Author Topic: The HDTV hunt is on. Some observations and complaints when compairing (Read 581 times)

DREDIOCK · « **on:** June 25, 2007, 04:48:16 PM »

Ok

Well I have it narrowed down To

Plasma 42-50"
Phillips
Panasonic
Toshiba
Vizio

One thing I noticed in looking at them at the various stores.

Each seems to set each set up differently. Cept for the ultra high end $3-4,000 sets
In other words I can look at the exact same group of sets exat same models and brands in 3 different stores, And each set will look differently in each different store.

Even going from one "Best Buy" to another "Best Buy"the same sets will look completely different in each store.

In one store the Phillips will look better then the Panisonic and th Toshiba.
And the next store the Panisonic will look better. and in another store yet the Toshiba will look better.

Another thing is one set will look better then another depending on what clip s being shown.
In one of the nano second clips one set will look great and another not as much. Yet on the next clip. the set that didnt look as good as the first now looks better

Visio looked pretty good. Not bad for the buck I think their LCDs look better then their plasmas. Sharper picture. In the plasmas, not bad but not as sharp a picture as the others at arond the same price or $200 more for one of the other sets.

One thing I dont get in alot of the "Reviews" I've read from sites such as CNet and such is this preoccupation with Black.

the one complaint I have with even alot of the higher end expencive sets is there is too much pure black used to the point where is somoene wearing a black shirt passes through the shade of some trees. he automatically becomes invisable.
thats just an example but I think you get my point

The problem with the "blacks" is too much of it is used ignoring alot of the subtle shading.
Meaning someone wearing a black shirt isnt nessicarily wearing the exact same shade of black as the shade under the trees is. He should blend in but not to the point where he becomes completely ivisable.

Another complaint I have is the Demo videos they show in stores.
Nothign seems to last long enough to get a good comparison from one set to the set next to it.

Maybe some of you can compair one set to another in the nano second they show an image or a short film clip on the screen but I cant.

Show me an inning of a baseball game. or a complte series of downs on a football screen.
Give me time to flipping look

Glad Im not one of those "right this minute" types.
thats how my wife is. Nothing can wait. its all gotta be done "right now"

Then again. maybe I'd be better off
Finding a 4 sided coin and just doing a coin flip

DiabloTX · « **Reply #1 on:** June 25, 2007, 05:01:19 PM »

I went through the same thing looking for a small (32") HDTV for my bedroom. Eventually I wound up doing a lot of internet research on product reviews and in store shopping. I finally picked one that I liked and a month and a half it's broke and I have to take it back to the store for refund/repair/replacement. Sometimes no matter how much research you put into it you still get burned.

BigGun · « **Reply #2 on:** June 25, 2007, 05:02:58 PM »

Curious, are you the type that will drive 15 minutes out of the way to pay 15 cents lower for a gallon of gas?

Ripsnort · « **Reply #3 on:** June 25, 2007, 05:16:22 PM »

You can't go wrong with Panasonic, so I've been told by Panasonic owners...CR likes them too. Be sure to check the model number out though.

DREDIOCK · « **Reply #4 on:** June 25, 2007, 05:23:18 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by BigGun
Curious, are you the type that will drive 15 minutes out of the way to pay 15 cents lower for a gallon of gas?

LOL no Im not that anal.
And the price is irrelevent so long as its within a couple hundred of my wallet.
and while I want the best bang for my buck
Its not completely the savings Im looking at

But If Im going to get a set. I want to get the one with the best picture I can find and afford.
which makes it difficult to compare one to the next when they all have them set up differently in each store I go into.

Its not price shopping Im doing. its picture shopping within a certain pricerange

---EDIT---

Rip. I'll trust consumers.
I'll take your word for it. I'll take your firends word for it second hand through you.

But I take what Consumer Reports writes. With a grain of salt LOL

Ripsnort · « **Reply #5 on:** June 25, 2007, 05:31:27 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by DREDIOCK

Rip. I'll trust consumers.
I'll take your word for it. I'll take your firends word for it second hand through you.

But I take what Consumer Reports writes. With a grain of salt LOL

That's wise. Just like news, you need to hear/read/research from a number of different diverse sources before you decide.

LePaul · « **Reply #6 on:** June 25, 2007, 05:39:52 PM »

One observation: Will you be watching mostly cable/HD programming? Or DVD movies as well?

Most cable company's are broadcasting in 1080i. You can spend the extra for 1080p but be aware that you wont see that "p" in action unless you have a HD DVD player (or whatever the next incarnation will be)

My folks bought a 42 inch Phillips Ambi-Light LCD TV. Discovery HD looks gorgeous on it. My one gripe would be it doesn't auto-detect the ideal format (16:9, Wide screen, etc). If you leave it on auto, you'll go crazy watching commercials auto-size down then up for programming.

