Can someone help me with HDTV questions on Panasonic PT-AE500U please?

I have that projector and there are 3 HD inputs. DVI, component and VGA are all HD capable and you can use any one of the three. Since DVI is the best of the three, it is best to use the DVI connection and you could use a DVI switch if you want to use your DVD player and HD STB connected to DVI. I have an HD VCR connected to component, DVD player to DVI and STB connected to VGA and it works fine for me. The STB I am using, the RCA DTC-100 doesn't have DVI.


If you are only interested in OTA HD and not cable or satellite, there are several possible models. A good antenna on the roof is probably necessary although some can receive OTA HD with an indoor antenna such as the Zenith Silver Sensor. The LG LST-4200A is still my favorite OTA STB and there are less expensive models that work pretty well. The section right above this one on Local HDTV reception should have a lengthy thread on reception in your area that you should read. Also, the ability to record OTA HD and watch at your convenience might be worth consideration. I know that I could never go back to watching live TV after having the ability to watch at my convenience. If you do want only OTA and the ability to record and watch at your convenience, the LG LST-3410A is worth consideration.


Chris

Thanks guys for such helpful information. It looks like I need a UHF antenna. What if I decide to subscribe to HD digital satellite/cable eventually, can I still buy the LG tuner and use it now just with an antenna for the free 18 or so channels, and then use it later when I subscribe to HDTV satellite or cable?


Also, which indoor antenna is best ? I want to keep it simple and not have to climb the roof and install an outdoor antenna. But will the picture really for these 18 channels be HD quality just by buying an LG tuner and an indoor antenna? Its hard to believe.


Is the picture substantially better using DVI for this or will component suffice for free hd channels?


And if so, whats an good and inexpensive DVI switcher? Would ebay be a good place to buy it?


thanks again!

You won't be able to use the tuner to get any premium HD channels like ESPN, Discovery, etc, you'd need a STB from your cable company. Cable companies are required to send out your local channels unscrambled in QAM format so if the tuner you get has QAM you should be able to get them. Actually if you have cable now, hook it up to your tuner when you get it and follow the directions to scan for channels, see if your getting anything now, it would let you avoid the antenna as long as your cable company carries all the channels you want.


As for an indoor UHF antenna, the Silver Sensor available at Sears is a crowd favorite.


Your picture would probably look fine with component cables but it's a question of is buying another set of cables to reach the projector and routing them better then spending extra on a DVI switch. Staying all DVI helps futureproof your system when HDCP comes along someday, of course a DVI switcher might be cheaper then, hard to tell...


As for inexpensive switchers, someone else will have to comment on that, I haven't needed one yet so I couldn't tell you which brands are the best...

If you do want only OTA and the ability to record and watch at your convenience, the LG LST-3410A is worth consideration.




Is this tuner still a great choice? or is there something cheaper ? and where to buy?


and if I get cable or a dish 1 day, will I still be able to use this for HDTV recording?


also, can someone recommend the best antenna and small HDTV for me?


I live in Van Nuys (San Fernando Valley) California.


thank you!