Looking for HD clarification

[mattman1968]

Hi,

I'm having a dumb moment and would like some clarification. I'm considering a 40 inch Samsung LCD flat panel HDTV or a 42 inch Panasonic Plasma EDTV. In the stores I really like the pictures on these two sets above all the others I've seen. However, I'm leaning towards the plasma EDTV since:
1. I have basic cable & don't plan on subscribing to an HDTV service (I will attempt OTA, though).
2. I've read countless threads about standard def looking crappy on HDTV.
3. I can get the EDTV considerablty cheaper.

In regards to item #2, I have an analogue tv tuner card in my PC which displays a pretty decent picture on my 17 inch flat panel LCD monitor, which features 1,280 x 1,024 native resolution. Am I correct in assuming that is HDTV resolution? If so, can I assume I can receive the same decent picture on the 40 inch HD Samsung should I decide to purchase that instead?

Thanks for the advice,

Matt

[pstedman]

I would highly suggest you spend a little extra and get the HD set. In regards to your points

1. You may not plan on subscribing to a HD cable plan, but HD is the wave of the future and sooner or later HD will be the norm. You'll appreciate HD when you see it.
2. I'm not sure I'd say SD looks crappy on an HD set. It does reveal the flaws in some SD broadcasts. HD sets are continually getting better at upconverting SD.
3. Can't argue there. We all have our budgets

[victoriabears]

what about playing vhs onto a LCD HDTV, would sending it through an upconverting dvd recorder help?

[RLT69]

which features 1,280 x 1,024 native resolution. Am I correct in assuming that is HDTV resolution?

Here are the HDTV-Resolutions:

Digital-HDTV:

* 720p - 1280x720 progressive
* 1080i - 1920x1080 interlaced
* 1080p - 1920x1080 progressive

http://www.hdtvinfoport.com/HDTV-Resolution.html

If you don't plan on viewing any HD content don't bother buying an HDTV now. Don't fall for the B.S. argument that it's the wave of the future. The future is not now. It won't be for several years. You'll probably get 10 years out of your new set before you would need to buy a new TV. When you start seeing the majority of movies released on some high defininition format of the DVD and not a standard DVD, then it's time to upgrade, not now. Save your money.

Now if you are going to actually watch HD content, they by all means by an HDTV.

[BJ_M]

i have never really seen any EDTV flat panel look good - even with SD source ...

for not a lot more - get a HDTV that also has good upconversion built in ...

keep in mind that so called HDTV dont really have 1080 HD resolution (unless they are true 1080p sets - more money though)

[edDV]

42" EDTV has a place as a living room TV that will be viewed from 10 feet or more. Unless your eyes are exceptional, you won't see enough difference with 720p or 1080i or 1080p to make a difference, so long as the source is component 704x480i or 704x480p DTV or commercial DVD. Resolution of HDTV requires either sitiing closer or going for a larger screen size.
http://www.myhometheater.homestead.com/viewingdistancecalculator.html

This isn't to say analog NTSC or PAL is going to look good. Sophisticated comb filters are required for Y/C separation. Quality deinterlacers with "cinema" inverse telcine (NTSC only) are needed to make composite movies and TV series look minimally acceptable on a large screen. 524x480 cable or DBS SD "digital" channels won't look much better.

Most EDTV cable customers will find a "HD" cable box set to 480p is what is needed to make a cheap LCD or Plasma look acceptable. The cable box may or may not do a better job at deinterlace than the EDTV.

[gshelley61]

There are lots of relatively low priced HD plasma sets on the market now with native screen resolutions of 1280x720 or higher. I think those EDTV plasmas all look like crap. Terrible screen door effect unless you sit at least 10 feet from the screen.

Only the most recent (and most expensive) LCD flat panels have good black levels. The lower priced displays have poor contrast ratios.

Plasmas definitely have superior black levels... many claim a 10,000:1 contrast ratio with up to a 60,000 hour screen lifespan.

Have you considered a microdisplay based rear projection HDTV (DLP, LCD or LCoS)? They make them as small as 40" and 42" and they are generally excellent values as far as bang for your buck goes.

[snipper_cr]

I would argue the resolution difference between 720p and 1080i but i wouldnt between 1080i and 1080p.

In fact, interlaced versus progressive scan i find very difficult to decern. With EDTV only being 480p... thats only giving you extra lines of resolution over a STD@480i. If price is what you want then wouldnt it be best to just get a STD?

[edDV]

I would argue the resolution difference between 720p and 1080i but i wouldnt between 1080i and 1080p.

In fact, interlaced versus progressive scan i find very difficult to decern. With EDTV only being 480p... thats only giving you extra lines of resolution over a STD@480i. If price is what you want then wouldnt it be best to just get a STD?

STD ??? You like NTSC?
720x480p is progressive DVD resolution and good enough for most. It is also a big step over analog NTSC and cable/dbs "digital" ~524x480i.

gshelley61 makes a good point that mid resolution HDTV (1280x720p to 1440x1080p) has dropped in price to the point that EDTV 720x480p becomes a compromise. I haven't noticed EDTV sets dropping in price at similar rates.

Regardless 720x480p is good enough if the screen will be viewed from >10 feet.
Evaluate prices and make a decision.

[Epicurus8a]

Lots of good info here.
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-fQphoejBuoZ/t3.html?c=4&cc=01&wm=tn&cm_re_o=fB5EzM*5yBpFwEAS*FwEAjS

[David K]

Tery B,
I am not aware of any "upconverting" DVD recorders.
I supposing transfering VHS to standard DVD resolution (720 x 480) via a DVD recorder would then allow you to play it on an upconverting DVD player, and you could get some advantage that way. But it's still going to look pretty fuzzy...