Hi everyone.

I've been following a few threads in this forum for the last few months as I guess I'm somewhat reluctantly in the market for a new TV. I apologize in advance, as I'm sure many of the questions I have have previously been asked by others. Everyone here seems very knowledgeable in regards to TV/audio components, and ANY advice would be welcome.

First off, you may have noticed my comment that I am RELUCTANTLY looking for a new TV. This is indeed true. I do not watch much TV, and would never use it for anything else. I make due with a 27" CRT that has served me well for ten years. Tomorrow the installer comes to put up the new dish with HD programing and run a second receiver to the bedroom, as I plan to put the 27" in there. The times I do watch TV, however, I notice that many programs and movies are displayed in a ratio that makes the viewing area quite small. At the same time, I don't want a large TV either. I built my home myself with many picture windows and I don't want the TV to be the primary focus in the living room. What about size? What do most of you feel to be adequate? I've been looking at the 37" units and seem to feel they will suffice.

Secondly, I want the unit to last. I'm looking for a unit that will serve me well for the next ten years or so. I realize that as technology changes, more features will be offered, and subsequently the TV's themselves will need to accommodate these changes. Anything I should be aware of? Besides features, how about durability? Cost isn't an issue for a quality set, but at the same time I don't want to pay for a lot of features I will never use.

Room size and lighting. Any thoughts on this? Any particular brand, size, or type that is suited to a very open room with plenty of windows?

And finally, a question which has been asked many times before (sorry), LCD or Plasma. I've gone to many of the big box stores the past few months and EVERYONE has had varying opinions. Almost to the point I wish I could sit a little close to by old 27" and be done with it. I don't really care what type, as long as it lasts. My TV viewing generally consists of motorsports, learning, and news programs. My girlfriend and I watch movies from time to time as well, generally a combination of all types. Oh yah, anything else I should know about future DVD players and how they relate to these particular TV sets?

I want to thank everyone for any input and apologize once more for all the questions. My friends have also given me their advice, much as they did a couple years ago in regards to stereos, which resulted in a several thousand dollar system with too many remotes that collects dust when the cat isn't sleeping on it. I prefer not to go down that route again.

Terry

 

Given your size requirement (not too big, about 37 inches, etc), I think that rules out plasma. I'd go with a good LCD flat panel. It will work well under bright lighting as well, and is rated at about 60,000 hours.

As for brand, and model, sony and samsung seem to make the best LCD's.

As for DVD players and how they relate, a couple things.

One is that most new components, (dvd players , etc) will take advantage of HDMI ports. Make sure your new tv has at least one , if not two or three.

Also, in a few years you may purchase a bluray dvd player or hd-dvd player. These will provide "1080p" content, which is a new standard in HD TV. Many TV's on the market only have 1080i (one step below). Also, HD content will eventually (some time down the road) be offered at 1080p as well, although there are no 1080 broadcasts at all right now. My advice - 1080p would be nice for you, but i wouldn't make it a deal breaker, especially considering the small size of your tv (i.e. You need a fairly big TV to notice a difference).

 

And if all else fails, you can always get another CRT!

 

Thanks for the input fdl. Very much appreciated.

What are HDMI ports? If I understand you correctly, the more ports you have allows for more accessories?

I had absolutely no idea 1080p was more desirable than 1080i. I actually thought the only concern was to make sure it was "1080". I don't want to go larger than 37", but I'll certainly take into consideration your thoughts.

I've looked at a few sets at Costco, and noticed the Sony was certainly one of the more impressive.

Thanks again.

Terry

 

Gotta agree with fiddle, LCD is for you.

Like fiddle pointed out, 37" is just about the sweet spot for LCD's, you'll get amazing picture quality, great performance under all lighting conditions, supreme longevity, and the prices are spot on right now.

Now you just have to decide, 720p or 1080p? 1080p is more "future proof" as it will be the broadcasting standard to beat for several years to come. However, at 37" 720p is likely to provide you with a nearly equal picture (and probably even a better picture for most content) thanks to a tight pixel density.

Based on how you've described yourself, I'd probably go for a 720p unit and save a ton of money.

 

HDMI allows high defintion digital audio AND video to be transmitted through one cable with a small connector.

It's quickly establishing itself as the standard connection for modern digital devices.

The more HDMI ports you have the more components you can connect to your TV without the need for an external switcher/receiver.

 

Think of 1080i as 720p, they're just about the same thing. 1080p is in a class of its own.

