Our geek says you can bank on it
Posted 06.02.2009 at 10:16 am
6 Comments
These Little Piggies Succumb to Full-HD
Dave Helfrey
Yes indeed. The sticker shock you're experiencing usually does translate to better performance. The priciest TVs are full-HD 1080p (the highest resolution). Less-expensive 720p sets still deliver an outstanding picture, and most high-def TV service is 720p or 1080i, but 1080p is your best bet for watching Blu-ray movies and for smoother up-close viewing. Telltale measurements such as contrast ratio (the range of bright to dark colors — look for at least 3,000:1) and the refresh rate (which reduces motion blur) can also improve demonstrably as the price increases. A 60-hertz refresh rate is common, but 120 hertz provides smoother fast-action rendering for sports.
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Entertainment & Gaming, Ask a Geek, ask a geek, BLU-RAY, how2.0 hdtv, june 2009, vizioOf course, the shrewd can always save. Vizio sets can offer solid performance for 10 to 20 percent less than a major-brand TV with comparable features. If you're set on a big brand, though, check out Amazon's Warehouse Deals, which discounts near-flawless open-box items. Or try waiting until the end of the model year, since the changes to new product lineups can be largely cosmetic. Head to sites like BigPictureBigSound.com and HDGuru.com to stay up to date on availability and special deals.
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Do you want to know what i don't get? How are ads for HDTVs useful? If the ad shows you how amazing the HDTVs picture is wouldn't the picture only be as good as the TV you own?
1080p is essential even on smaller screens if you ever want to use them as computer monitors like I do, and on bigger screens ware you can notice the diffrence even at a distance. True 120hz will be capable of showing real 3D content with shutterbug goggles. Only problem is most of the 120hz screens lie and are not really capable of delivering 120hz content all they can do is interpolate tweens for 30hz content which I think is mildly useless barley noticeable eyecandy.
What about some of the other high-end capabilities? Like gaming modes which show ALL of the screen coming from your console, instead of the slightly zoomed in picture that most TVs deliver. Or the ability to control a computer or laptop connected to the set via HDMI cable with your TV's remote control? Or up-converting?
Come on, guys! do your research!!
What about some of the other high-end capabilities? Like gaming modes which show ALL of the screen coming from your console, instead of the slightly zoomed in picture that most TVs deliver. Or the ability to control a computer or laptop connected to the set via HDMI cable with your TV's remote control? Or up-converting?
Come on, guys! do your research!!
I agree with animemaster that 1080p is essential for computer use. My 26" 720p tv is a pain to use with my computer. I truly despise it, and 120hz is a load of croc. If you really have an eye for quality, youll have a headache within minutes, then again some people like watching movies like everyone is a cardboard cutout.
Don't expect to buy anything smaller than a 32" at 1920x1080. It's rather pointless unless you intend on viewing with your nose practically to the glass. Personally, I still prefer the plasmas with the absence of motion blur at lower refresh rates and higher contrast ratios.