Going HD (A widescreen flat panel TV expose)

[TriniXaeno]

OK Guys,

Been looking at the widescreen scene now (thanks to that beautiful Acer AL2216W monitor) and I am thinking it's time for one of the TVs in the house to get the widescreen treatment too.

Upgrade ihmc.

From cursory research (all of 45 minutes on google) I have come up with the following unit:

Sony KDL-40V2500 BRAVIA 40" 1080p HDTV LCD Television @ US$1299.00

1) It's expensive
2) It's expensive
and thirdly, it's expensive.

I can dig the 1920x1080 res, the 16:9 aspect ratio for hd movie goodness.

40 inches means no eye strain from even the furthest corner of the living room but tell me....US$1299.00??

Worth the gold bouillon? Better screen real estate out there for the money?? If that's the case...do tell.

Oh and while you're at it, do check out this cool online util I came across in the process:

http://tvcalculator.com/index.html

[Spazosaurus]

I'd go so far to say that's a great price for Sony quality. And at that resolution, you can use that biatch as a monitor with exceptional results!!!

[Arcmanov]

I have a nice lil 27-inch one, so you will absolutely LOVE that 40.
I might just have to visit you with my Xbox when you get it.

[TriniXaeno]

Nice endorsements

Here are a few more options for information overload purposes

Sharp Aquos LC52D64U 52-inch 1080p LCD HDTV @ US$2000.00


Product Features

    * 52" HDTV LCD-TV with Full HD 1080p resolution
    * 10,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio
    * 4ms Response Time
    * RS-232C Input for control

Technical Details

    * Display Area: 52"
    * Aspect Ratio: 16:9
    * Contrast Ratio: 10000:1
    * Resolution: 1920 x 1080
    * Signal Compatibility: 480i, 480p , 720p , 1080i
    * Signal Compatibility: 1080p
    * Input Video Signal: ATSC
    * Input Video Signal: NTSC
    * Inputs: S-Video
    * Inputs: PC
    * Inputs: Audio
    * Inputs: Composite
    * Inputs: RS-232 Communication
    * Inputs: HDMI In
    * Inputs: Component
    * Power Consumption: 215W
    * Dimensions With Stand: 48.7" x 32.9" x 12.8"



Sharp Aquos LC42D64U 42-inch 1080p LCD HDTV @ US$1587.00


Product Features

    * 42" HDTV LCD-TV with Full HD 1080p resolution
    * 10,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio
    * 4ms Response Time
    * PC Input
    * RS-232C Input for control

Technical Details

    * Brand Name: Sharp
    * Model: LC42D64U
    * Display Size: 46 inches
    * Display Technology: TFT active matrix
    * Weight: 60.6 pounds
    * is_hdtv_compatible: Y Unknown modifier
    * Width: 12.81 inches
    * Height: 27.88 inches
    * Depth: 12.8 inches
    * Image Aspect Ratio: 16:9
    * speakers_included_description: 2 speakers Unknown modifier


Sharp Aquos LC32D62U 32-inch 1080p LCD HDTV @ US$879.00

Product Features

    * 32" HDTV LCD-TV with Full HD 1080p Resolution
    * 10,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio
    * 6ms Response Time
    * Dual 1080p HDMI Terminals
    * Enhanced Picture Contrast Technology

Technical Details

    * Display Area: 32"
    * Aspect Ratio: 16:9
    * Contrast Ratio: 10000:1
    * Resolution: 1920 x 1080
    * Signal Compatibility: 1080p
    * Input Video Signal: ATSC
    * Input Video Signal: QAM
    * Input Video Signal: NTSC
    * Speakers: 2
    * Inputs: S-Video
    * Inputs: Audio
    * Inputs: Composite
    * Inputs: Component Video
    * Inputs: HDMI In
    * Inputs: Component
    * Power Source: 120VAC, 50/60Hz
    * Unit Dimensions (WxHxD): 31.4" x 20.3" x 3.8"
    * Dimensions With Stand: 31.4" x 23.3" x 10.8"