However, other then the just released high definition DVD players, there's no way to get 1080p content right now or in the near future. It's unlikely DirecTV will broadcast 1080p for several several years, IMO.

So, should you choose 720p, you're really not missing much - or anything for that matter - unless you plan on dropping some coin on a HD-DVD player or a PlayStation 3.

 

Sony KDLV40XBR1 LCD or Sony 34" FD Trinitron WEGA XBR HDTV CRT

 

Thanks soopa

It sounds as if when purchasing 37" set it is more important to have a few HDMI ports than to focus too much on 1080p. What exactly is the difference between "p" and "i"?

Terry

 

Progressive: Each frame of video is painted to the screen in it's entirety.
Interlaced: Every other line is skipped. But there are usually more frames.

Basically.

But, digital TV's (like LCD/Plasma) don't display in an interlaced format anyway. So any 1080i content you send to it (like Discovery Channel) will be de-interlaced and output as progressive within the TV.

So, basically, you only need to concern yourself with 720p OR 1080p when TV shopping. TV's (LCD/Plasma/DLP) labelled as "1080i" simply means it will accept a 1080i signal. The display itself is not 1080i (only CRT's can be interlaced).

And yes, if you don't plan on having an external A/V receiver, you want as many HDMI ports as possible. Most TV's have 2 or 3. Really though, worst case you can get an inexpensive HDMI switcher. So it's not a deal breaker. But having alot of ports definately adds to the continual convenience of your TV down the road.


More info if you need it:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interlacing
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progressive_scan

 

If I may throw my 2 cents in, DirecTV will be sending you a 1080i signal for HD for a long time, and this signal can't be fully appreciated with a 720p set. However, the difference on a 32-40" set is negligible--especially if you have nothing to compare it to. In fact the first time you enjoy 720p HD you will be That being said, your network channels (ABC, CBS, etc.) if you choose to get them over the air, will sooner be using 1080p. The first major example is the Super Bowl in February. I have not seen sports in 1080p, but it is a massive upgrade in lines of resolution, and you may not want to be missing out 3 or 4 years down the road.

 

Why can't 1080i be fully appreciated on a 720p set?

Personally, 1080i looks just as junky on my 1080p set as my 720p set. Deinterlacing is the problem, not downscaling.

I think the benefits of seeing the large amounts of 720p content available at the moment in native resolution currently outweigh any perceived benefit of 1080i on a 1080p set.

Unless you're a gamer or videophile planning to watch alot of HD DVD's, I don't see much need for a 1080p set (this coming from a guy who owns one).

THAT SAID...

I had no idea the Superbowl would be in 1080p this year I really wasn't expecting 1080p broadcast content anytime soon.

Thanks for the heads up!

 

Wait, where'd you hear the Superbowl is being broadcast in 1080p?

Everything I'm finding just says it's being shot in 1080p but will be broadcast in 720p (like last year).


Come to think of it, will the SA 8300HD (the cable box the vast majority of us are receiving our HD broadcasts through) even output 1080p?

I hope what you said is true, but somehow I doubt we'll be able to watch any broadcast content in 1080p this year.

 

Ya, the SA 8300 can't do 1080p. And CableCard can't currently do 1080p.

So, unless you're able to get 1080p with an antenna, I don't think any of us will be watching the Superbowl in 1080p this year even if it is broadcast as such (which I doubt).

 

SuperBowl is probably being filmed in 1080p to sell it as a bluray disc or something.

 

Ya, it was filmed in 1080p last year too.

 

Here's a good thread for you terry:

Is 1080P worth upgrading for a 37" LCD
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=740902

 

Here's another reason I think 720p is currently a better buy for a non-gamer on a 37" set...

Almost all HD DVD's are at 2.35:1, which pretty much means just a little more than half the vertical resolution of your display is being put to use. Which means you're going to be squinting.

I know, because even my 46" TV feels too small watching HD-DVDs.

 

Whoa, I would never call 1080i junky. Here's my understanding of 720p vs. 1080i: ESPN and CBS and Fox all broadcast football in 720p. ER, Lost, etc. is broadcast in 1080i. To me there is a noticeable difference. But I agree, you can't tell the difference between the same programming on a 37" 1080p TV vs. a 720p TV, no matter the resolution, without a microscope.

Now CBS had said that Super Bowl XLI was "available" in 1080p for the first time. I had assumed "available" meant OTA. I realize that anyone getting it off of cable or a dish won't see it that way.

