Crave

Now what?

You've just broken your new high-def TV out of the box, hooked it up to your cable box and fired it up. And chances are, you love the picture. But after the initial joy of seeing that screen in action wears off, you might be wondering: How can I get the most out of it? Here are a few tips.

Get a high-def source
The single most important thing you can do to get your new HDTV looking its best is to hook up an actual high-definition source. For television programming, that means an HDTV-capable cable box or satellite box--or an antenna. Ask your cable or satellite provider for a high-def box or DVR, and they'll hook it up for you (although it's a good idea to double-check their work; see below). If you don't have cable or satellite, try using an antenna to tune over-the-air HD stations, which are available in most areas.

Most TV services offer both standard-def and high-def channels, and if you have an HDTV you'll want to be watching (or recording) the HD versions. If your box allows it, you might be able to select a list in your programming guide that shows only HD channels.

You might also want to consider getting a Blu-ray player. The picture quality on standard DVDs looks very good on an HDTV, but Blu-ray discs look even better, especially on larger screens. Just don't expect the player to make regular DVDs look noticeably better on your TV--it can help, but usually not by much.

Other HD sources include game consoles like Xbox 360 and PlayStation3 (but not the Nintendo Wii, which is standard-def), media players like Roku and Apple TV, and even newer digital cameras, camcorders and computers.

More info: HDTV 101: A beginner's guide, Blu-ray guide

Use an HDMI connection
The cable guy might connect your box using analog component-video cables, but HDMI is really the way to go. It's worth buying an HDMI cable to get the most out of your TV. HDMI cables are often quite expensive in stores, however, so we recommend buying a cable from an online vendor like Amazon, newegg.com or monoprice.com. For the vast majority of viewers, it's not worth spending extra for an HDMI cable.

More info: What HDMI cable should I buy?

Set up the source resolution to match your TV
Here's where a lot of even experienced HD owners (not to mention cable box installers) get confused. HD sources can have a lot of settings, and to take full advantage you'll want to match the resolution of the source as closely as possible to the capabilities of your TV. If you have a 1080p TV--the most common resolution among new models--you should set the source to 1080i or, if available, 1080p resolution. If you have a 720p (or 1366x768) TV, set the source to 720p resolution.

If the source lets you choose among other resolutions, check off every one that the TV can support. If there's a "native" option available, we recommend most users check that one off as well. These steps allow the TV to perform the video processing, and usually TVs do a better job of it than cable or satellite boxes. If you have a Blu-ray player and a TV that can handle 1080p/24 sources, we also recommend engaging that option. Computers should be set to output the native resolution of the display, as long as the TV can accept it. Check your manual if you're not sure what source resolutions your TV can support.

More info: HDTV resolution explained, PS3 Blu-ray settings

Adjust screen format (aspect ratio)
Now that you're watching HDTV, you might notice that the screen often isn't completely full. That's because the wide format of the screen doesn't always perfectly fit the source. The first step is to make sure your source is set to the wide-screen (or 16:9) format mode. The next is to adjust the aspect ratio control, which can zoom, crop, stretch or properly display the image. The confusing part, aside from the name "aspect ratio," is that such controls can be found on both the TV and the source.

In general we recommend setting the TV to the mode that fills the screen without distortion when fed a high-def source, yet preserves the full resolution of that source. Such modes can be called "Native," "Dot-by-dot," "Just Scan," "Full Pixel," or others. Some TVs have a secondary control to enable this native mode, then require you to select "Full" or a similar mode to fill the screen without zooming or stretching. Try cycling through the modes on your TV by pressing the button that controls aspect ratio repeatedly, just to get familiar. The manual will also have a section devoted to this control.

For TVs connected to cable boxes with their own aspect ratio controls, the least confusing route is to select the recommended TV mode as described above, then control aspect ratio using the box's own control. But results vary widely, and it's important to remember that some sources, like non-wide-screen TV shows and many movies, look best when you leave the bars on the screen.

More Info: Quick Guide to aspect ratio

Adjust the picture settings
If you thought the section on aspect ratio was confusing, brace yourself. The myriad picture settings available on many TVs can leave the most experienced techie baffled. Fortunately there are some shortcuts to adjusting your picture for optimal quality.

First try cycling through the presets. They have names like "Standard," "Movie" "Dynamic," and "Sports," and each typically delivers different brightness, color and other characteristics. Many TV watchers are content to choose a mode they like and leave it at that.

