Wife is going to buy a TV- needs my help

[rammstein]

I wouldn't want to jump in at this point, but the wife is going to (her money) and wantsmy help.

So I began researching, and I have the majority of information in my brain now.

My feelings, having seen some friends' televisions goes as follows:

1) Plasma/LCD flat panel: I have always been bothered by the refresh-rate issues with these. When the motion on screen gets fast, it really bugs me. Are there any out there that I should take a look at? Oh- and the black-level on LCDs is kind of poor in my opinion as well.

2) Projection- I am leaning this way. From what I have read, I will probably end up liking LCos or SXRD units. Apparently these have the fewest flaws as far as noticable annoyances in the picture. I usually am the jerk that notices problems.

No matter what, I will spend a few hours in a high-end tv store and help iron out what I like, but your thoughts are appreciated.

BTW- she has budgeted ~$1200, which I think is a lot of scratch, but this seems to be about par for the course now that I am researching. The big bonus is that where I live there is a good amount of free HDTV broadcast, so with an antenna I can use it properly.

[fastpat]

My brother just bought a 60 inch LG brand plasma TV; it seems as sharp as a tube TV to me. I watch football briefly on it, I couldn't see any ghosting, or blurred motion effect.

It was more than $1200.00 though. I think you can get a 42 inch plasma for around $1800.00.

[stomachmonkey]

Just dealt with thiis last week. Wife has been squirreling away for one for a while now. Got FIOS TV service and they dropped an HD set top box so now there was no stopping the wife.

Plasma/LCD. I have been told they do not last as long as Projection. Projection bulbs only last a few years and are expensive $200-300 to replace. I normally do not get an extended warranty on elecrtonics purchases but for projections they generally include 1-3 bulb replacements which you WILL eventually need so you break even on the out of pocket and get some piece of mind.

720P, 1080I, 1080P.

P=progressive, I=interlaced

720P ='s 730 scan lines
1080I ='s 540 scan lines (replicated) Interlaced can also flicker.
1080P ='s 1080 scan lines

A 720P will yield slightly better resolution than 1080I .
1080P has 1.5 x's the resolution as 720P.

Most of the projection boxes that you see in the $1200 range are most likely 720P.

Right now more HD is broadcast in 720 than 1080, bandwidth issue.

Within the next couple of years most HD will be broadcast in 1080.

Right now a lot of sports are broadcast in 1080.

Cables. Here's where they hose you. DO NOT let them talk you into a $200 HDMI cable.

HDMI carries video and audio and is a digital signal. Fancy gold plated ends are NOT going to improve the signal. it's digital, passes 0's and 1's. You can get HDMI cables on line for $20 that will yield the same picture. The cables are a huge profit center for retail.

Also depending on the mix of peripherals HDMI may not be the best. Get HDMI and Component cables and see which one works best for your configuration.

HDMI passes copy protection which could mess with any "recording" that you may want to do.

If you don't have a TIVO or DVR then you can build a nice Linux based MYTH TV box. http://www.mythtv.org/ Don't let the fact that it's opensource turn you off. It is very highly regarded. Some people are starting to sell them turnkey for $1000. You can build one in a day for less than half of that.

View them at the store with the contrast cranked way up.

We were looking at either Mitsubishi or Samsung. Went with the Samsung 61". Color and clarity were hands down better than the Mitsu. Wife found nothing but positive reviews on the Samsung.

Just start hitting boards and read, read, read. Expensive purchase. You don't sound like the kind of guy that wants to live with a bad choice.

The worst part is that you may get a bit frightened when you see your local newscasters in HD. Shows WAY more detail than you really want to see.

And as far as flaws in the picture you will see tons on non HD broadcast. Signals are compressed and you will see JPG compression artifacts. Worst on the kids cartoons since the have so much large flat color areas. The more detailed the image the less you see it.

The other annoyance is the different aspect ratios of broadcasts, it'll switch between 16:9 and 4:3 constanly, usually the commercials are 4:3.

[rammstein]

Thanks for the advice. I already knew about the cable scam- its pretty unnerving to think that they are peddling $200 HDMI cables when I can get the same results for $30.

