Flat Panel Buyers Guide For Noobs

Sidneyb · 11-04-2008, 02:40 AM

i like that.

smitty5569 · 11-22-2008, 04:13 AM

thanks

Abel1337 · 11-23-2008, 12:05 PM

Thanks for this thread it helped me a lot!

blueprint · 11-30-2008, 06:08 PM

very helpful. thanks!

Hawaii007 · 12-02-2008, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kila

Gray market vendors who lowball prices is a real problem, because if you do happen to inadvertently purchase from one of these your warranty won't be worth the paper it's printed on.

However this is an easily-corrected problem; simply visit the manufacturer's web site for authorized retailers.

A few retailers with good reputations, pricing, and customer service are (in no certain order):

Abe's of Maine Abe's
Vann's Vann's
Amazon.com Amazon
Note: You must purchase from Amazon, not from another company linked on its site or from Amazon Marketplace!
Crutchfield Crutchfield

I'm certain I've left many reputable dealers off this list; my apologies for the oversight. This should get you started at any rate.

I consider Costco pretty reputable, but of course you need membership, but considering their prices and return policy, the 50 dollar membership pays for itself with one HDTV purchase.

PFC5 · 12-03-2008, 04:21 PM

Costco is legit, but I think they offer the extra warranty because they are not authorized retailers for the mfg. I remember reading that on their website, but you should be fine with them.

I think the poster was referring to some smaller internet stores who sell gray market products, and not the legit online or B&M stores.

Riker1964 · 12-04-2008, 03:50 PM

I could not find this info on this forum after my searches (probably not searching using the correct words), so I need to ask. Is there a noticable difference between a 1080p @ 60hz and a 1080p @ 120hz? In other words, is it critical to get an LCD TV that does 24 frame to watch Blu-Ray in it FULL glory, or would a TV with 1080p @ 60hz be just as good? (I don't think my eyes are that critical, but I am sonewhat of a perfectionist - but I don't want to spend the extra money of I don't have to.)

If it TRULY makes a difference visually when watching Blu-Ray movies, then I will go with the Sony Bravia KDL-40S4100 as it is in my price range. And if I need to go with this TV, do you think it will be on sale again before Christmas (I missed the Black Friday deals).

TIA!

12-05-2008, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Is there a noticable difference between a 1080p @ 60hz and a 1080p @ 120hz? In other words, is it critical to get an LCD TV that does 24 frame to watch Blu-Ray in it FULL glory, or would a TV with 1080p @ 60hz be just as good?

The only displays capable of truly showing 24 fps as it is intended are the Pioneer sets... They do 3:3 pulldown as opposed to 3:2 pulldown thus eliminating any frame fill or judder....as for the 120hz...it is apparently all in the eye of the beholder, some love it, some hate it and actually turn it off....

Riker1964 · 12-05-2008, 02:03 PM

What does the Sony Bravia KDL-40S4100 do to get it's 24 fps? Do they use the 3:2 pulldown? Are they 120hz or 60hz?

I thought the 60hz sets were the non-24 fps TVs and the 120hz sets did the 24 fps.

I purchased the Sony 320 Blu-Ray player and want a TV that gets the max out of that Blu-Ray player.

12-05-2008, 03:02 PM

I suggest you read this

http://www.guidetohometheater.com/fl...111/index.html

a quote from the article:

Quote:

It bears repeating that all Pioneer TVs have the ability to display 1080p/24 at 72Hz, repeating each frame three times. This avoids 3:2 pulldown altogether and results in much smoother motion on film-based material. I know of no other flat panels with this rare and important feature.

jck007 · 12-09-2008, 10:11 AM

I am totally new to the HDTV market (and to HDTV forums for that matter). I recently bought a new LG 32LX2R LCD TV. After bringing it home and setting it up I found out that it has a built in analogue tuner instead of a digital tuner. I subscribe to TW Cable and have the TV connected to a digital cable box. I have the cable box connected to the TV via HDMI cable. The HD channels look pretty good, but all the other channels are grainy, and not crisp, like I expected them to be. Is this due to the analogue tuner? Also, do all signals (DVD, cable, etc) run through the analogue tuner? And therefore are downgraded somewhat before they are viewed?

