[Markito]

I have had my Panny L300U for a few months now, but Comcast has finally brought HDTV to my area this week and I am getting the box installed tomorrow! I can't wait, but since I am new to HDTV, I'm just wondering if I need to know any special settings or anything for HDTV.


I plan on connecting Comcast's box to my panny via component cables, but don't know if there is anything else I need to know.


I am asking here rather than the HDTV forums, because more of you here have L300U's.


Thanks so much,

 

[scotty144]

There will be a small black border around the picture when viewing any hd material.

 

[jordanb69]

I live at the jersey shore. I got Comcast HDTV a few months back. Included in the $15 install was a decent 12' set of component cables along with one pair of 12' rca cables. Also got a couple of rca splitters but I'm not sure why. Make sure the installer gives you all those cables, especially since they cost you nothing. BTW they just added WNYW-Fox (Channel 5 here) a few days ago, for HDTV but I haven't seen anything broadcast in HDTV on their yet. Also, about a month or so ago, they added ESPN 1 HD so you get Sunday Night Football in HD.

Congrats, you will LOVE the HDTV as long as you can find some content, atleast there is a PBS channel that is a looping HDTV demo that can help satisfy your HD appetite. Hopefully they'll have CBS HD soon.

The bottom line is that there are few HD channels and even less programming, at the moment, but it's still awesome.

 

[jordanb69]

yes there is a tiny border, but much less than when viewing a DVD in 2.33. It's really a non-issue to me.

 

[margomaps]

Comcast charges $50 to "install" HDTV where I live (suburban Baltimore). Funny thing is, when they "installed" it on my first HDTV, the guy actually asked *me* to plug in the cables because he couldn't reach behind my equipment rack. When I recently called to order a second HD box, I was told I'd have to pay another $50 installation fee. I explained that I was perfectly capable of installing the box myself, but they said there's aboslutely, positively no way around the $50 fee. Ridiculous.


Anyhow, when I called they demanded to know what type of HDTV I had. They then checked their "list" to see if it was a Comcast-supported set. Apparently they'll refuse installation on a set that they don't officially approve. Hopefully the Panny will be on their list -- but if not, prepare to tell them you have a Toshiba 42H81. I know for a fact that this particular set is on their list. Good luck, I'm sure you'll enjoy your new large-screen HD setup.

 

[djstatik]

I'm with Jordanb69. You will love the Comcast HDTV. It is simply awesome! The box they use, the Motorola 5100 is state-of-the-art, with coax and fiber audio connections, and multiple active outputs.


You don't need any special settings. Just connect the 5100 up to the component input of the L300u.


An added bonus is that if you've got a good tube non-hd, non progressive television you can still view the HDTV channels. The 5100 downsamples to 480i and looks fabulous, mainly due to the amount of bandwidth they are allowing these channels....over 19Mbps! Most of the channels are Dolby D as well. Not as good as DTS of course, but much better than Pro Logic.


You are going to have alot of jealous neighbors!

 

[BMAG]

There is a very valuable FAQ about the Moto 5100 here . When Comcast installed my HDTV service in November 2002 they did not include an operating manual for the box. I had already downloaded the manual so it was no big deal. At the very least you'll want to learn how to change the output settings (you cycle through 480i, 480p, 720p, and 1080i).


Bear in mind that a fixed panel display with fewer than 720 lines of resolution will not be showing "true" HD. However, the picture will still be fantastic. On my Panny PT-L200U I find the 720p output gives a more pleasing picture than 1080i.

Here is a link to the 5100 user guide. Enjoy!

 

[Sime]

I am in the northwest of Detroit and I just received Comcast HDTV (with the Motorola 5100 box) a few weeks ago. It looks stunning! I'm not sure what people mean when they say that there is a small black box around the image. I am not seeing anything of the sort. This could be becase I built my screen to 1.85:1 instead of 16:9. HBO and Showtime takes up the full screen if the movie is 1.85:1.


The only bummer I now face with HDTV is that I only have one component cable and two component sources. At the moment, I need to physically pull out the cable and switch the plugs over......which in a repeated fashion can't be good for the plugs! So, do I:


1. Buy a component switcher for $90 OR:

2. Buy the Bravo D1 and DVI cable for $290


Given the problems with the D1, maybe I should wait and for now just get the switcher?


Otherwise, the only other problem with HDTV (and digital cable) is find the time to watch it!


