Television Technology dudes

[LesStrat]

13"!

[exnihilo]

13"!

You been watching me in the bathroom again?

cg

[Varg]

, and we're so single-minded we can't possibly know anything useful about anything except pickups.

You don't even know anything about pickups, that's why you never post in that room. You should just give up!

[LesStrat]

You know, you're RIGHT.

I don't even know much about GUITAR. I know next to nothing about AMPS.

I should go off in the woods and die.





But I'm going on a Western Caribbean cruise tomorrow, so dying will have to wait. I'll be sure to post about it upon my return, so you'll have to deal with me a bit longer.

Then I'll continue playing through my POD X3L just to annoy you.

[Varg]

You know, you're RIGHT.

I don't even know much about GUITAR. I know next to nothing about AMPS.

I should go off in the woods and die.





But I'm going on a Western Caribbean cruise tomorrow, so dying will have to wait. I'll be sure to post about it upon my return, so you'll have to deal with me a bit longer.

Then I'll continue playing through my POD X3L just to annoy you.

I play through my Line 6 Guitarport probably 90% of my guitar playing time, so rock that POD.

[Scott_F]

One thing most folks miss is that they get a TV that is too big for their room. It causes a lot of eye strain. Just saying.

[Aceman]

One thing most folks miss is that they get a TV that is too big for their room. It causes a lot of eye strain. Just saying.

In my old house - the 61" ROCKED!!!! That said, I am downsizing. It's a monster in this place. I enjoy a good pic, but I'll adjust to whatever.



We are also thinking about going Web/Hulu/Netflix and bypassing network/cable all together.

[Aceman]

I believe you'll obtain more useful and reliable information by going to CNET or some other consumer technologies websites rather than getting input from this forum Aceman. There you'll find side-by-side comparison, scientific in-depth look into specific products or technologies, while here you'll just waste your time on reading superficial information based on unreliable personal experience.

I hear what you are saying Verbo. There is a forum for everything. That said, I don't care that much about TV. I don't want to write a thesis on it. I want to make a simple easy decision. If someone I know/trust/respect has already made it and done the leg work, and is willing to share, that's a win.


But there is a lot of helpful information here Verbo. Hundreds of guys who do thousands of things besides guitar. It's like the initial pass asking a few friends for opinions to get a feel.

If, for example, you wanted to stick your head in the oven and kill yourself, you should definitely stop here and ask first. You'd be AMAZED at the quality of responses you would receive. Temperature, technique, best brand, all that. You'd be amazed at how helpful everyone here could be.

[Mr 9finger]

One thing most folks miss is that they get a TV that is too big for their room. It causes a lot of eye strain. Just saying.

This is one of the reasons I asked how far away from the TV they view it at.

5 feet away: 42" and under
10 feet away: 47" to 50"
12 feet away: 50" to 65"

You also have to take in consideration viewing distance, angles, and size for picture quality as well. For instance, if you're sitting 12+ feet away and you have 37" to 42" 1080P panel, visually you're only seeing 720P picture quality.

Also keep in mind that all TV's run natively at 60Hz. All the 120Hz and 240Hz stuff you read is software enhancement. Which is good in most cases. Some people's eyes can't handle it. It's bad if you play first person shooter games online. In most cases, that software enhancement is going to cause input lag. Which is the time it takes the information to get from the net, to your console, and through the "performance enhancing" software to your screen. The software slows it down and causes lag. If you play online, make sure it has a game mode that shuts all that stuff off or die a lot.

LCD and LED are just the lighting method for the panel itself. Pick your poison on that. I personally don't like LED back lights. They are way to intense for my eyes and give me massive headaches.

Most importantly, got to as many places and watch as many panels as you can. When you do this though, keep in mind they have those TV's set up for the lighting they have in the store. If you have the option, try to pick a store that has a lighting similar to your viewing area. For me, that was Best Buy.

Oh yeah, out of the box, for some reason all manufacturers have their panels set at retina burn settings. You'll want to turn the back light and contrast down to your liking. They must think that every home has 30 foot sections of fluorescent lighting or something.

We can get in more detail if you answer the questions in my first post though.

[Aceman]

Probably an average of 8-10ft away. I'm thinking 47-50" is likely target.

FPS is NOT a priority, although it happens.

[Aceman]

A lot depends on your viewing "style" for lack of a better term. What are you going to watching on it?

#1 TV shows
#2 Movies
#3 Sports

From how far?

8-10 ft

Do you play games from an Xbox or PS3?

Xbox

Do you have a Blu Ray? HD cable?

NO bluray, don't care

YES HD cable

semi important....Is your TV room well lit, dark, or have a lot of windows?

triple sliding glass door
well lit

[Jessie's ghost]

Goto Montgomery Wards and buy a Goldstar Television.
cg

Goldstar became LG.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[LesStrat]

My LG rawks!

42", 240hz refresh, 80,000:1 ( there are much higher ratios available now), 1080p.

