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So much for allowing me to do some research.The TV arrived last Thursday. We decided to hook it up immediately and check it out. No current HT system exists, so the only hook-up was a satellite (Dish Network) receiver and a Technics A-10 DVD player. Using standard RCA jacks, I was able to hook everything up and get it going.
Fast forward to last night. Watching the film "Annie" with my daughter on Disney channel via the satellite. The picture at times seemed "off". The only way to explain it...is that it reminded me of the view through an infrared scope or maybe like x-ray images. I repeat, this was not constant and appeared mostly on faces especially in the contrast of light to dark.
So I'm wondering... is there a problem with the TV? Could it be that the film - recorded in 1982 - was suffering from the analog to digital conversion? Will component and/or S-video cables improve things?
FWIW, I did notice the problem on other satellite programs, but not as severe. My wife did not see the problem at all. I did not see the problem on DVD. Perhaps I was imagining things?
Advice appreciated.
TIANewbie to HT
Follow Ups:
I'm glad to hear you got a Gateway Plasma TV. As you know, it is a great value. To be able to get a Plasma TV for $3000.00 is an incredible deal.As for the HDTV confusion, Gateway has never stated their TV is HDTV. The other reader was correct in saying the Gateway TV does not display true HDTV. That is correct. What happens is, it takes the HDTV signal (720P or 1080i) and down converts it to a 480P (progressive scan) display.
Now, if you were watching an HDTV channel or movie on a Gateway Plama TV and had it next to a true HDTV plama TV, like the Sony 42in HDTV Plasma display, you could see the difference, of course. But, if they were in separate rooms, I bet you couldn't tell the difference.
Sure, the quality of the TV is not going to be as good as the Sony. But, the price tag is also the difference. Sony has a price tag of just under $7000. You could by two Gateway TVs and a Bose 3-2-1 surround system for that price.
However, not very many channels are HDTV and those neat little DVDs that we all have to have can only display a 480p signal at best. So, why spend the extra money on getting a true HDTV when there isn't anything thing out there to watch that is actually HDTV?
To get the best picture with your whichever Plasma TV you own, make sure you are not using the standard RCA jacks. You will want to use the Component connections. Just remember, you get what you pay for. Paying $3000 for a TV but wanting it to perform like the $10,000 TV would be like buying a Chevy Cavalier and complaing because it doesn't perform like a Porsche.
That is all.
"So, why spend the extra money on getting a true HDTV when there isn't anything thing out there to watch that is actually HDTV?"Because most of what you watch WILL be in HDTV soon. A EDTV Plasma (480) is a great choice for casual DVD watching. If that's all you plan to do with it. But I gaurantee that in a couple years when you walk into stores and see HD-DVD's playing on all the displays, you're gonna be mad that you don't have that kind of picture. And there IS a difference.
And I in no way mean to come accross negative. If you're happy with what you have, that's all that matters. I just tend to do a ton of research before I ever buy.
Ciao, Godfather
I believe the Gateway is a rebadged Sampo, but I could be wrong. Reports on the avsforum.com is the quality is not that good.Panasonic is supposedly the best.
Robert
It is a Sampo model. Didn't do too well in a shootout against others in it's price range.
along with the fact that plasma are good.
It's not the best plasma you can buy. But it's not the worst either.
Sorry to throw a wet rag, but that set is not true HD! It may be HD capable (meaning it can display an HD signal), but it has to convert a true HD signal to it's resolution (852x480). Note the 480 in the resolution, it should be 720p or 1080i for true HD. This translates to 1280x720 or 1920x1080 for real HD. You can see the Gateway is nowhere near HD resolutions and hence so cheap! I hope you realized this when you bought. It will be great for DVDs, but will not give you a true HD experience.Also, any true HD signal has to be sent by either component (3 cables) or by DVI (or Firewire to a recording device).
Going S or component will definitely be a big improvment from composite. Also you need to adjust the set by getting a set-up disc, either Video Essential or AVIA.
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