HDTV Forum

free2speak wrote:I say buy the best HDTV you can afford and live with it.

An excellent bottom line!

I would only modify it slightly:

"Buy the best HDTV you can afford to live with."

- Shane

Shane,

Thanks for the critique. I always benefit from a little editing.

I would add one other note on this topic. If I were to choose from a high end 1080i or a low end 1080p for similar cost then I would probably select the high end 1080i. 1080p would be nice, but things like extra inputs are more important in the long run.

Randy

miller wrote:

DavidJones4 wrote:Having said all that, Panasonic, Samsung and Pioneer 768 plasma still provide better PQ that any 1080LCD by virtue of plasma's superior contrast, colour reproduction and black levels, etc.

Interesting. I actually think the opposite. I've never liked the "look" of plasma, and always preferred LCD for PQ.

I guess that must be subjective as well.

- Miller

Do you think plasma's look coarse compared to LCD.
I have no problem with people letting their eyes do the buying, but I think it's important to examine the entire HDTV rather than a narrow focus on resolution.

I also want to point out to HDTV newbies that most popular/credible website reviewers typically use either a Pioneer or Panasonic Plasma as their reference point for PQ and flat panel performance in general......I don't know any of them that use an LCD{unless it's the hexy LED}.

I'm not by any means rubbishing LCD PQ, actually my major gripe with LCD is ghosting.

DavidJones4 wrote:Do you think plasma's look coarse compared to LCD.

I'm not sure I can put my finger on it. I think if I had to pick a word to describe what I don't like about plasma it would be "mottled". Mosquito noise seems to be more pronounced on plasma than LCD. I know that's a compression artifact, not a display artifact ... just trying to explain what I see.

I also recall that there were visibly verified image retention issues on the few sets I looked at.

All combined, side by side ... I just liked the picture on LCD better.

- Miller

What about with SDTV/DVD?
I keep seeing minor ghosting on "some" large LCD's, but mainly with SDTV.

I can't imagine the average person being unhappy with 2007/08 LCD HDTV playback cause they've raised their game in the last 18months.

I'm thinking of getting a 42inch 768 plasma simply because I have quite a few DVDs and will generally watch them at night

I just wanted to through in my two cents:
I had a Sony 34" 1080i CRT type television and after seeing a Sony 40" 1080P LCD I had to have one. In my oppinion it is definitely a matter of personal taste. The Sony LCD had a much sharper picture and since I view from less than 8 feet away I guess it all works out, from what you have all been saying in this post

Good for you, you found a set that you like - and many many people love the Sony LCDs.

And as a side bonus, you get to retire a CRT set that might very well give you a back injury trying to move it.!

I know this is off context, but I just can't help opinionating on forums about the incredible danger of CRTs. They - over about 19" - just should not have ever been taken out of consoles, and never not moved by pros. They are an "osha" nightmare of hard to handle, heavy, and many times put on crappy stands. They have literrally blown discs leaving people in life long pain, and killed children. And contain lead shielding to keep us from being radiated!

Viva the new technologies - and I am a believer in 1080 - but still love my cousin's 720 plasma also. I just have one extra beer when we watch at his house!

CRTs don't hurt people - PEOPLE hurt people!

When my son was 6 he was lying in the floor in our bedroom watching a 27" tube TV with his feet on the stand (unbeknownst to us). Apparently he rocked the TV stand with his feet and it fell on top of him, leaving him with 13 stitches in his forehead but no other injuries.

I blame myself for not securing the TV. I blame him for rocking the TV (lesson learned). The TV, however, was not guilty.

stevekaden wrote:I know this is off context, but I just can't help opinionating on forums about the incredible danger of CRTs. They - over about 19" - just should not have ever been taken out of consoles, and never not moved by pros. They are an "osha" nightmare of hard to handle, heavy, and many times put on crappy stands. They have literrally blown discs leaving people in life long pain, and killed children. And contain lead shielding to keep us from being radiated!

Now Steve, tell us how you really feel.

What is "normal" viewing distance? I don't know whether this chart is correct. But it is interesting.
http://www.engadgethd.com/media/2006/12 ... _chart.jpg It basically says at 50" 1080p is useful if you sit closer then 10 feet.

[img]http://www.engadgethd.com/media/2006/12/resolution_chart.jpg[/img]

David