Popular LCD/Plasma TV choices?

[OC Guy]

I'd prefer the bigger screen. You still have to pay a premium for 1080p right now IMO.

[samwoo2go]

Originally Posted by Suareezay

lets say both were viewed from an optimal viewing distance, which would you choose? just curious.

Dude that's a no brainer man BIGGER IS ALWAYS BETTER considering the difference between 1080p and 720p is not that huge when you view no HD stuff. I have a 50" 720p toshiba and when running HD programming of satellite, it still looks fucking awsome. True 1080p is still better, but im happier because I can see the beads of sweat off Kobe's face.

IMHO buy the biggest TV you can afford thats at least 720P and offer "dynamic mode" (a technology originally patented by sharp aquos where the TV digitally resize 4:3 images to 16:9 without distorting the pics too much. This is one of the most important function in a widescreen TV IMO, without it, you have to watch regular tv with black bars on the side, its really annoying. that or you have to stretch it and everyone looks like a midget.

[335Xray]

Originally Posted by BMWE90

Actually, on the same size tvs (both either 720 or 1080), the LCD will have better resolution. Plasmas have close to HD resolution so it's hard to tell the difference. That's one of the disadvantages of plasma.

here's my proof- http://www.cardiovision.tv/news/lcd_vs_plasma.asp

Also, if you do a search (on a search engine of your choice), you will find that virtually all sites that have the "resolution" section will say that LCDs have better resolution.

Actually, not totally, true, if you want to be able to display 1080p, you need 1920x1080 pixels. You check the specs for ANY 1080p TV, LCD or Plasma, and they have the SAME resolution.

The site and facts you are quoting are using specifications for some lower resolution 42" plasma panels. You can buy plasmas with 1024 x 768, 1366 x 768 or 1920 x 1080 pixels. The 1024 panel is a NEAR HD resolution, the 1366 panel is 720p HD and the 1920 panel is 1080P resolution, so if you compare apples to apples, they have the SAME resolution. That article was probably written a while ago since they state: Date: 6-3-04 Updated: 01-03-2006. Nearly 2 year old info.

Bottom, line check the specs for what you buy and don't always believe everything that you read on the internet.

[TurboFan]

Originally Posted by Suareezay

good call, theres a circuit city right down the street.

lets say both were viewed from an optimal viewing distance, which would you choose? just curious.

42" 1080p.

[gonzo]

What if I am putting it on a wall only about 6-7 feet from my favorite seat. Will a 46" like the Samsung someone recommended (1080p) blast my eyes? I see fine up close, left eye is losing it's battery for distances.

[TurboFan]

One advantage of HD is to be able to sit closer to the TV. The 46" in 1080p will look great at 7 feet.

[hl0m4n]

Originally Posted by TurboFan

One advantage of HD is to be able to sit closer to the TV. The 46" in 1080p will look great at 7 feet.

man you shoulda bought a tv on the black shopping day . if your buying a tv now def get a 1080p. although nothing i believe is broadcasted in 1080p in the future they will. no reason to spend $$ on a the previous models and in the future have the need to buy another.

def get the 1080p. i got the 52" sony bravia. sony actually reduced their lcd prices $1000.

[gonzo]

Thanks guys.

[OC Guy]

Originally Posted by OC 335i

I thought since people with 42' Plasma TVs with only 1024 X 768 resolution, you can't take advantage of 1080p? It's not a true 1080p?

Since the sub 50" screens have lower than 1920×1080 native resolution and cannot display 1080p pixel for pixel. Correct? Or am I wrong here?

for an answer.

[TurboFan]

Originally Posted by hl0m4n

man you shoulda bought a tv on the black shopping day . if your buying a tv now def get a 1080p. although nothing i believe is broadcasted in 1080p in the future they will. no reason to spend $$ on a the previous models and in the future have the need to buy another.

def get the 1080p. i got the 52" sony bravia. sony actually reduced their lcd prices $1000.

True, but broadcast feeds will always suck. I did the 1080p as I bought a BluRay player at the same time, and 1080p made a big difference there.

[TurboFan]

Originally Posted by OC 335i

for an answer.

You can get 42" screens with 1080p. Look at the links in my first few posts on the first page. 720p is more common in the smaller sizes, so pay attention.

[OC Guy]

Originally Posted by TurboFan

You can get 42" screens with 1080p. Look at the links in my first few posts on the first page. 720p is more common in the smaller sizes, so pay attention.

I understand they make 42" screens with 1080p, what I am saying is it is my understanding they are limited and not true 1080p because their native resolutions are not 1920×1080 therefore it doesn't show 1080p pixel by pixel.


It is my understanding, fixed-pixel displays follow a few basic rules:

1. No matter the resolution of the source material, whether VHS, DVD, or HDTV, a fixed-pixel display will always convert, or scale, it to fit its native resolution.
2. If the incoming source has more pixels than the display's native resolution, you will lose some visible detail and sharpness, though often what you're left with still looks pretty good.
3. If the incoming source has fewer pixels than the native resolution, you're not getting any benefit from the extra resolution. In almost every case, extra pixels will not make a lower-resolution source look better. All other things being equal, the same DVD shown on an HD and a non-HD plasma will have the same amount of detail.

[TurboFan]

Originally Posted by OC 335i

1. No matter the resolution of the source material, whether VHS, DVD, or HDTV, a fixed-pixel display will always convert, or scale, it to fit its native resolution.

1. True

Originally Posted by OC 335i

2. If the incoming source has more pixels than the display's native resolution, you will lose some visible detail and sharpness, though often what you're left with still looks pretty good.

