Flat Screen TV Question!

[GNRick]

I think you are backwards. You would have to get up close to see any difference. Actually, according to David Ranada, you would see a difference at about 9 feet, watching a 50" screen. David Ranada did a piece in Sound and Vision. He quoted from a study where they determined that you can't see any difference between 720p and 1080i at about 9' from the 50" screen. Now, if you sit closer, you will need better resolution, or if you get a bigger screen, you will need better resolution, to avoid seeing the pixels. However, in my humble opinion, these reviewers are looking for anomolies that would prevent them from just enjoying the show. Kind of like the difference between running a 10.6 and a 10.65 quarter mile. If it is that important to you, then spend the extra money for 1080p. Otherwise just "settle" for 720p. Don't forget, the Pioneer Kuro 720p got rave reviews. Here is a link to Ranada's article:
Sound & Vision Magazine - The Progressive Tradeoff

Rick,

I have to respectfully disagree.
Blue Ray in 1080 blows away a standard definition 480 picture.
The up conversion is ok, but not even close.
Blockbuster and Netflixs have Blue Ray and I am sure there are others.

John- I would agree that 1080 is better than 480 standard def. I was comparing 1080i (p) with 720p.

 

[WeAreVenom]

I think you are backwards. You would have to get up close to see any difference. Actually, according to David Ranada, you would see a difference at about 9 feet, watching a 50" screen. David Ranada did a piece in Sound and Vision. He quoted from a study where they determined that you can't see any difference between 720p and 1080i at about 9' from the 50" screen. Now, if you sit closer, you will need better resolution, or if you get a bigger screen, you will need better resolution, to avoid seeing the pixels. However, in my humble opinion, these reviewers are looking for anomolies that would prevent them from just enjoying the show. Kind of like the difference between running a 10.6 and a 10.65 quarter mile. If it is that important to you, then spend the extra money for 1080p. Otherwise just "settle" for 720p. Don't forget, the Pioneer Kuro 720p got rave reviews. Here is a link to Ranada's article:
Sound & Vision Magazine - The Progressive Tradeoff

So you're saying that at 15' there is no discernible difference between 1080p and 720p?

 

[rag231]

I am a custom av installer/owner

First of all picture quality is very subjective, we could all stand in the doorway of our favorite Best Buy or circuit city and point at the tv that we think gives us the best picture and we will all point at something different. I have had a customer ask me what was the best ( highest priced ) 65 inch on the planet. She insisted on the Fujistu 1080p Aviamo 65 that has a msrp of 18,000. She purchased it and I installed it. For 18,000 I would have bought a samsung 63" with the wireless usb link or the pioneer elite pro 60 and taken the rest of the 14000 and went on a family vacation to the keys and take a month off or two. If I had to rank them Samsung, Pioneer and Sony xbr are ranked #1. Then it boils down to the finish ( silver vs piano gloss) I have an xbr 50 that looks like a piece of regular glass until you turn it on. It was never released in the U.S. If you could find a black friday 720p/1080i samsung or panasonic for those ridiculous prices of around 500 for a 42, jump on it. You cant go wrong.Those same tvs were 13 and 1400 a year ago. They are coming down like the prices of blu rays. On that subject , I have the planet earth and living seas documentaries that was on Discovery channel and the bluray technology is totally incredible. Standard dvd is only 480p unless upconverted, bluray is 1080p. Like John said the is no comparison. 1080p and 120hz . Shane hold off on your tv and I'll send my stage 2 block and a 58 in. samsung for some work. Seriously If anyone has any more questions especially tech ones like leaving an xbox display on screen too long just ask me. I love to put tvs thru crap, like everyone else I have to stand behind the products that I install and sell. Just my .02

 

[WeAreVenom]

Standard dvd is only 480p unless upconverted, bluray is 1080p. Like John said the is no comparison. 1080p and 120hz.

Standard DVDs are 480i. Players labeled as having the ability to "upconvert" are ridiculous. They're just regular DVD players and the only difference is how well they convert the 480i to 480p. Most HDTVs are able of doing the conversion themselves.

Also, the 120hz technology is very interesting. It usually only looks good on live broadcasts such as news, sports, and documentaries. When using it while watching a movie, the effect can be incredibly jarring to most people and is so distracting that it's completely unwatchable.

