Using Hitachi's 53SDX89BA High-def settings w/ HD-DVD

rozmyers,

You do not need a high def receiver, your unit has an ATSC tuner which is the same thing. You do need to hook it up to a high definition signal. You mentioned that you have satellite. Call your supplier and order the high definition channels if you do not already have them on the downlink. They should be able to tell you if you have them or not. They should also be able to tell you which channels they are (normally the higher ones). Once you have a high definition feed you will have the best picture you are going to get with todays technology.

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hardrocko

Your TV plays High Def material through either Input 4 (uses component cables R,G,B) or through Input 5 (Uses DVI cable).
Today most equipment uses HDMI cable for High Def or it may have a component (RGB) output that you can use. The DVI hookup is best, so you need a HDMI to DVI cable or Component Cables (Red, Green, Blue). You need some source that OUTPUTS High def (ex. 1080i) either through HDMI or component cable. You need to either connect the component cable(R,G,B) from the source to the Input 4 on the TV or connect the HDMI to DVI cable from the source to the Input 5.
You need to set the AV source on the TV to AV5 (if you are using the DVI input) or AV4 (if you are using component cables).
If you want to play Highdef source like Blue Ray then you can just connect the output of the blu ray player to your Tv using either the HDMI to DVI cable or component cable (Red, Green, Blue) and set the TV input to AV5 (for HDMI/DVI) or AV4 (for component).
But if you are trying to get Free High Def from an antenna then you will need to have a component that can OUTPUT high def. The $40 converter boxes don't do this - they simply convert the Digital signal to Analog (non high def). What you need is a High Def TUNER that OUTPUTS High Def. I was looking for one for this same reason and ordered the centronics ZAT 502 HD. But it cost about $80. Then I saw that Tivo had an upgrade deal where I could upgrade my existing Series 2 Tivo to Tivo HD for $99. It has a High Def Tuner in it. So I cancelled my order with Centronics and got the Tivo. In any case if you want Over the air HD you will need a High Def Tuner that will OUTPUT 1080.

Hi there.

If it's just a case of you not being able to watch HD films, but you can watch normal dvd's, then it sounds like you need to reinstall your High Definition video codec.

What software are you using for your dvd playback?

Tim

Check your manual, I have the same set and you need a
WD 5000 HD upgrade panel, I believe.
This TV is HD upgradeable, it is NOT HD ready, like you have
been told by other responder......

Only If you Play high def or blue ray disks on the player///regular disks will look even better then before but not quite as good as a high def or blue-ray disk!
I hope this fixes ya up!
(please use the rateings so we can keep this site FREE!)

The HD reciever shouldn't be the problem.

If you recieve an image with a 4:3 aspect ratio, the image will be displayed at that ratio on your HDTV unless you specify otherwise. To do so go to your TV's Setup screen

setup
Choose picture formats
select smooth wide as your default

***Some digital (ATSC format) stations may transmit 4:3 images in a way that will not allow expansion. You will be unable to adjust the picture format.

Hope this helps!!!

J

The blinking light indicates that the high voltage section has shutdown because a problem was detected. There are a number of possible causes for this. Was there any other symptom prior to a dark screen?
Dan

Problem more than likely with the xbox, as the output stream of data from the game platform is not always consistent...accordianman

I also have a Hitachi 53SDX89BA and I bought it with the same assumption as you: that it's HD ready. The specs in the manual states the following: "Full 1080i HDTV Capatable with Set-Top Box". I beleive this means that it does not include an HD tuner, but that it is capable of handling up to 1080i resolution. Normal (non-HD) resolution on this TV is 480i.

So here's my problem: Until recently, I wasn't using the HD settings on this TV because I don't have a set top box, nor do I subscribe to any HD content from my cable provider. However, I just purchased an XBox 360 along with an XBox 360 HD-DVD player (it's an XBox peripheral that works with the game console). The Xbox asks you to choose the resolution output (480i, 720i or 1080i) to match your TV's HD capabilities. When I select 1080i output and change my TV's settings to receive an HD signal, the picture quality is amazing. However, the video signal seems to get lost ocassionally (i.e. TV picture gets scrambled) but then it comes right back. This does not happen when I select a 480i output on the Xbox...but of course, the picture isn't as crisp and clear as a 1080i picture.

I don't know if this is a problem with the TV or with the Xbox. Has anybody else had this problem??

On any High Def TV, the reciever you need for this set, which does not have a HD receiver in it, is half the equation. Most HD channels have some HD content mixed with SD content on the same channel. SD content on HD signal from cable or satellite tends to be slightly blocky due to the native signal resolution and the resolution of HD (1080i/p or 720i/p).