LCD Television

Bird · Dec 31, 2005

JR, the problem some of us old folks have is too many choices, technology changing faster than we can keep up with, and a lack of understanding of just how important certain features are. I think I can understand how more pixels means better resolution, but that Samsung shows a 3000:1 contrast ratio while the Syntax shows 1200:1. Is that important? I don't know. I know when we were looking at Circuit City, that Samsung did "appear" to have a better picture than the Sharps, Magnavox, Panasonic, etc. that they had on display. But of course, CompUSA's website shows that Syntax to be a lot cheaper (ah, we finally get to a feature even I understand /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif).

DocHeb · Dec 31, 2005

Good background information at Plasma TV Buying Guide.

... I didn't read all the posts ... hope I'm not repeating information.

MikePA · Dec 31, 2005

Morning, Bird. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif We upgraded our TVs over the past 2 weeks. We use to have a 19" Phillips (den) and a 27" Sony (living room). Each TV also had an attached VCR and a ReplayTV DVR (Digital Video Recorder)

Since each of these TVs were in cabinets, we were limited (width) in how large a TV we could buy.

We now have two Toshiba, LCD TVs. 27" with builtin DVD in the den and a 32" LCD TV and a separate DVD/RW in the living room. I could have gone with a 37" in the living room, but it would have been a tight fit and it was a third more expensive. Plus, 37" was a little too large for the room size. I went with LCD for two primary reasons; (1) Weight (LCDs are the lightest) and (2) Heat (plasmas produce more heat).

I also upgraded to digital cable with all the HD channels plus HD DVRs on each set.

I figure I am set for TV technology for 10 years. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

While the LCD TVs produce a great picture, particularly when compared to the tube TVs, the biggest change is High Def.

Bird · Dec 31, 2005

Chris, I don't think I would want a plasma TV; want an LCD instead. Now of course that opinion might change before I actually buy one. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif Of course, we started considering buying a new TV for three reasons: (1) the Magnavox is getting old and a bit slower warming up; sometimes not quite as sharp a picture along the lower part of the screen for awhile, (2) it's a bit large and heavy for me to lift to move it around, and (3) at first we couldn't decide on a good location in the living room for it and thought a light weight LCD would be OK on the mantle over the fireplace.

However, we finally worked out a furniture arrangement that's satisfactory and even when we buy a new TV, we don't plan to put it over the fireplace. So now I don't plan on having to lift it again until we're ready to dispose of it, so that only leaves the one reason: If it doesn't work anymore. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

But I do appreciate everyone's information in this thread. Hopefully, when the time comes to actually buy one, I won't do too bad. I've bought lots of things, such as VCRs, computers, and cameras in the past, only to find a short time later better quality and more features at lower prices. Call me a pessimist, but I figure if I pay $1,000 for a TV, you will be able to buy a better one for $500 next week. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

HGM · Dec 31, 2005

These things seem to be like computers anymore, as soon as you buy it its outdated and the newer one is the "only way to go".. I tend to like closeouts in most everything. They are better than what I have(so, I dont know any better) and I dont need to impress anyone whith the latest and greatest. My recomendation would be to frequent sports bars for lunch or dinner to see what they are using. They are most likely on 15+hrs per day and shoud give you a good idea of reliability and picture quality. I went to TacoMac yesterday and they have a bunch of LG's, great picture, but they are all brand new.. Ask their opinions as well, sometimes you'll find an AV buff, he may not be the brightest bulb, but can usually give a decent opinion from a laymans veiw not a salesman..

I plan to replace my HUGE 60" projection Mitsubishi, when it finally dies, with an LCD. Right now, it works and I dont NEED to spend the money on a new one, but they are nice..

Bird · Dec 31, 2005

( HUGE 60" projection Mitsubishi )

I try to not buy anything that I can't move around or in and out of the house by myself. Of course as I get older the things I can move around by myself tend to get smaller. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

HGM · Dec 31, 2005

( I try to not buy anything that I can't move around or in and out of the house by myself. Of course as I get older the things I can move around by myself tend to get smaller. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif )

It does have wheels, so movement isnt bad... The livingroom is just too small, I like the "over the fireplace" idea for an LCD. In my case, it may be a little high though.But anything would be better than the BIG BOX of a TV I have now. I just wonder if I can get used to a smaller picture when I get a new one /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif...

TresCrows · Dec 31, 2005

Bird, I would not get into those numbers to much, once they are in your house you will forget all that. As to be out of date when you buy it--well--maybe--LCD flat panel is really the cutting edge and prices reflect that. I would buy an LCD flat panel and not worry about being out of date for several years. Most all LCD are High Def, have bright pictures and good color. LCD TVs still have some improvement to be gained in the "black" region. That Samsung may do a bit better in that area than the Olevia. Thing is this TV is like a starship compared to the old clunker we had before. It is such a huge jump you will forget all those numbers.
The biggest thing to get used to is the stretch effect on widescreen TV when you fill the screen with a standard TV broadcast.
Movies, most movies are filmed in two aspect ratios (mostly), these are 1.85:1 which equals the 16:9 ratio screen of most wide screen HD televisions, The other ratio is 2.35:1. Films in the 1.85:1 will fill the screen almost exactly on a widescreen TV. New TV broadcast standards of the future will be the 16:9 ratio. Movies filmed at 2.35:1 or 2.4:1 or wider will still have letter box stripes at the top and bottom. Just not as big. You can "fill" the screen by stretching but it drops data on the sides.
Setting up a widescreen TV will probably require a new DVD player that has the option to set for widescreen. If it is more than a year or so old it probably does not. On the Tv you have to select the widescreen mode and on the DVD/surround player you must also match the TV set up. Sounds complicated---if you cannot do it--there is the Geek Squad. Simple really.
Really, VHS is dead with all the channel 3 and 4 stuff--throw it away. All you need know is a good DVD player and a small surround system. VHS is dead. If your a time shifter then TiVo. I don't watch network TV so I don't need that. J

Bird · Dec 31, 2005

JR, we still have an old VCR hooked up to the little 20" TV in the bedroom. I think that TV has been turned on twice in the last year for a short time and after we moved in September, I checked to see that both TV and VCR still work; they do. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif In the living room, we have a combination VCR/DVD; cheapest thing Walmart had. I think I've recorded two Bill Gaither TV programs on it and we've played a movie on it 3 or 4 times in the past two years. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif Those things don't get much use in our house. And unfortunately, a number of movies that I recorded on the old VCR work just fine on it, but won't play on the new one. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Volfandt · Dec 31, 2005

I got the Mrs a 20" Sylvania LCD TV w/built in DVD for Christmas. It's not HD nor one of those high pixel resolution models but it has a as good if not better picture than the 19" CRT (tube) TV it's replaceing and takes up alot less space on the dresser. It was $480 I believe.
Only negative I've seen is the remote, it has far too many buttons and they are small, but she's already figured it out and memorized most of the keys /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Volfandt