Help me choose a TV

[Swass]

This might be a dumb question, but...do all Blu-Ray players also play DVDs?

[chavez]

Swass, it's possible that a Blu-Ray player would not play standard DVD, but very unlikely.

[TnR6Rida]

Swass, You would probably be better off just buying a PS3, because it is also a blu-ray player as well as a gaming console.

Now I havn't look at any blu-ray dvd players in a long while, but if they are still priced close to what they were then you would save a lot of money buying the PS3 too.

[Swass]

Football in HD is is like...the most beautiful thing ever.

[pet575]

I agree that it is a beautiful thing, but hockey is even better.

[Commodore]

Continuing on a thread.........

Gotta replace the bedroom TV. Well since we are rarely in there, I think I am going to put the bigscreen we have now in there, and buy a new Flat screen for the main room (where we always watch TV, and I Xbox).

My head is spinning. I am pretty much going to go with plasma for cost over LCD in the size range I want. But jumping jeezus, is there really a noticeable difference between 720p and 1080p? Isn't 1080p the best? What happened to 1080i? I never see those anymore. I have a projection big screen TV right now, and with the digital box it says it's setting at 1080p.......but I somehow don't believe it.

Someone tell me what I need!!!!

[Rhawn]

haugy, check out this breakdown.

http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6449_7-6361600-1.html

End point, 1080p is the best. But since nothing can broadcast in 1080P its pretty pointless. 1080i 4tw~

[pet575]

Rhawn is right about the broadcasting. I bought a 1080i set back in 2003-it is still going strong and there is nothing broadcast over my dish or the regular airwaves that takes advantage of the technology. A Blu-ray would be 1080p, so if you have something that plays a Blu-ray (or HD DVD) then you would want 1080p in order to take advantage of that.

Otherwise, nothing wrong with 720p (other than your neighbor/in-law who asks, "You got 1080p, right?" to try to take you down a notch) performance-wise. The only possible issue with going 720p is whether they will start broadcasting any HD programming in 1080p before your set stops working.

I'd actually save the money on the 1080i "gimmick" if I were you and go progressive over interlaced technology. That simplifies it to whether you are going to go 720p or 1080p. Buying interlaced at this point in time is just not worth the upcharge manufacturers are going to put on a technology (interlaced) that is inferior to progressive.

[Wakebrad]

Technically 720p > 1080i

http://ezinearticles.com/?720p-Vs-1080i-HDTV&id=91443

You can save a lot of money going with a 720p or 1080i TV since very few sources broadcast 1080p.

[pet575]

Wakebrad has said it better than I have. That is exactly what I was trying to say. The progressive technology (720p or 1080p) is better than the interlaced technology (1080i). So, even though the resolution is better on 1080 v. 720, the interlaced technology is inferior enough to where 720p is still a better picture. So, in the end, the 1080i is really kind of a gimmick because they are counting on you to determine that 1080 resolution is what makes the picture better-rather than the p > i.

I wish I had known that when buying my set 5 years ago, but I didn't so I more than likely overpaid for that number. However, I still have no regrets about buying that set when I did. It is a Toshiba and it has been great.

[J-Ro]

Depends on your signal provider. On Dish, 1080i is noticably better even on fast moving sports. Go figure.

[Commodore]

So if you were faced with these two: Which would you choose and why?

Samsung PN50A450 50" 720p Plasma

vs.

Insignia NS-PDP50HD-09 50" 1080p Plasma

My thoughts are the Samsung is probably a better TV overall. Is the 1080p worth the extra $300?

[chavez]

I wouldn't buy plasma at all, but of those choices the Samsung all day and twice on Sunday.

That Insignia is made by a third party for BB. No thanks.

[Commodore]

chavez, why not plasma?

[pet575]

Agreed on the Samsung in general. However, the Insignia does have a few more features as far a connectivity goes-like A/V and Audio Outputs and the Samsung has NO S-video inputs (which is a bit surprising since there are still a lot of devices that do not support component or HDMI connection). The Insignia's connectivity helps you out if your other stuff isn't as up-to-date as it could be.

[Dpierce37]

haugy, plasma is old technology....I have a 1080p Samsung LCD it looks great with all the windows up or at night. Plasma needs all darkness.

here is the newest of new

http://laser-tv.org/


Oh and anything over like 42" should NEVER be 720p

[Commodore]

Dpierce37, okay daddy warbucks. You gonna foot the bill for the $2400 for my new TV?

[Dpierce37]

haugy,

Yea I know...but the LCD would be my choice.

[kavlock99]

Mitsubishi fwiw. Besides super video quality, they now have 'integrated sound' on a few models. check out an ultimate electronics. you will be blown away.

Otherwise, i would vote for the samsung as well. good luck and post up the setups when you are done!

[J-Ro]

haugy, Dude, buy a Vizio at Costco. You get a 2 year warranty and the picture is great and only limited by the video feed. I paid 1,500 for a 47" over a year ago and they are 1,200 now. You can get the 120Hz model for 1,399. Plus if something goes wrong they ship you a new one and a box to send the old one back in.

[Commodore]

J-Ro, I suck. Not a member of Costco.

[J-Ro]

haugy, Wal-Mart and CC sell them too.

[Commodore]

What is the general consensus on LG televisions? I've always enjoyed their phones.

[ontrider]

haugy, I think they are generally considered a bit cheaper quality and the prices reflect it obviously. I am supposed to be getting a LG 42" plasma shortly and I can let you know what it's like when I get it.