TVs

[dusqi]

I wondered if there are any techy people here that can give me some advice (but in plain english please :) ). I plan to buy a pretty decent TV in the sales around christmas, but I haven't been keeping up with the latest tv stuff regarding HD, lcd vs. plasma, hd-dvd vs. blu-ray, etc.etc.

 

 

 

I live in the UK, and plan to get a TV with Freeview built in. I don't plan to get Sky or cable TV, so it's just the freeview stuff. I have DVDs at the moment so will connect a normal DVD player up, but eventually I'd want a hd-dvd player of some kind. The TV will be about 40 inches.

 

 

 

- I went in some stores and noted that plasma screens are really reflecting, and given that the TV will be in a room with a big window, I thought that LCD would be better. Is that fair enough?

 

- What kind of response time for an LCD should I be aiming for so that I won't notice it (I don't watch really fast sports particularly, so I don't need top-of-the-range)? My brother bought a cheap 32 inch LCD recently and to be honest the picture is kinda slow and poor, I don't want that.

 

- Does Freeview come with HD channels? I vaguely heard about BBC HD. Given that Freeview keeps changing, will having a built-in freeview player in the tv actually be useful, or will i just need to buy a new one in a year or two?

 

- Do I need 1080p, what about 1080i or the other whatever-they-ares?

 

- Some people have told me that their DVD player 'scales up' their normal DVDs and they get them in better quality. Is this actually true? What do you need for that?

 

- I read stuff about HDMI connections and things. Are they necessary/good for HD hardware like a PS3 to work to its full potential?

 

- any 'things to watch out for' when buying?

 

 

 

Thanks!

[dwarfdude3]

I bought a TV maybe a half a year ago, and one thing I found was with LCD screens, the video game graphics seem to diminish(or at least on my xbox it did). Or maybe that was plasma screen....but watch out for that.

[dsavi]

Why do you need a tv? I have lived the entirety of my life without one. I have lots of better things to do, like gaming or web design.

[nine naked men]

My advice, don't play video-games on plasma-screened TV's. After playing them for a long time the image gets burned onto the screen or something.

[runesmithie]

Why do you need a tv? I have lived the entirety of my life without one. I have lots of better things to do, like gaming or web design.

 

 

 

I don't know, some of us like to game on the TV? (looks like you like to game as well although it might be on a different screen...) Like to watch movies on TV? Like to watch good shows on the TV? Like to have noise in the background on the TV? Like to relax and shut everything off and be fed ridiculous crap by the TV?

[Craiglowery]

Why do you need a tv? I have lived the entirety of my life without one. I have lots of better things to do, like gaming or web design.

 

 

 

How can playing on a computer all day be better for you than watching tv?

 

 

 

 

 

I dont know too much about tv's but I really do love my plasma. Ive had it for around a year and I havent had any problems yet. I think my tv has 1080i and my HD channels look beautiful on the plasma. If you were looking for a tv to play a ps3 on, I wouldnt recommend a plasma or projection(not too sure about lcd) because images from the games can be burned into the screen. My advice would be to go down to the local electronics shop and ask a professional about any questions you have and ask him about what are the most trusted brands and all that jazz.

 

 

 

Here's a link on HD DVD and Blu-Ray.

[runesmithie]

Found what I was looking for to supplement my last post :)

 

 

 

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/28694

[doomy]

Why do you need a tv? I have lived the entirety of my life without one. I have lots of better things to do, like gaming or web design.

 

Thats a stupid comment...

 

Web Design better then tv my [wagon]

[lady_m]

Ok, I'll start of by saying I'm in Australia, so brands and models may differ. Also, to make this easier, I'll number the different points / sections. Finally: apologies for any typos, lol. Trying to remember what I learnt several months back about TVs, lol. Hmm. =D

 

 

 

1. Size. LCD technology originated from laptop screens; so relatively small. Unless you're willing to pay AU $5,000+ for a TV, the largest LCD in a modest price range is 42" (106 cm. I think. Can someone confirm the conversion?). So it's the perfect size for the bedroom, kitchen, or for a slightly smaller room. Plasmas are much larger.

 

 

 

2. HD: High definition. Depending on your budget, with technology changing so quickly, try to buy a FULL-HD TV. In most cases, this means the TV can receive "crystal clear images" (lol, I think that's plain enough English). This is important if you plan on purchasing the more expensive Blu-Ray and HD-DVD movies on the market. They cost about double the price of your ordinary DVD, but can hold more content, the picture is clearer (very high resolution) and excellent sound quality.

