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LCD or PLASMA?

Postby SCgone » Tue Nov 21, 2006 11:49 pm

Right now, tests show that 1080p just isn't worth it. No one is broadcasting in 1080p and even most PC's won't get all that extra resolution. Side by side comparisons can't show any difference in 1080p and 720p unless you have your nose to the screen.
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Postby kanaloa » Wed Nov 22, 2006 4:22 am

Well we went out tonight and talked to a Best Buy salesman (younger guy, real helpful) about all the HD stuff. He pretty much confirmed all my research the last few days and what was said here. We almost decided to go with the Sony ($1100 for smaller than we wanted) or a HP ($899 for a 32") but...

We decided to check out Circuit City first. That's where we discovered the LG 32" LCD HDTV (32LC2DU). And since Natasha decided that we'd might as well spend the money to get a nice system, we choose the LG for around $1200, that's with its Monster HDMI cables. For the price and comparison with the Sony's it is really nice and I'm glad we spent the extra money. LG, Sony, and Polaroids seem to be the highest rated LCD's on the market. They are also the most expensive, but the LG's are priced great.

I bought a new LG monitor a few months ago and the quality of it is incredible for movies on my PC. It also makes Vista look awesome. So I knew LG was a good brand.

<img src="http://www.pro-networks.org/main/images/blurb/HDTV3.jpg" align="right">We had a lot of concerns about the ghosting of LCD's and the speed lagging issue. That's one reason we originally almost went with a smaller 27" Sony. Sony apparently has a new technology which keeps lag and ghosting to a unnoticeable min. The LG's reviewers online gave it a thumbs up for similar technology. Here's the official specs:

LG Model: 32LC2DU
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Postby mnemonicj » Wed Nov 22, 2006 5:34 am

Bell1 wrote:Right now, tests show that 1080p just isn't worth it. No one is broadcasting in 1080p and even most PC's won't get all that extra resolution. Side by side comparisons can't show any difference in 1080p and 720p unless you have your nose to the screen.


My 19" computer monitor is set at 1280x1024, I can tell the difference between that and 1024x768. Plus, the Playstation 3 HDMI output is 1080p.

If you are going to use your flat panel as a TV only and you are looking in the 30" to 50" range, go with a plasma, but if you want to use it for console video games, PC video games, or as a PC monitor ever, you might want to invest in a larger plasma with 1080p capability or go with an LCD.
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Postby lowellabraham » Thu Nov 23, 2006 1:31 am

hey guys,

i picked up a 42 inch plasma (SAMSUNG HP-S4253)!
I just set it up in my living room. I had to run to work. So i miss the tv very much. But when i get home tonite... i will be playing my 360 on my new tv 8-)

-1080i
-10000:1 contrast ratio
-16:9 wide screen

it also have a Burn-In resistant feature with
--auto pixel shift
--signal pattern processing function
--white screen processing function

-dual hdmi
-2 component inputs
-pc video and audio input
-svideo & composite input

-60000 hr panel life @ 6hrs a day

the standard tv kinda sucks on it. i didn't subscribe for the hd yet. since my cable company gives free HD... im good! :-).

so far (i spend like 30 mins with the tv) its good lol. im just scared of getting screen burn.


Wanna know the pricing??

i picked it up from PC & Richardson
regular price: $2099
on sale: $1799
employe discount: $1438

the guy told me.. if i find any stores that has a cheaper price, i can prove it to him and he will give it to me for that price.

-so i started lookin it up online.. and @ amazon this tv is for $1200. printed it out, took it to store.. the guy gave me the tv for 1200+tax+2yr warranty

-he told me if i see cheaper price in any stores in next 40 days, i just need to bring the ad to him, and he will give me for taht price.

-so ima run around on black friday & for christmas shopping lol

let me know your opinions and comments!
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Postby kanaloa » Thu Nov 23, 2006 2:48 am

That's a great price. We paid almost that much for our LCD which is 10 inches smaller.

I agree that normal TV doesn't look nearly as nice, but holy crap the HD channels are awesome. Ours barely fit in the entertainment unit, so I'm glad we went with the size we did. I love the wide screen, though I wish all the channels would fill it up. Some (just a few) of our HD channels only fit a portion of the screen. I have to change the ratio around to make some things look better.

Looking forward to some NCAA games this weekend now :)

We're gonna have to wait for TWC to get the HDMI DVR box. For now we're stuck using composite cables.
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Postby Curtybob » Thu Nov 23, 2006 2:49 am

That is awesome. I'm thinking of getting a new set on Friday, but haven't made up my mind yet. I just bought this 52" about 4 years ago, and I should really wait a few more before I upgrade.

mnemonicj wrote:My 19" computer monitor is set at 1280x1024, I can tell the difference between that and 1024x768.


You are exactly right on this. But, stand 12 feet back from your monitor. The differences are not as apparent in this situation. Although, the reverse would apply if you move your couch 2 feet from the television, I guess.
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Postby lowellabraham » Thu Nov 23, 2006 3:37 am

quick dumb question.

since im new to this HD world... when i pick up my hd cable box, do i connect the coax from the hdbox to my tv? or do i need to buy the HDMI/component cables?
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Postby kanaloa » Thu Nov 23, 2006 4:55 am

lowellabraham wrote:quick dumb question.

since im new to this HD world... when i pick up my hd cable box, do i connect the coax from the hdbox to my tv? or do i need to buy the HDMI/component cables?


I was given the component cables. TWC's coax cable came out of the wall and into the HD-Converter from the cable company (which you do have to have, I learned the hard way, LOL). From the HD-Converter you'll always have the option of Component cables, so use those if you have them. That is unless you have HDMI (which seems to be rare with certain companies bc of the HD boom). If you have HDMI, I'd definitely use that. You can of course use coax too, but you won't get any HD that way.

Our TV also allowed me to plug in the DVD player via S-Video, our old VCR via coax, and my computer (laptop) via VGA. Eventually I'll use the HDMI connection as well. I LOVE all the options on the back of the TV for inputs. The PC on the big screen is nice... it makes my smaller 19" LG monitor look tiny.
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Postby kanaloa » Fri Nov 24, 2006 9:15 pm

Bell1 wrote:Right now, tests show that 1080p just isn't worth it. No one is broadcasting in 1080p and even most PC's won't get all that extra resolution. Side by side comparisons can't show any difference in 1080p and 720p unless you have your nose to the screen.


After becoming somewhat paranoid about the 780p vs. 1080p after this discussion, I was very happy to read the following as a confirmation of the above quote:

http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6449_7-6361600-1.html

Point being, unless you're super picky about graphics (and are patient enough to waste for broadcasts to appear in 1080p), have money to waste, and own a PS3 right now, 1080p isn't worth the extra $1000.
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Postby SCgone » Fri Nov 24, 2006 9:27 pm

kanaloa wrote:
Bell1 wrote:Right now, tests show that 1080p just isn't worth it. No one is broadcasting in 1080p and even most PC's won't get all that extra resolution. Side by side comparisons can't show any difference in 1080p and 720p unless you have your nose to the screen.


After becoming somewhat paranoid about the 780p vs. 1080p after this discussion, I was very happy to read the following as a confirmation of the above quote:

http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6449_7-6361600-1.html

Point being, unless you're super picky about graphics (and are patient enough to waste for broadcasts to appear in 1080p), have money to waste, and own a PS3 right now, 1080p isn't worth the extra $1000.


Actually, there are a LOT of folks that claim that 1080i is better that 720p for some types of programs. I found the hidden settings for my HD cablebox and tried them both on the HD channels, I couldn't tell any difference in them.
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