If you're not, it's time to dive into the individual controls. You can make basic adjustments by eye with the right program material, invest in a setup disc on DVD or Blu-ray, or even spring for a full-fledged professional calibration. You could also try using the picture settings we at CNET publish as a part of our TV review process.

More Info: HDTV Tune-up tips, CNET's HDTV picture settings forum

Consider tweaking your room
Room lighting can have a big effect on picture quality, so when you can we recommend watching in a dim or dark room. When that's not possible, you should avoid letting a light source, such as a lamp or even a window, reflect from the TV screen. To avoid windows you might even want to consider moving your seating configuration to avoid reflections.

Conserve power
HDTVs can use a good deal of power, especially large models with bright picture settings, so if you want to be a greener TV watcher you can definitely take a few steps. Check out TV power saving tips for more info.

Still confused about how to get the most out of your new TV? Check out CNET's Home Audio and Video forums. Think you have a good tip I missed here? Leave a comment below.

This $78 Magnavox Blu-ray player has no front-panel display, but it does have an SDHC card slot.

Proof positive that camping out all night to score Black Friday deals is a waste of time, Wal-Mart is offering the same $78 Magnavox MB500MG1F Blu-ray player on its Web site that was previously an in-store-only, fight-the-crowds-to-get-it deal.

Its shipping will run you a measly 97 cents, though you'll probably have to add sales tax as well.

As you might expect, the MB500MG1F is about as no-frills as Blu-ray players come. There's no front-panel LED display, and it definitely won't do BD-Live, Netflix, or anything like that.

Actually, there is one frill: an SDHC slot, meaning you can pop in the memory card from your camera for an onscreen photo slideshows.

Other than that, the player offers the usual 1080p output, video upscaling, remote control, power cord, box, and so on.

I haven't seen any reviews of this model, but there are plenty of favorable user comments over at the Blu-ray Forum.

Well, what say you, fellow cheapskates? Is this price low enough for you to pull the Blu-ray trigger? Might you actually be considering a second player for your home? Personally, I say pair one of these with Planet Earth on Blu-ray and enjoy one seriously eyeball-pleasing holiday.

Backup deal: You know online backups should be part of your overall backup regimen, right? Well, here's a rare chance to get in cheap: Carbonite is offering 50 percent off annual subscription plans (with coupon code CUST50). You can get one year for $27.47, two years for $49.97, or three years for $64.97. This awesome offer's good until the end of December.

Before you comment, keep in mind that this Panasonic plasma is NOT part of a Crave giveaway. This blog post simply highlights the publication of its review.

Plasma has been ceding ground to LCD for years, and the latest patches of territory at risk are screen sizes above 50 inches. Panasonic, both sheriff and principal resident of plasma town, has traditionally ruled the vast-size flat-panel frontier with an iron fist, but with LCDs available in new 55-inch and, lately, 65-inch versions for competitive prices, the company has had to continually make its own big screens more affordable.

The happy result, at least for HDTV shoppers with room to spare, is that larger models can be had for chunks of change that seem small by historical standards. And while the bigger sets in Panasonic's TC-PS1 series plasma might surprise you with their affordability, they also deliver better picture quality than most of their large LCD competition.

Read the full review of the Panasonic TC-PS1 series.

Panasonic TC-PS1 series (photos)

This mysterious black rectangle is the most popular TV on CNET during 2009.

(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)

Among the three most-popular technology product categories covered by CNET Reviews--cell phones, laptops, and TVs--just one doesn't feature anything made by Apple. At least not yet.

Without having to fear roundish, white-logo-clad products whose names begin with a lower-case vowel, the scads of nearly identical-looking glossy black rectangles (notwithstanding a touch or two of color) can safely saturate the HDTV battlefield with their "Hz"-infused blood, assured of relatively equal footing.

Or is it? Judging from our list of most popular HDTVs of 2009, accessible below in suspense-building reverse order, said field is dominated by two titans that pummel the rest. Of the ten HDTVs listed, only one--the remarkable Pioneer Kuro PRO-111FD, still the highest-rated television I've ever reviewed--comes from a brand other than Panasonic or Samsung.

CNET's most popular TVs of 2009

The disparity between brands is no coincidence. Products that made the list, which is arranged by total pageviews over the span of 2009 (and so includes a good number of TVs from 2008), invariably spent a lot of time atop or near the top of the Best Products lists. ... Read more

I hope this goes without saying by now, but under no circumstances should you spend more than $100 on a Blu-ray player.