Samsung LN-T4061F - 40" High Definition 1080p LCD TV @ US$1189.00 (Top rated from PC World)

Specifications

General Information
Manufacturer   Samsung
Manufacturer Part Number   LNT4061F
Manufacturer Website Address   www.samsungusa.com
Product Model   LN-T4061F
Product Name   LN-T4061F 40" LCD TV
Product Type   LCD TV
Technical Information
Actual Screen Size   40"
Compatible Technology   HDTV
Response Time   8 ms
Video
Video System   ATSC
Video System   NTSC
Channel Coverage   181 - (VHF 2-13, UHF 14-69, CATV 1-125)
Audio
Speakers   2 x 10W
Audio Decoding   Stereo
Interfaces/Ports
Ports   3 x HDMI
Ports   2 x RF
Ports   2 x Component Video In
Ports   1 x S-Video In Side
Ports   1 x S-Video In Rear
Ports   1 x A/V In Side
Ports   1 x A/V In Rear
Ports   1 x 15-pin HD-15
Ports   1 x
Ports   1 x USB 2.0
Power Description
Input Voltage Range   100 V AC to 120 V AC
Frequency   60Hz
Physical Characteristics
Dimensions   27" Height x 38.2" Width x 11.8" Depth - With Stand
Dimensions   24.7" Height x 38.2" Width x 3.4" Depth - Without Stand
Weight   46.1 lb - With Stand
Native Res: 1920x1080
Miscellaneous
Additional Information   

Ports Description:
# 2 x RF: In

[chinarakinda]

Does it have to be a 40 inch. Cause you listed its expensive as an issue. I have a 32 inch Toshiba that is great.

Toshiba REGZA 32HL67U 32-inch 720p LCD HDTV
 I bought it from amazon at 614 US. Don't know how much it costs now.

The Sharp Aquos line of tv are also great.

[TriniXaeno]

Well the stumbling block there for me china would be the 720p spec.

I'm really really keen on the 1080p lovin.

From my rudimentary understanding, it's more applicable to the 40" and up LCDs as the difference isn't that noticeable on smaller screens, say sub 32 inch units.

[Redlum08]

Well the stumbling block there for me china would be the 720p spec.

I'm really really keen on the 1080p lovin.

From my rudimentary understanding, it's more applicable to the 40" and up LCDs as the difference isn't that noticeable on smaller screens, say sub 32 inch units.

I think that's 50" and up N00b..

[chinarakinda]

stop showing off red with your 56 inch. I think 42 and up haha will be fine.

[Redlum08]

stop showing off red with your 56 inch. I think 42 and up haha will be fine.

I am quite happy with my 55" 720p Plasma. It is Upscalable to 1080i which it does extremely well, To tell you the truth, 1080i and 1080p are close enough that even at that size it doesn't make that much difference.
I wouldn't mind picking up that 40" 1080p for the bedroom though..LOL

Thanks for the info Noob, I might just get that Sony / Samsung 1080p..

[W1nTry]

If noob read my post on 720p vs. 1080p HERE he'd have seen that only screens ABOVE 55" see ANY difference between the two. I would suggest the Samsung or Sharp. Sony is generally a good brand but i've heard not so good things about them lately whilst I can only sing songs of praise for Samsung and Sharp.

[TriniXaeno]

From what I've read, the difference is discernible on 40" and up from reasonable viewing distances (say 7 - 10 feet), granted it's not a "spend a US$1000.00  more for it" difference but given the prices posted for these sets, I'd say the cost delta between 720p and 1080 has reduced considerably!

Keep in mind, a PC is also going to be connected to this thing!

That makes the 1080p all the more important. The ability to run full 1920x1080 on my HDTV will be quite a sight different from running it in 720p on a same-sized 1366X768 HDTV. This applies to both document viewing and gaming on the PC.

As a side note, my current setup at home is a computer hooked up to a Sony Trinitron TV at a butt ugly 1024x768 res running XP Media Center edition (which is "TV" friendly in terms of font and dpi setting and also works with a remote control).

