I found this today. Maybe it will help. Seems to be much less "techno-geek" than AV Forums or whatever that's called.
Well the wife and I are finally going to upgrade to a new HDTV. After much research I wanted to get some of your opinions.
First, is 1080p really that much better than 720p? I know you have to have a 1080p source to truly get 1080p, such as blue-ray. If you have a 1080p source, is it really that much better on a 1080p display than a 720p?
Second, the new buzz is the 120h over 60h screen refresh rate. Will I really be able to tell the difference between the two? And if so, is it worth a couple hundred more dollars when I'm trying not to break the bank to begin with?
Any tips, advance or direction would be appreciated.
"The future ain't what it used to be."
I found this today. Maybe it will help. Seems to be much less "techno-geek" than AV Forums or whatever that's called.
What size TV are you considering? 50" and below the 720p v 1080p argument is moot. As for 120h v 60h, it's best to view them side by side and see for youself. If there is a difference sports programing would show it. I have never been able to tell, but I'm bias towards plasma.
Right now I'm looking at under 50", either 42 or 46 more than likely. After comparing everything I'm leaning towards a plasma, but it might depend on black Friday sales as to which I can find the best deal on.
"The future ain't what it used to be."
Ozzie, your paradigm of optimism!
Go To Hell carolina, Go To Hell!
9F 9F 9F
https://ecogreen.greentechaffiliate.com
A lot of the Black Friday ads have been leaked on the web. Just google it. Also check the forums at fatwallet.com and slickdeals.net. There have been good deals for Panasonic (a tier one) plasmas the last few months. For some reason the price of LCDs have held up pretty well.
Also check out techbargains.com
if you go for a 42", i can not say enough great things about the Vizio LCD...it is awesome...i use one in our main control room as a computer monitor, but i've also played DVDs, blu-ray and tons of graphic stuff on it...
the price is excellent also...
i just wish they made a 65" lcd..
I thought this interactive gadget selector was pretty useful for those looking for some basic tech buying answers. Pogue has a good way of taking techno-babble and translating to more consumer friendly terms.
http://nytimes.com/interactive/2008/...e-o-matic.html
I am planning on buying a TV in the next 2 weeks or so, and I really have trouble deciphering the tech websites. The size will probably be 40-50 inches. Will any answers change if I go up to a 50-60 inch tv?
Is there really a difference b/w 1080i and 1080p (what is it) and is that so much better than 780i? If there is really a noticeable difference (i.e. during basketball games one is crisp while the other is a little fuzzy)
What about LCD vs. Plasma? I am not looking for "that is really a preference thing", because honestly, I have no preference - I want something that works well and is economical.
My Quick Smells Like French Toast.
The Panasonic Plasmas (I own the Panasonic TH-42PZ85U 42" Plasma TV) are the consistent top ranked models in Consumer Reports.
As for the best place to buy... the Interwebs. May not have the best return policy(s) but you can usually find the sets for much less than locally and often with free shipping and NO TAX!
I bought mine from PowersellerNYC.com just over a year ago for $1399 and it's now listed on their site for $1,095. Excellent TV, Excellent picture, excellent sound (according to my neighbor who also has one. I have a home theater system so don't use the TV's sound.)
Look around on the webs and see what's out there as far as deals. Not to long ago I saw my TV for $965. No tax or shipping.
i is interlace; p is progressive. p is better.
If you didn't see it near the beginning of the thread, here is a nice overview.
-jk
There's a couple of good videos here: http://www.howstuffworks.com/search...=1&media=video
that talk about LCD vs. Plasma.
LCD's use considerably less electrical power than a plasma, so your operating cost over the years you have it would be considerably different.
Buy at Costco or Sam's Club, specifically because of the return policies. And Costco gives you a 2-year warranty without having to buy an extended warranty.
Unless you find a leftover model some where (and if you do it should be way lower in price!), all you'll find in the stores today are 1080p's and not 1080i/720p's. Although broadcasts are 1080i today, Bluray's are 1080p.
Ozzie, your paradigm of optimism!
Go To Hell carolina, Go To Hell!
9F 9F 9F
https://ecogreen.greentechaffiliate.com
I thought you were looking for the Buy More Nerd Herd from Chuck.
You may have already answered my question...
I recently spent a few days at a hotel that had a 42" plasma HD TV in the room (LG?). Very nice picture, sound, etc.
BUT
that sucker was like a fireplace with the heat it generated!! I first noticed it when I just happened to walk in front of the screen.
Is there that much difference in power use with the plasma, which to me does seem to have the better quality picture for that type of set?
Thanks!
k
Ozzie, your paradigm of optimism!
Go To Hell carolina, Go To Hell!
9F 9F 9F
https://ecogreen.greentechaffiliate.com
The "i" means interlaced and is used almost exclusively on CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) TV's - the old technology, huge, heavy tube-type or rear projection sets. The "p" means progressive and is used on all the newer technology (LCD, DLP, Plasma, etc.) TV's. Basically, interlaced TV's use a beam to fill in the odd numbered lines down the screen and then it goes back to the top to fill in the even numbered lines. Progressive TV's do them all at once. Interlaced TV's are getting really hard to find.
Broadcasts are in 3 definitions: Standard Definition (480i) and 2 High Definitions (720p - ABC, ESPN, etc. and 1080i - CBS, NBC, etc.). Cable or satellite companies frequently standardize and compress the signal to whatever their box understands which may convert it to whatever you ask for. HiDef TV's simply take whatever they get and convert it to their native display resolution and display it.
That being said, whatever you get will look wonderful as long as you're not too close. The limit for 720p sets is about two diagonals so if you get a 60" set and you are planning to sit closer than 10 feet, definitely get a 1080p. Otherwise, get the cheapest set that has the features you need.
Thanks for the advice. I have distilled the information into the following:
Plasma uses more power, but has a better picture (a rolling picture?) than LCD. LCD might last a little longer, but in reality, both will last for quite a few years. LCDs are a little more expensive. The ratio (not sure of what) I want is 50,000:1. Panasonic is a good brand to go with.
How about LG? They seem to have some good deals out there.
I I have mistaken anything, please let me know. Also, at what size is a lower ratio really noticeable.
My Quick Smells Like French Toast.
I'm not sure there's a significant power usage difference with the newer plasmas vs. LCDs. I recently purchased a Pioneer plasma (best TV picture I've ever seen) and it's energy star certified.
One thing that may not have been mentioned.... plasmas look better in darker rooms and LCDs look better in brighter rooms.