TV Help - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Rhettzky · 08-31-2006, 01:05 PM

I was hoping someone here could help me out. I'm looking to pick up an HDTV and have no freaking clue what I am doing. I am thinking that this is a pretty good deal and is about the price range I am looking for...

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...gon=&langid=EN

But what is EDTV and is it better than HDTV? Also, what is better a plasma TV or an LCD? What other expenses will there be on top of the TV itself? (Special cords? Cable boxes? anything else?) Do they work with game systems or do you need different cords or something for that too? Where is the best/cheapest place to pick one up? Is there anything else that you should consider?

Any help would be greatly appreciated as the guy at Future shop was less than helpful to say the least.

Agamemnon · 08-31-2006, 01:18 PM

This is the one I got from FS

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...10074338&catid=

Its fairly cheap right now, and I'm pretty happy with it. Sharp is a decent brand, not sure about LG, I've never heard of it/owned it.

edit: looks like the sale ends today...

Eagle Eye · 08-31-2006, 01:24 PM

EDTV is Extended Definition TV.

No it is not better than HDTV, but I think that it is a little better than DVD.

Bobblehead · 08-31-2006, 01:27 PM

EDTV is a small step away from regular TV, and not even close to HDTV.

Regular, Standard Definition TV (SDTV) runs at 480i
That means the TV draws the picture by drawing 480 lines. The 'i' means 'interlaced', so the first time it TV draws the picture, it draws lines 1, 3, 5, 7 and so one, and on the next pass it draws lines 2, 4, 6, 8 and so on.
Therefore, if draws half the picture 60 times a second (so theoretically it draws 30 pictures a second)

Enhanced(or Extended) Definition TV (EDTV) runs at 480p.
In this case, the 'p' mean progressive; it draws all the lines every pass. It also runs 60 times a second, but since it draws the full screen each time
, it actually draws 60 frames per second, and looks better.

Now HDTV breaks the screen up into even smaller lines so you can see more detail. The common ones today are 720p (720 lines drawn each pass) and 1080i (1080 lines, drawing 1/2 the lines each pass(540 even numbered lined then 540 odd numbered lines)).

There is a bit more to it than that, but that is a quick primer.
HD>>ED>SD

The TV you linked to can accept all of 480i, 480p, 720p & 1080i and will display it on a 720p screen.

As for Plasma vs LCD (and there are a bunch of different types of LCD), there are pluses and minuses for each. I'm not sure that one is absolutely better than the other. You should go by what looks best to you.

Ken seems to be on top of this tech, so maybe when he sees this thread he'll jump in with his insight.

Bertuzzied · 08-31-2006, 01:31 PM

How big of a tv were you looking for? I just bought a 32 inch Viewsonic LCD for my parents from Costco. Only $999. The picture is pretty awesome on it but Viewsonic has always made high quality monitors.

Rumor from Red Flag is that there is a 37inch LCD coming out in September at Costco for a grand. Also a viewsonic. I guess we will have to test out costco's awesome exchange policy. hehe. j/k i chucked the box out already.

toonmaster · 08-31-2006, 01:58 PM

here's a heck of a steal if you got some change kicking around

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14602796/

Vulcan · 08-31-2006, 02:42 PM

This is the best info I can come up with. Don't bother with EDTV. It's old tech and not as good as HDTV.

Plasma Tvs have better contrast ratios and so can be seen easier in bright conditions and have better blacks. Plasmas can also suffer from burnin from displaying static images such as channel logos or score tickers at the bottom of the screen. LCDs are generally smaller than Plasmas but don't suffer from burnin and their contrast ratios are getting better. Try looking at different TVs and pick what you like.

Another consideration is whether the TV displays SD signals well as you won't get all your programming in HD.

You will need a settop HD box or HD satellite box.

Don't buy the overprced cables at Future shop. Go to a computer store. You won't know what cables you need until you pick your TV and HD box, but make sure your TV is HDCP compliant. You'll provbably need a DVI or HDMI or DVI to HDMI cable but component cables will work.

Some of the latest TV's are coming out with 1080p such as this

http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/prodde...63&catid=23244

underGRADFlame · 08-31-2006, 02:51 PM

I was talking to a Sharp rep yesterday about theyre LCD's, there is a price drop coming in the next month, so if you can hold off a month and the price will drop 20-30%. As for the type of tv to buy I lean twards LCD simply because its a more stable technology, but the new gen plasmas have an amazing picture.

Personally I would not buy a new TV that isin't 1080p just due to the fact thats where the market is heading with bluray and hddvd but if your not going over 46", any tv that has 720 vertical lines of res should do you fine.

fredr123 · 08-31-2006, 03:08 PM

I got a cheapo plasma from Costco before the playoffs started. It's 42" and has the Polaroid name on it. Now they sell the same set but someone else's name is on it (can't remember which). It looked awesome in the store and looks awesome at home. It's HD and handles 1080i. It cost just under $2000 and was a heck of a deal, IMHO.