Cheers,

 

[Markito]

Guys, thanks so much for the info. I appreciate all of the enthusiastic responses.


Quote:

Originally posted by BMAG At the very least you'll want to learn how to change the output settings (you cycle through 480i, 480p, 720p, and 1080i). Bear in mind that a fixed panel display with fewer than 720 lines of resolution will not be showing "true" HD. However, the picture will still be fantastic. On my Panny PT-L200U I find the 720p output gives a more pleasing picture than 1080i.

But this is what I am confused about... Some folks say no settings changes needed and you just mentioned changing the output.


Which output would be best for my PT-L300U (not L200U)?

 

[Markito]

Also, it should be just fine to connect the Motorolla HDTV cable box to my new Sony STR-DE995 receiver and then to my Panny PT-L300U all via component cables, right?

http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTE...U=STRDE995%2fB

 

[margomaps]

Quote:

Originally posted by Markito Also, it should be just fine to connect the Motorolla HDTV cable box to my new Sony STR-DE995 receiver and then to my Panny PT-L300U all via component cables, right? http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTE...U=STRDE995%2fB

Markito -


Did you already get your HDTV box from Comcast? The reason I ask is that everyone is just assuming you're getting the Motorola 5100 box. Unfortunately Comcast does not universally use the 5100. As far as I know it's a regional/county issue. Comcast in my county uses a Scientific Atlanta box that doesn't even have format (480, 720, 1080) selection. Hopefully you'll get the Moto 5100, but I just wanted everyone to be aware that it's not always the case with Comcast.


Oh, and if your receiver has 80 Mhz bandwidth for component switching, you should be fine with HD. Mine has either 30 Mhz or 60 Mhz, depending on which part of Yamaha's website you believe, and HD works with no problem/no noticable image degradation.

 

[BMAG]

Quote:

Originally posted by Markito ...But this is what I am confused about... Some folks say no settings changes needed and you just mentioned changing the output. Which output would be best for my PT-L300U (not L200U)?

When the Comcast installers hooked up the 5100 to my Toshiba HD-ready RPTV they left the box in it's default 480i output mode, which of course was the worst possible choice. Armed with a little knowledge I changed it to 1080i, which works best with that set. As for the PT-L300U, the whole point of its 1/4 HD rez panels is that it is a simple algorithm to down-rez 1080i, so I would try that output mode first. Of course you have nothing to lose by experimenting to find out what looks best to you. The Toshiba (43H70) can't handle 720p so that was not an option for me. The Panny PJs can handle all these resolution and my own experience is that feeding the PT-L200U a signal that is already progressive gives a better, less grainy PQ than feeding it 1080i. As they say, your mileage may vary.

 

[Sime]

So BMAG, I think the installer left mine on 480i default. Are you saying that with the Panny L300, I should change this signal to 720p or 1080i and I will get a better picture that what I already have?


Also, when I watch ESPN on ch 173, it doesn't look as good as HBO or PBS. Is this something to do with the filming or upscaling - or the default signal mode my Motorola 5100 is currently set at?


I'm confused. Sorry!


Cheers,

 

[jckessler]

You definitely should output at 720p or 1080i.


ESPN has very little HD material. Only a few things per week are actually in HD. That's why it looks crappy. Check out ESPN during Sunday night football for real HD.

 

[Markito]

Thanks guys.


He arrived at 10am this morning. He was a very nice guy, but this was his first HD install and he was quite nervous. Plus I think he was rather intimidated by my 12-foot diagonal projector screen and receiver. He admitted that he and the other installers were brand new to HDTV and really were very clueless about the whole thing.


He came and installed the Motorola 5100 box... o.k., I installed it. Plugging the stuff in was easy, now I just have to check signal output on the 5100 and change it to the ideal setting for my Panny PT-L300U front projector.


He came with the Moto 5100 cable box and two generic looking (off-white) component cables (one long, one short). I needed the short one, so that's what we used. I asked him if he could leave the long one too, he called into his office and they said no, so I said no biggie. For audio the component cable actually has a set of red and white composite audio cables attached to it, but since the 5100 has an optical audio out, I used one of my Toslink cables to connect audio to my receiver.


HBOHD looked great. Most of the other of the handful of HD channels were running non-HD content at the time, so I couldn't enjoy them at the time. But it was nice to compare the clarity of HBOHD with the less crisp standard channels.


