I want an HDTV ... now what?

[Vassago]

Only for us Steelers fans

Tell me about it.

 

[Minkey]

Vassago has made some good points but in my experience burn in on plasmas for commercial use is not an issue, in modern plasmas burn in normally starts when an image has been static on screen for 8 hours (solid), they also do have anti-burn technology that shifts the picture at regular intervals though this of course does spread the burn in if you watch CNBC/ CNN/ Sky News/ BBC24 8 hours a day.

Plasma's are also much better at delivering video content than LCD's, though again I concede that LCD's are catching up, plasmas have much better contrast ratio and can display more colours. If your prime content is video (for now) I would always recommend a plasma, if it's digital (PC content) an LCD may be your best bet.

Regards Hi-Def watch out ! Manufacturers are pushing products that are HD 'capable' but the bottom line is if they can't deliver the native resolution then they cant deliver Hi-Def.

HD Ready and HD compatible are being touted around but these mean they can show a Hi-Def image but normally at a lower resolution than native, FYI 720 is 1280×720 and 1080 is 1920×1080.

Personally HD is being over hyped at the moment it's still in stage 1 (720) I personally wouldn't consider HD until full 1080p is available from all of the following:

a) Source products (DVD players etc,)
b) Broadcasters
c) Download content (legal of course)
d) Displays

All affordable of course

 

[Rich]

Maybe but 720 still produces stunning result and according to the list my plasma is not HD ready. Like everything else today, just how long do you wait? Anything you buy today is out of date tomorrow anyway

 

[KalelGmoon]

Only for us Steelers fans

you think you have it bad, think about how us poor Redskins fans feel

 

[Vassago]

Plasma's are also much better at delivering video content than LCD's, though again I concede that LCD's are catching up, plasmas have much better contrast ratio and can display more colours. If your prime content is video (for now) I would always recommend a plasma, if it's digital (PC content) an LCD may be your best bet.

I have to disagree with you there on a few things. The highest current contrast ratios that I know of currently for any tv is 10000.1, which has matched by plasma, lcd, and dlp technology, so there's no issue with contrast ratio. They also can't display more colors than lcd, but do in many situation produce more rich colors. Some people find the colors too rich however and almost cartoon like.

I can also verify from experience that burn in doesn't only occur from 8 hours of constant display. This of course veries from tv to tv, so I don't consider burn-in to be the only reason not to buy a plasma.

 

[MrsGorilla]

Anything you buy today is out of date tomorrow anyway

And costs half as much.

 

[Rich]

And costs half as much.

yes but by then it's obsolete, anway I want one of these

 

[Adeptus]

I hadn't heard of DLP before Vass mentioned it, so I did a few minutes research... it's the current generation of rear-projection TVs? (and projectors)
How do they compare quality-wise to plasma & LCD? I know the older rear-proj screens are utter crap compared to a CRT, but these new ones sound promising (well of course they do, I'm reading the advertising material )

 

[Minkey]

I have to disagree with you there on a few things. The highest current contrast ratios that I know of currently for any tv is 10000.1, which has matched by plasma, lcd, and dlp technology, so there's no issue with contrast ratio.

Don't want to start a fight (being a mod and all ) but I know the contrast ratio of plasma's can be matched but in reality this is generally not the case. Typical plasma contrast ratio is (as you have stated) 10,000:1 but 1200:1 is typical for an LCD (say 32").

They also can't display more colors than lcd, but do in many situation produce more rich colors. Some people find the colors too rich however and almost cartoon like.

Plasmas can display typically up to 30 billion colours, LCD 16.7 million, for now in my professional opinion flesh tones, video motion, accurate colour reproduction is still better on a plasma than an LCD, that why we are still buying them.

This of course veries from tv to tv, so I don't consider burn-in to be the only reason not to buy a plasma.

True and I certainly don't concider burn in to be a issue on plasmas.

Oh and for a comparision - Panasonic 32" LCD and a 37" plasma (not strictly a side by side comparision but you get the idea.)

Meant to add - of course this is all subject to personal preference, if you find an LCD you think is better than an equivelant plasma than go for that, it just I don't belive that LCD are nessessary better (plasmas are now certainly cheaper)

 

[sha7jpm]

confusion reigns!

well,

cheers for the advice all,

I am still unclear about the best way to proceed, as far as I can see it is a case of buy a bigger screen for HD and suffer a worse standard picture or vice versa..

as for plasma or LCD assume it is a bit down to cost and personal choice..

may just build a conservatory on my house instead!

will wait for the january sales and see where I get to..

ta!

J

 

[Rich]

may just build a conservatory on my house instead!


J

But will the view through the glass of the conserv be as good as the glass on the plasma?

 

[Vassago]

I hadn't heard of DLP before Vass mentioned it, so I did a few minutes research... it's the current generation of rear-projection TVs? (and projectors)
How do they compare quality-wise to plasma & LCD? I know the older rear-proj screens are utter crap compared to a CRT, but these new ones sound promising (well of course they do, I'm reading the advertising material )

Rear Projection utter crap compared to CRTs? Since when?

LCD and DLP both come in a rear projection variety. LCDs also come in flat panel, but you lost some of the detail with that, which is what I think Minkey is comparing most often than not with the plasmas. Rear Projection LCD is much MUCH better than flat panel LCD in terms of PQ, but not in terms of eye appearl since everyone seems to want a paper thin tv (that is probably as sturdy).