I had a lot of questions before I got my TV too. Lot's of people here helped. The key to the whole plasma vs. DLP vs. LCD debate is to look at a ton of TV's and figure out what you like. For me, the kicker was the viewing angle and brightness. Every time we looked at an LCD or DLP from an angle and the picture disappeared, my wife crossed that one off the list.

Remember that regular definition TV is going to look like ass on your new HD and Shaw HDTV isn't going to look as good as Bell or some other service provider that knows what they are doing. But that's a different thread...

Bobblehead · 08-31-2006, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fredr123

Remember that regular definition TV is going to look like ass on your new HD and Shaw HDTV isn't going to look as good as Bell or some other service provider that knows what they are doing. But that's a different thread...

True to a point, but the electronics in the TV can make a big difference in how good or bad SD looks (specifically, the circuitry that scales the 480 lines to 720 or 1080).

ken0042 · 08-31-2006, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

EDTV is a small step away from regular TV, and not even close to HDTV.

Quoted for truth. Do not waste your money on an EDTV. If you want plasma, but can only afford the ED version- then either wait or buy an HD LCD TV.

Vulcan · 08-31-2006, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

True to a point, but the electronics in the TV can make a big difference in how good or bad SD looks (specifically, the circuitry that scales the 480 lines to 720 or 1080).

I think this is specially important when watching hockey games. Most games are still in SD and it sucks when your old 27" SD TV gives a better picture than your new hitech $2000-$3000 HDTV.

Also for watching hockey or playing games, try to find a TV with a good response time. 8ms or less should be excellent.

Reaper · 08-31-2006, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken0042

Do not waste your money on an EDTV. If you want plasma, but can only afford the ED version- then either wait or buy an HD LCD TV.

I wouldn't call EDTV a waste of money.

On some sets the difference between ED and HD is 50% more (I know with mine it was). With the limited amount of HD programming available to me I could not justify that kind of price jump.

I like my EDTV plasma screen and it suits my needs just fine.

There's nothing wrong with people buying the best TV they can afford.

greerb · 08-31-2006, 05:09 PM

With the prices of TVs going down I would be looking at getting an HDTV. You won't regret it. Anything widescreen with HDMI input you should be set for years to come.

Rhettzky · 09-05-2006, 08:52 AM

Thanks for all the help. I ended up picking up an LG LCD HDTV with 1080i and HDMI. Not that I understand what any of that means but it looks awesome. Although the guy at futureshop spent most of the time trying to upsell me on other stuff as well, it was a fairly painless experience.

The cables still baffle me though, I bought the HDMI cord for something like $150.00, the PS2 component cable for only $30 and finally this other component cable for the DVD player for like $230.00. The DVD cable was a stupid purchase on my part but I'm taking it back today. See the guy had me convinced that I needed this "monster cable" to hook up to my DVD player because "what's the point of buying a great TV if you buy cords that make it look like crap?". Anyway, got the whole package home and when I was opening up the Shaw PVR box that I got I noticed that it had premium component cable in it already. So I just used those and am taking back the other ones today.

I have to say after everything I've watched so far the Discovery channel blows me away. It's simply amazing, I can't wait til some of the other channels finish converting over later this year. Although I hear it will cost $10 more bucks in January for HD channels.

Also, Playstation 2 just blows me away on it. I mean for a $30 component cable the picture is crystal clear. I thought it would be blocky and the widescreen would screw it up but it's unbelievalbe how good it looks.

Agamemnon · 09-05-2006, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rhettzky

Also, Playstation 2 just blows me away on it. I mean for a $30 component cable the picture is crystal clear. I thought it would be blocky and the widescreen would screw it up but it's unbelievalbe how good it looks.

Wait until you get a 360 or PS3 hooked up to it... I swear the best, clearest image I get on my 37" LCD is from my 360 games, Fight Night III especially. Makes regular tv look like crap, even looks better than Shaw HDTV (imo).

Bobblehead · 09-05-2006, 09:17 AM

For cables, check out Alberta Computer Cables link

Here are their prices for HDMI link

HDMI is a Digital signal, so the signal is either good or it isn't. Don't buy the sales pitch for Monster cables. There is nothing wrong with them, other than they are cost about 5 times more than they should.

ken0042 · 09-05-2006, 09:24 AM

I'd take the Mon$ter cables back. There is very little difference between a $30 cable and a $200 cable; other than the commission the sales guy just dropped into his pocket.

Rhettzky · 09-05-2006, 09:48 AM

Thanks for the advice all. So should I also take back the HDMI cable that ran $150.00? or does that make a big difference?

ken0042 · 09-05-2006, 10:07 AM

It looks like Bobblehead gave you some good links for cables. Another option is perhaps Memory Express.

While I will agree with how he says digital is either good or not good; you also want to make sure the cable is sturdy enough to not break from normal wear and tear. (ie- wife makes you pull out the TV to vacuum behind it.)