The ambi-lights are actually a nice movie-like effect they've grown to like.

Me...I prefer plasma. Samsung, Pioneer or Panasonic.

DREDIOCK · « **Reply #7 on:** June 25, 2007, 05:50:15 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by LePaul
One observation: Will you be watching mostly cable/HD programming? Or DVD movies as well?

Most cable company's are broadcasting in 1080i. You can spend the extra for 1080p but be aware that you wont see that "p" in action unless you have a HD DVD player (or whatever the next incarnation will be)

My folks bought a 42 inch Phillips Ambi-Light LCD TV. Discovery HD looks gorgeous on it. My one gripe would be it doesn't auto-detect the ideal format (16:9, Wide screen, etc). If you leave it on auto, you'll go crazy watching commercials auto-size down then up for programming.

The ambi-lights are actually a nice movie-like effect they've grown to like.

Me...I prefer plasma. Samsung, Pioneer or Panasonic.

All of the above Cable/TV/DVD

For me it will mostly be Sports & movies
But for each person in the family it will be for something different or the same depending on whom wants to watch what.
But all will be put to good use

I want a plasma.
Thats what the plan is

Right now Im just going with the 730p/1080i
Reason being the 1080p puts it out of proce range for the size I want.
And several of the people I've talked to have said that 1080p is more down the road before it becomes the main. anfd that 2009 is when most broadcastings will be made in the lower 730P not 1080P

So. the lower end should do me just fine for a pretty good amount of time

DiabloTX · « **Reply #8 on:** June 25, 2007, 05:58:21 PM »

The Samsung 42" plasma EDTV I bought last year displays HD very well, especially sports. I'm very happy with it.

LePaul · « **Reply #9 on:** June 25, 2007, 06:10:32 PM »

Just remember this....you'll have this TV for 8-12 years. Dont do like Ive seen people who buy refrigerators do. They opt to save money and not get the in-the-door water and ice dispenser. Then, for 10 years....they are reminded daily that had they spent that extra $299, they'd have it

Buy what you want. If the price to upgrade is nominal, just do it

Speed55 · « **Reply #10 on:** June 25, 2007, 06:10:38 PM »

Try p.c richard and son too.

sometimes there prices are lower then bestbuy.

wooley · « **Reply #11 on:** June 25, 2007, 07:56:58 PM »

I got a Vizio 42" LCD out of Sam's Club, partly because it was cheap, partly because it had lots of connections - including dual HDMI and partly because I wouldn't have got anything bigger in the back of my car.

Quite possible a Panasonic or Sony will look better in a side-by-side comparison, but once its home pretty much any HDTV will blow you away. Don't sweat it over imperceptible differences in black levels.

I couldn't be happier with the set.

LePaul · « **Reply #12 on:** June 26, 2007, 08:35:51 AM »

One thing that disappointed me was the CNet reviews.

They just about flunked every flat screen TV for some moronic "off green" comment. Even if you review their top picks, they are absurdly anal over little things.

Consumer Reports struck me as rather vague too.

I'm still looking. Thus far, just going to the local BestBuy/Sears/Circuit City and putting my own eyes on them has been best.

If you can find a full-timer at said stores, ask em what models people rave about....and which ones come back the most. Skip the kids if you can get an older, wiser adult

One habbit I have...and I try to remember it...is dont scrutinize the TV from 4 feet away. Of course you'll see pixelization...stand back 10-15 feet THEN scrutinize away.

Let us know how you make out....Im shopping too. So far, the Samsung seems to be in the lead.

lazs2 · « **Reply #13 on:** June 26, 2007, 08:42:45 AM »

My girlfriend is a big fan of tv and the one I had in the bedroom was low and not very good.

I researched the various brands and for the money...

The 42" panasonic plasma seemed to be the best. I believe I made a good choice now after owning it for a few months. The picture is the best I have seen and everyone who sees it says the same.

I did some research and there are some settings that make it really good... if you buy one I can put em down for ya.

42 is good for the bedroom.. I would go a lot bigger in the living room... 50 inch plasma is the good price break right now but I still think that is too small with an actual picture not much bigger than a old 4/3 32" set.

lazs

LePaul · « **Reply #14 on:** June 26, 2007, 08:46:17 AM »

Where'd you buy yours, Lazs?

The reviews for the 42" plasma have all been quite good. That's just a bit too small for my living room, where you are 16 feet away from the TV.