropping anytime soon, and I'd rather have them to enjoy them as opposed to waiting two years for a 20% price decrease, if that. So :fridge:




Anyway.. so which are the cables to pick up from monoprice for the :ps3:? Any specific model #?

As for Surround Sound, I think I've settled on the Samsung HT-Q45.. saw it at Best Buy and it sounds pretty decent, and looks nice too. I can get it for a little under $250. My other choice was that Pioneer HTS-GS1 for $200..

What's a good Onkyo under $200? Apparently those are unanimously approved. . .
 
I wonder how much better the 61" DLP will compared to my 30" CRT. I've heard from some people that CRTs still look the best.

Anyone have any input? What is the absolute best (LCD, DLP, Plasma, CRT, etc..) for gaming? I don't care about regular TV so much, I just want my PS3 and 360 to look really good.
 
I'm thinking of getting a 1080p 40" LCD in the new year. So I can finally shut my friend about his stupid 30" 720p lcd and his ps3. :)
 
[quote name='Michaellvortega']Don't forget to calibrate the TV with the Avia DVD or THX optimizer(in every Disney DVD,and T2)[/QUOTE]

QFT. I have the Avia DVD and it works great - even helped eliminate the "washed-out" look of the Xbox 360 over VGA.

Best $25 ever spent. A must buy.
 
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