HDTV Forum

I will be purchasing a new plasma tv. I like the performance specs on the Samsung PN58C7000, however on reading the owners manual, I found this caveat:

x If an external device such as a DVD / Blu-ray player / HD cable box / HD STB satellite receiver supporting HDMI version older than 1.4 is connected, the TV may operate abnormally (e.g. no screen display / no sound / annoying flicker / abnormal color).

I have an AVR and satellite receiver that only support HDMI 1.3a. Will this TV be able to support 2D input from these devices?

thanks
John

I do not have the chance now to actually see from where on the manual you quoted the text, but:

It should be OK for 2D.

1.4 chips should be backward compatible to earlier versions, regardless where the HDMI chips are installed (TVs, players, etc).

HDMI LLC does not allow anymore the use of version numbers on manufacturer products, they suggest instead that the implemented features should mentioned on the product spec; this manual must have been printed before they issued the regulation.

3D is another story. Some 1.3 chips can be updated to the 3D protocols of the 1.4 version (such as cable/satellite STBs), many wont.

Unless your AVR is HDMI upgreadable such as some Harman AVRs, your legacy AVR will not pass the 3D protocols to the TV even when you buy a 3D player with 1.4 and your TV is 1.4.

In wich case I recommend a direct HDMI connection to the TV from the player. For that you may need a player with dual HDMI outputs (or an HDMI box) if you want lossless audio on your receiver.

Ironically some 1.2 chips implemented more features than 1.3 chips. It is a choice of the manufacturer (chip and product), and is mainly related to cost.

Best Regards,

Rodolfo La Maestra

Makes sense. My AVR is not upgradeable. My Denon 2500BTCI BD player may be upgradeable but I have not seen any information on their support site about this yet.
thanks for your help
John

Rodolfo,

I have beeen browsing through the forums and have found your comments on the issue of HDMI very helpful, but I remain confused on a few points.

I recently purchased two Samsung plasma 3D capable TVs -- the PN58C8000 and PN50C490.

For the PN50C490, I plan to do an in wall installation of the HDMI cable. I read one post where you have concerns about degradation over a long HDMI cable. I am thinking I may need 25 feet. Is that too long?

Do I need to purchase HDMI 1.4? Your prior posts seems to indicate that HDMI 1.3 would be sufficient for 3D.
I have spoken with one person who runs cable for Verizon. He claims that all HDMI cable is the same. But that clearly seems to not be the case. Meanwhile, I received a simplistic response from a sales person at Best Buy who claimed that the thicker the HDMI cable, the better, which is also obviously not the case, and that "gold plated" connections are best.

Are Monster cables worth the investment? Is there a particualr brand of HDMI cable you would recommend?

Thank you in advance for any insight you can provide!

Pete

Pete,

I love home-depot zip cord and my soldering gun, or a cleaners-metal-hanger for speaker wires for my hi-end stuff. That statement would make happy half of the Internet forums, while I make enemies with the other half. Having said that, I do not believe in snake oil esoteric claims, but my wires are not cheap either.

Thanks for appreciating my content. Here is an article I wrote about HDMI cables when HDMI was holding a foot in the market.

http://www.hdtvmagazine.com/articles/20 ... for-13.php

I learned to treat wires as another component on a system, if I spend a fortune on an electronics piece I refuse to run the risk of signal degradation when connecting it with unproven wires to the next piece in the system, analog or digital. Generally I try to stick to brand names that were god to me in the past, AudioQuest is one of them, they are not Monoprice cheap but for an in-wall installation the cost of installation and repair could easily surpass the price of expensive cables, especially when things go wrong. Test every wire outside the wall before final installation; if you have a preinstalled wiring-duct that would facilitate removal and changing wires would not be an issue.

I remember in 1998/9 I needed a reliable VGA for HD for my Pioneer Elite and RCA DTC-100 DirecTV sat receiver, the one and only work horse of the beginnings of HD. Computer brands and Monster had their VGA HD choices for about $30; There were no quality cables back then that fit the connections, so I tried and lived with both for a short while, until I decided to have Audio-Advisor

http://www.audioadvisor.com/Aboutus.asp

order from AudioQuest a specially made cable with the endings required by the equipment. It felt as thick as a boa when trying to curve/bend, it cost close to the price of the sat receiver itself (at that time over $600 I believe), and I could not pass the mammoth thru the holes of the cabinets and the wall. I fired up the equipment and the colors popped out of the screen with beautiful depth, all reach and solid. That day I reconfirmed my policy of never trust a wire, any wire, especially if it would be in the wall.

I understand your problem, on short distances around 6-8 feet many HDMI cables would do well but I rather buy only hi-speed rated HDMI cables. HDMI LLC has established a new naming convention that helps consumers not to get “confused” with manufacturer claims. Monster came out with a high speed line for 3D and 4K at CES 2010 with a lot of fanfare. I remember that a few months ago I responded another post with similar information, you may want to do a search.

I had a similar dilemma than yours in 2006 with one of the first 1080p projectors on the market when having to run a 25-30 footer HDMI cable for 1080p from the scaler thru the ceiling, I wanted an AudioQuest in the range of $500 at that time. The dealer that supplied the equipment, which is a friend of mine and I trust, recommended a Golden Sound cable because he installed it before in quality HTs:

http://www.goldensound.com/productlist/hdmidvi-cables

It did; however, I just got the Oppo 93 3D BD player and will upgrade my projector again, now for 3D, that would be a good test for that wire.

Rather than trusting Best Buy give a call to Audio Advisor for advice, they have all the best brands and good quality equipment with a customer base that gives them the feedback they can redirect back to you when products worked great (or not). Regardless of dealer, make sure the returning/exchange policy is clear and acceptable to you.

Best Regards,

Rodolfo La Maestra