60 mhz vs 120 and plasma vs LCD

[Igottago]

Originally Posted by cKy

Ive been looking at 50 inch Regza's. Good to see the quality is good, it was the one that stood out for us when we were looking.

I was looking at one too, but I read a lot of reviews complaining about "light leakage" (not sure exactly what that is), they scared me off.

[NiklasSundblad]

Originally Posted by SebC

I would not assume that a 120 Hz TV will one day be 3D capable. Most 120 Hz TVs cannot accept 120 Hz input, and you won't have 3D HD without it (although half-resolution per eye works at 60 Hz). Maybe with some kind of huge firmware update to have it take input from 2 HDMIs simultaneously it might be possible, I don't know. Also, you need a way to sync the TV with the glasses. Currently there's a 3-pin output on 3D TVs for this purpose. It's not used for 3D monitor + shutterglasses, but for a TV without a 3D sync, the only way I could possibly see it getting synced is with hardware profiles on the response time. That means whatever your source is will have to have a way to handle sync. IMO, if 3D is an issue for you, you should either wait for CES and see what comes out, or get something that's actually 3D-ready.

Here's a list.

http://www.3dmovielist.com/3dhdtvs.html

Unfortunately, the only plasmas that Samsung made 3D-Ready are 720p, so you'd be looking at a DLP. I expect 3D-Ready 1080p LCDs and plasmas will vastly expand the list sometime in 2010.

Except that all the 3D capable TV's currently seem to be 240 hz, which leads me to believe that is the 3D standard. (actually, just checked wikipedia, you're right, 120hz is considered the "minimum" refresh rate for the 3D TV standard.) Not only that, but most importantly if the TV doesn't support HDMI 1.4m you're out of luck no matter what kind of TV you have. (for Blu-ray, anyway, not sure about the future of broadcast 3d.)

Edit, oops, missed the post that already dealt with this:
The main advantage (and purpose) of 120hz is not for 'fast motion" and clarity but for blu-ray syncing. Film is still presented at 24 fps, and Blu-Ray, unlike DVD can output at 24fps, which 120 is an even multiple of. For 24fps to be displayed at 30hz (like your old tube TV) or 60hz, certain frames are doubled, creating a small jitter every couple of seconds. It's especially noticeable during pans.

[Igottago]

Originally Posted by Igottago

So I am just about a click away from buying this tv. Sale ends today.

http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/...9e696e227fen02

I've done a lot of research and reviews are generally very good. My only question is, will I be kicking myself in a few months for not getting 1080p. How important is 1080p ?

This tv seems like a great deal to me. Am I wrong?

^^ Re-posting this so it doesn't get lost on the previous page. Anyone have any thoughts on it?

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Igottago

So I am just about a click away from buying this tv. Sale ends today.

http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/...9e696e227fen02

I've done a lot of research and reviews are generally very good. My only question is, will I be kicking myself in a few months for not getting 1080p. How important is 1080p ?

This tv seems like a great deal to me. Am I wrong?

It depends on how far away you are going to sit from your TV on whether you need 1080p or not. There are graphs to show you proper viewing distances (google) but I'd guess anything from 7' and beyond on a 42" TV wouldn't make any difference. Maybe go to a store and stand at the distance you are going to view your TV.

[Komskies]

Originally Posted by Igottago

^^ Re-posting this so it doesn't get lost on the previous page. Anyone have any thoughts on it?

If you ever plan to hook your computer up to your TV, you will be pissed that you didn't get 1080p.

[Vulcan]

The thing to me about 120hz LCD TVs is that LCD TVs lose resolution when the picture is fast paced, (plasmas don't degrade near as much, some not at all) dropping a 1080p TV down to about 480p. 120 and 240 hz sets don't drop as badly, keeping the picture in the HD range, so giving a better picture for hockey etc.

[Igottago]

Originally Posted by Komskies

If you ever plan to hook your computer up to your TV, you will be pissed that you didn't get 1080p.

I may hook it up from time to time, but not a lot. Probably not enough to really be that pissed.

Its more from a tv viewing and gaming standpoint. Obviously 1080p is there for a reason, but how much is it going to start getting used?

The other thing is, for a 1080 p tv that is at least 120 hz, (which I probably need because I watch a lot of sports), the prices start getting a lot higher.

[Igottago]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

It depends on how far away you are going to sit from your TV on whether you need 1080p or not. There are graphs to show you proper viewing distances (google) but I'd guess anything from 7' and beyond on a 42" TV wouldn't make any difference. Maybe go to a store and stand at the distance you are going to view your TV.

So with all things being equal, how much difference would I notice between a 1080p vs a 720p image?

I'm already used to 720 p and it looks outstanding to me. I guess what I'm trying to figure out is, how much better is 1080p really going to be?

[Agamemnon]

Originally Posted by Komskies

If you ever plan to hook your computer up to your TV, you will be pissed that you didn't get 1080p.

I've got my computer hooked up to a 4 year old 1080i 60hz and it still looks amazing. Unless you're the cream of the crop of video snobs 1080i is fine to use with a computer.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Igottago

I may hook it up from time to time, but not a lot. Probably not enough to really be that pissed.

Its more from a tv viewing and gaming standpoint. Obviously 1080p is there for a reason, but how much is it going to start getting used?

The other thing is, for a 1080 p tv that is at least 120 hz, (which I probably need because I watch a lot of sports), the prices start getting a lot higher.

Since you're looking at a plasma, you don't have to worry about 120hz. That plasma is rated at 600 hz.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Igottago

So with all things being equal, how much difference would I notice between a 1080p vs a 720p image?

I'm already used to 720 p and it looks outstanding to me. I guess what I'm trying to figure out is, how much better is 1080p really going to be?

I've read that choosing between 1080p and 720p is about 4th on the list of priorities. First would be contrast, second would probably be colour representation, third would probably be viewing angle. Other considerations are price, processing, brand reliability, video inputs, usage (gaming, SD burn in), audio, the bosses opinion on styling, etc.

[Igottago]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

I've read that choosing between 1080p and 720p is about 4th on the list of priorities. First would be contrast, second would probably be colour representation, third would probably be viewing angle. Other considerations are price, processing, brand reliability, video inputs, usage (gaming, SD burn in), audio, the bosses opinion on styling, etc.

I was just reading an article on CNet about it. It says that the difference between 720 p and 1080 p only really becomes apparent on 50" or larger sets, and depending on the distance away you are.

So it sounds to me at 42", 720 p should do me fine for my condo.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Igottago

I was just reading an article on CNet about it. It says that the difference between 720 p and 1080 p only really becomes apparent on 50" or larger sets, and depending on the distance away you are.

So it sounds to me at 42", 720 p should do me fine for my condo.

Like I said, it depends on the viewing distance. I have a 37" TV in my computing room, just to the left of my main monitor, so it's only 4' away. It's a 1080p 120hz LCD and I figure at this distance, I wouldn't be happy with 720p but say at 6' a 37" 720p would be fine.