The installer seemed relieved that I did the install and that all went well. He said that he had several more HD installs today and was worried that it wouldn't go as smoothly. His buddy/co-installer on the other end of his cell phone was having troubles at some other location. He was a very nice fella and I felt sorry for him that he didn't get enough training and was just thrown out there.


Anyway, life is good!

Thanks so much for all of your information.

 

[BJM]

Quote:

Originally posted by Sime The only bummer I now face with HDTV is that I only have one component cable and two component sources. At the moment, I need to physically pull out the cable and switch the plugs over......which in a repeated fashion can't be good for the plugs! So, do I: 1. Buy a component switcher for $90 OR: 2. Buy the Bravo D1 and DVI cable for $290 Given the problems with the D1, maybe I should wait and for now just get the switcher?

Sime, go to Radio Shack and get one of their cheap mechanical A/V switches, the ones that switch composite video along with the left and right analog audio. This fully pass a HD signal as their is no electronic circuitry that may be limiting the bandwidth, they are passive.


I just got a chance to demo a JVC 30K DVHS tape deck on my L300U. The "Beauty of Japan" tape ranks among some of the most perfect HD out there recorded at 1080i and 28.2 Mbps. I was running this through a $10 2-in 1-out Radio Shack A/V switcher with no degradation in signal quality whatsoever. Awesome picture. Radio Shack also makes 3-in and 4-in switches too. No need to spend any more than $10 to $30 for a switcher!


The D1's problems have been solved. Firmware updates allow compatibility with the L300U. I also got to demo one of these on my L300U and did A/B comparisons with a Panasonic RP82. The picture was only a little bit sharper, not enough to make me want to buy one. The RP82 is a great player though. The pq of the D1 is probably more noticeably better when comparing to a lesser quality DVD player. For those with no DVD player looking to get one the D1 is a no brainer.


A $10 switcher vs. $290 to buy the D1 only to solve a pj source input problem is also a no brainer.


Brent

 

[djstatik]

Quote:

Originally posted by margomaps Markito - Did you already get your HDTV box from Comcast? The reason I ask is that everyone is just assuming you're getting the Motorola 5100 box. Unfortunately Comcast does not universally use the 5100. As far as I know it's a regional/county issue. Comcast in my county uses a Scientific Atlanta box that doesn't even have format (480, 720, 1080) selection. Hopefully you'll get the Moto 5100, but I just wanted everyone to be aware that it's not always the case with Comcast.

Are you sure you are not digital only cable, and not HDTV? I find it hard to believe Comcast is using two HD boxes.


Markito, use the 1080i output for the L300u.


Sime, the highest quality solution would be to run HDTV directly to the L300u via component, and DVI from Bravo D1 directly. This gives you the best PQ, along with being an elegant solution. You simply change the input on the PJ via remote. I have a MX-700 that I've programmed with macros. When I hit PJDVD it changes the input to DVI on the L300u and the input of the Denon AMP to DVD. When I hit PJHD button it changes PJ input to component and the Denon input to TV/DBS.

 

[Markito]

Quote:

Originally posted by djstatik Markito, use the 1080i output for the L300u.

Thanks djststik.


Incidentally, I learned from the Moto 5100 FAQ mentioned above that the way to get at the service menu to change the output is to...


Turn the 5100 off and then press the menu button on the remote. Then after making changes, just press the menu button again and turn the box back on. Pretty sneaky.

 

[Markito]

By the way, once in the 5100's service menu, what should I put for the "Override"?

 

[margomaps]

Quote:

Originally posted by djstatik Are you sure you are not digital only cable, and not HDTV? I find it hard to believe Comcast is using two HD boxes.

Jeebus, do I look like a complete moron?!


I've had Comcast's HD service since *before* it was officially launched in my area. I kept calling and badgering them about when HD would be available, and finally to my surprise they said they just started a "soft launch" of HD. This just means that they weren't advertising it in any way, and that it had to be specifically requested by the customer. Anyhow, that was in October of last year. I've been suffering from Comcast's severe lack of HD programming ever since.


I'm not remotely surprised that Comcast has (at least) 2 HD boxes. They also have different analog and digital boxes for different regions around the country. Unfortunately in my case I was unlucky enough to be living in apparently one of the few areas where they're not using the 5100. I've specifically asked (on numerous occasions) for the 5100, but I've been told that Comcast in my county simply does not offer that box -- only the Sci Atl.