1080p TV with 1080i on my converter box.

[Ryan]

Just got a new TV. Samsung LN46C630. The specs say 1080p. My Cable box displays 1080i on the front display. I can see all the options on the display even though it is not lit up. There is not 1080p option on the box. I went through the settings.....no 1080p option. My box is a Scientific Atlanta digital HD box.

Also, my spec show it has a 120hz refresh rate. When I change the channel is always displays 60hz. I cant find anything in the manual about changing this. I can get in the automotion plus menu but does not say anything about changing it.

 

[TurboDave]

You wont get 1080p from a cable box. Just 1080i, for now anyway.
The only time you'll enjoy 1080p is from blu ray or hi def discs. I know blu ray is but can speak to hi def

 

[Ryan]

Thanks, guess that explains it.

 

[Gary Wells]

OK, sorry for Bogarting the thread, but I am about to get a new TV, and am seriously looking at the same model #. How about what appears to be a discrepancy between the 120Hz and the 60Hz. I am on / with Direct TV. Also, if you don't mind me asking, about how much was that TV, less tax, please?

 

[Gary Wells]

Ttt

 

[krom]

Directv has 1080p service.

 

[The Radius Kid]

OK, sorry for Bogarting the thread, but I am about to get a new TV, and am seriously looking at the same model #. How about what appears to be a discrepancy between the 120Hz and the 60Hz. I am on / with Direct TV. Also, if you don't mind me asking, about how much was that TV, less tax, please?

I think you'll find that is what the TV is bringing in,so that's what it puts out.
Get a better source and you get better performance.

 

[Ryan]

I paid around $980. But I got it at the navy exchange so I don't pay tax. Since the input signal is 1080i it will only show 60hz. But the manual says that it will display 120hz automotion plus. I sent an email to the cable company about my cable box displaying 1080i. Have not heard back from them yet. I bought this TV cause it was a consumer report top rated tv. I was getting dizzy with all the recomendations of different TV so I got a subscription to CR.com. Let someone else do the leg work.

 

[PHINFAN]

I am not an expert, but i believe it all goes back to the signal. 1080p is good to have, as it shows what your tv is capable of. The only difference between 1080p, and i is that the p(progressive) changes the entire frame 60 times a second, while the i (interlaced) changes every other line of resolution 60 times a second.

The hz thing is a little beyond my comprehension, but i believe it follows the arguement i made in another thread that it is not really worth your while spending more money on the higher rate, as it is just mumbo jumbo inside the set, it does not change the source, which is 60hz.

You should be happy with the samsung, they make great products, i really believe they want their name to be associated with top of the line products by the general public, and they are doing a good job of it.

 

[getdowngranny]

The only way possible to get true 1080p is through BluRay. There is no other way right now. I worked for Comcast and was a specialist in the matter of HDTV. The companies advertise that they have 1080p but its not true, it is just signal that has been upconverted to 1080p but its not real 1080p. Most of the other "HD" channels are just digital signals upconverted to look like 1080i or 720p. There are a hanfull of them that are true HD. Just turn to HD Discovery and then turn to one of those "HD" channels and you will see the difference. All TV's need to be tuned professionally either by yourself or by a technician. They sell dvd's that help you tune them. They are exactly like our cars ( they are awesome stock, but a whole other animal when tune PROPERLY). Dont fall in to the whole HD hype on the tv's. Get a good brand (most of them are capable of 1080p nowadays), also 120hz will be more than enough. All that mumbo jumbo is not even visible to the human eye, its just numbers to bait you in. I have worked on MANY MANY MANY HDTV's and done 100's of installations, ive seen every brand known to man and ill list them in order from best to worst from by experiences with them. All Flat panels of course. (LCD, Plasma, and LED).

1. Samsung (good price, very reliable, great picture)
2. Sony (a little higher priced, extremely reliable, great picture)
3. Panasonic (beleive it or not, the were the best a few years back when they first came out, they have kind of slacked lately, but still very good)
4. Vizio (inexpensive, decent picture, extremely reliable, underestimated)
5. LG (average on all aspects, i have seen a number of them broken within a few years)
6. Phillips (ive seen a lot of these broken, they have power supply issues and the screens suck)

If you have no limits on what you spend, there are 2 brands that are in their own league. These things are hands down the best money can buy:
1. Fujitsu
2. Pioneer

Everyone will have there own opinion on this, but im just speaking from experience. I hope this helps.

 

[1bad85gn]

My pioneer plasma elite 60" is AMAZING! I love it.

 

[Danster]

Another Pioneer Elite owner, Pro 151! Awesome picture!

Dannyo

 

[Gary Wells]

OK, many thanks for all of the great info. You guys pretty much confirmed my suspicions regarding a few various brands noted.
I'm in business for a Samsung 46" LCD, 1020P, 120Hz, sounds like.
Thanks again. There is some very good info in this thread.

 

[Gary Wells]

Are LED's any better for all around performance than LCD's?
40% less current draw, is this true?
Thinner & therefore lighter in weight too.

 

[PHINFAN]

Are LED's any better for all around performance than LCD's?
40% less current draw, is this true?
Thinner & therefore lighter in weight too.

This is something I would like to know also. Most of my research was before they were even around, so how do LED's stack up??

 

[2TURBOT]

just bought (2)....40" and 46" LED samsung tv's

GREAT TV'S PERIOD!!!!!!!!!!!!! you get what the channel can send through to your tv

 

[The Radius Kid]

Are LED's any better for all around performance than LCD's?
40% less current draw, is this true?
Thinner & therefore lighter in weight too.

I *think* you're refering to LED backlighting vs. the standard method.
I can see a lower power draw due to not lighting the entire area behind the LCD pixels.
With LED backlighting,you basically light only the areas that need it.
That tends to give better blacks as well.
Read here:

LCD TV vs Plasma TV Which is Best? from LCD TV Buying Guide