Mr Tuned, so do you have to change the scaling rates on the STB between a HD and a SD broadcast on your set up, or do leave set at the rate your TV is 720p or what ever.
So I guess what your saying is you're happy with a SD signal upscaled and displayed on your HD yeah?
Phew, cheers bro...
Blaise I want commission on this thread.......

Blaise, I'm running the Teac SD Plasma and Teac HD STB via DVI (Best connection method possible) and it's a fantastic setup for the price. Thoroughly recommend it. I compared Teac, Samsung and LG plasmas in store using the same Teac HD STB and the Teac Plasma had the best picture for my tastes. Even the wife agreed.

It's Chris dude

Most of the time there is a HD stream to watch. During the day there's not usually too many but I'll suffer & watch Opera in SD.

The STB when you first plug it in does a scan for all channels (like a sat decoder). Then most units will have a fav's program where you choose what channels you want on the skipper. So when I press channel up & down it only goes to the HD instead of the SD, then the tv guide, then another SD ect.

On the box the actual channels are laid out like 090 for SD, 091 for guide, 092 for HD ect. But most have a user-friendly interfaces you can pull up, again a little like foxtel.

But Blase touched on an important point, the STB makes a heap of difference. When I first got the tellie they gave me some cheap ass crap till the sony one came in. The STB can affect picture quality, the time it takes to change channels, can offer features such as PIP (picture in picture) more importantly it's the interface for the whole telly. You don't want this kick ass flattie with a shit box as all the menus will look crap & your picture may suffer.

I don't know much about the individual differences between what’s available as I didn't really have to research it since mine came included. But there are heaps of forums discussing STB's, read up, it's almost as important as the screen.

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Ho's gotta eat too

Cheers Chris, I was hoping to get away without having to do a months research but thems the breaks, would be so good for someone to just say buy this and this and its cheeep and it works....
Never mind, ley yas know how I go....
Al

Al, Didn't Jonno just do that??

Great feedback Jonno. Just what I wanted to hear. Sounds like a good bang for buck package. Dont want to spend any more than I have to. And sounds like my mate was on it when he said getting the HD STB is a good thing also. Not sure what I'll do with all the extra room in the living room with the sony 80cm big box gone....

To kind of quote Chris, you cant race a TV

yeah no worries stinga sonic_martini@yahoo.com.au
i check it all day at work coz i get other stuff sent to me
so if anyone has any questions to hesitate to email me i will
try and get back to u as soon as i can

This site has a great local forum.
http://www.dtvforum.info/

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Ho's gotta eat too

Jonno, what dollars / model and where from bro? Might as well check it out.
Tim will buzz an email through to you tommorrow....

Definately go for a HD panel.
HD-dvd and Blu-ray are just around the corner... and will hit the market running very soon. Your favourite films in 1080p! that's the shit!

Been using a 50inch NEC HD at home for the last year, and its awesome. Still great picture, no burn in.

The new LCD tech. will be great in about 2-5 years IMO. Still too expensive. Tested a 45inch Sharp LCD on the weekend that is 1920 x 1080 (native HD res!), image was amazing ($12,000 special..) BUT refresh rate was still lacking imo, image would break up when there was fast movement on screen.

I'd get a cheap panel for now, and save the pennies for when 1920x1080 new tech. LCD panels are more affordable.. and better quality. Not to mention connection methods have standardised.. (component, dvi, hdmi... list goes on..) and 1080p content is available.. (HD pay tv etc..)

[QUOTE=DANinQLD]

I'd get a cheap panel for now, and save the pennies for when 1920x1080 new tech. LCD panels are more affordable.. and better quality. Not to mention connection methods have standardised..

Ditto