Author Topic: TV suggestions?  (Read 10394 times)

skeptic

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TV suggestions?
« on: April 13, 2010, 06:11:54 pm »
I need some advice on a new TV.  Specifically, I want something that can be controlled via USB, or serial using a USB to serial adapter on the MD.  Plug and play would be best, but I can put in some non-programming work or perhaps even a bit of ruby (I don't know Ruby) to get it running if need be.  Based on my experiences with my current TV I don't want to use IR blasting to control the new TV if at all possible. 

Short of going into webadmin and pretending to add a device, is there a list of supported TVs or an easy way to generate a list?  Are there some manufacturers to avoid or that are recommended above others?  Is there some other site I should look on?

If it matters, I'm looking to buy a 60"-65" LCD in the sub $3k price range. 

dlewis

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Re: TV suggestions?
« Reply #1 on: April 13, 2010, 06:16:37 pm »
Look into the sharp aquos line.

stallione

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Re: TV suggestions?
« Reply #2 on: April 13, 2010, 06:51:43 pm »
I concur. Sharp. And for a projector, Mitsubishi, (I have an HC5500, rs232) works wonderfully.

skeptic

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Re: TV suggestions?
« Reply #3 on: April 13, 2010, 06:54:35 pm »
Look into the sharp aquos line.
Ah ya?  Are they plug and play?  I see there are a couple specific Sharp Tvs listed in the device templates as well as a generic appearing Aquos LCD entry.  

I usually try to buy TVs from a local store, but not much around here and Best Buy doesn't carry that brand.  On the other hand, I was looking at newegg and they have a 60" Sharp Aquos for $1,799 and free shipping (MSRP $2,999).  Based on the specs, it's serial not USB.  Is that the standard (hopefully lmce supported) connector type?

edit:  I'll wait to see if there are other suggestions, things to compare it to, while I read some reviews on the Sharp as well as see if I can find one locally.  

edit2:  Not sure what I was smoking, but Best Buy does carry the Aquos line, but at the $2,999 price according to their website.
« Last Edit: April 13, 2010, 06:58:54 pm by skeptic »

Techstyle

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Re: TV suggestions?
« Reply #4 on: April 13, 2010, 08:09:21 pm »
My Sharp is Plug and Play using a Null modem (or Crossover) serial cable and a USB to Serial adapter.

I bought it from Bestbuy about 6 months ago 46" 120Hz LCD 1080p for $999.  So far it has been great - Make sure you set EDID to 'True' in Xorg.conf though.  Mine picture was slightly off the screen by about 1/2" which meant the list of letters on the audio and video menus were not shown.  Setting EDID to true corrected this after discussions with TKMedia in the IRC

tkmedia

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Re: TV suggestions?
« Reply #5 on: April 13, 2010, 08:27:44 pm »
Sharp work very nice and are plug and play.. I have been using a 42" for more than two years with LMCE.

I recently purchased an LG 37" and I am very happy with it. I made an RS232- template for It.

I just need to tweak it so it can work PNP.


Tim




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micklen

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Re: TV suggestions?
« Reply #6 on: April 15, 2010, 04:16:12 pm »
a quick question!

I got a LG 50PS3000 with a simplink [ http://www.hometheatermag.com/hookmeup/208hook/ ]
Do anyone know if its possible get simplink to work with LMCE so you could use the tv remote to play/FW ??

//Micklen

theteju

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Re: TV suggestions?
« Reply #7 on: April 15, 2010, 04:31:18 pm »
I am happy to see this thread up.

Please post a list of TVs that has RS232 connection/ that has device templets for Linuxmce.
I am very interested list on Sony if someone posts.

I know some are fond of plasma. And with screen saver on, for plasma is not a bad option (less risk or burning phosphers ) correct me if I am wrong.

I am looking forward to see any replies on here.

thank you all.

tkmedia

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Re: TV suggestions?
« Reply #8 on: April 15, 2010, 05:03:48 pm »
Quote
The LG 50PS3000
Shows it has rs232 so at worse a template could be made for it.


My 37 has simplink so at one point I will check into its capabilities with lmce.


