TV experts, HDTV question
 

I am looking into a 42" or 50" plasma, and I realized that there are some that are the same model but HDTV enabled, and 30% more expensive.

now here is my question

what I mostly do is watch DVDs and play video games with friends

rarely do I sit down and actually watch TV


is there a purposs in me buying a HDTV plasma? or should I go for the other kind and save myself some money?

thanx!

If you like sports...HDTV is worth the extra investment.

test it by watching some gay porn

I wouldnt buy a plasma myself. I hear they dont last long. LCD is better or a normal projection. Bit either way if you dont plan on watching over the AIR with an antenna HD programming you dont need it built in.

you will watch tv in HD if you have it, it's that much better

You sure one isnt EDTV? OTherwise it just means that it can receive over the air HD. Otherwise you need a set-top box.

no
not at all.

correct, I am contemplating between EDTV and HDTV

no offense bdjuf, I like you and all.....but...don't you still live with your parents? why are you buying plasma tv's and bmws before you even have your own pad? I'd think a gay man would want his own place.....


like has been said, if you don't watch sports or much tv, edtv plasma will be fine for you and you can get a 42" for a little over a grand.

no offense taken!

why would it be wrong to buy a BMW and a plasma while living with my parents?

I am still very young, I go to school, and it is not in our armenian culture to move out very quickly.

maybe in 2-3 years I will move out, but right now, it's still too early, and simply put, a bad investment

and believe me, I am not gay

Oh, fuck that. EDTV is garbage.

The plasma more expensive one isn't full HD either, but still way better.

Wait until they have 1080p input sets :2 cents:

I still live at home. I could afford to move out or buy a house, but I am busy with school etc. It would be pointless to buy something I don't need and really wouldn't use.

I use my room, the kitchen, and the bathroom at my house. No need to be blowing rent and house payments on something like a house or apartment (though I will never in my life rent)

Panasonic TH-42PWD8UK 42" ED Plasma

Specifications

Display Area 42"

Aspect Ratio 16:9

Contrast Ratio 4000:1

Resolution 852 x 480

Unit Dimensions (WxHxD) 24.0'' x 40.2'' x 3.5''

Unit Weight 65 lbs.


Features

* Up to 4,000:1 contrast ratio - Real Black Drive System and Deep Black Filter provide deeper, richer blacks and enhances image clarity and realism
* Up to 2,048 shades of gradation (4,096 shades via HDMI or DVI connection) - New Advanced Real Gamma System and up to 14-bit signal processing provide superior performance at brightness levels where the human eye sees best
* Full time 3.62 billion (maximum 8.52 billion) displayable colors
* Up to 15% brighter images - Multi-Facet Asymmetrical Configuration Hyper-Pixel (MACH) Panel features bounded cell structure, new phosphor material, and optimized gas composition ratio to improve light-emitting efficiency and intensity
* Up to 60,000-hour panel life - MACH Panel boasts a long service life of 60,000 hours
* 852 x 480 resolution
* 1080/60i, 1080/50i, 1080/24p, 1080/24sf, 1080/25p, 1080/30p, 720/60p, 720/50p, 480/60p, 480/60i signal compatibility
* VGA, SVGA, XGA, SXGA, UXGA (compressed) PC signal compatibility
* 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio
* Over 160 degree viewing angle
* Flexible A/V and IT system configurations - composite, component, RCA, BNC, PC, RGB, SDI, HD-SDI, HDMI, DVI-D w/HDCP, Twisted-Pair Cable, and IEEE 802.11b terminal boards available
* Adaptive Gain Control - raises contrast while suppressing noise by detecting and boosting only the image edges, resulting in high contrast and high signal/noise ratio
* Motion Picture Noise Disturbance Reduction - detects motion patterns that tend to generate noise and makes adjustments to maximize image quality without diminishing the quality of stationary background objects
* 3D Color Management System - reproduces vibrant colors and natural skin tones
* Active Interlace/Progressive Conversion System - reduces interlace to progressive conversion noise that often occurs when reproducing tiny movements, resulting in better vertical resolution
* New Advanced Dual Picture Mode - simultaneously display images from two different sources in Picture And Picture, Picture Out Picture, Picture In Picture, and Video Over PC modes
* 4x Digital Zoom - divide the screen into zones and enlarge images up to 400%
* Built-In Video Wall Processor - set up 2x2, 3x3, or even 4x4 multi-screen plasma walls
* New Remote System Monitoring Command - displays status via RS-232C
* Enhanced Screen Saver Functions - White Bar Scroll, Screen Reversal, Side Panel Adjustment, Wobbling, Peak Limit Mode
* Newly developed phosphor boosts resistance to static-image burning to the same level as CRT displays
* Energy-Saving Functions - Display Power Management Signaling, Auto Power Off, Power Save Mode, Standby Power Save Mode
* New IR Remote Control features direct input select buttons, a Power Off button, and ID control of multi-screen systems
* New bottom-mounted button controls
* Fanless quiet operation
* Host of stands and mounting options available
* Networked MPEG-2 player available
* Plug-in computers available

Oh, by the way, what brand and model number are you looking at. I can point you in a good direction.

test it by watching the 'twinks for life' dvd

you must have a really good family. congrats. I like my family but couldnt wait to have my own place and walk around naked drinking martinis at noon. i dont know how you can fuck chicks/guys with your parents sleeping near by, i know i hated being quiet during highschool.

test it by watching the 'gayer private ryan' dvd

The most important things to look at for the average owner is resolution, input selections, and resolution.

That EDTV is not terribly better than than standard resolution.

test it by watching the 'bears in space' dvd

No kidding. No sense pimping all your shit if at the end of the day you live with your parents..