 

 

 

3. Room lighting. In short (for once, lol) Plasma's are better in darker rooms. I think. I haven't been to a TV-shopping in over 2 months now, so hmm.

 

 

 

4. Gaming and fast-moving pictures. MUST purchase a Plasma. Much better for sport as well. Fast-moving images on the screen tend to become blurred and mushed on an LCD.

 

 

 

5. HD Channels. Yes. BBC HD is definitely worth it. If you had to choose between, say, BBC1 and BBC HD, you'd opt for the latter. However, to have access to the full benefits of the HD service, you'll need a FULL-HD tv.

 

 

 

6. 1080 refers the vertical resolution of the television. Basically, 1080 = HD. Like computer screens (e.g. 1024 x 768), tv's also have "resolutions". For HD, it's 1920 x 1080. Basically, very large, lol.

 

 

 

The "p" (1080p) and "i" (1080i) refer to the ways images / pictures / shows / anything on the tv is "loaded" or "painted" on a screen. Although you don't see it, with i's, odd lines are loaded followed by the even-numbered lines.. Yes, although you don't see it, it takes a bit longer than a 1080p.

 

 

 

If price isn't an option, 1080p screens are definitely worth it. Examples are the Pioneer Kuro range. In AUD, you're looking at around $8,000, compared to $3,000 for a 1080i.

 

 

 

7. Response time. 8m/s should be ok, I think? Can someone also confirm this?

 

 

 

8. Scaling up images? Hmmm.... Not sure, lol. Never tried, actually.

 

 

 

9. HDMI. For the time being, it's not entirely necessary. As far as I'm concerned, in Australia (yes, we're behind in technology, lol) HDMI is merely used as a marketing ploy. However, if you're planning on using the TV for the next, say, 10 years, yes, make sure the TV has 2+ HDMI inputs.

 

 

 

10. Other things to watch out for..? Hmm. For the time being, no, I don't think so, lol. I might add more later. I'm also shopping for a good Plasma TV, and waiting for last-minute sales. I'm currenly looking at the Panasonic Viera range.

 

 

 

Conclusion: I'm going for Plasma. Don't worry about the slightly shorter lifespan of Plasmas vs. LCDs -- if you watch TV for a couple of hours a night (2-4) it's not a problem. People have had issues with images being "burnt" onto plasma screens - things like TV stations' logos. This has been addressed with faded-out logos. Unless you're a 100% green environmentalist who's worried about the high energy consumption of plasmas, I'd definitely, without a doubt, recomment a Plasma TV.

[dsavi]

Why do you need a tv? I have lived the entirety of my life without one. I have lots of better things to do, like gaming or web design.

 

 

 

How can playing on a computer all day be better for you than watching tv?

 

 

 

Did I ever say it was better?

 

Thats a stupid comment...

 

Web Design better then tv my [wagon]

 

It's far more productive, and beleive me, you have a much better future in web design than watching tv all day.

 

 

 

There is one show I miss, though. Robot Chicken, I think on Adult Swim. But Youtube sovles it.

[Mercifull]

I went in some stores and noted that plasma screens are really reflecting, and given that the TV will be in a room with a big window, I thought that LCD would be better. Is that fair enough?

 

LCDs have matt screens and reflect less but dont go up as big as plasmas. You should have no problem getting a 32 or 36 inch LCD tho which fits your needs.

 

 

 

What kind of response time for an LCD should I be aiming for so that I won't notice it (I don't watch really fast sports particularly, so I don't need top-of-the-range)? My brother bought a cheap 32 inch LCD recently and to be honest the picture is kinda slow and poor, I don't want that.

 

You buy cheap, you buy twice, what TV did your brother buy. Ive not had any problems with watching on my Bravia.

 

 

 

Does Freeview come with HD channels? I vaguely heard about BBC HD. Given that Freeview keeps changing, will having a built-in freeview player in the tv actually be useful, or will i just need to buy a new one in a year or two?

 

No. And its unlikely to happen in the very near future. When your TV is advertised as HD ready it most likely means its hot a HDMI port so you can plug in a HD-DVD player/Bluray or PS3 into it. BBCHD is available free with a SkyHD box or VirginMedia box but not on freeview. Don't expect anything HD on freeview until at least when the analogue is switched off in 2012.