I hope my question makes sense.

JC

Hawaii007 · 12-10-2008, 01:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Riker1964

What does the Sony Bravia KDL-40S4100 do to get it's 24 fps? Do they use the 3:2 pulldown? Are they 120hz or 60hz?

I thought the 60hz sets were the non-24 fps TVs and the 120hz sets did the 24 fps.

I purchased the Sony 320 Blu-Ray player and want a TV that gets the max out of that Blu-Ray player.

Just to be sure, check the specs on the S series Bravia, but if I recall, it does not have the 24p True Cinema capability, and you might be right, it might be only due to the Hz, and so you will have to go to the W-Series to get that capability because that is the "lowest" Series to have the 120Hz.

12-10-2008, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jck007

I am totally new to the HDTV market (and to HDTV forums for that matter). I recently bought a new LG 32LX2R LCD TV. After bringing it home and setting it up I found out that it has a built in analogue tuner instead of a digital tuner. I subscribe to TW Cable and have the TV connected to a digital cable box. I have the cable box connected to the TV via HDMI cable. The HD channels look pretty good, but all the other channels are grainy, and not crisp, like I expected them to be. Is this due to the analogue tuner? Also, do all signals (DVD, cable, etc) run through the analogue tuner? And therefore are downgraded somewhat before they are viewed?

I hope my question makes sense.

JC

Your television should have an analog and a digital tuner in your user menu you should find a command for scan for digital channels and you should recieve your locals in HD at no extra charge...try that, also read this discussion on why SD doesnt do so well on HDTV..

A Discussion On Poor SD On HDTVs

opera lover · 12-12-2008, 02:53 PM

Hi, new here. I just ordered a 50" Sanyo plasma TV with 1080p display. I was excited about it until I read this thread which assigns Sanyo TVs to the bottom of the heap.

I don't play video games but I watch lot of HD TV and DVDs. I plan to buy a blue-ray in the future (which is why I got a 1080p).

For the same price, I could have got an LG 47" 1080p.

Did I make a mistake?

Any input would be appreciated.

PFC5 · 12-13-2008, 03:49 PM

What model Sanyo did you get? Without that we can't help much to look up the specs.

I tried the Sanyo 50747 720p plasma model from Walmart last year, but returned it because it had horrible black levels for a plasma and not even great black levels for a LCD either.

Are you sure it is a 1080p plasma and not a 720p/768p model? Where did you buy it and do you have a link to the model where you bought it?

11-23-2008, 12:05 PM	#138
Abel1337 How can anyone watch standard def? Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 26	Thanks for this thread it helped me a lot! __________________ An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind. ~ghandi

12-03-2008, 04:21 PM	#141
PFC5 Former Super Moderator - RIP Join Date: May 2005 Location: Mass Posts: 38,295	Costco is legit, but I think they offer the extra warranty because they are not authorized retailers for the mfg. I remember reading that on their website, but you should be fine with them. I think the poster was referring to some smaller internet stores who sell gray market products, and not the legit online or B&M stores. __________________ Denon AVR-887 Klipsch RP-5 Pwred Towers (mains) (525 watts peak each 12"Subs) All Klipsch RC-25(ctr),(2)SS1(surr),(2)SS1(rearSurr) Toshiba (2)HD-A20,PS3,BD35 For SACD/DVD-A Samsung HD-841 Panny 50pz80u plasma SETTINGS RCA HD50LPW162 50"DLP w/HD2+ SA 3250HD 47" LCD+Yamaha5790+HD-A1(bedroom) Harmony 680 + (2) 670s (amazing remote/support) Game room with Onkyo receiver & B&W Speakers The_Cable_Game Take the high ground and be happier PSN: PFC5

