Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)
We purchased a Sharp Aquos LC-45GD6U for display of on-air and
cable/satellite television, DVD media, and HTPC (Home Theater Personal
Computer) output including graphic and alphanumeric data.
The Sharp has a native resolution of 1920 x 1080 and high definition
television images are impressive. Text is not as clear as with a good
quality computer monitor due to a very significant difference in pixel
density, but it is usable especially when the Aquos is viewed from a
distance of several feet.
There are a confusing number of Aquos models. Most consist of different
speaker placements, but there is also the important option of having an
integral or separate receiver. The separate configuration has several
important advantages: wall mounting is easier due to differences in
cabling and weight, you can connect DVI data directly to the display and
avoid the integral's unfortunate HDCP and resolution limitations,
service on the separate receiver is easier compared with the integral
unit, and it is possible to leave the receiver on and to turn off the
display, a useful feature if one is listening to cable/satellite
digitized music.
Connecting a computer to the Aquos is an interesting experience. There
is a DVI input, but, for totally unknown reasons, its resolution is
limited to 1280 x 1024. The only digital connection that provides native
resolution is the single HDMI input. It will accept 1920 x 1080
resolution if the computer's video adapter is HDMI and HDCP compliant.
Crucial's Radeon x800 card does meet the copy protection requirements
and will work with the Aquos. There are not, however, many video
adapters that have the required hardware and software driver capabilities.
Unless you want to frequently change HDMI cable connections, you need a
Gefen or equivalent digital switch so that a DVD player, satellite
receiver, or other digital device can be easily switched to the single
HDMI input.
There is a frustrating problem if you use the cable card option for
input of digital cable data. There is only one radio frequency input for
digital television. You can use the cable card or an antenna, but not
both for radio frequency digital data. Switching between the two isn't
easy because you have to change both the coaxial cables and the
programming for each switch between on the on air and cable digital.
Implementation of a DVR requires an external box. This consideration
plus the cable card headaches mean that the you really need an external
receiver for cable or satellite connections.
The Aquos has an interesting digital audio output. It provides digital
audio for both digital and analog television. The latter requires an
analog to digital conversion and, unlike many systems, the Aquos does this.
Digital video is a different issue. There is a Firewire output, but this
only works with a D-VCR. The MPAA and FCC seem to be determined to make
it as difficult as possible to either transmit or store graphic data.
There is a "wonderful" new concept of a Roach Motel or Hotel California
meaning that digital optical data systems will be designed so that
information can be entered but not removed (You can check in, but not
check out).
It would certainly be nice to have a MPEG-2 or MPEG-4 output that could
be transmitted via Firewire to a computer or other digital devices, but
this doesn't exist, at least in the USA.
Robbie
We purchased a Sharp Aquos LC-45GD6U for display of on-air and
cable/satellite television, DVD media, and HTPC (Home Theater Personal
Computer) output including graphic and alphanumeric data.
The Sharp has a native resolution of 1920 x 1080 and high definition
television images are impressive. Text is not as clear as with a good
quality computer monitor due to a very significant difference in pixel
density, but it is usable especially when the Aquos is viewed from a
distance of several feet.
There are a confusing number of Aquos models. Most consist of different
speaker placements, but there is also the important option of having an
integral or separate receiver. The separate configuration has several
important advantages: wall mounting is easier due to differences in
cabling and weight, you can connect DVI data directly to the display and
avoid the integral's unfortunate HDCP and resolution limitations,
service on the separate receiver is easier compared with the integral
unit, and it is possible to leave the receiver on and to turn off the
display, a useful feature if one is listening to cable/satellite
digitized music.
Connecting a computer to the Aquos is an interesting experience. There
is a DVI input, but, for totally unknown reasons, its resolution is
limited to 1280 x 1024. The only digital connection that provides native
resolution is the single HDMI input. It will accept 1920 x 1080
resolution if the computer's video adapter is HDMI and HDCP compliant.
Crucial's Radeon x800 card does meet the copy protection requirements
and will work with the Aquos. There are not, however, many video
adapters that have the required hardware and software driver capabilities.
Unless you want to frequently change HDMI cable connections, you need a
Gefen or equivalent digital switch so that a DVD player, satellite
receiver, or other digital device can be easily switched to the single
HDMI input.
There is a frustrating problem if you use the cable card option for
input of digital cable data. There is only one radio frequency input for
digital television. You can use the cable card or an antenna, but not
both for radio frequency digital data. Switching between the two isn't
easy because you have to change both the coaxial cables and the
programming for each switch between on the on air and cable digital.
Implementation of a DVR requires an external box. This consideration
plus the cable card headaches mean that the you really need an external
receiver for cable or satellite connections.
The Aquos has an interesting digital audio output. It provides digital
audio for both digital and analog television. The latter requires an
analog to digital conversion and, unlike many systems, the Aquos does this.
Digital video is a different issue. There is a Firewire output, but this
only works with a D-VCR. The MPAA and FCC seem to be determined to make
it as difficult as possible to either transmit or store graphic data.
There is a "wonderful" new concept of a Roach Motel or Hotel California
meaning that digital optical data systems will be designed so that
information can be entered but not removed (You can check in, but not
check out).
It would certainly be nice to have a MPEG-2 or MPEG-4 output that could
be transmitted via Firewire to a computer or other digital devices, but
this doesn't exist, at least in the USA.
Robbie
/reviews.cnet.com/4520-8900_7-5120008-1.html?tag=belt.tv
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