I just got this tv, cause liked what I saw in the store. However, I got it home, and set it up to see the images not quite as nice. I have it set up as follows. Digital Cable box (not an HD box) setup via s-video (the only option besides a/v) with the audio going to a surround system. The standard dvd player is hooked up via component video. The dvd movies look fine, but my cable sucks. Do I have to have the HD box for it to look right, or am I just missing something? Just for your consideration, I tried using the Avia home theater dvd video patterns (basic only, as I don't have any color filters at this time). After running throught those, the cable tv video was terrible, so I played with the settings for a while until it was at least watchable. My current settings are: Contrast - 27 Brightness - 41 Color - 42 Sharpness - 48 Tint - 0 Backlight - 33 I realize these aren't corrent, but for right now, at least I can tollerate the screen. Any info is very much appreciated. Thanks guys, -Mike
Thought I'd update this. I got a Cable HD receiver, and hooked up with the provided component video cables. Works great. The HD channels, at least. I didn't get the DVR version, for now, which would have the HDMI connection, for 1080p. I would like to also say that the digital channels got a bit of an upgrade too. Overall, it's worth the purchase for the HD box, and the 5.99/month for the Hd channels. I get about 14 HD channels right now, and I also get some digital channels I didn't have before, and most of those are good enough to watch. I did re-do the video test patterns from Avia, and they are good. I will be getting a red and a blue filter to set the color and tint so they are better.
