Need HDTV and Sat advice!

[dеiтайожни]

Originally Posted by MarineHawk

As for the big one, we got one of these (http://reviews.cnet.com/Pioneer_PDP_....html?tag=also) in December and are very happy with it.

[Note: we actually got the PDP-5071HD, which is the same thing only sold by Best Buy so that they do not have to price match the PDP-5070HD].

I'll second that. Pioneer makes some damn fine plasmas.

[KenP]

P, are you looking for a plasma specifically? We've had two, a 43 and a 50, and they're fine especially if you're going to mount it on the wall. If not, save the money, it's not worth it.

We just got a Sony Wega rear projection. We didn't want the DLP technology because I'd read where some people could actually "see" the mirrors.

Here's a link to the 50" version of what we have:
Sony 50" Rear Projection

BTW, it's supposed to be great for gaming and the pic is knock-out awesome.

We've had satellite before, but didn't like it. Service sucked and they wanted to charge me if they had to come out. With Cox Cable, we get a ton of HD channels including all the local ones, HBO, etc.

[BKLYNH2]

Hawk, I was looking at that one (pioneer) right before I wrote this. That seems like a good one and the prices on it seem pretty good as well.
I'm a little confused that 1080p seems to be the big deal now and a lot of the plasma's that are priced well are not true 1080p. Does it matter much or is it overkill. I think I read that 1080p doesn't matter at that size screen.

Ken, yes I'd rather stay with lcd or plasma, I suppose in my size range I can get either, which only makes things tougher. Right now I have a Sony 36" wega crt, It was amazing several years ago, still is actually but it is taking up about 15sf of my appartment. and I'd like to get the space back.

The best spot in my living room is above the fireplace (not used) but it wasn't possible to put crts or rear projections there, I am psyched about flat panel.

[MarineHawk]

BKLYN, I don't know about the 1080p specs, but I bet someone else on here does.

One thing I got that I really like is one of the decent swing wall mounts so that you can move it out, in, up, down, or tilt it in any direction.

[KenP]

I don't think 1080p vs 1080i is going to matter on that size. If you were pushing 60" it might.

We've got a Sony Wega crt in the den. It's fine for what it does, and you can watch HD on it too. The picture is just smaller when doing that, tho.

[KenP]

Found some stuff for you:
http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6449_7-6361600-1.html

1080p resolution--which equates to 1,920x1,080 pixels--is the latest HD Holy Grail. That's because 1080p monitors are theoretically capable of displaying every pixel of the highest-resolution HD broadcasts. On paper, they should offer more than twice the resolution of today's 1,280x720, or 720p, HDTVs, such as Samsung's HL-P5085W. Some companies, such as LG, refer to these super-high-res of sets as ultra-HD, while others prefer to substitute true or full for ultra.

2. Why 1080p is theoretically better than 1080i
1080i, the former king of the HDTV hill, actually boasts an identical 1,920x1,080 resolution but conveys the images in an interlaced format (the i in 1080i). In a tube-based television, otherwise known as a CRT, 1080i sources get "painted" on the screen sequentially: the odd-numbered lines of resolution appear on your screen first, followed by the even-numbered lines--all within 1/30 of a second. Progressive-scan formats such as 480p, 720p, and 1080p convey all of the lines of resolution sequentially in a single pass, which makes for a smoother, cleaner image, especially with sports and other motion-intensive content. As opposed to tubes, microdisplays (DLP, LCoS, and LCD rear-projection) and other fixed-pixel TVs, including plasma and LCD flat-panel, are inherently progressive in nature, so when the incoming source is interlaced, as 1080i is, they convert it to progressive scan for display.

3. What content is available in 1080p?
Really, nothing at this point. Today's high-def broadcasts are done in either 1080i or 720p, and there's little or no chance they'll jump to 1080p any time soon because of bandwidth issues.

READ THIS:
http://www.hometheatermag.com/gearworks/1106gear/

There Is No Difference Between 1080p and 1080i
My bold-printed, big-lettered breaker above is a little sensationalistic, but, as far as movies are concerned, this is basically true. Here's why. Movies (and most TV shows) are shot at 24 frames per second (either on film or on 24-frame-per-second HD cameras). Every TV sold in the United States has a refresh rate of 60 hertz. This means that the screen refreshes 60 times per second. In order to display 24-frame-per-second content on a display that essentially shows 60 frames per second, you need to make up or create new frames. This is accomplished by a method called 3:2 pulldown (or, more accurately, 2:3 pulldown). It doubles the first frame of film, triples the second frame, doubles the third frame, and so on, creating a 2-3-2-3-2-3 sequence. (Check out Figure 1 for a more colorful depiction.) So, the new frames don't have new information; they are just duplicates of the original film frames. This process converts 24-frame-per-second film to be displayed on a 60-Hz display.

[Tah2oe]

I've got this TV and it is great. Cable card just plugs right into the TV with no need for the set top box. Go with cable and this and you will not be dissapointed.

Samsung

LN-S4696D
46" Wide HDTV with Integrated DCR Tuner and 1080P

Samsung's sleek 46" LCD leads the industry in realistic home entertainment. With its 6000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, over two million pixel resolution, Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp. S-PVA Panel, and 10-bit processor with 12.8 billion colors, the LN-S4696D delivers a picture of startling clarity that rivals real life.

[bparker]

If you can get ATT Uverse in your area i HIGHLY recomend it! As much as I dislike ATT this is by far the best looking and sounding HD programming I have had. I had Direct TV, Cable and lastly had Dishnetworks HD premium - but this Uverse blows it away. The quality of picture on non-HD is night and day better where as the HD picture is the same - BUT - the sound quality is way far beyond what I have gotten out of any other providers.

Now as for TVs, I love Pioneed Elite(s) they are pricey but well worth it if you want the best picture AND a long life.

I opted for a Hitachi Ultra Vision 55" plasma on the wall above the fireplace which is a nice touch. And a JVC 42" plasma for the bedroom. I have only had the Hitachi for 2 years but all is well with it. The JVC I have had for over 5 years and still going strong.

You can get the Hitachi 55" for the same coin as most high end 50" plasmas too. I would put the Hitachi on your "to view" list.