What tv are you comparing with when you say an LCD has 1200.1 CR? There are plenty of newer model LCD and DLP tvs with 10000.1, including mine.

 

[Adeptus]

Rear Projection utter crap compared to CRTs? Since when?

Quite some time ago... think it was early 90's
I saw a few shop demo ones. The picture looked kind of washed out, it had a fairly restricted viewing angle, and the most horrendous burn-in I've ever seen on a TV. The only thing it had going for it was size, IMHO.
But of course they have progressed since then.

 

[Vassago]

Quite some time ago... think it was early 90's
I saw a few shop demo ones. The picture looked kind of washed out, it had a fairly restricted viewing angle, and the most horrendous burn-in I've ever seen on a TV. The only thing it had going for it was size, IMHO.
But of course they have progressed since then.

You're thinking of monstrous "rear projection" tube tvs. They definitely had issues with all of the above. Rear Projection has come quite a way since then. You don't get burn in with DLP or LCD Rear Projection tvs because it's just light, no harmful burning gases involved like with plasma.

On another note, one of my friends just told me a horror story that happened to him. His plasma tv was knocked over while it was on, which seems to have fried it. There's something about not being able to turn a plasma tv more than 45 degrees while it's on, is that true? Luckily, his is under warranty.

 

[Rich]

Quite some time ago... think it was early 90's
I saw a few shop demo ones. The picture looked kind of washed out, it had a fairly restricted viewing angle, and the most horrendous burn-in I've ever seen on a TV. The only thing it had going for it was size, IMHO.
But of course they have progressed since then.

You're quit right, they were total crap, but since many bought them it just goes to show that most haven't a clue as to what defines a good picture.
They weren't "tube tvs" either, by the way

 

[sha7jpm]

according to the sunday times website - http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2105-2457912,00.html

Test Bench: Flat-screen televisions
EDITED BY ALEX PELL
The film-star set take over the living room
The unveiling of a posh flatscreen television is an exciting moment in any household. Not only are they a significant expense, but today’s models often exhibit film-star looks that can become a talking point in their own right, rather than merely an anonymous box lurking in the living room.

So how can you distinguish between a sumptuous feast of televisual delights and a boxful of Turkey Twizzlers? First, ensure that your prospective purchase is HD-ready, meaning it is capable of displaying high-definition pictures. There is little chance of Freeview broadcasts in HD until at least 2012. But even if you don’t sign up for a premium HD service from cable or satellite, other benefits include the chance to enjoy next-generation gaming or current DVDs at a far better resolution than a standard definition (SD) television can handle.

Also ensure that any HD-ready television includes at least one — preferably two — digital HDMI socket, rather than a video-only DVI connection (see jargon buster). A set should also have a built-in digital tuner, as this will display better pictures than a Freeview set-top box. You may currently subscribe to a digital pay-TV service, but you might not for ever, and you can’t add a built-in one later.

A few premium-priced models are marketed as “Full HD” because their screens contain 1080 horizontal lines as opposed to the 720 in a standard HD-ready set. For most people this is hokum. You will be able to detect the difference only when watching HD content or DVDs on a screen larger than 40in, and most of these sets do a poor job of displaying SD material, which still constitutes the majority of broadcasts. Notable exceptions are these Sony and Pioneer models.

Much guff is spouted about the relative merits of LCD and plasma screens. Plasmas traditionally offer richer blacks in dark scenes and steadier fast motion, while LCDs excel in clarity. However, recent advances have clouded the quality issue: some makers simply make better sets using one technology than another. LCDs, though, do have one advantage over plasma: they are much lighter.

In terms of screen size, don’t over-egg your visual pudding. The most popular size of set sold in the UK is 32in and that’s enough for most rooms. Quality is often better than quantity.

Prices are generally lower on the web, but there is merit in shopping with a specialist dealer able to demonstrate a set and install it properly. If you can, check how a screen looks at more obtuse angles, if scrolling text is steady (an indication of quality) and turn up the speakers to see how they sound.

Finally, be warned: few manufacturers offer a choice of case colour any longer. You’re pretty much stuck with black, whether you like it or not.

Jargon buster

DVI Video-only digital socket on some screens. Handy for connecting a computer but not as convenient as HDMI (see below)

HD (high definition) Television technology offering clearer and more detailed pictures HD-ready European standard for televisions able to display HD material. Screens must have at least 720 horizontal lines and a digital video input

LCD Flatscreen technology that has migrated from computer monitors Plasma Screen that relies on tiny gas-filled bulbs to create pictures Full-HD Unofficial term describing TVs with a super-high resolution of 1080 horizontal lines

HDMI Digital connector that transfers video and audio to your screen in one clutter-free cable. Look for at least two HDMI sockets

 

[The_Doc_Man]

After Hurricane Katrina wiped out my den/party room, we replaced our older big-screen (4:3) TV with a big screen (16:9) unit. A SONY, which has an HDMI input and a lot of other inputs as well. It is LCOS - liquid crystal on silicon - and is a rear-projector model. We also replaced another TV with a SONY Bravia - LCD. Both of them have really great pictures. I have seen too many plasma jobs burn out in five years (approx.). We had some plasma TVs in our break room at work. We're already on our second round of TVs because of the burn-in issues.