Getting ready for my first RPTV - some questions (1 Viewer)

[Maneesh]

I've been considering upgrading from my puny little 27" for some time. I got a good deal on a used Toshiba 51H93 locally and I'm pretty excited about it

I wasn't able to find a lot of reviews for this tv, but the feature set looks great (DVI, Firewire, builtin tuner etc).

I have a few questions -

- Adjustments: turn down contrast, turn off VSM, select normal color temp, and use Avia to adjust other settings. Anything else?

- Calibration: once I'm confortable with my tv, I'll try and find a service menu setting and tweak it - carefully! I can't afford ISF calibration and I'm pretty sure I can live without it Any links for this will be helpful, e.g. Toshiba tweak sites.

- This may be a simple question - if I use a set top box (Comcast hd box) then am I correct in assuming I can't use the tv's builtin tuners. And if so that means the PIP feature, program guide, channel memory etc in the tv is useless? That would suck.

- I just got the Philips DVP-642 for progressive scan playback (and because it plays mpeg4/divx). How is its output quality?

- Does this tv support 720p? I read somewhere it can upconvert to 1080i but not sure.

- I have a HT to go with this. Where do people place the center channel on tv's with narrow tops like this one. On the floor? The Tosh will let me use its speakers as a center channel but I'd rather not since my speakers are all matched.

- I have lots of stuff to hook up - replaytv, xbox, dvd, vcr, not to mention routing through a receiver, so I'm sure I'll have questions on that I know not to waste $$ on monster cable and usually buy Ratshack, but should I spend more on component cables?

Any other advice on the care and feeding of this beast gladly accepted. Thanks.

 

[Maneesh]

Umm, anyone ??

 

[Craig]

In addition to turning down contrast, turn down the Sharpness to around 25%. It doesn't support 720P. I was able to put a fairly large center channel speaker on top of my Toshiba 56". I'd recommend trying to use a smaller center channel speaker if possbible, the TV audio doesn't really compare to a decent speaker.

 

[Jesse Sharrow]

If you look at some retailers they may carry a set top center channel mount for RPTV's. I know soundtrack does.

 

[Seth_L]

I'd be very cautious about buying a used CRT rear projection TV. It could already have burn in before you even get it.

 

[Maneesh]

True, but I checked the date on the tv, it is