40" LCD Television -- 60 or 120 Hz?

[Malkin Cookies]

Looking to buy a 40-42" LCD for the living room. Mainly for HD hockey.

My question is, do I absolutely need one with a 120Hz refresh rate?

Any recommendations for tv's in the 500-600 range?

Best Buy and Future Shop have been pretty useless so far, any other ideas?

[Vulcan]

If you can control the lighting in your living room, a plasma may be right for you.
Here's one to look at.

http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/produ...7c89b38825en02

There's also an LG 50" for $589

[simmer2]

I'm in the same boat, looking at either a 60Hz or 120Hz because my living room is quite bright.

So any insights folks have would be appreciated.

[Diverce]

I agree with plasma. I find the colors on plasmas to be a lot better, mostly because the black levels are darker.

If you do get an LCD go 120hz. 60hz has WAAAAYY to much motion blurring when it comes to sports

[Ashasx]

Yeah, I'd get 120Hz. I bought a 60Hz a couple years ago and was disappointed with how it looked for faster sports like hockey.

[darthma]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

If you can control the lighting in your living room, a plasma may be right for you.
Here's one to look at.

http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/produ...7c89b38825en02

There's also an LG 50" for $589

The native resolution on that plasma is not 1080p, which means there'll be all sorts of scaling; i.e., distortion.

My personal preference is 120Hz 1080p LCD, which are relatively cheap now. It's mostly 'you get what you pay for' with these products. Plasmas can be good for sports but again, watch for resolutions.

[Igottago]

I think it depends on your particular taste. I owned a 60 hz LCD and used to watch hockey and other sports on it without issue. I recently bought a 120 hz LED (a little more expensive) and again, sports look pretty decent on it. I'm not sure if they look significantly better than the 60 hz tv did. Maybe i'm a little less particular about how much blur is acceptable to me.

[DownhillGoat]

I wouldn't go with a 60hz for sports or video games. Go with a 120hz, or has been suggested, plasma.

The last TV i purchased was a 1080p Panasonic Viera plasma, because for 2/3s the price it did everything I was trying to find in an LCD. I use a 60hz LCD at work for sports & gaming and the motion blur drives me nuts.

As far as places to shop go, check out soundsaround or london drugs. Both carry decent stock at good prices, and are generally more knowledgeable than your average BB of FS.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by darthma

The native resolution on that plasma is not 1080p, which means there'll be all sorts of scaling; i.e., distortion.

My personal preference is 120Hz 1080p LCD, which are relatively cheap now. It's mostly 'you get what you pay for' with these products. Plasmas can be good for sports but again, watch for resolutions.

I haven't heard that 720p plasmas cause distortion. I have a 720p LCD and there is no distortion or is that only plasmas that are affected?

[Diverce]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

I haven't heard that 720p plasmas cause distortion. I have a 720p LCD and there is no distortion or is that only plasmas that are affected?

I have a 720p plasma and I haven't seen any distortion, or haven't noticed it.

[DownhillGoat]

Panasonic Viera comparison at London Drugs. Both are on sale until the end of the month.

[secol]

Originally Posted by simmer2

I'm in the same boat, looking at either a 60Hz or 120Hz because my living room is quite bright.

So any insights folks have would be appreciated.

i'd go lcd for a bright room.....120hz as well. but if you guys don't need it right away boxing day sales can get you some pretty good deals

[TorqueDog]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

I haven't heard that 720p plasmas cause distortion. I have a 720p LCD and there is no distortion or is that only plasmas that are affected?

That isn't a 720p plasma. The native resolution of the TV that was posted is 1024x768. It's a 4:3 resolution stretched to a 16:9 physical aspect ratio.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by TorqueDog

That isn't a 720p plasma. The native resolution of the TV that was posted is 1024x768. It's a 4:3 resolution stretched to a 16:9 physical aspect ratio.

Yeah, I understand that but all the smaller 720p plasmas have that resolution and I've never heard that this causes distortion. That is one of the limitations of plasma though, they couldn't do HD in sizes under 42".

Anyways the Panasonic Plasma S30 linked by kunkstyle, has 1080p and looks like the better TV and the better deal if someone wants a plasma.

[Malkin Cookies]

Thanks for all the helpful advice. I think my living room is too bright for a Plasma.

I need to find the best value for a 40" LCD 1080p 120Hz. I wish I could wait until boxing day, but the Flames need to be watched.

[Vulcan]

They may have some deals coming up for NHL and NFL startup. This is a good site for checking out the various TVs you may want to consider. I like to stick to the name brands myself such as Sony, LG, Samsung, Panasonic (they make 42" LCDs) or maybe Toshiba.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=166

[RT14]

Another option may be to check out Kijiji for some big savings. I bought a 1.5 year old Toshiba 55" 240Hz LED for $950 and it was in absolutely gorgeous condition with 2.5 years left on warranty. I'm sure you could find a good 40"-50" for well under $600.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

I like to stick to the name brands myself such as Sony, LG, Samsung, Panasonic (they make 42" LCDs) or maybe Toshiba

Sharp Aquos.

[photon]

So since the source material is 30Hz, how would 60Hz or 120Hz make a difference? It's just going to show a single frame twice or 4 times isn't it?

[SebC]

Originally Posted by photon

So since the source material is 30Hz, how would 60Hz or 120Hz make a difference? It's just going to show a single frame twice or 4 times isn't it?

Not if it's interpolating. Also for 24fps it can go 5, 5, 5, 5... instead 3, 2, 3, 2, 3...