I used to know the refresh ms, but I've forgotten.

LCDs have come a LONG way. We got a 32" Phillips 100,000:1, 60Hz?, 720p for wifey's craft room. We paid ~$250 @ Sam's. It's a great li'l TV.

[Mr 9finger]

#1 TV shows
#2 Movies
#3 Sports


8-10 ft


Xbox


NO bluray, don't care

YES HD cable




triple sliding glass door
well lit

Had it not been for the giant glass door and lighting, I think you'd probably be better off going with a plasma screen. If you do, you may end up with some reflection/glare issues. Mid tier Panasonic and LG have anti glare coatings, so it's still an option. If you go with an LG plasma screen, make sure it has the THX setting. I don't overly care for Samsung plasma screens, but many do, so it's really a personal preference.

Your distance to size ratio is pretty dead on. I'd say go with a 50" if it'll work in your setup. 3" might not seem like a lot, but the extra real estate available, especially with wide screen type movies really helps.

If you play your Xbox online, make sure anything you have has a game mode. If not, don't worry about it. Typically, plasma has better refresh rates, but you also run the risk of burn in if your panel isn't broken in. Most modern plasma screens have anti burn technology, so that's not much of a concern to begin with.

If you're not going with Hi Def media like streaming from VUDU, Blu Ray, etc... Just about any panel is going to do well for you. Pick your brand, budget, and features you like best and go watch them in store. Take a reference movie with you. Most stores will pop it in and let you check it out. Since you will be watching some sports, I'd advise to go at least with 120hz. IMO, 240hz is really only good for fast moving sports on LCD/LED. It does a pretty good job of preventing ghosting. Plasma doesn't usually have these problems unless it's a lower end panel. 240hz for regular HDTV viewing is odd to me. Makes everything look fake. YMMV

The most important thing is getting out there and watching them. Avoid watching at places like Wal Mart. If they have the same brand/model cheaper, go ahead and buy it there. Wal Mart uses the absolute cheapest splitters they can get. Most of them aren't even hooked up by HDMI, so you're not even getting a good representation. If you have an HHGregg near you, I've had pretty good luck there in the past. Plus they'll let you haggle a little bit on price.

[LesStrat]

I have never seen a unit wig 240Hz at Wallyworld. They only recently began carrying a limited selection of 120Hz. I would not buy a main tv at Wallyworld.

In the land of blue hairs you might be able to find stores with better units. But not here.

[Mr 9finger]

I have never seen a unit wig 240Hz at Wallyworld. They only recently began carrying a limited selection of 120Hz. I would not buy a main tv at Wallyworld.

In the land of blue hairs you might be able to find stores with better units. But not here.

Our WallyWorld is pretty small compared to most and 6 of the 14 screens(above 32") they have out for display are 240Hz. They have a really nice 65" 240Hz Vizio 3D LCD out there for $2200. They have it hooked direct to a cheap Blu Ray via HDMI and it looks really good. Even with all the fluorescent lighting. If I had the cash/space, I would seriously consider it.

People knock Vizio all the time as being a budget panel, but truth be known, they're one of the main makers of LCD panels. Both of my LG's have Vizio made panels in them. Sony uses a lot of their panels, as well as Samsung.

[exnihilo]

Goldstar became LG.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

I was making a funny!



cg

[Jessie's ghost]

You are missing the point.

Not at all; I simply segued your point into mine. You warned Ace about the shortcomings of Ye Olde SDUGF; I'm warning him about the shortcomings of CNET.

Ace probably posted this thread because he wants advice from trusted friends -- just simple, honest, anecdotal user testimony. He knows he can dive into the deep end on other websites. And maybe he's already visited them. But here, on our forum, on this thread, he's asking for the folksy wisdom of the people he knows. Tain't nothin' wrong with that, Beauregard.

Not to detract from your point. Most people have pretty mainstream, pretty decent, pretty reliable TV's. Most people haven't seen the best, and they certainly haven't seen them all. So they probably think the TV they just bought is the best one on the market. If it hasn't broken on them, they love it. If it has, they hate it.

That's how most people operate on TV's, I think. It takes a lot to have worthwhile opinions beyond that. Personally, I think there's enough variation in TV calibration and simple program material that most people's observations on picture quality are invalid or very nearly so. For example, I'm so near-sighted that from my computer desk where I sit right now, my 50" plasma appears to have about a third the real estate as the 19" LCD monitor in front of my face. Frankly, I'm surprised I can tell the difference between Ellen Pompeo and Ellen Burstyn.

[Scott_F]

My brother in laws TV has some sort of "virtual" 3D setting that just kinda enhances the picture. Most realistic TV I've ever seen. It'll be my next one. I'lll email him to find out the brand. We watched "Book of Eli" on it and it freaked me out how freaking realistic it was. Light years ahead of my 7 year old Sony Bravia LCD.

[Scott_F]

My brother in law has a high end Samsung. Very realistic simulated 3D. Blew me away.