 

the resolution gain of 1080i vs 720p is nil on a digital display due to de-interlacing.

the negatives of de-interlaced video, to me, are far worse then the lower resolution of 720p.

that said, on a 1080p set, the upscaling of 720p introduces as many problems as the deinterlacing of 1080i... so they both suck, but yes, you'll likely have more detail with 1080i on a 1080p set unless you're using a high quality scaler.

the vast majority of available content today still looks better on a 720p set then it does on a 1080p. there's just too much processing involved to display a 720p/1080i on a 1080p TV and the processing hardware available is just not all that great.

 

So if I will be gaming via the 360 I should be purchasing a 1080p set?

 

Absolutely.

The Xbox will pass-through/scale everything to 1080p. This means games, DVD's, etc. The Xbox's scaler is very good, much better than your TV's, so this is a great thing. On top of it, should you choose to get the HD-DVD drive, you can watch native 1080p content.

Soon enough, there will be native 1080p games as well I'm sure.

 

Is that because of HD-DVD or the games are actually in 1080p

<------- HD noob

 

Check my edit, but no, games are not in 1080p. However, it's only a matter of time.

The main reason for 1080p at the moment is HD-DVD.

But you also have to consider you'll probably hang on to this TV for 3-5 years minimum. Over that course of time there will be alot of 1080p content available to gamers and videophiles, so you will see a benefit besides HD-DVD in the near future as a gamer.

PLUS, if you're the type to use a PC/Mac through your TV, a 1080p provides adequate resolution to do so.

 

Thanks...

 

Thanks everyone for the replies. Thanks soopa for the links as well. I appreciate everyone giving their advice in way that I can fully understand it. I'm going to focus on a 37" LCD with at least 720p. I went to Costco again today and looked for a set as mentioned with HDMI ports. Seems to be quite a few excellent choices ranging from $1000-1500. Most likely I'll be purchasing one before Christmas. If anyone has anything to add please do so.

Thanks again!

Terry

 

If you have $2K to burn and can go a bit bigger, consider the Sony 40" 1080p Bravia. I'm very pleased with this TV.

 

One of the best LCD's you can buy right now. But it'll cost ya.

 

A friend is a Costco manger and offered to sell me the Sony Bravia demo for about $1600.00. I think this sounds like a pretty good deal.

Terry

 

So long as it comes with a warranty...

 

It should.

And Costco will take it back 5 years from now... If you have a receipt and the balls to return it.

Very loose policy.

 

$1599 at Circuit City.

http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/produ...860&PID=227502

 

Thanks Scrib.

I forgot to mention that's in Canadian dollars, or about $46.87 American. I also noticed a nice selection of Phillips LCD's as well. Nice looking sets.

Terry

 

If I'm shopping for a TV in the 37-42" range is it worth it to still purchase a 1080p set? All the reviews I've read for the (few) 1080p sets in that size range say the set can't take full advantage of 1080p because of it's size.

I would get a larger set (50-56") but I don't have a room large enough to justify it and don't intend on having a room large enough for it any time in the conceivable future either.

 

Think about it like a computer monitor...

Even though it may only be 17", there's still a vast difference between 1280x720 and 1920x1080, isn't there? LCD TV's are just glorified computer monitors.

That said, for motion video the difference is not massive. But there's certainly a difference.

Like I said to you earlier as well, if you plan on hooking a PC up to your TV ever... that's another big thing. You def want 1080p in that case.


On the flip side, like with your computer monitor, higher resolution = smaller text. Smaller display = smaller, smaller text. So for things like games, you could get into a situation where on-screen text is crisp but small depending on your viewing distance.


Theres plusses and minuses to everythign and it basically comes down to the type of user you are. If the benefits of 1080p are important to you, go with 1080p, if not, don't. But there ARE benefits (just like there are negatives) even at 37"-42".

 

I really don't ever see me connecting a PC to the display.

I've still got a few weeks before I plan on making the purchase so I'll just keep my eye out. I can get the Best Buy employee discount so I'm limiting my options to what they carry.

 

My viewing distance is about 7-8 feet.

 

$1600 for a Samsung LCD is crazy good. Only drawback would be it's not the almighty 1080p. I would question anyone telling the difference with programming today and maybe a year into the future at 40".

If you are closer than 8 feet to your TV, you should not go bigger than 40".