[89911]

I recently bought a 1080p Sony SXRD 50" lcd projection. Don't let the bulb change scare you. All TV's essentially die the day you turn them on, especially plasma's. At least with this set up, you can renew the brightness in a couple of years if needed. Also, check the non HD picture and see if it is acceplable. The Sony is very good, but I have seen others (plasma's) that are almost unwatchable with regular programming. Don't buy anything but a 1080p set if possible. Sure they are priced higher now, but in a year, the 720 sets will all but be eliminated and I'm not sure if you want to be in that group. Also having a wife buy a TV is like her driving your Porsche, just aint right!

[rammstein]

That Sony is the one that seems to be drawing me in right now- on paper it fits the bill. I will have to go see it obviously.

Also- it is $1899 from what I see, so its over budget. I will have to see if its worth it.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally posted by 89911
I recently bought a 1080p Sony SXRD 50" lcd projection. Don't let the bulb change scare you. All TV's essentially die the day you turn them on, especially plasma's. At least with this set up, you can renew the brightness in a couple of years if needed. Also, check the non HD picture and see if it is acceplable. The Sony is very good, but I have seen others (plasma's) that are almost unwatchable with regular programming. Don't buy anything but a 1080p set if possible. Sure they are priced higher now, but in a year, the 720 sets will all but be eliminated and I'm not sure if you want to be in that group. Also having a wife buy a TV is like her driving your Porsche, just aint right!

Definately get them to show you regular content.

Try a kids cartoon show, Toon Disney or something like that.

It'll show you the worst case scenario.

And view it from as far away as you think you'll normally sit.

Don't stand two feet away from it.

Scott

[StevoRocket]

And laser tv will blow all the plasma and lcd tv's away in two years.

Japanese manufacturer has developed a rear projection TV that uses lasers as a light source, Kyodo News reported today. Mitsubishi Electric Corporation said that the new prototype can surpass the picture quality of plasma display panel TVs.

Rear projection TVs currently on the market use a traditional mercury vapour lamp as a light source. While relatively popular in the US, they have seen their market share fall dramatically during the past year, as plasma and LCD TVs fall in price.

Mitsubishi lags behind competitors like Matsu****a in the development of large flat panel display technology. Development of a practical laser projection system has not been possible until recently, as it requires affordable and reliable blue lasers.

****************************

Laser TV

Just when you got used to the idea that plasma and LCD were television's state-of-the-art technologies, an entirely new approach is emerging. Earlier this month, Mitsubishi unveiled a prototype for a 50-inch laser TV.

By using laser technology, the TVs can display more colors than plasma or LCD sets. What's more, wide-screen laser TVs use less energy than other technologies, and may sell for less than $1,000 when available.

Speaking of which, don't expect laser TVs to be on Santa's sleigh this year. At the earliest, laser TVs won't reach the consumer market until next year's holiday season.

============================


Laser TV unveiled

By Adam Bennett

October 10, 2006 04:04pm
Article from: AAP

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IT'S being hailed by its developers as the next revolution in visual technology - a laser television that will make plasma screens obsolete.

Soon-to-be-listed Australian company Arasor International and its US partner Novalux unveiled what they claimed to be the world's first laser television in Sydney today, with a pitch that it would be half the price, twice as good, and use a quarter of the electricity of conventional plasma and LCD TVs.

Manufacturing company Arasor produces the unique optoelectronic chip central to the laser projection device being developed by Silicon Valley-based Novalux, which is being used by a number of television manufacturers.

And displayed beside a conventional 50 inch plasma TV this afternoon, the Mitsubishi-built prototype does appear brighter and clearer than its “older” rival.

With a worldwide launch date scheduled for Christmas 2007, under recognisable brands like Mitsubishi and Samsung, Novalux chief executive Jean-Michel Pelaprat is so bold as to predict the death of plasma.

“If you look at any screen today, the colour content is roughly about 30-35 per cent of what the eye can see,” he said.

“But for the very first time with a laser TV we'll be able to see 90 per cent of what the eye can see.

“All of a sudden what you see is a lifelike image on display.”

Combine that with energy efficiency, price advantage and the fact that the laser TVs will be half the weight and depth of plasma TVS, and Mr Pelaprat says “plasma is now something of the past”.

Mr Pelaprat predicted LCD TVs would come to dominate the market below 40 inches, and laser television the market above that screen size, displacing plasma.