12-04-2008, 03:50 PM	#142
Riker1964 Samsung TX-S3082WH 1080i Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 13	Noobie Question... I could not find this info on this forum after my searches (probably not searching using the correct words), so I need to ask. Is there a noticable difference between a 1080p @ 60hz and a 1080p @ 120hz? In other words, is it critical to get an LCD TV that does 24 frame to watch Blu-Ray in it FULL glory, or would a TV with 1080p @ 60hz be just as good? (I don't think my eyes are that critical, but I am sonewhat of a perfectionist - but I don't want to spend the extra money of I don't have to.) If it TRULY makes a difference visually when watching Blu-Ray movies, then I will go with the Sony Bravia KDL-40S4100 as it is in my price range. And if I need to go with this TV, do you think it will be on sale again before Christmas (I missed the Black Friday deals). TIA!

12-09-2008, 10:11 AM	#146
jck007 How can anyone watch standard def? Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 19	Does anyone know the answer to my question? I am totally new to the HDTV market (and to HDTV forums for that matter). I recently bought a new LG 32LX2R LCD TV. After bringing it home and setting it up I found out that it has a built in analogue tuner instead of a digital tuner. I subscribe to TW Cable and have the TV connected to a digital cable box. I have the cable box connected to the TV via HDMI cable. The HD channels look pretty good, but all the other channels are grainy, and not crisp, like I expected them to be. Is this due to the analogue tuner? Also, do all signals (DVD, cable, etc) run through the analogue tuner? And therefore are downgraded somewhat before they are viewed? I hope my question makes sense. JC

12-13-2008, 03:49 PM	#150
PFC5 Former Super Moderator - RIP Join Date: May 2005 Location: Mass Posts: 38,295	What model Sanyo did you get? Without that we can't help much to look up the specs. I tried the Sanyo 50747 720p plasma model from Walmart last year, but returned it because it had horrible black levels for a plasma and not even great black levels for a LCD either. Are you sure it is a 1080p plasma and not a 720p/768p model? Where did you buy it and do you have a link to the model where you bought it? __________________ Denon AVR-887 Klipsch RP-5 Pwred Towers (mains) (525 watts peak each 12"Subs) All Klipsch RC-25(ctr),(2)SS1(surr),(2)SS1(rearSurr) Toshiba (2)HD-A20,PS3,BD35 For SACD/DVD-A Samsung HD-841 Panny 50pz80u plasma SETTINGS RCA HD50LPW162 50"DLP w/HD2+ SA 3250HD 47" LCD+Yamaha5790+HD-A1(bedroom) Harmony 680 + (2) 670s (amazing remote/support) Game room with Onkyo receiver & B&W Speakers The_Cable_Game Take the high ground and be happier PSN: PFC5

11-04-2008, 02:40 AM	#136
Sidneyb My plasma is High Def. Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4	i like that.

11-22-2008, 04:13 AM	#137
smitty5569 A couch and an HDTV to go please. Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 11	thanks

11-30-2008, 06:08 PM	#139
blueprint A couch and an HDTV to go please. Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 10	very helpful. thanks!

12-05-2008, 02:03 PM	#144
Riker1964 Samsung TX-S3082WH 1080i Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 13	What does the Sony Bravia KDL-40S4100 do to get it's 24 fps? Do they use the 3:2 pulldown? Are they 120hz or 60hz? I thought the 60hz sets were the non-24 fps TVs and the 120hz sets did the 24 fps. I purchased the Sony 320 Blu-Ray player and want a TV that gets the max out of that Blu-Ray player.

12-12-2008, 02:53 PM	#149
opera lover What is HD? Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 3	Hi, new here. I just ordered a 50" Sanyo plasma TV with 1080p display. I was excited about it until I read this thread which assigns Sanyo TVs to the bottom of the heap. I don't play video games but I watch lot of HD TV and DVDs. I plan to buy a blue-ray in the future (which is why I got a 1080p). For the same price, I could have got an LG 47" 1080p. Did I make a mistake? Any input would be appreciated.

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