I mean, for months we've seen no-frills and lame-brand models selling for $99 or less. And now you can pick up a Sony BDP-S360 with BD-Live for $99.99 shipped (plus sales tax in most states).

(Note: The $99.99 price will appear once you get to the checkout. First commenter to tell me the product page shows $119.99 gets a virtual noogie.)

It's a refurb, meaning the warranty expires after 90 days. If that doesn't sit well with you, here's another option (and a fall-back in case the Sony sells out): Dell Home has the Vizio VBR100 Blu-ray player with BD-Live for $104.99 shipped (plus sales tax in some states). That's a new model, meaning you get a full one-year warranty.

Indeed, I'd argue that the Vizio is the better buy, if only for the extra coverage 5 bucks buys you. Both models rock the whole BD-Live thing (and, hey, if you're pulling the Blu-ray trigger, you might as well enjoy a frill or two). Alas, neither one supports Netflix streaming or the like.

CNET's editors had mostly positive things to say about the BDP-S360, particularly about its audio and video quality. As for the Vizio, you'll have to rely on Dell's customer ratings: all 10 of them, each one awarding five stars.

So I guess I should amend my original statement: under no circumstances should you spend more than around $100 on a Blu-ray player. And mark my words: it won't be long before you can get BD-Live and Netflix for that price.

Backup deal: Need cables to connect your new player(s) to your HDTV? Meritline has a three-pack of 6-foot HDMI cables for $6.99 shipped (with coupon code MLC1933503120733N--it's $10.99 without). Hard to beat!

Sharp's LC-32D47UT has solid energy saving features and a third HDMI input.

(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)

None of the cheaper 32-inch LCDs we've compared recently will satisfy viewers seeking the best home theater picture quality. The main strength of the Sharp LC-32D47UT, for example, lies not in the fidelity of its image, but in areas that might be more important to shoppers at the entry-level price point: features and energy efficiency.

The former is comprised mainly of a third HDMI input, conveniently mounted on the side panel and quite rare for the breed. The latter will only save you a few bucks a year, at most, but over the lifetime of your typical bedroom TV, that can add up.

The sacrifice compared with other entry-level sets, despite the Sharp's relatively deep black levels, comes in other areas of picture quality, namely color and video processing. But if you want that third HDMI input and prize eco-consciousness, this little Sharp belongs on your own comparison list.

Read the full review of the Sharp LC-32D47UT

Sharp LC-32D47UT (photos)

(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)

Much like Vizio, budget TV brand Westinghouse has decided to capitalize on the usual energy efficiency of small-screened LCDs. Its "greenvue" line, which includes the SK-H640G series, is said to surpass Energy Star by 20 percent.

That's not a very high standard yet, however, and according to our tests, the 32-incher, while among the most efficient of its kind, will save you at most a few bucks a year over similar TVs. Compared with those TVs it also came up a bit short in the picture quality and features departments, but its simple design and control scheme could appeal to bargain hunters fed up with a typical HDTVs' complexity.

Read the full review of the Westinghouse SK-H640G series.

Westinghouse SK-H640G series (photos)

LG's LH20 series has more picture adjustments than any TV in its class.

(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)

We can't fault the LG LH20 series for trying.

The company's least expensive lineup of LCDs for 2009 offers more features than the competition, including the only USB port for digital photos and by far the best selection of picture adjustments. All of those tweaks allow users to dial in superb color, but color accuracy only goes so far when black levels look gray instead.

But as long as you don't expect deep blacks from your entry-level LCD (and why should you?), the LG LH20 series still has a lot to offer for a tempting price.

Read the full review of the LG LH20 series.

LG LH20 series (photos)

The Samsung LNB360 performs well for a cheap HDTV.

(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)

To a bargain HDTV shopper, the array of small-screen LCDs must seem inexhaustible and indistinguishable, but among recent models we've reviewed, the Samsung LNB360 stands out with the best picture quality. It's no home theater superstar, mind you, but it managed to beat out the entry-level LCD competition in the important arena of black-level performance.

It does cost a few more bucks than many of its competitors, and it lacks some noteworthy features (like side-panel inputs), but if you're looking for a small LCD that gives "good enough" picture for less, the LNB360 series certainly qualifies.

Read the full review of the Samsung LNB360 series.

Samsung LNB360 series (photos)