[Pc_Support] Sceptre 22" Widescreen LCD for $299 after Rebate (Costco On-line) ...

[Bryan J. Smith]

Homer de Hacker wrote:
> Thanks for the info Bryan. I ordered one from Costco.  Odd that I could
> not find another mention of a Septre 22" LCD on Google.

Try spelling it "Sceptre"**.  ;->

Here's a searches using the start of the model number:
  http://www.google.com/search?q=review+Sceptre+x22wg

**NOTE:  As an engineer with piss-poor spelling, I always assume I
can't find something due to spelling.

But it seems to be a brand new model, with the older Sceptre 20.1"
being more commonplace.

> Would you expound on the mechanics of how this works?

First off, even though I know you won't read it, the Wikipedia page:
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDMI

> Will it work on a normal in house TV connection?

Secondly, by "normal," you mean?
2 wire?
Coax?
Other?

> And if so what does one need to make it play?

So, third, here's the "quick scoop" ...

1.  NTSC "tuner"

Understand that virtually all non-TV LCD panels do _not_ come with a
NTSC ("normal TV") "tuner" -- i.e., that "Coax thinging" that you
plug-in and get "all 'da channels _with_ sound schtuff."  NTSC is used
for terrestrial analog cable (over-the-air or "old/pre-digital"
cable).  Most TV LCDs typically do.

2.  Composite or S-Video "input"

A significant number of non-TV LCD pannels and virtually all TV LCD
panels _do_, however, have a Composite ("Yellow colored" RCA jack) or
S-Video (see Wikipedia for picture**) in.  That is a direct analog
connection already "tuned" at a specific frequency.  You take your
VCR, Cable, DVD, etc... output and you put it into it.

  **NOTE:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S-Video

You still have to use another input for sound, which is provided
_separate_.  Typically this is 2 additional RCA jacks -- one Red
(right) and one White (left).

3.  ATSC "tuner"

A small, but increasing number of HDTV LCDs also provide an ATSC tuner
for unencrypted QAM digital HDTV.  About the only thing it is good for
is "over-the-air" HDTV.  Virtually _no_ regular LCD panels offer ATSC
built-in, only some of the TV versions.  It's typically a $150+ (used
to be $300+) add-on box if you don't have it.

4.  Component "input"

There is an improved version of Composite (yes, that'a
mega-oversimplification) called "Component," which uses 3 "RCA-like"
jacks for higher bandwidth analog -- and even digital (long story) --
video.  That is what nearly _all_ TV LCDs support (as well as plasma,
projection, DLP, etc...) and a good number of regular LCD panels
nowdays.

I won't get into all the details, but here's the Wikipedia article:
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Component_video

Component "input" is how the _majority_ of cable, DVD and other
"consumer high-def" video is put to HDTVs.  E.g., most DVDs have 1
Composite, 1 S-Video and then the 3-jack Component Video -- plus 2
jacks for audio.  Depending on your TV's inputs, you should be able to
use at least one of the first two for 480i (480 lines interlaced), but
if it does 480p (480 lines progressive -- i.e., "double scan") or
higher (like 720p or 1080i), it will have that 3-jack Component.
Again, that's in addition to the audio.

5.  HDMI "input"

HDMI is basically the new-age "true digital equivalent" of a
"Component input plus audio  _plus_ control."  1 cable for everything
-- _including_ control.  I.e., if I have a TV with a "Cable Card" and
the HDMI connection, it can read and unscramble without any additional
equipment.  More and more cable boxes also offer HDMI output, for one
big reason.

HDMI also passes on Digital Copy Protection (DCP), if it's in the
signal.  Now just because you have a HDMI input into your TV does
_not_ mean it won't let you watch schtuff.  In fact, the TV has really
nothing to do with this.  HDMI is more of a factor when you put in a
Digital Video Recorder (DVR) in between the cable box and TV.

HDMI TVs are also backward compatible with DVI, you just need a cable.
 DVI is digital video only (no audio), and used for LCD panels with
computers.  Again, HDMI in the TV is "not a bad thing" because it
makes you compatible with everything.

Going the other way is not true.  I.e., you can't always use HDMI from
a cable box to a DVI TV, as it doesn't support the control, audio and
other aspects.