Cable: First you need to be using an HD Cable box to get the HD channels that your provider offers. if you don't, you can't get HD channels. Keep in mind that not all of the channels that your provider offers are in HD. Out of the 300+ channels that my provider Cox Communications in
Las Vegas offers, they offer 91 of them in HD. If you have an HD box, you need to go into the settings menu and make sure that your video output is set to constant as you do not want it bouncing between different resolutions when you change channels. In your case you will have two options, 720p and 1080i (1080p does not exist for cable due to the amount of bandwidth required). Choose 720p because your set is under 40" and you won't see a a difference between 720p and 1080i except for that because it's progressive, HD may actually look better. (NOTE: although your analog channels will display at 720p, they are not in HD. They are simply up converted SD so don't expect that they will
look like HD channels.) Also be sure to set your audio settings on your box to "HDMI out."
In general,
HDMI devices should automatically detect
HDMI input but since I don't know what kind of box you are using, it is possible that
HDMI-out is disabled in the settings. My box (Scientific Atlanta) doesn't have that option, but I don't know about others. As far as the set is concerned, plug the
HDMI cable into the input you want to use (if it's a new
Vizio, I'm assuming there are three inputs as that's what my 32"
Vizio in the kids' room has) and the set will auto-detect the
HDMI input and automatically set the resolution accordingly.
SIDE NOTE: The only other way you're going to get HD channels from cable without a box is if you're using your COAX cable directly in to the TV and that is only if your cable provider has them floating on the line and you're only going to get the 5 major networks and
Univision in HD.
PS3: This is even easier. WIth your PS3 powered off and your TV powered on, connect one end of your
HDMI cable to the
HDMI out on the PS3 and the other end to the appropriate
HDMI input on your TV (of your choosing). Power on your PS3. Your TV will automatically detect the
HDMI input from the PS3 and put that
HDMI input on the screen. You will get an on-screen message from the PS3 detecting
HDMI and it will ask you if you want o use
HDMI or words to that effect (I can't remember the exact message... it's been a while). Choose "yes" and it will adjust the picture accordingly and should automatically choose the highest video resolution your television can display. To verify your settings, first hit the "guide" button on your
Vizio remote control and in the upper right corner it will tell you at exactly what resolution it is displaying at. If it's not where you want it to be, on your PS3, go the Settings Menu and scroll down to "Display Settings" and the first item on the list is "Video Output Settings." Follow the step by step on screen menu prompts to determine your display settings, and choose "automatic" when prompted. If everything is
copasedic, the highest resolution your television can display at will be listed at the top (and will be the current setting) and all of the other resolutions will be listed below it. If something is wrong between the "handshake" between the
HDMI from the PS3 to the TV and it doesn't display in HD, go back into Video Output Settings" and when prompted, choose manual in stead and set the resolution on the PS3 the highest your TV can display. NOTE: Most 32" TV's have a maximum resolution of 720p fir the reasons I stated earlier. Check your manual for the specifics on yours. Furthermore, all PS3 games are in 720p so even if you have a 1080p TV, don't expect higher resolutions than that. AS far as
Netflix is concerned, not all of their programming is in HD. The scale for
Netflix is SD/Low/Medium/High/X-High. HD/Low/Medium/High/X-High, your quality depends on the program and strength of your Internet connection.
Closing: I'm a little confused by your issue as
HDMI is automatic and you should automatically be getting HD so the only other thing I can think of is that your display needs calibrating and you just think you aren't getting HD.
In order to get the most out of your new TV and your PS3, I would highly recommend that you calibrate your set with a
Blu-Ray calibration disc that comes with color filters. It will take you about an hour or so to get the hang of and use correctly but the results will be very noticeable. The presets that come out of the box and the settings that they use on the floor in the store are awful and you don't realize how much you've been missing in picture quality until you calibrate. Do not rent this disc from
Netflix as it does not come
eith the color filters. You can buy a calibration disc at Amazon. I got the
DVE one, from what I understand, the Spears and
Munsel one is very good as well.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_24?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=blu-ray+calibration+disc&sprefix=blu-ray+calibration+disc
I turn on my playstation 3 and the screen doesnt come on and i dont have any sound or picture. and when i press the power button to turn it off it beeps 3 times and will not shut down.
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