The optoelectronic chip-laser technology won't be confined to TVs.

The technology is also being trialled in mobile phones, where it will be used to project images onto any surface, and in home theatres and cinemas.

The unveiling of the laser TV prototype was held on the eve of Arasor's public float on the Australian Stock Exchange next week.

[coloradoporsche]

1080p

[Jim727]

The timing of this thread couldn't be better - the wife and I are preparing for the same purchase.

Just checked several places and did vid testing. Don't like plasma at all - image has too much persistence and any high-contrast rapid motion has a blur which I found instantly annoying. Also all plasma sets had high-reflectivity screens. That's a no-go in our house as there will be too much reflection. Make sure you test them with something (like a window) behind you.

Magnolia has a Sharp LCD 42" (LC42D62U) that is 1080p and a fantastic image. Had the salesman bring up regular analog broadcast and, though clearly not as good as the HD, it was essentially what we have with our current set. Plenty good enough. The set is about $2K - not bad for 1080p. Biggest drawback is the lack of a PC VGA input -- that is the only thing that kept us from taking one with us immediately.

[1973911s]

I just picked up the Sony 70" SXRD XBR2 this week, I am in love!

[89911]

The TV you are looking at most likely has HDMI inputs that can be converted to DVI's. You would want this type of input at the very minimum to power such a large TV from a computer, the vga being very poor in resolution. If it becomes an issue, upgrade your video card to a DVI output and you will be set. As far as waiting for the "next big thing" to arrive such as lasers, sometimes you have to draw the line and make a commitment. 2 years ago, the TV I paid $2k for cost $10k and wasn't nearly as good.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally posted by Jim727
Biggest drawback is the lack of a PC VGA input -- that is the only thing that kept us from taking one with us immediately.

On a hi def box it's called a DVI input. You don't want to run VGA to it. you'll be dissapointed.

Scott

[89911]

Originally posted by stomachmonkey
On a hi def box it's called a DVI input. You don't want to run VGA to it. you'll be dissapointed.

Scott

Newer units don't even have DVI's, just HDMI's. Same basic signal.

[Jim727]

HDMI is the highest-quality signal from what I understand, but it's also the interlink to DRM, but I won't get into what I consider the world of presumed guilt and policeware. So, the remaining question is, can a DVI output be adapted to an HDMI input?? Are the signals compatible with only a pin change? Really like the Sharp and would like to be able to use it to display digital pix from a linux media center as well as for viewing TV and movies. It does have comp- and s- video inputs so it's certain something can get set up, really the question is whether the full capability can be utilized
[Edit] - Looks possible: http://www.linuxis.us/linux/media/howto/linux-htpc/video.html

Btw - here are the specs on the Sharp: http://www.lcdtvbuyingguide.com/sharp-lcd-tv/sharp-lc42d62u.html

rammstein: Hope this stuff is helpful to you - seems relevant to the thread.

[89911]

DVI the same signal as HDMI. If fact many cables have DVI and HDMI on opposite ends for this reason. That TV has two DVI inputs, so your good. Just connect the DVI out of the source with a cable like this http://www.crutchfield.com/S-u4PZ6aQeXFx/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=118500&I=119HDDVI2M and your all set. Do not spend this much for a cable also. Go to a site like Amazon and price them there. I spent about $25 for a 10" HDMI cable from Startech.com.

[89911]

Here is a related thread when you start looking for cables.

Looking for HDMI cables for your big screen TV?

[stomachmonkey]

Jim,

The Linux medai center you're talking about, that's a MYTH TV box? Do you already have on or are you looking into getting/building one?

Either way you can choose video cards that suit your application.

I would not worry so much about the HDMI/DVI issue.

Convertors are easy to find and not expensive

http://www.ramelectronics.net/html/DVI-HDMI_adapters.html

If the Linux Media Center is set up to do component out I'd go that route.

There is a lot more involved in the "HDMI is the best" debate than simply the cable.

This is a very informative read on the subject.

http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/34579/122868.html

Scott

[austin552]

CABLES

http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10240&style=

LCD+ PLASMA Questions

http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10240&style=

REVIEWS

http://www.audioreview.com/reviewscrx.aspx

[Joeaksa]

subscribing