 

[Louie L.]

. Seriously If anyone has any more questions especially tech ones like leaving an xbox display on screen too long just ask me. I love to put tvs thru crap, like everyone else I have to stand behind the products that I install and sell. Just my .02

What do you think of the above question in reference to 720p Vs 1080 TV's Can a real difference be seen? Im looking for a very affordable 50 in LCD or plasma in 720 or 1080 it will be about 12 feet from viewer

 

[GNRick]

What do you think of the above question in reference to 720p Vs 1080 TV's Can a real difference be seen? Im looking for a very affordable 50 in LCD or plasma in 720 or 1080 it will be about 12 feet from viewer

Here are some reviews for ya.

Best of the best: High-performance HDTVs - CNET Reviews

 

[TurboDave]

All one has to do is turn down the backlight. All TVs get warm but plasmas get slightly warmer than LCDs because they use gasses.

I'm a 35 year electronic tech, trust me I know about the basics, like backlighting, etc.
The difference between LCD and Plasma is NOT slight. If you doubt me, do some research. Plasmas are HUGE power hogs.

Yes, you can tell a difference but it's relative to how far away you are from the screen. Standing 5ft. from a 1080p display that's next to a 720p display, you won't notice anything different. Try it again at 15ft. and you will. When choosing a HDTV you need to figure out how far away you will be sitting from it FIRST. Then you can decide on a size and a resolution.

True, I'm sitting over 15' away from mine which is why I went with the best LCD technology available last year. Got the Sony XBR4 with 120Hz mode, 1080p (which only really shows it's huge advantage when watching Blue Ray), 1080i, etc. etc.

 

[SGRIM]

Interesting thread! Be sure to click those google ads at the top:biggrin: J/K!


I am really learning alot here! Please keep going... I thought standard DVD could be converted, man I am glad I didn't waste the money on one of those jobs...

 

[JOHNDEEREGN]

http://www.turbobuick.com/forums/turbo-lounge/238107-lcd-vs-plasma.html

 

[GNRick]

After you buy the tv you should also get one of the tune up discs, like Avia. Really helps you dial in the contrast and colors. Like a wide band O2 for your tv. :biggrin: A few days ago they had a story on NPR about the Energy Star certification (I think that is what it is called) for tv's. They said some plasmas qualify.....however, the energy consumption is tested when the tv is off They said when the tv's are on, plasmas use a lot more energy than lcd. Question for Rag 231- are you familiar with the equipment that is reasonably priced to adjust color, that measures it electronically from the screen? Can you recommend one?

 

[TurboDave]

First of all picture quality is very subjective, we could all stand in the doorway of our favorite Best Buy or circuit city and point at the tv that we think gives us the best picture and we will all point at something different. I have had a customer ask me what was the best ( highest priced ) 65 inch on the planet. She insisted on the Fujistu 1080p Aviamo 65 that has a msrp of 18,000. She purchased it and I installed it. For 18,000 I would have bought a samsung 63" with the wireless usb link or the pioneer elite pro 60 and taken the rest of the 14000 and went on a family vacation to the keys and take a month off or two. If I had to rank them Samsung, Pioneer and Sony xbr are ranked #1. Then it boils down to the finish ( silver vs piano gloss) I have an xbr 50 that looks like a piece of regular glass until you turn it on. It was never released in the U.S. If you could find a black friday 720p/1080i samsung or panasonic for those ridiculous prices of around 500 for a 42, jump on it. You cant go wrong.Those same tvs were 13 and 1400 a year ago. They are coming down like the prices of blu rays. On that subject , I have the planet earth and living seas documentaries that was on Discovery channel and the bluray technology is totally incredible. Standard dvd is only 480p unless upconverted, bluray is 1080p. Like John said the is no comparison. 1080p and 120hz . Shane hold off on your tv and I'll send my stage 2 block and a 58 in. samsung for some work. Seriously If anyone has any more questions especially tech ones like leaving an xbox display on screen too long just ask me. I love to put tvs thru crap, like everyone else I have to stand behind the products that I install and sell. Just my .02

Lot's of good info! Which explains why I absolutely think my Sony 46XBR4 is the top of the line. :biggrin: