Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: DiabloTX on July 02, 2006, 02:12:39 AM
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I have been shopping for a new tv for the last few days and the more I look the less sure I am of what to buy. I know to avoid the lesser known manufacturers so I am not really looking at those models. I know that HDTV is all the rage but I have no use for it, at least not right now or in the foreseeable future. Of the big three technologies (DLP, Plasma, and LCD) I don't know which one would fit my use best. I do know DLP is the less expensive of the three but is also bigger. Plasma has it's pro's and con's as does LCD although I think each one cancels the other out as being better than the other save for maybe LCD is still a bit more expensive.
I have analog cable and have no interest in paying more for dish or digital cable. I watch mostly DVD's. I'd like something in the 40" - 43" range at around $2000.
Given that info what TV('s) would you consider?
Much thanks in advance!
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sorry dude i cant help u
thats just not how i roll
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Can you get Panasonic in the US? That's what I have and it's good. Alternatively the Jap brands - I had Hitachi products for a long time and was delighted. I'd avoid Sony, as their handsets have meaningless icons to indicate what the buttons do, whereas Panasonic etc. use english words like PLAY, STOP, PAUSE, HOLD etc.
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Originally posted by beet1e
I'd avoid Sony, as their handsets have meaningless icons to indicate what the buttons do, whereas Panasonic etc. use english words like PLAY, STOP, PAUSE, HOLD etc.
Just about every TV I've ever seen uses icons like the triangles an || for pase...I think I've seen one that had words on the remote.
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Originally posted by beet1e
Can you get Panasonic in the US? That's what I have and it's good. Alternatively the Jap brands - I had Hitachi products for a long time and was delighted. I'd avoid Sony, as their handsets have meaningless icons to indicate what the buttons do, whereas Panasonic etc. use english words like PLAY, STOP, PAUSE, HOLD etc.
Yes, I am actually looking at one Panasonic 42" Plasma EDTV (TH-42PD60U). It's resolution is only 480p but the price is $1709.99.
As for Sony, I've been avoiding them for over 10 years now. They ruled the 80's but the are pretty below average quality now IMHO.
PS - I looked at a 55" Hitachi plasma the other day...I sat down and ooooh'd and awwwww'd at it for about 15 mins. But at 4 grand it's a wee bit out of my price range! :D
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OOZ, you're right, and my handsets have those symbols - but they have the words as well...
(http://www.zen33071.zen.co.uk/handsets.jpg)
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Samsung 42" Plasma EDTV (SPS4243) (http://www.circuitcity.com/rpsm/oid/147581/originURLEncoded/http%253A%252F%252Fwww.circuitcity.com%252Fssm%252FFlat-Panel-TVs%252Fsem%252Frpsm%252FcatOid%252F-12869%252FN%252F20012866%252B20012867%252B20012869%252B40001426%252Flink%252Fref%252Frpem%252Fccd%252Fcategorylist.do/rpem/ccd/productDetailReview.do#tabs)
this one is pc compatible and more inputs than the Panasonic you are looking at. And has better sound plus a ped stand vs tabletop
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EDTV is NOT HD
ED stands for "Extra Definition"
Not "High Definition"
And not as good as HD either
Out of curiousity I asked what the difference was at a store not a week ago
so if you want true HD
Dont get an ED Tv
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Originally posted by DREDIOCK
EDTV is NOT HD
ED stands for "Extra Definition"
Not "High Definition"
And not as good as HD either
Out of curiousity I asked what the difference was at a store not a week ago
so if you want true HD
Dont get an ED Tv
Thanks Dred but if you read my initial post you'll see I have no need for HD and am only interested in EDTV.
Gonna go look at that Samsung in a little while, thanks for the heads up Eagler!
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http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=5&item=326443&pCatg=5879
Some Australian Company makes these. Bang for the Buck I guess...lol
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From what I was told, plasma TV's have a short lifespan in use, are very heavy and high heat output. Given the high price with all of thet I'd be looking for another alternative especially if HDTV isn't in the near future for you.
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Only the first generation of consumer plasma TVs had life span problems, Mav. It's not an issue anymore.
There is a lot of marketing 'trick language' and proprietery acronyms going on in the TV business right now. The picture quality is heavily dependent on the manufacturers circuitry quality - design, parts tolerances and PCB fabrication.
All TVs are PC compatible, it just depends on what cabling you use. The DAC of the manufacturer will be more of a consideration of quality than the type of wire used for the input. A signal is a signal. How you convert it is important.
You've made the (wrong-headed ;) ) decision that HDTV is not a consideration, so I would suggest the simplest method of choosing a TV: buy the model with the picture you like the best.
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Ok, so I have a question about the Samsung. With a resolution of 480 will the HDMI interface even be useful? Would it give a picture noticibly better than the component interface?
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Not really. While you have digital-digital, it doesn't mean everything is error free. There is no error correction because any data lost is data lost for good.
While there is no conversion, there is still signal processing because of the encoding used by the signal source, the decoding by the receiving device, scaling of the image and preparing it for display. How all your devices encode and decode makes a difference.
So, unless your eyes are oscilloscopes, you won't see any difference if all cable distances are short.
It still comes down to how the processed signals present colors and contrast that suit your taste of what constitutes a good image.
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Ummm...ok...so I guess what you are saying is there is little to no benefit to using a HDMI connection versus the component connections (red, blue, and green connectors), right?
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Both the HDMI and component connection will give you high def quality. I've got 2 HDTV's, a 26" LCD and a 65" projection. I recomend a DLP. It's the best bang for the buck. You can't hang it from the wall, but it does'nt take all the room of a projection.
You want an HDTV, you just don't know it. It would be like buying a new 8-Track or Betamax if it's not HD. There are extra off air channels you will have access to if the set has a built in receiver and most do.
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Found this to be a VERY interesting read:
DVI/HDMI vs. Component (http://www.cobaltcable.com/pdfs/component_vs_dvi_hdmi.pdf)
It's a .pdf file, 2 pages long.
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"Ummm...ok...so I guess what you are saying is..."
You didn't understand what I wrote? If you're going to be a horse's ass, you don't deserve any answers to your questions from anyone. Sayonara.
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What Waffle said. I picked up one of those in May and so far I'm quite happy with it.
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I bought a 50' Samsung LCD with DLP. It's HD ready. Works fine. Even without the HD Box , you can get HD channels locally here from Time warner. It is very nice. Watching NON HD TV , just regular , is very nice.
It's in the range you talked about.
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Why not go HD?
I mean, you are literally within striking range of a solid HD TV.
TVs are like buying a fridge...if you want the ice maker and water dispesner, get them! You cant add them later...and if you didnt spend the extra $200-300 now, you'll regret it every day you own it :)
My coworker bought a fantastic Sharp LCD TV, 40" screen.
Plasma versus LCD is up to you. If you want more than 40", plasma wins. Its more power hungry but its awesome. Sony makes some nice LCD projectors that are gorgeous due but beyond your stated budget
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Originally posted by Rolex
"Ummm...ok...so I guess what you are saying is..."
You didn't understand what I wrote? If you're going to be a horse's ass, you don't deserve any answers to your questions from anyone. Sayonara.
Rolex, first off let me apologize for my ingorance in this matter. My "Ummmm...ok" was my way of verbalizing not understanding your reply past the "Not really." Your reply was way, way over my head and I just didn't understand what you were saying. Again, sorry for the misconception of my being a smartass, I wasn't.
That being said I do appreciate being called a "horse's ass". I really don't think it was called for, but, so be it. It's out there and I am sorry you took it that way.
Anyway, I went ahead and got the Samsung 42" plasma EDTV with a progressive scan DVD player. After setting it up correctly I have to say it really is amazing. I thank everyone who replied in helping me make up my mind. I know HD is the wave of the future and when it comes full on even bigger more capable TV's will be on the market in a couple of years. The Samsung will then go to the bedroom and the new one will take over in the living room. For now, I am quite happy. Band Of Brothers never looked better!
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Now for some more controversy...
Did you get the extended warranty?
;)
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Originally posted by LePaul
Now for some more controversy...
Did you get the extended warranty?
;)
Nope. The company I work for has a division that repairs plasma and LCD tv/monitors.
;)
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Ah, well how the heck can I stir the pot then? LOL
Cool deal then, enjoy
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Originally posted by LePaul
Ah, well how the heck can I stir the pot then? LOL
Cool deal then, enjoy
You can stir the pot...go make me some clam chowdah!!!
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Ok question.
Was looking at an HDTV at a customers house.
He flipped through the channels and the HD stuff looked fantastic.
Stopped at a football game broadcast and I could literally see the loose threads on the jerseys.
But when he stopped on a non HD channel or an old movie everything looked blurry..or less crisp then it normally does. Actually the movie was "Casablanca" with Humphry Bogart.
Now I know its an old movie But I've seen it dozens of time and I know that it normally doesnt look soo....off.
Reason? Solution?
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As the picture is enlarged you will see more of the imperfections. If it was a poor copy of Casablanca that could explain the fuzzy picture. If you saw a remastered, digitally enhanced copy of Casablanca it would look better than it did in theaters when it was released. Usually B/W films look sharper than ever on my HDTV's.