Tim
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skeptic

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Re: TV suggestions?
« Reply #9 on: April 15, 2010, 05:35:07 pm »
You can try to do what I started - go through web admin and pretend you are manually adding a device.  By selecting a manufacturer, selecting TVs/Plasma/LCD/Projector from device category, then the auto filter checkbox you can look for specific models.  It's cumbersome and doesn't give you good info like the Sharp Aquos line should be all plug and play as mentioned in this thread, but if you are looking to see if a specific TV is supported it kinda works.  Having a list of TVs and what is supported out of the box would be handy.  I'm really not sure if being on the list means it can be controlled via serial/usb, or if some are there that just have USBUIRT codes.

As for LCD vs. Plasma, there are plenty of discussions all over the internet on this one.  Since I've been looking into it, here is my take.  General consensus is plasma is the better option in the 47"+ range.  Better picture, darker blacks, no issues with motion blur, with new tech very little chance of burn-in, better viewing angle, and in the larger sizes they are cheaper.  This comparison doesn't include back-lit LED LCDs with local dimming and 4 color LCDs, which are or will soon be as good or better than both conventional LCDs and plasma in every way.  Too bad they are sooooo expensive right now.  The only real downsides to plasma are they do not do as well in a brightly lit room and they use a fair amount more electricity to run.  So why do I want LCD?  I suppose it's because I'm completely happy with my smaller LCD TVs and I'd rather give up a small bit of quality for no chance of burn in instead of slightly better picture with almost no burn-in issues.  It's also worth noting that if you don't want/need it mounted on a wall a DLP might be a great option.  My father has a 73" DLP (HUGE room, a 73" TV makes sense and is perfect for as far back as they sit).  My initial thoughts when he said DLP were "meh" it's gonna suck.  I was surprised, the picture is great.

BTW, I wouldn't limit it to rs232, I believe there are USB connections that are plug and play that can do everything serial can.  Just note that just because it has USB doesn't mean you can control the TV that way.

edit:  it would be great if there were lists of TVs, receivers, remotes, etc. and what works for each.  I'd even be willing to put a list together if someone could tell me how to collect the info.  ie - I can get the TVs by going through the add device wizard, but I have no clue what is supported in terms of USBUIRT/serial/USB from there.
« Last Edit: April 15, 2010, 05:40:51 pm by skeptic »

Techstyle

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Re: TV suggestions?
« Reply #10 on: April 15, 2010, 05:49:11 pm »
My LG has RS232 and says it is for control but I have been unable to get it working, I have checked cables and connections (Sharp works fine with same H/W).  I have checked the Plug and Play scripts for LG and they have the right commands but for some reason it doesn't work?

Been scratching my head for over a year on this one!

trentend

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Re: TV suggestions?
« Reply #11 on: April 16, 2010, 12:58:13 am »
Quote
The LG 50PS3000
Shows it has rs232 so at worse a template could be made for it.


My 37 has simplink so at one point I will check into its capabilities with lmce.


Tim

I have a 32LH300 and a 42LH3000.  All the RS232 control codes are printed in the manual (check the LG site for your manual online).  I intend to work on device templates for these two devices, which presumably should be easy to modify for other LG models with the same control codes.  Of course by the time I've done this you wont be able to buy these models, but them's the breaks.

totallymaxed

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Re: TV suggestions?
« Reply #12 on: April 16, 2010, 02:37:32 pm »
Quote
The LG 50PS3000
Shows it has rs232 so at worse a template could be made for it.


My 37 has simplink so at one point I will check into its capabilities with lmce.


Tim
I have a 32LH300 and a 42LH3000.  All the RS232 control codes are printed in the manual (check the LG site for your manual online).  I intend to work on device templates for these two devices, which presumably should be easy to modify for other LG models with the same control codes.  Of course by the time I've done this you wont be able to buy these models, but them's the breaks.

All current LG models use the same rs232 command set and work very well indeed.

Andrew
« Last Edit: April 19, 2010, 04:17:53 pm by totallymaxed »
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tkmedia

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Re: TV suggestions?
« Reply #13 on: April 17, 2010, 06:27:59 am »
Quote
All current LG models use the same rs232 command set and work very well indeed.

Andrew


Ok so the template I made for the 37" should work for these TV's

37LH30 RS232 template #2126


If you don't have that template you will need to do a SQLCVS update in webadmin and select all for DCE and IR



HTH

Tim
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Techstyle

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Re: TV suggestions?
« Reply #14 on: April 17, 2010, 10:57:29 pm »
Tkmedia:

there is a PNP script for the LG TV (20_LG_TV.sh) and if this finds your TV it would set it up with Template #1915.  Did that work for you?