Go live in some place for 400/month and have all your toys. I was out of my parents house since i was 18 and moved away for school. I think you become more independant that way.

you certainly realize pretty fast that you've gotta make a living the rest of your life and not just to pay for cars and tv's.

test it by watching the 'cocks in space' dvd

<-- Toshiba 52" rear projection HDTV DLP
Fuck plasma.

test it by watching the 'queer as folk' dvd

That and the assumption is your parents bought it all for you etc. I couldnt live with that haha.

test it by watching the 'lil green fag' music video

I like where DLP is heading, but from what I hear, the Samsung (and I assume others) have lag problems with video games. Some people also see rainbow effects due to the color wheel.

Though I think DLP is top notch, I am waiting to see some of the new LCOS displays. In the end, I am still a hardcore CRT person myself.

I can see pixels in these new DLPs and LCDs, and it bothers me.

Buying a non-HDTV (enabled) isn't wise these days. Everything is going to it.

Awesome TV but I may be biased since I have one too! :thumbsup

Buy Sony DLP - One for each room - As long as its HD Adult Ready :)

Do DLP, and get HDTV.

Plasma has many issues long term.

Bdjuf, I have a 42" Panasonic EDTV plasma and it rocks

everything looks great on it, sure you can't watch HDTV signals but it downconverts to EDTV and its pretty crisp.

I say get the panasonic and you'll love , I do and it lasts a lot longer than you think.

I had a SONY rear projection LCD and i hated it (50")

Now 42" plasma and can't be happier, and the black levels and colors on them are quite good. Games look dope too, just make sure to use the best possible input from your console, like SVIDEO or higher.

Panasonic makes the best shit ever, not many people realize it. When i bought my plasma i bought a phillips, also a good brand, but i lovvvve panasonic, just didnt have that as an option at the time, didnt know it existed.

EDTV native resolution is around 780 so if you watch TV/VHS/play games & DVD's most of the time you'll like it. If on the other hand you plan on watching a lot of HDTV and want a set that will be compliant with broadcast regulations come 2008 or so buy HDTV which is 1080 native resolution.
As for EDTV only look at Panasonic & the latest Sharps.
As for LCD beware of motion lag in action scenes.
To my eyes Panasonic makes the best plasmas hands down. The black level is the best which means greatest contrast ratio :2 cents:

The lag problem is generally an LCD thing... I haven't seen it on my DLP. The rainbow problem was from the very first generation of DLPs and even then it was sort of viewer dependant - since then they have increased the color wheel speed by 4-16x depending on your set... I've never seen ANY pixels or rainbows or lag or anything. My only complaint is that the set is actually too big for the room i have it in, so the best viewing is in the corners of the room.

I got a brand new black version 55" Projection HDTV screen with 1080i for just $1400 USD...

With DVD and satellite, you only really see a difference once you buy component video cables, to take advantage of the 1080i. Optical digital cables also rock :pimp

Now I just need to get the component video cables for my PS2, but doesn't look like I'll find them down here, I'll have to order them online I guess.

I've also heard Plasma burns out rather quickly compared to LCD/Projection screens, so if I were you I'd take a bigger size screen and screw the plasma :2 cents:

Do not forget that Blu-ray discs are just around the corner, HD DVDs are only months away

HDTV all the way mate! It is well worth the money and I personally recommend it!
I've had HDTV for the past 3yrs and wouldn't go back to regular.

got it, I will go for HDTV, thank you!

I have a Samsung 42" HD Plasma and it's fucking fantastic! I am watching the Bills play the Falcons in High Definition right now and it's so clear it's ridiculous!

Don't be a cheapskate, go big or go home.

DH

... D L P ...

Don't use DLP (Burn in issues). Go for LCD instead.

I bought the Sony KDF-55WF655 55" HDTV LCD, I love it!

http://www.porn-sex-list.com/sony.jpg

Go for an HD plasma... just spent the few extra $.
Or go for LCD.
I wouldn't go for DLP. It might be cheaper but the colors are pretty poor compared to plasma.

I have the Pioneer 50" HD plasma in my living room and a Samsung 43" EDTV plasma in the bedroom. With progressive scan DVD players you can see a difference in the picture between them.

The question is: Is it worth the price?

I say yes, I LOVE the picture quality on my HD set and I tend to watch the HD channels more because they spoil you :)

We are researching plasmas and lcd tvs......right now, the Panasonic is getting the best reviews.....even though I'm not a great fan of Panasonic....I have heard that Sony is getting out of the plasma market...and Fujitsu is starting to come on strong, although they have some problems with noise. Prettiest picture I've ever seen for the high end price they are asking.

We have read reviews on whether or not LCD is preferable over Plasma...and there are pros and cons to both, which means buy the one you like and don't worry about the reviews...

For the money, Panasonic seems to have what everyone wants and I would get as much bang for the buck as I could...so, for us, it's going to be plasma 50", most likely....and HDTV, which is the way of the future.

This topic is almost poll-worthy. I'm in the exact same situation; trying to decide between

42" Norcent plasma EDTV

42" Hitachi or Sony rear projection LCD HDTV


-Relatively same price (under 2k)
-Not going to hang it so no advantage for plasma there

I just want to crisper, cleaner picture. I think this thread is swaying towards rear projection LCD HDTV.

HD is awesome, can't wait for HD dvds to start coming out. I have a 65" mitsubishi widescreen project and love it. DirecTV HD, PS2, dvds everything are great. Along with the Klipsch surround sound.

40 000 hours isn't long ? I probably haven't watched 10 000 hours of TV in my lifetime...

Agreed. They make some DOPE stuff ;) I like Sharp's too thought. They developped the technology

wheres the ps2 man?