Looks atrocious.

Thanks for the link W1n, read it through and this bit stood out and confirms the PC connectivity aspect:

10. OK, so what's the bottom line: Should I go 1080p or 720p?
First and foremost, some people just want what's considered the best spec on a TV. If you're one of those people, spend the extra dough, you'll feel better in the long run. Secondly, if you're thinking of going big, really big (a 55-inch or larger screen), or you like to sit really close (closer than 1.5 times the diagonal measurement), the extra resolution may make it worth the difference--as long as you have a pristine, 1080i or 1080p HD source to feed into the set. And finally, it's a good idea to go with 1080p if you plan to use your TV a lot as a big computer monitor. That said, if you set your computer to output at 1,920x1,080, you may find that the icons and text on the screen are too small to view from far away (as a result, you may end up zooming the desktop or even changing to a lower resolution). But a 1080p set does give you some added flexibility (and sharpness) when it comes to computer connectivity

Great article btw! Definitely a good read.

Oh and redlum, do you hook up a PC to your 56" monster? If so, how does it look? Can you read text and stuff just fine from where you normally sit to watch? How far back are you from that screen in the living room, 10 feet? 15 feet?

[W1nTry]

I have my Xbox, cable box and PC hooked up to my AOC 32" HDTV. It has a VGA input (which was a selling point for me... well actually it was the price tag was the selling point). It is 720p and I can say the Sharp Aquos outside DOES look somewhat better, but whilst playing multiplayer online you don't get a chance to really notice. The VGA input goes up to 1360x768 which is an odd res, however it has 2 HDMI inputs for the 1080i upscale which IS 1920x1080 just interlaced. My 8800GT did not come with a DVI-HDMI connector so I don't yet know what it will look like on 1080i. If anyone has any advice on a DVI-HDMI connector please do feel free to post on it, cause whilst I KNOW the Radeon cards as far back as a X800XT support it, I cannot vouch for those connectors working on an Nvidia card...

[TriniXaeno]

I think this snazzy little article also makes the size/res issue absolutely clear! See below.

To explain the viewing distance charts, let's sit you in that plushy green chair.

To give you the lay of the land, in this diagram, a 40" HDTV is at the top. The green chair is facing it about 6' away. And, by the way, we're assuming that your eyesight is 20/20.

40

Now imagine that there were three TVs up there. One had a standard definition resolution of 480, the second 720 and the third 1080. If you pushed the chair back behind the green line and sat down, you couldn't tell the difference in detail between the three because you are too far back to see it.

If you shoved the chair between the green line and the blue line, then you will begin to notice the 480 TV doesn't look so hot next to the 720 and 1080. At the blue line, 7.5', it's clear that the 720 and the 1080 show more detail than the 480. But the difference between the 720 and 1080 doesn't really begin to appear until you place the chair in between the blue line and red line.

Finally, if you plop down in the chair set at the red line, (5' in this case with a 40" HDTV), you will say, "Eureka! This is why I bought that 1080p TV." At the red line and closer, the better detail of the 1080p over the 720p will be apparent.

Taken from this brilliantly written article: http://www.hdtvsolutions.com/HDTV_Viewing_Distance.htm

[TriniXaeno]

Question w1n, I don't understand how a 32" 720p screen can upscale to display 1080i? Wouldn't it be a downscale??

Good point about the VGA / DVI-HDMI connector. That's something for me to consider as well.

Anyone with experience on that?

[W1nTry]

Of course the next thing to consider noob is you'll really only notice the difference if you have 1080p CONTENT to watch. Ala Blu Ray. Even games don't look noticeably different between 1080i and 108p. The article I linked you to also makes reference to that fact. Now I am not saying not to go 1080p, I honestly would prolly go that way now trying to future proof myself somewhat. However since PRICE is ALWAYS a factor i'm just reminding ppl that 720p or 1080i looks DAMN good and in MOST cases yuh may never even see the difference.