 

 

 

Do I need 1080p, what about 1080i or the other whatever-they-ares?

 

Depends how much you want to pay, you don't NEED 1080p to watch HD stuff and most of it is still only filmed in 720p anyway.

 

 

 

Some people have told me that their DVD player 'scales up' their normal DVDs and they get them in better quality. Is this actually true? What do you need for that?

 

Yes upscaled DVD players do make films look nicer on a HD-TV. You can get upscaling players for pretty cleaply these days. HDDVD and Bluray players upscale dvds too.

 

 

 

I read stuff about HDMI connections and things. Are they necessary/good for HD hardware like a PS3 to work to its full potential?

 

Not neccesary YET. HDMI is hard to explain but its a way of stopping copyright theft basicly. It has the ability to force you to watch HD-DVDs/Blueray discs in only standard definition if you dont chain up your HD kit properly or if the keys are revoked for your player in order to stop copyright theft. Thankfully no companies have used this feature yet, but they will. You can watch HD stuff without HDMI via composites etc but i doubt this will be the case forever

 

 

 

hope that helped.

[lordkafei]

If power consumption is a concern, you will want to go with an LCD or rear-projection model.

 

 

 

Here's an article on CNET concerning power consumption.

[Mercifull]

Don't get a rear projection tv.

[sebbeberg]

Plasma for movies and TV.

 

LCD for games.

 

 

 

The LCD screen sucks big time if you sit too close to it. The pixels will look funny.

 

 

 

I'd go with LCD, as i can coop with the minor quality loss, and they're MUCH cheaper. (Also lasts longer)

[runesmithie]

Why do you need a tv? I have lived the entirety of my life without one. I have lots of better things to do, like gaming or web design.

 

 

 

How can playing on a computer all day be better for you than watching tv?

 

 

 

Did I ever say it was better?

 

 

 

Why do you need a tv? I have lived the entirety of my life without one. I have lots of better things to do, like gaming or web design.

[Medellin]

here's from what I know

 

 

 

Warning: plasma gets burn-ins. Especially if you're not going to pay for the top-of-the-line plasmas like Pioneer or Panasonic, stick to LCD.

 

 

 

720p >>>>>>>>>> 1080p on screens smaller than 50". Don't buy into the "TRUEHD" BS companies like Sony and LG has going. Oh, and since you mentioned BBC HD, they broadcast in 1080i. Most TVs out now are either 720p/1080i or 1080p as their resolutions. There's no point in 1080p if the source isn't 1080p.

 

 

 

Doesn't matter either way, on a 40" or smaller TVs do not take advantage of the difference between 720p and 1080p (unless you watch TV from a feet away :lol:)

 

 

 

HDMI uses digital standards so as long as there is a signal, it won't matter how much the cable is. A $10 HDMI cable will be as good as a $100 'monster cable' one. It's great because it transmits audio and video.

 

 

 

And before you buy an HDTV, always always check its reviews (official and customer) in these websites

 

 

 

avsforum.com

 

cnet.com

 

amazon.com

[indy500fan]

Why do you need a tv? I have lived the entirety of my life without one. I have lots of better things to do, like gaming or web design.

 

 

 

You are an idiot.

 

 

 

Anyways, I was wondering about this also. I don't have the money for a TV right now, so I am hoping to wait until the next round of TV technology comes out and skip the LCD/Plasma thing altogether. One thing I have noticed is people talking about burn-in on Plasma TVs, if you get a newer one that is pretty much a non-issue.

[dsavi]

Why do you need a tv? I have lived the entirety of my life without one. I have lots of better things to do, like gaming or web design.

 

 

 

How can playing on a computer all day be better for you than watching tv?

 

 

 

Did I ever say it was better [for you]?

 

 

 

Why do you need a tv? I have lived the entirety of my life without one. I have lots of better things to do, like gaming or web design.

[runesmithie]

Why do you need a tv? I have lived the entirety of my life without one. I have lots of better things to do, like gaming or web design.

 

 

 

How can playing on a computer all day be better for you than watching tv?

 

 

 

Did I ever say it was better [for you]?

 

 

 

Why do you need a tv? I have lived the entirety of my life without one. I have lots of better things to do, like gaming or web design.

 

 

 

Maybe you should carefully word your statements next time. It looked as if you were implying that was universally better than watching tv.

[insane]

I've owned an LCD and a Plasma, and the Plasma was MUCH better for games. The LCD was laggy for video games.