2. True

Originally Posted by OC 335i

3. If the incoming source has fewer pixels than the native resolution, you're not getting any benefit from the extra resolution. In almost every case, extra pixels will not make a lower-resolution source look better. All other things being equal, the same DVD shown on an HD and a non-HD plasma will have the same amount of detail.

3. Not always. Take my bluray player - it takes a DVD, which is 480p, and interpolates it to 1080p. It does this so well that I am back to re-watching all my DVD's. It's like seeing them for the first time.

I have the Sammy BD-P1200. It's been reviewed as a DVD player by Secrets of HT, and regarded as the best DVD player they ever tested, even compared to transports / DAC's costing $2000+. The scaler in the player is unreal - the algos can interpolate the 480p signal in ways I never thought possible. I thought Secrets was full of shit until I watched a few DVD's. Even my wife notices the difference.

The 42" HDTV's that list as 1080p have a native resolution of 1920x1080. It's truly 1080p. They pack the pixels in there. The reason you don't want to sit too close to a larger TV is the pixels aren't as tight, and you're more likely to "notice" the gaps if you sit too close. More of an issue with LCD than plasma, but still an issue for both.

[335Xray]

Originally Posted by OC 335i

I understand they make 42" screens with 1080p, what I am saying is it is my understanding they are limited and not true 1080p because their native resolutions are not 1920×1080 therefore it doesn't show 1080p pixel by pixel.


It is my understanding, fixed-pixel displays follow a few basic rules:

1. No matter the resolution of the source material, whether VHS, DVD, or HDTV, a fixed-pixel display will always convert, or scale, it to fit its native resolution.
2. If the incoming source has more pixels than the display's native resolution, you will lose some visible detail and sharpness, though often what you're left with still looks pretty good.
3. If the incoming source has fewer pixels than the native resolution, you're not getting any benefit from the extra resolution. In almost every case, extra pixels will not make a lower-resolution source look better. All other things being equal, the same DVD shown on an HD and a non-HD plasma will have the same amount of detail.

Yes, nice summation. LCD/Plasma will always "scale" the incoming signal to the native resolution of the device.

[TurboFan]

Originally Posted by 335Xray

Yes, nice summation. LCD/Plasma will always "scale" the incoming signal to the native resolution of the device.

yes, but if the source upscales the signal to the native resolution of the display, there may be a gain as I said in #3. You've got to come over and watch a few DVD's on the 58" / BluRay.

[OC Guy]

Originally Posted by TurboFan

1. True
2. True
3. Not always. Take my bluray player - it takes a DVD, which is 480p, and interpolates it to 1080p. It does this so well that I am back to re-watching all my DVD's. It's like seeing them for the first time.

Well that's why #3 had all things being equal.

I have the Sammy BD-P1200. It's been reviewed as a DVD player by Secrets of HT, and regarded as the best DVD player they ever tested, even compared to transports / DAC's costing $2000+. The scaler in the player is unreal - the algos can interpolate the 480p signal in ways I never thought possible. I thought Secrets was full of shit until I watched a few DVD's. Even my wife notices the difference.

It is amazing some of the upscaling these pricey units can do. We should post some pics btw..

The 42" HDTV's that list as 1080p have a native resolution of 1920x1080. It's truly 1080p. They pack the pixels in there. The reason you don't want to sit too close to a larger TV is the pixels aren't as tight, and you're more likely to "notice" the gaps if you sit too close. More of an issue with LCD than plasma, but still an issue for both.

I just looked up the latest Panasonic Plasma, it does indeed look like it is 1920x1080. Man the industry changes fast, this is a pretty new unit, and Panasonic's latest generation (10th). I have the 9th generation 600u unit.

So to sum it up, if you are buying a 1080p set, please check to see if the Native Resolution is 1920x1080.

Originally Posted by TurboFan

yes, but if the source upscales the signal to the native resolution of the display, there may be a gain as I said in #3. You've got to come over and watch a few DVD's on the 58" / BluRay.

Adding another IF here, IF the display has a 1920x1080 native resolution. Most 42" Plasmas out there do not, many consumers don't realize that and just see the 1080p and go buy it on some uninformed salesman's word (aka your generic Best Buy shops).

Disclaimer: There are some knowledgeable Best Buy employees but IMO you're better off going to a high-end shop to hear their take on things. Or read up on forums.

[gonzo]

Originally Posted by TurboFan

yes, but if the source upscales the signal to the native resolution of the display, there may be a gain as I said in #3. You've got to come over and watch a few DVD's on the 58" / BluRay.

Do adult DVD's get a little to "clear" with that?

[TurboFan]

I would not want to see a porn star in HD. Most of those girls are a little scarry looking.

[oldaccount]

ok i never knew any DVD player was better than another as far as picture quality was concerned...

...which leads me to my next question: I am planning on using a PS3 as my blu-ray player. Is this a good player? or does it even matter?

[TurboFan]

The player can make a big difference. It's all in the video chip. Not all are created equally.

The PS3 used to be a good player, but the 2nd and 3rd gen players offer some improvement. I haven't looked a the firmware upgrades, so maybe it's better. I also didn't want the bluetooth remote, I needed something with IR, so I didn't consider the PS3 long. I also don't game.

[oldaccount]

gotcha.

is this your player?

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/p...85550#Overview

[TurboFan]

Originally Posted by Suareezay

gotcha.

is this your player?

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/p...85550#Overview

Yep. Amazon has it for less. There's a new BD-P1400, but I don't know anything about it.