Lastly keep in mind noob that with a screen that size you SHOULD NOT sit close when using it for the PC. My 32" sits on my desk, I generally game about 3-4 ft away from the screen and UNFORTUNATELY I sit at 2 feet when using the PC which is a PAIN IN THE @$$ both in terms of my neck killing me and in terms of BURNING OUT MY RETINAS.... wireless keyboard and mouse ftw... (I need one that is)

On the note of upscale, well its an upscale. It scales 720 res UP to 1080, whereas say a 1080p screen would SCALE DOWN to 1080i/720p if the content being viewed is such.

[Redlum08]

Of course the next thing to consider noob is you'll really only notice the difference if you have 1080p CONTENT to watch. Ala Blu Ray. Even games don't look noticeably different between 1080i and 108p. The article I linked you to also makes reference to that fact. Now I am not saying not to go 1080p, I honestly would prolly go that way now trying to future proof myself somewhat. However since PRICE is ALWAYS a factor i'm just reminding ppl that 720p or 1080i looks DAMN good and in MOST cases yuh may never even see the difference.

Lastly keep in mind noob that with a screen that size you SHOULD NOT sit close when using it for the PC. My 32" sits on my desk, I generally game about 3-4 ft away from the screen and UNFORTUNATELY I sit at 2 feet when using the PC which is a PAIN IN THE @$$ both in terms of my neck killing me and in terms of BURNING OUT MY RETINAS.... wireless keyboard and mouse ftw... (I need one that is)

On the note of upscale, well its an upscale. It scales 720 res UP to 1080, whereas say a 1080p screen would SCALE DOWN to 1080i/720p if the content being viewed is such.

AND to add, Broadcasts in HD on Digital Cable are in 720p, there are NO broadcasts in 1080p as of yet. Watching a baseball game in HD on my TV is like being at the game! Sweat on forehead, facial hair and scars clearly visible, HD is wonderful. But Noob, I would suggest going with the 1080p as W1nTry rightfully said, future proof yourself.

BTW, don't forget the Component cables for the Wii..LOL

[chinarakinda]

Yes noob Wintry makes a great point there, I don't see any point putting out such money when we don't get 1080p sources. My tv also upscales to 1080i not sure about p.
The image quality is beautiful, the games look beautiful.
Unless you have 1080p games and movies I really don't think you should put out that amount of cash.

Future proof red. We in Trinidad. WE dont even have proper broadband internet or HD cable or tv broadcasts. I don't think noob gonna live to 200 years old.

[W1nTry]

Well if the man has the dosh by all means, he could get a Blu Ray player ala PS3 and watch movies in 1080p which most on that format are I believe. But as was rightfully mentioned, HD content apart from movies and SOME games. And that won't change in T&T ANYTIME soon... the damn HD may die before we get 1080p content via our cable provider.... but hey it's ultimately ur choice noob. I suggest you see the difference for YOURSELF. Go watch a game in 1080i and then watch it in 1080p and do the same for a HD movie. That would be the ultimate test.

[TriniXaeno]

lol @ alive till 200.

Good point.

I don't watch cable much anyway. For the month, did not watch one single episode or movie on Cable at all. Not one.

It's going to be primarily for PC, DVD and console use.

DVD and Console will be just fine @ 720p but as mentioned before, the 1080p will definitely be beneficial for PC usage.

It's really a 720 vs 1080 issue. I wouldn't even dare go into the confusion that is quality difference on 1080i (interlaced) vs 1080p (progressive scan), lol

Absolutely right about the wireless keyboard and mouse Win. The nifty media center remote control is a great addition to your wireless arsenal also. Less intimidating for the misses when she just wants to raise the volume.

Future proofing sounds good, especially if the $$ difference isn't substantial.

Anyone got a link to a kickass 42" 720 LCD so we can compare the current price points?

[chinarakinda]

Well if your graphics cards has a DVI port like my laptop you can get high resolutions. The native resolution for my laptop is 1440x980. You just have to get a Hdmi-dvi cable and you good as gold.